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Title: ACLU objects to killing of al Qaeda leader
Source: The Hill
URL Source: http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-brief ... -to-killing-of-al-qaeda-leader
Published: Sep 30, 2011
Author: Erik Wasson
Post Date: 2011-09-30 12:40:46 by Sebastian
Keywords: None
Views: 126188
Comments: 179

The American Civil Liberties Union has objected to the killing of the U.S.-born Muslim cleric Anwar al-Awlaki in Yemen by U.S. forces.

Awlaki was a U.S. citizen, and the ACLU said President Obama does not have the authority to kill an American without due process of law. The White House confirmed the cleric was killed by a U.S. drone attack.

“The targeted killing program violates both U.S. and international law,” ACLU Deputy Legal Director Jameel Jaffer said. “As we’ve seen today, this is a program under which American citizens far from any battlefield can be executed by their own government without judicial process, and on the basis of standards and evidence that are kept secret not just from the public but from the courts.”

The ACLU said the government only has the authority to kill Americans when a threat is imminent.

“It is a mistake to invest the president — any president — with the unreviewable power to kill any American whom he deems to present a threat to the country,” Jaffer said.

Ben Wizner, litigation director of the ACLU’s National Security Project, added:

“If the Constitution means anything, it surely means that the president does not have unreviewable authority to summarily execute any American whom he concludes is an enemy of the state.”

Obama’s actions also garnered criticism from GOP presidential candidate Rep. Ron Paul (Texas).

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#75. To: nolu chan (#72)

No Authorization for the Use of Military Force authorizes the non-military CIA to do anything.

Can you cite any law which forbids the CIA from acting in a military capacity?

Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs

war  posted on  2011-10-08   9:18:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#76. To: war (#73)

I can cite "speeches" from the floor of the Senate made in the late 19th century in which the OPINION of a particular Senator, voting in the affirmative, stated that the 14th amendment did not convey birthright citizenship. You and I both **know** that it does in fact so convey.

So, as I stated, I don't need the history lesson. What I do need is for you to offer a concise argument that your very narrow interpretation of the AUMF against Al Qaeda is the correct one.

Apparently you need another history and law lesson. Congresscritters pass laws. They do not ratify amendments to the Constitution. Acting in their sovereign capacity, the people, not government officials, ratify amendments and breathe life into them. They act based on the black letter text of proposed amendments. The preferred interpretation is in accord with the meaning of the black letter text as understood by the people, upon which they based their ratification. The opinion of a particular Senator, or the entire Congress is not controlling. If the Congress does not like the interpretation by SCOTUS, their only recourse is to propose to the people to change the amendment, because Congress cannot change it or override the SCOTUS interpretation.

Congress passes Federal laws, not amendments to the Constitution.

But go ahead and humor me and cite the irrelevant speech[es] you say you can cite, but have neither cited nor provided.

On the AUMF, I actually posted relevant pages from the Congressional Record on scribd, and linked, cited, and quoted here.

Cong-Rec H5632-5633, 09-14-2001, DeFazio, AUMF in Response to Terrorist Attacks

Cong Rec H5859-H5862, Pres George W Bush, Address to Nation, 09-20-2001

Cong Rec H7189-H7247, 10-08-2002, AUMF Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec H7268-H7301, 10-08-2002, AUMF Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec, H7706-H7735, 10-09-2002, AUMFAgainst Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec H7739-H7799, 10-10-2002, AUMF Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec S9948-S9954, 10-01-2001, Use of Force Authority by the President

Cong Rec S10063-S1007, 10-08-2002, Presidential Ability to Launch an Attack

Cong Rec S10164-S10217, 10-10-2002, AUMF Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec S10233-S10342, 10-10-2002, AUMF Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec S10642-S10645, 10-17-2002, Presidential Ability to Launch an Attack

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-10   19:23:12 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#77. To: war (#73)

So, as I stated, I don't need the history lesson. What I do need is for you to offer a concise argument that your very narrow interpretation of the AUMF against Al Qaeda is the correct one.

I need only show that your interpretation is legally impossible.

Your interpretation, inferring in what Congress deliberately removed from the White House draft, is directly contrary to the War Powers Act, Section 8(a).

AUMF of 2001, Section 2(b):

(b) WAR POWERS RESOLUTION REQUIREMENTS.—

(1) SPECIFIC STATUTORY AUTHORIZATION.—Consistent with section 8(a)(1) of the War Powers Resolution, the Congress declares that this section is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of section 5(b) of the War Powers Resolution.

(2) APPLICABILITY OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS.—Nothing in this resolution supercedes any requirement of the War Powers Resolution.

