It's just goodies all around: according to unspecified intelligence, as examined to an unknown standard of proof, by unidentified parties, in secret, he was the alleged operational leader "taking on a continuous command function", which means he isn't entitled to the protections of a civilian under the Geneva convention, even though he is unaffiliated with any national armed force, and not directly engaged in any hostility at the time and place of his death.
Typical Slashdot - we certainly can't trust the words out of the very mouths of terrorists themselves declaring war and calling for the killing of Americans, Britons, or others in the West, their ties to multiple attackers, and active work as part of international terrorist groups. And unless all of the details of the intelligence used to find them and the technology and procedures used to attack them are revealed (thus negating their value in the future) we are on the verge of Big Brother. What a load of crap. It will be a minor miracle if we remain free of routine massacre in the years ahead.
...he isn't entitled to the protections of a civilian under the Geneva convention, even though he is unaffiliated with any national armed force, and not directly engaged in any hostility at the time and place of his death.
You're playing fast and lose on many levels. If you want the protections of the treaty you have to abide by the treaty. Al Qaida doesn't do that, so they don't get the protections. Civilians can't take up arms to wage war unlawfully and have the protections of the treaty. It is a basic enforcement mechanism. Civilians can take up arms and engage in warfare, lawfully, but they have to follow the rules.
The frequent attempts to white wash Anwar al-Awlaki's activities as a leader in al Qaida are appalling.
Who else would qualify for this rather unenviable status?
No mystery.
SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR USE OF UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES.
(a) IN GENERAL- That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.
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Could we be at war with the Sinola Cartel if we wanted to? The Crips?
Not unless they throw in with al Qaida or there is a new resolution.
