DOJ Justifies Drone Strikes Against Americans

I am guessing that I am included in that "Coin crowd". I would be very interested in what you believe my stance on the drones might be.

And, BTW, Obama himself campaigned against Bush doing the same thing in his 2008 campaign. I wonder what you would classify that as. Obviously, you could not call Obama a hypocrite, could you?

 

Did you wake up and write that nonsense in a half-asleep haze? Anyway, what's your opinion of Obama using drones to kill un-indicted Americans in foreign countries? Be honest, now....

 

Personally, it matters not to me if they are American citizens or not. For me, it comes down to attacking countries we are not at war with or who have not authorized our actions. If these people were in Afghanistan, blow them the hell up, Americans of not. War is hell.

And if Yemen (Somalia, Pakistan, etc) have given us permission to bomb their country, fine. It not, then not so fine. I guess I just expect our reason for attacking another nation we are not at war with to be more than 'Because We Can'. I hope we are prepared for that reasoning when other countries acquire drone technology.

 

I'm thinking that you're more of a conservative than a loony, although I'm not sure what the relative percentages might be, and so I'm thinking that you're against their use when they are employed to invade countries which which we have diplomatic relations or countries with which we are not at war. If I'm wrong just let me know or direct me to the relevant posts.

I can't call Obama a hypocrite? Watch this. On this and a number of other issues, Obama is a hypocrite. You guys seem to insist on believing that I'm one of those Obama can do no wrong folks that you have cooked up to counter the attitude that so many of you have that Obama can do no right. For the record, I wasn't impressed by Obama's first-term performance and I didn't vote for him this time around. I approve of some of the things he's done and is trying to do, but overall I'm not a fan.

 

You of all people should know what I think about that. I'm surprised you would feel the need to ask. I think it's absolute crap. It goes against the values that we apparently used to have and to which we still pay lip service and it serves as just more evidence that the bad guys have won. See second part of my response to rlm above.

 

Word. At least the second part. I not sure yet what I think about it in the case of puppet states that we have created. We are not at war with Afghanistan, but we do behave as though our boy there has given us permission to off anyone we want to. And I suppose he has.

 

Invade countries? Really? I think I can safely say I am against their use to invade countries unless we are at war with them. As for a relevant post, I don't think i have one except maybe #19 in this thread. Suffice it to say the one thing I think Bush did very well was to handle terrorism.

As for Obama, I cannot say enough to demean him lower than I think he really is. He is a liar and I really cannot think of anything he has done that I approve. So we are in the same world inre; Obama although maybe not the same state.

 

I hear ya. We have been in Afghanistan so long and who is The Enemy has expanded so much, it is hard to really have firm absolute thoughts on things involving the place.

About the only absolute thought I have about the place at this point is that every day we stay there is another day longer than we should have stayed there.

 

Let me guess. The fact that you said nothing about Bush's 52 drone attacks but now suddenly the fact that you are beside yourself with indignation over Obama using drones is in no way hypoctitical.....in your mind anyway???

I think if Obama wasn't using drones you also attack him. Obama criticizing Bush for using drones and torture was politics as usual. The only thing I see as hypocritical is YOUR change of opinion based on who is carrying out the exact same policy. Sort of just another example of hypercriticism hyperhypocrisy hyperpartisanism.

 

As far as the rest of this thread goes, Bush said that if you are not with us, then you are against us. If you harbor terrorists, then you will be considered complicit with the terrorists. No matter where you are, no matter whose borders you choose to hide behind we will come after you. The time to voice dissent was then not now that the policy has been carried out for 10 years just because you don't happen to like the guy carrying out the same policies.

I am reminded of a Few Good Men when Jessep said: "And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives...You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that wall. You need me on that wall."

 

Can you please show me just where I expressed any "indignation over Obama using drones". I really think you have your avatars mixed with someone else.

 

From Wikipedia...
US Drone Strike statistic based on research by a team of journalists of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism:
(As of 10 January 2013)

• Total strikes: 362
• Total reported killed: 2,629 – 3,461
• Civilians reported killed: 475 – 891
• Children reported killed: 176
• Total reported injured: 1,267 – 1,431
• Strikes under the Bush Administration: 52
• Strikes under the Obama Administration: 310

As I said, I have no problems with drone strikes on the battlefield. I have a problem with doing them in sovereign nations with which we are not at war just because we can.

I have fully admitted that my views about our 'foreign policy' have changed over the last half dozen years. It doesn't have to do with who is in office. It has to do with spending a year at 2 different theater hospitals in the 2 war zones. I highly recommend that experience to anyone wanting to expand their view of our overseas adventures.

And as far as A Few Good Men goes, it makes for good Hollywood but it also made for torture at Gitmo.

 

I think the issue here is pretty much define, "The Battlefield".

I can see the potential abuse drones pose in the wrong hands. I see the potential abuse of drones in the right hands. The technology is so new that their hasn't been time or the will to hammer out a policy for using drones. I'd love to hear the perspective of our enemies. It must be somewhat unsettling to know that you can be killed anywhere you happen to be. It seems to me that the weapon of terrorism has come home to roost for those that would blow up innocent civilians in downtown New York. They raised the bar by killing over 3,000 civilians. We simply lowered our bar to meet them. I didn't complain when Bush was doing it and I will not complain now that Obama has perfected the use of this technology.

 

I guess I can see how many posts you found of mine where I expressed any "indignation over Obama using drones". OOPS!!! Apparently you just misspoke.

 

I know. They didn't have a problem with this stuff when Bush and his thugs were running the show. Obama has not come up with much if anything that is new here. Was he has done is take the tools and precedents that the Bush regime created for the executive and his advisors and run with them, incrementally expanding, refining, and solidifying them when possible.

 

So does this mean that you think that going into any country anywhere at the president's command in order to vaporize anyone that the president has deemed a threat is good policy?

 

But rimmer admitting his own hypocrisy is just not going to happen. First there was Bush and silence on drones and now there is Obama and suddenly drones are an issue. Hum? What has changed? Oh, the black guy. Typical southern white guy.

 

Going on the principle that they will oppose anything that the Socialist Muslim Fascist etc supports it would be nice if Obama would declare himself a Right-to-Lifer. Over night Roe v Wade would cease to be an issue.

 

I gave you the benefit of doubt the first time, Teddy Ruxpin. This time you are just an out and out liar. And then you show your true colors by adding insults, racist comments. As I challenged you previously, show me where I have said anything negative about Obama's use of drones. What!! You can't do it, can you? At least we now know how you take after your avatar (Hitler) - in your racist opinions!

 

You sit back and criticize those of us who have expressed an opinion of the drone policy without ever offering your own opinion and now you want me respond to your nonsense? Why should I care about anything you have to say? Try having an opinion once in a while and not just jumping on those of us that aren't too cowardly to have an opinon.