War Powers Resolution, Section 8(a):

INTERPRETATION OF JOINT RESOLUTION

SEC. 8. (a) Authority to introduce United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations wherein involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances shall not be inferred—

(1) from any provision of law (whether or not in effect before the date of the enactment of this joint resolution), including any provision contained in any appropriation Act, unless such provision specifically authorizes the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into such situations and states that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this joint resolution; or

(2) from any treaty heretofore or hereafter ratified unless such treaty is implemented by legislation specifically authorizing the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into such situations and stating that it is intended to constitute specific statutory authorization within the meaning of this joint resolution.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-10   19:24:47 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#78. To: war (#74)

Two aspects of the resolution are key: First, the use of force authority granted to the President extends only to the perpetrators of the September 11 attack.

The "perpetrators" under your narrow interpretation, perished in the planes.

This text does not appear in my #72 to which you are nominally responding. They are the words of Senator Robert Byrd, and appear in my #69. Just for context, I provide Sen. Byrd's full presentation below.

As you seem to need a lesson on the meaning of the word perpetrator, I will provide the definition from Black's Law Dictionary, 6th Ed.

Perpetrator. Generally, this term denotes the person who actually commits a crime or delict, or by whose immediate agency it occurs.

Perhaps not all the agents of the acts perished in planes. If they did, I wonder who the hell we have been chasing after for the past ten years.

Congressional Record, S9948-S9954 10-01-2001 Use of Force Authority by the President

- - -

Congressional Record, S10642-S10645, 10-17-2002, Presidential Ability to Launch an Attack

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-10   19:26:14 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#79. To: war (#75)

Can you cite any law which forbids the CIA from acting in a military capacity?

AP I, 43.1, AP I, 37.

There's that whole uniform thing going on. Without one, your CIA operative is prohibited from taking part in military hostilities. Military combat is not clothing optional. Falsely wearing a military uniform to get combatant POW eligibility status is perfidy.

See Vincent-Joël Proulx, If the Hat Fits Wear It, If the Turban Fits, Run for your Life: Reflections on the Indefinite Detention and Targeted Killing of Suspected Terrorists, Hastings Law Journal, Volume 56, 2004-2005, page 888, discussing the targeted killing, by drone strike, of Mullah Mohammed Omar.

At 888:

Moreover, the fact that CIA operatives are most likely to coordinate targeted killings using the drone is also problematic. Since these operatives themselves do not conform to the laws of war, by failing to wear distinctive insignia and by not carrying arms openly, they may be subject to prosecution for war crimes.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-10   19:28:47 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#80. To: war (#74)

Oh...I forgot...you don't believe that there were planes...and that my own eyes and ears deceived me..."figments of my imagination" is what I believe you called them...

I believe this claim is a figment of your imagination, but if you believe I said I believed there were no planes on 9/11, you can produce the link and post it. This claim is a figment of your imagination.

I guess it will pass as your best attempt to create a diversion from your other debunked claims that you find yourself unable to defend with any substance.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-10   19:30:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#81. To: A K A Stone (#42)

U.S. Const., Amdt 5: "No person shall be … deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…." If the AUMF is interpreted to bypass any provision of the Constitution, then it must be unconstitutional.

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/1198379522001/the-plain-truth-about-executive-assassination/

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-10   22:14:12 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#82. To: nolu chan, cz82, war (#81)

Gotta love that guy.

He asks "Who will the President kill next?".

You guys agree with the Judge?

A K A Stone  posted on  2011-10-10   23:47:08 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#83. To: nolu chan (#80)

Oh...I forgot...you don't believe that there were planes...and that my own eyes and ears deceived me..

War. You weren't there. That has already been proven on the 911 thread.

A K A Stone  posted on  2011-10-10   23:48:28 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#84. To: Ferret Mike (#81)

You care to chime in on this issue Mike? I am curious as to what your take on it is.

A K A Stone  posted on  2011-10-11   0:02:09 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#85. To: nolu chan (#80)

"I guess it will pass as your best attempt to create a diversion from your other debunked claims that you find yourself unable to defend with any substance."

He does that a lot you know. He is too lazy to do any research, and he hates it when he is wrong so he just pretends this is not so and tries to move on.

Ferret Mike  posted on  2011-10-11   6:23:31 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#86. To: A K A Stone (#84)

I don't wish to offer an opinion on this story here at this time. Some interesting points have been raised, so I am still in the middle of taking a new look at the story and the issues around it in terms of international law.

Ferret Mike  posted on  2011-10-11   6:30:45 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#87. To: Ferret Mike (#86)

international law.

I'm talking about our law. You know the constitution.

You already answered the question. You support Obama assassinating people. If you didn't you would condemn it. You know, what you would do if it was Bush or Herman Cain.

A K A Stone  posted on  2011-10-11   6:52:14 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#88. To: Ferret Mike, war (#85)

He does that a lot you know. He is too lazy to do any research, and he hates it when he is wrong so he just pretends this is not so and tries to move on.

