← Autodidact Archive · Original Dissent · londo
Thread ID: 3850 | Posts: 5 | Started: 2002-12-04
2002-12-04 17:54 | User Profile
Secret finding signed by Bush gives CIA authority, officials say Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- American citizens working for al-Qaida overseas can legally be targeted and killed by the CIA under President Bush's rules for the war on terrorism, U.S. officials say.
The authority to kill U.S. citizens is granted under a secret finding signed by the president after the Sept. 11 attacks that directs the CIA to covertly attack al-Qaida anywhere in the world. The authority makes no exception for Americans, so permission to strike them is understood rather than specifically described, officials said.
These officials said the authority will be used only when other options are unavailable. Military-like strikes will take place only when law enforcement and internal security efforts by allied foreign countries fail, the officials said.
Capturing and questioning al-Qaida operatives is preferable, even more so if an operative is a U.S. citizen, the officials said, speaking on the condition of anonymity. Any decision to strike an American will be made at the highest levels, perhaps by the president.
U.S. officials say few Americans are working with al-Qaida but they have no specific estimates.
The CIA already has killed one American under this authority, although U.S. officials maintain he wasn't the target.
On Nov. 3, a CIA-operated Predator drone fired a missile that destroyed a carload of suspected al-Qaida operatives in Yemen. [url=http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/nation/1686801]read the rest here. [/url]
2002-12-04 18:13 | User Profile
For now, they claim it's going to happen "overseas." How long before they start coming for Americans at home that they say are working with al-Qaeda. And what's the definition of "working with," anyway? Are they going to knock off David Duke who's over in Russia because he gives press statements critical of Israel to the Arab press? I'm sure the Zionuts could make the case that al-Qaeda receives "aid and comfort" from Duke's statements. And what if there's another attack on the U.S.? With the hysteria kicked up another notch, I'm sure they'll say that paleoconservative opponents of Bush's warmongering are "with al-Qaeda," since "you're either with us or against us," right?
2002-12-04 18:41 | User Profile
Originally posted by PaleoconAvatar@Dec 4 2002, 18:13 How long before they start coming for Americans at home that they say are working with al-Qaeda. And what's the definition of "working with," anyway?
Whatever happened to Padillo??... haven't heard much about him lately.
Bad thing is, they've got this one wrapped up lock, stock and barrel.
Here's an example of what I expect to see in the comming months/years.
US Gov.: We killed him because he's a suspected al qaeda operative.
Americans: Show us the evidence.
US Gov.: Can't... national security.
At this point, everyone's a potential target.
2002-12-04 19:11 | User Profile
Originally posted by londo@Dec 4 2002, 14:41 > Originally posted by PaleoconAvatar@Dec 4 2002, 18:13 How long before they start coming for Americans at home that they say are working with al-Qaeda. And what's the definition of "working with," anyway?**
Whatever happened to Padillo??... haven't heard much about him lately.
Bad thing is, they've got this one wrapped up lock, stock and barrel.
Here's an example of what I expect to see in the comming months/years.
US Gov.: We killed him because he's a suspected al qaeda operative.
Americans: Show us the evidence.
US Gov.: Can't... national security.
At this point, everyone's a potential target.**
I suspect Padillo served his purpose. Bush seems to trot these sorts of things out whenever he looks for Congress to rubber-stamp his latest power grab.
As far as this hypothetical dialogue:
US Gov.: We killed him because he's a suspected al qaeda operative.
Americans: Show us the evidence.
US Gov.: Can't... national security.
At this point, everyone's a potential target.**
That's all too plausible. Very chilling. It makes me angry that there are so many sheep out there who can't imagine this sort of thing taking place--they call us paranoids. But what's so illogical or unbelievable about it? They think Bush is different, that America is somehow different, but, at base, the nature of governmental power and the way it's available to be abused never changes. America is not magically immune to these types of abuses.
2002-12-05 05:17 | User Profile
Originally posted by PaleoconAvatar@Dec 4 2002, 19:11 ][QUOTE=PaleoconAvatar,Dec 4 2002, 18:13 ]That's all too plausible. Very chilling. It makes me angry that there are so many sheep out there who can't imagine this sort of thing taking place--they call us paranoids. But what's so illogical or unbelievable about it? They think Bush is different, that America is somehow different, but, at base, the nature of governmental power and the way it's available to be abused never changes. America is not magically immune to these types of abuses.
AGREED!!
In fact, I believe the US has officially moved into the "Banana republic" kind of democracy.