In sum, we have had four straight years of a president who has wielded what is literally the most extreme and tyrannical power a government can claim – to execute anyone the leader wants, even his own citizens, in total secrecy and without a whiff of due process – and who has resisted all efforts to impose a framework of limits or even transparency.
But finally, according to a new article on Sunday by The New York Times' Scott Shane, President Obama was recently convinced that some limits and a real legal framework might be needed to govern the exercise of this assassination power. What was it that prompted Obama finally to reach this conclusion? It was the fear that he might lose the election, which meant that a Big, Bad Republican would wield these powers, rather than a benevolent, trustworthy, noble Democrat - i.e., himself.
[...]
Glenn Greenwald
But finally, according to a new article on Sunday by The New York Times' Scott Shane, President Obama was recently convinced that some limits and a real legal framework might be needed to govern the exercise of this assassination power. What was it that prompted Obama finally to reach this conclusion? It was the fear that he might lose the election, which meant that a Big, Bad Republican would wield these powers, rather than a benevolent, trustworthy, noble Democrat - i.e., himself.
[...]
"Facing the possibility that President Obama might not win a second term, his administration accelerated work in the weeks before the election to develop explicit rules for the targeted killing of terrorists by unmanned drones, so that a new president would inherit clear standards and procedures, according to two administration officials.
[...]
”Though national security officials insist that the process is meticulous and lawful, the president and top aides believe it should be institutionalized, a course of action that seemed particularly urgent when it appeared that Mitt Romney might win the presidency.
[...]
”The effort, which would have been rushed to completion by January had Mr. Romney won, will now be finished at a more leisurely pace, the official said."
Glenn Greenwald
We've got another four years for secrecy and wide open kill policy, and we can assess the situation again when we find out who is likely to win the 2016 election.* Thanks for all your votes, tools. (George and Dick are soooooo jealous. Dick "the most evil man in the world" Cheney couldn't even have gotten away with this. Of course, we all knew he was evil. Now we have a Good Man - a Peace Laureate, in fact - aiming the drones and checking off the names on the kill list.)
But, wait...
"Partly because United Nations officials know that the United States is setting a legal and ethical precedent for other countries developing armed drones, the U.N. plans to open a unit in Geneva early next year to investigate American drone strikes.”
UN? UN? Irrelevant.
...but hey, do what you want...you will anyway.
*Although, we can't even be sure that another Democrat would be so Benevolent and Good and Noble as the Peace Laureate, so maybe we just have another four years.
Where's that sarcasm font when you need it?
No comments:
Post a Comment