Did you hear that war. Slapped down by your fellow liberal.

You two are both liberals but I have detected some animosity towards each other here and in the past. You're different types of libearls. War is more pro government. Mike is more pro freedom. That is what I see.

A K A Stone  posted on  2011-10-11   6:54:03 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#89. To: A K A Stone, war (#88)

No, I made an error as to whom nolu chan was talking to in the post. I had thought he was refering to someone else. Basically, you asked and I answered I want to do more checking into this issue. That is the point of my answer to you.

I support war's viewpoint, but I am careful as ths is an important point. So I am doing some research on this for my own benefit.

Ferret Mike  posted on  2011-10-11   7:49:59 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#90. To: A K A Stone (#83) (Edited)

War. You weren't there. That has already been proven on the 911 thread.

..you proved squat...you posted a couple of YouTube videos of a handful of people when there were 10's of thousands in the WTC alone. You may as well have posted a video of someone claiming that they saw Elvis do it.

And stop censoring people,

Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs

war  posted on  2011-10-11   7:56:03 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#91. To: war (#90)

First watch your mouth or I will take out the trash.

Next. I posted videos of people as the came out of WTC saying the basement was blown up. Garcia or Lopez or whoever the Janitor was said the same thing.

You said you were there but you weren't. As proved on the thread you are chickenshit of.

As for censoring people. I am now going to censor your post.

A K A Stone  posted on  2011-10-11   8:00:58 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#92. To: Ferret Mike (#89)

support war's viewpoint,

So you support the star chamber. Murder of American citizens. Got ya witch.

A K A Stone  posted on  2011-10-11   8:04:01 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#93. To: nolu chan (#77)

Apparently you need another history and law lesson. Congresscritters pass laws. They do not ratify amendments to the Constitution.

Apparently, you need to lay off of the 'shrooms. I challenge you to post the statement in which I claimed that Congress RATIFIES amendments.

Apparently, you also need a lesson in HOW the USCON is amended. There are two ways, one is a Constitutional convention of the States; the other is that the CONGRESS may PROPOSE amendments to the USCON and submit them to the States for ratificaton by their legislatures. This can me found in the Fifth Article opf the USCON which states, in part:

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution...

The 14th amendment passed out of the Congress in June of 1866...

Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs

war  posted on  2011-10-11   8:16:11 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#94. To: nolu chan (#78)

You've posted the floor speech of one of 535 members of the US Congress. Do you have 534 more stating that they share Byrd's opinion as to what was passed on 9/18/01.

Senator McCain:

“The focus on Al Qaeda and its affiliates was intentional. Al Qaeda is, and has been for the last 10 years, the focus of the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) that Congress passed overwhelmingly after the attack on our country on September 11, 2001. We are at war with Al Qaeda and its affiliates. The President has said so plainly.

“In fact, it was just days ago that the Obama Administration used the fact that we are at war with Al Qaeda to kill an American citizen, Anwar al-Awlaki, in Yemen. That was a decision I fully support. Awlaki had become a leading operational planner for what Administration officials now regard as the branch of Al Qaeda that poses the most significant threat to the United States.

--Senator McCain Floor Speech, October 6, 2011

Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs

war  posted on  2011-10-11   8:21:33 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#95. To: A K A Stone, Fred Mertz (#91)

Go fuck yourself, Stone.

It matters not to me if anyone else sees it.

You saw it...that's all that counts.

Have a nice day...I'll be at True Blue///

/asshole

Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs

war  posted on  2011-10-11   8:33:06 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#96. To: A K A Stone (#91)

"First watch your mouth or I will take out the trash."

A religious bigot like you IS the trash.

Ferret Mike  posted on  2011-10-11   9:21:46 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#97. To: A K A Stone (#92)

"So you support the star chamber. Murder of American citizens. Got ya witch."

Even were I to agree with you, I'd offer you no support because you try to insult when I don't. I would say someone of your maturity level has zero influence on me.

Ferret Mike  posted on  2011-10-11   9:24:34 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#98. To: war, A K A Stone (#90)

And stop censoring people,

When Stone grows up he wants to be like all those despots he admires.

When the people are afraid, that's when the greatest long term money is made.~~~~Clark Howard

mininggold  posted on  2011-10-11   10:22:34 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#99. To: war (#90)

And stop censoring people,

He has one of those Napoleon complexes apparently.

Fred Mertz  posted on  2011-10-11   10:39:52 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#100. To: Sebastian (#0)

Gee, its ground hog day.....again.

Proxy IP's are amusing.....lmao

Badeye  posted on  2011-10-11   12:35:00 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#101. To: war (#37)

[war #33] Please show me where "appropriate force" means "Shoot but not kill".

Thanks.

And we killed Izzy Yamamoto...

- - -

[nc #34] Please show where AUMF pertains to anything other than military force in combat? How do you translate it to non-military force engaged in assassination?

Do you really find the status of American/Yemini citizen Al-Aulaqi comparable to that of Admiral (Japanese Naval General) Yamamoto?

- - -

[war #37] Please cite your authority for claiming that a) the resolution requires that all military actions be "combat" when the resolution clearly states "all necessary and appropriate force" and that command and control structures and personnel would be immune from any type of military strike or that b) a drone attack is not "military force"?

And please don't cite wikipedia as being some sort of authority.

Thanks.

Permit me to give a fuller exploration of your Izzy Yamamoto remark with a quote from competent legal authority.

See Yoram Dinstein, The Conduct of Hostilities under the Law of International Armed Conflict, Second Edition, Cambridge University Press, 2010, pp. 103-104.

To give a more pointed edge to the legal position, it may be useful to compare two prominent instances of targeting enemy individuals in the course of World War II. In 1943, the US targeted the Commander-in-Chief of the Japanese Fleet, Admiral Yamamoto, whose plane was ambushed (subsequent to the successful breaking of the Japanese communication codes) and shot down over Bougainville.635 This was a faultless targeted killing. In contrast, the ambush of the car of SS General Heydrich in 1942 amounted to an exercise in unlawful combatancy. Heydrich — as a military officer — was a lawful target, just like Yamamoto. Still, the act constituted unlawful combatancy, since Heydrich was killed by members of the Free Czechoslovak army (parachuted from London) who were not wearing uniforms (see supra 99)636

As for your CIA led drone strike, see Vincent-Joël Proulx, If the Hat Fits Wear It, If the Turban Fits, Run for your Life: Reflections on the Indefinite Detention and Targeted Killing of Suspected Terrorists, Hastings Law Journal, Volume 56, 2004-2005, page 888, discussing the targeted killing, by drone strike, of Mullah Mohammed Omar.

Moreover, the fact that CIA operatives are most likely to coordinate targeted killings using the drone is also problematic. Since these operatives themselves do not conform to the laws of war, by failing to wear distinctive insignia and by not carrying arms openly, they may be subject to prosecution for war crimes.

In this case it is much more than likely that CIA operatives coordinated the targeted killings. Such has been stated to be the fact.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-11   18:59:23 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#102. To: war (#94)

[war #94] Senator McCain:

“The focus on Al Qaeda and its affiliates was intentional. Al Qaeda is, and has been for the last 10 years, the focus of the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) that Congress passed overwhelmingly after the attack on our country on September 11, 2001. We are at war with Al Qaeda and its affiliates. The President has said so plainly.

“In fact, it was just days ago that the Obama Administration used the fact that we are at war with Al Qaeda to kill an American citizen, Anwar al-Awlaki, in Yemen. That was a decision I fully support. Awlaki had become a leading operational planner for what Administration officials now regard as the branch of Al Qaeda that poses the most significant threat to the United States.

--Senator McCain Floor Speech, October 6, 2011

As for the McCain claim that "[w]e are at war with Al Qaeda and its affiliates," we are not at war. We are engaged in an armed conflict. McCain's misstatement does not change international law. He's the one who said Iran was training al Qaeda operatives and sang Bomb, bomb, Iran.

See Gary D. Solis, U.S. Military Academy, The Law of Armed Conflict, Cambridge University Press, 2010, paragraph 1.4.1, "The Law of War" or "The Law of Armed Conflict"? at pp. 20-21.

What is "war"? Wars on drugs, on poverty, and on illiteracy are laudable political constructs but are not literally wars, of course. A state of war has wide-ranging repercussions in contracts, insurance, constitutional issues, neutrality, and governmental wartime emergency powers, not to mention the life and death issues played out on the battlefield. The "War on Terrorism" is not a war in the sense of Geneva Convention common Article 2 … not all armed conflicts are wars, but all wars are armed conflicts."

See Nils Melzer, Targeted Killing in International Law, Oxford monographs in International Law, Oxford University Press, 2008, reprinted 2010, pp. 246-247.

1.1. International Armed Conflict

a) From War to Armed Conflict

Before the establishment of the United Nations at the end of the Second World War, 'war' was generally understood as a formally declared, and mutually recognized, state of hostility between sovereign States, which found its expression in the application of armed force. Peace and war were not so much factual situations as they were formalized legal conditions to which either the entire law of peace (jus pacis) or, alternatively, the full law of war (jus in bello) applied.

[...]

[T]he contemporary concept of 'international armed conflict' no longer requires a declaration of war, nor does its existence depend on the willingness of the parties to recognize a state of war. Certainly, in cases where neither hostilities nor any other infringement of foreign sovereignty have taken place, a formal declaration of war still ipso facto gives rise to the applicability of the Geneva Conventions. In all other cases, the existence of an international armed conflict is simply determined by the actual occurrence of unilateral or mutual hostilities, which must express the belligerent intent of one or both parties to the conflict. In practical terms, the existence of an armed conflict obliges the involved parties to respect IHL 'in all circumstances' —regardless of reciprocity— as soon as, and the latest when, hostilities are initiated as a matter of fact.

Even the Defense Authorization Bill that McCain was addressing uses the term armed conflict and not war.

The material I quoted, and linked to in its entirety, was contemporaneous with the passage of the resolutions. Your unsourced, unlinked quote is from last week, 10 years after the debate on the resolutions.

Most congressmen are whores and what distinguishes them is what streetcorner they work. McCain's streetcorner is the Senate Armed Forces Committee.

As for the McCain floor speech, you forgot to mention that the floor debate was on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, not the Authorization for the Use of Military Force of 2001, nor did you provide the context of McCain's remarks. He was pimping the 1,145-page Defense Authorization Act. It is stuck in the Senate committee since May and Senator McCain is upset that he cannot get it brought to the floor with some of the crap that is in it. It would appear from his speech that he identifies the problem as Section 1034 at pages 567-568. Apparently, it is not going to reach the floor with that in it (among other things). Notably, this provision tarting up the bill has nothing whatever to do with funding authorization.

H.R. 1540, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, Subtitle D—Counterterrorism, Section 1034, Affirmation of Armed Conflict with Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and Associated Forces, pp. 567-568 of 1145, last action as of 10/11/2011 - Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

HR 1540 - National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 (a Bill, Stalled in Senate Armed Svc Cmte)

SEC. 1034. AFFIRMATION OF ARMED CONFLICT WITH AL-QAEDA, THE TALIBAN, AND ASSOCIATED FORCES.

Congress affirms that—

(1) the United States is engaged in an armed conf1ict with al-Qaeda) the Taliban) and associated forces and that those entities continue to pose a threat to the United States and its citizens, both domestically and abroad;

(2) the President has the authority to use all necessary and appropriate force during the current armed conflict with al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and associatec1 forces pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note);

(3) the current armed conflict includes nations, organization, and persons who—

(A) are part of, or are substantially supporting, al-Qaeda, the Taliban, or associated forces that are engaged in hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners; or

(B) have engaged in hostilities or have directly supported hostilities in aid of a nation, organization, or person described in subparagraph (A); and

(4) the President's authority pursuant to the Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40; 50 U.S.C. 1541 note) includes the authority to detain belligerents, including persons described in paragraph (3), until the termination of hostilities.

The McCain floor speech in its entirety from the Congressional Record:

Cong Rec, S6323-S6324, 06 Oct 2011, McCain, National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2012

Opposition to the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012:

Rep. Van Hollen directly on point shows the crap that McCain wants to insert into the AUMF that was deliberately removed from the GW Bush administration draft of the bill before passage. If the AUMF already did this crap, they would not still be trying to sneak it in the back door.

Other congressmen point out additional problems with this $690 BILLION Christmas tree festooned with ornaments, plus a reversal of the repeal of DADT. Whatever one thinks of the repeal of the DADT policy, this provision does not belong in the financial authorization bill, attempting to hold military funding hostage to crap not related to funding. The policy issue is fair game for congress, but not in this bill.

Cong. Rec. ER-988, May 27, 2011, Rep. Van Hollen.

Mr. VAN HOLLEN. Mr. Chair, this will be the first time that I have voted against a Defense Authorization Act and I do so with great reluctance. But I also do so with confidence that it is the right decision.

Section 1034 of this bill gives this President and all future Presidents vastly expanded authority to take America to war without further congressional action. It gives the Executive a virtual blank check by authorizing the President to deploy an unlimited number of troops into a war of unlimited duration based on illdefined standards. The language in 1034 represents a total abdication of congressional responsibility under the Constitution.

The President already has broad authority to use military force against al Qaeda and Taliban forces pursuant to the Authorization of the Use of Military Force (AUMF) that was adopted in 2001. That provision states:

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.

This bill replaces the existing AUMF with a new provision that provides the President with vast new war-making authority. Under the umbrella of the war against terrorism, it expands the existing broad authority in at least three ways:

DE-LINKS USE OF FORCE FROM 9/11 ATTACKS

The original language gave the President the authority to use military force against any entities he determined to be connected to the attacks of September 11, 2001 or any nation, organization or persons he determined harbored such entities. The new language expands the authority to target entities regardless of their connection to the September 11 attacks.

PERMITS ATTACKS ON UNDEFINED ‘‘ASSOCIATED FORCES’’

The original language authorized all necessary force against the entities responsible for the 9/11 attacks, but did not provide the authority to wage war against undetermined ‘‘associated forces.’’ The term ‘‘associated forces’’ is totally undefined and would allow any President to apply that term with great elasticity to go to war without congressional approval in any number of situations.

ALLOWS USE OF FORCE AGAINST ENTITIES THAT ‘‘SUPPORT’’ THE TALIBAN, AL QAEDA OR ‘‘ASSOCIATED FORCES’’

The original language allowed the use of force against entities that ‘‘harbored’’ the terrorist groups that perpetuated the attacks of 9/11. The new language allows the President to wage war, without additional congressional consent, against any entities that substantially support the Taliban, al Qaeda or ‘‘associated forces.’’ This is a much weaker standard than the existing requirement.

Had the Congress included this language in the 2001 AUMF, President Bush could have sent American troops into Iraq without seeking a separate resolution to use force. This language authorizes the Executive to launch military action against an entity that had nothing to do with the attacks of September 11, 2001 so long as the President determines that a country or organization is substantially supporting the Taliban, al Qaeda or ‘‘associated forces.’’ The Bush administration claimed that the regime of Saddam Hussein was allowing Iraqi territory to be used to train al Qaeda elements. While I believe the Congress made a mistake in voting to authorize President Bush to go to war in Iraq, at least Congress debated and voted on the decision. With this new provision in place, no such vote would have been required.

Under the Constitution, the President of the United States already has relatively broad powers to use military force as Commander in Chief. In addition, the existing Authorization of the Use of Military Force provides the President with additional authority to take military action in a wide array of situations without seeking additional congressional approval or a declaration of war. It is a reckless surrender of congressional responsibility for the Congress to write this new open-ended blank check for the use of military force. Not even the Executive has been brazen enough to request this new broad grant of authority.

The language in Section 1034 is sloppy, illconsidered and poorly conceived. No hearings were held to consider its full ramifications. This Congress should be ashamed of itself for its careless and cavalier approach to a question of such grave national significance.

I urge the Senate and the President to reject this provision and hope to have an opportunity to vote for a revised Defense Authorization Act that doesn’t undermine the constitutional responsibilities of the Congress.

Cong. Rec. ER-988, May 27, 2011, Rep. Inslee.

Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Chair, I rise today to express my concern over a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 that would limit the access of certain military retirees to the TRICARE Uniformed Services Family Health Plan (USFHP).

As you know, USFHP has been an extremely popular program within the Military Health System since its introduction in 1981, serving more than 115,000 active duty service members, veterans, and their families 16 states, including more than 11,000 in Washington state. USFHP consistently earns a 90 percent satisfaction rating among its enrollees— by far the highest among military beneficiary programs. In addition to its success and popularity, this program plays an integral component in the Department of Defense (DoD) meeting its commitment to provide health care to those who have served our country in uniform.

The provision included in this year’s Defense Authorization bill would terminate health care services under the plan when beneficiaries reach the age of 65 and become eligible to transfer to Medicare. Over one third of all USFHP beneficiaries are currently over 65 and are taking advantage of the USFHP managed care structure. Removing them from the program could undermine the highly effective disease management and prevention aspects of the USFHP, not to mention potentially ending longstanding patient-doctor relationships due to the change in coverage.

USFHP is a fully capitated program, providing quality and efficient care to beneficiaries. Even recently, Congress highlighted the effectiveness of USFHP in the 111th DoD authorization bill, while directing DoD to examine opportunities to improve the broader TRICARE Program. Additionally last year the Director of TRICARE Management engaged USFHP to assist in educating the rest of the DoD system about their highly successful prevention and disease management programs.

Cong Rec, ER-987, May 24, 2011, Rep. Stark.

Mr. STARK. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act.

It does not make sense to waste billions of tax dollars on an already bloated defense department, particularly in our current economic state. This bill is loaded with unnecessary and redundant funding. For example, it calls for the reckless continuation of the V–22 Osprey program, which has killed over 30 Americans in training alone, and whose termination could save us $10–12 billion over the next 10 years.

Defense spending currently constitutes almost 60 percent of our discretionary spending. As we are forced to consider cutting important programs that working families depend on, we cannot continue to spend money we do not have—especially on an overly saturated Department of Defense. Americans have voiced their priorities: They want jobs, affordable health care and better education. This Congress must listen.

Cong. Rec. ER-987, May 27, 2011, Rep. Blumenauer

The bill authorizes $690.1 billion for defense programs in FY12. This level of defense spending is almost as much as the rest of the world combined—most of which is done by friendly allies such as NATO (approximately $350 billion). It also includes an additional $118.9 billion in specific funds for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan without a plan for a full redeployment from the region. I am disappointed that amendments to require a rapid and thoughtful withdrawal from Afghanistan were not approved. For me, this is reason enough not to support this legislation.

The bill continues the misguided affront on civil liberties by further stalling the implementation of ‘‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,’’ and requires that ‘‘marriage’’ for any regulation or benefit program at DoD means only a legal union between one man and one woman. This is a step backwards and unacceptable.

It reverses the House victory from earlier this year that finally eliminated the unnecessary alternate engine for the F–35 Joint Strike Fighter. Similarly, the bill continues to fund the Marine Corps’ Expeditionary Fighting Vehicle (EFV) which has also been cited as uneconomical and unwanted by the Secretary of Defense.

Embarrassingly, this authorization contains two key provisions that continue to tie the President’s hands by restricting his ability to transfer detainees to the United States for trial in Federal court and to release detainees to countries willing to take them. It is absurd to think that the United States, which currently has thousands of dangerous criminals locked safely behind bars, is incapable of doing the same for terrorists. These provisions continue the Guantanamo quagmire which is ill-advised and a sign of failure at home and to those observing abroad.

Cong Rec, ER-957, May 24, 2011, Rep. Quigley.

Mr. QUIGLEY. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 1540, the National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2012.

More specifically, I rise in fierce opposition to provisions of this bill which seek to deter and derail the repeal of Don’t-Ask-Don’t-Tell. A repeal, which has been implemented only after the Department of Defense completed a comprehensive review of the issues associated with the repeal.

A repeal, which has been implemented only after DOD solicited the views of nearly 400,000 active duty and reserve component Servicemembers.

A repeal, which has been implemented only after DOD conducted one of the largest surveys in the history of the U.S. military.

Still, we stand here today to consider a measure that demonstrates that this body doesn’t believe that Secretary Gates and Admiral Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, are right to support the repeal.

I believe in our military’s ability to evaluate and make recommendations, and I fully support their plan to implement repeal.

Cong Rec, E-1000, May 31, 2011, Rep. Israel.

Mr. ISRAEL. Mr. Speaker, last year, the House of Representatives approved historic legislation that repealed the Defense Department policy known as ‘‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.’’ For too long, this discriminatory policy forced many patriotic Americans who wanted to serve their nation to decide against military service, lie about their sexual orientation, or leave the military against their will. It was shameful that Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell was allowed to continue for so many years, and it gave me tremendous pride to support the policy’s repeal last year.

I am very disappointed that H.R. 1540, the Fiscal Year 2012 National Defense Authorization Act, included section 533, which would add a further step on the path to final repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. It requires that each of the Armed Forces service chiefs approve repeal. While I believe that the input of the military is critical to a smooth transition to open military service, the current process that is already underway to repeal Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell includes significant input from the uniformed military personnel and Defense Department leadership. In fact, under current law, the policy only ends 60 days after the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff approve a Defense Department report confirming that the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell will not harm military readiness. Section 533 is nothing more than an attempt to delay final repeal.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-11   19:07:56 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#103. To: war (#93)

#93. To: nolu chan (#77)

Apparently you need another history and law lesson. Congresscritters pass laws. They do not ratify amendments to the Constitution.

Apparently, you need to lay off of the 'shrooms.

[...]

Stay Hungry...Stay Foolish --Steve Jobs

war  posted on  2011-10-11   8:16:11 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

I guess this must be your latest tactic of distraction, linking back to the wrong post. Once again, what you quote is from #76 is not from #77 to which you respond. If this is not intentional, then I am not the one who needs to lay off the 'shrooms.

You did not claim Congress passes Amendments. I pointed out that that congress does not, demonstrating the insignificance of your claim that you could (you did not) "cite 'speeches' from the floor of the Senate made in the late 19th century in which the OPINION of a particular Senator, voting in the affirmative, stated that the 14th amendment did not convey birthright citizenship." It is irrelevant to the issue of AUMF for which I produced actual debate of two resolutions. Also, whatever a Senator may blather about congressional intent regarding a constitutional amendment does not carry much weight as the federal congress is not the body that votes whether to ratify an amendment. Others vote on the black letter text presented to them.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-11   19:18:19 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#104. To: war (#94)

[war #94] You've posted the floor speech of one of 535 members of the US Congress. Do you have 534 more stating that they share Byrd's opinion as to what was passed on 9/18/01.

I provided unedited debate sessions from the time they started speaking about the AUMF until they moved on to something else. I did so for both houses. That includes about 300 pages and everybody who spoke at the time. I provided a link to the material I cited and quoted. I'll do it again, only better. You are invited to read "the floor speech of one of the 535 members of the US Congress."

This "response" to #78 is sad, attempting to ignore #76. If I do not repeat all of it in each post you claim it was never said at all. Enjoy the reread done with extra effort for the completeness you seek.

As you are aware, there was very scant floor debate on the 9/18/2001 Resolution. There was a tremendous amount of floor debate about the Iraq AUMF of 2002. You remember, the one about the guy with WMD who was directly linked to al Qaeda, and whose imminent production of nuclear weapons threated to engulf NYC in a mushroom cloud. That guy. And they needed to pass another AUMF to use the troops there.

#76. To: war (#73)

I can cite "speeches" from the floor of the Senate made in the late 19th century in which the OPINION of a particular Senator, voting in the affirmative, stated that the 14th amendment did not convey birthright citizenship. You and I both **know** that it does in fact so convey.

So, as I stated, I don't need the history lesson. What I do need is for you to offer a concise argument that your very narrow interpretation of the AUMF against Al Qaeda is the correct one.

Apparently you need another history and law lesson. Congresscritters pass laws. They do not ratify amendments to the Constitution. Acting in their sovereign capacity, the people, not government officials, ratify amendments and breathe life into them. They act based on the black letter text of proposed amendments. The preferred interpretation is in accord with the meaning of the black letter text as understood by the people, upon which they based their ratification. The opinion of a particular Senator, or the entire Congress is not controlling. If the Congress does not like the interpretation by SCOTUS, their only recourse is to propose to the people to change the amendment, because Congress cannot change it or override the SCOTUS interpretation.

Congress passes Federal laws, not amendments to the Constitution.

But go ahead and humor me and cite the irrelevant speech[es] you say you can cite, but have neither cited nor provided.

On the AUMF, I actually posted relevant pages from the Congressional Record on scribd, and linked, cited, and quoted here.

Cong-Rec H5632-5633, 09-14-2001, DeFazio, AUMF in Response to Terrorist Attacks

Cong Rec H5859-H5862, Pres George W Bush, Address to Nation, 09-20-2001

Cong Rec H7189-H7247, 10-08-2002, AUMF Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec H7268-H7301, 10-08-2002, AUMF Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec, H7706-H7735, 10-09-2002, AUMFAgainst Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec H7739-H7799, 10-10-2002, AUMF Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec S9948-S9954, 10-01-2001, Use of Force Authority by the President

Cong Rec S10063-S1007, 10-08-2002, Presidential Ability to Launch an Attack

Cong Rec S10164-S10217, 10-10-2002, AUMF Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec S10233-S10342, 10-10-2002, AUMF Against Iraq Resolution of 2002

Cong Rec S10642-S10645, 10-17-2002, Presidential Ability to Launch an Attack

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-10   19:23:12 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

This is the fuller extent of stuff that I quoted from and linked to.

Congressional Record, H5632-5633, 09-14-2001, DeFazio, Authority Use of Military Force in Response to Terro...

- - -

Congressional Record, H5859-H5862, President George W Bush Address to Nation, 09-20-2001

- - -

Congressional Record, H7189-H7247, 10-08-2002, Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolut...

- - -

Congressional Record, H7268-H7301, 10-08-2002, Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolut...

- - -

Congressional Record, H7706-H7735, 10-09-2002, Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolut...

- - -

Congressional Record, H7739-H7799, 10-10-2002, Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolut...

- - -

Congressional Record, S9948-S9954 10-01-2001 Use of Force Authority by the President

- - -

Congressional Record, S10063-S10077, 10-08-2002, Presidential Ability to Launch an Attack

- - -

Congressional Record, S10164-S10217, 10-10-2002, Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resol...

- - -

Congressional Record, S10233-S10342, 10-10-2002, Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resol...

- - -

Congressional Record, S10642-S10645, 10-17-2002, Presidential Ability to Launch an Attack

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-11   19:27:02 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#105. To: war (#80)

#80. To: war (#74)

Oh...I forgot...you don't believe that there were planes...and that my own eyes and ears deceived me..."figments of my imagination" is what I believe you called them...

I believe this claim is a figment of your imagination, but if you believe I said I believed there were no planes on 9/11, you can produce the link and post it. This claim is a figment of your imagination.

I guess it will pass as your best attempt to create a diversion from your other debunked claims that you find yourself unable to defend with any substance.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-10   19:30:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply

*** C R I C K E T S ***

Where is the link to the figment of your imagination?

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-11   19:28:27 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#106. To: nolu chan (#102) (Edited)

As for the McCain claim that "[w]e are at war with Al Qaeda and its affiliates," we are not at war. We are engaged in an armed conflict. McCain's misstatement does not change international law. He's the one who said Iran was training al Qaeda operatives and sang Bomb, bomb, Iran.

Thanks for that. And I should regard you as an authority to negate what McCain knows or does not know why again? Oh right...you're that guy on the internet...

I've read through the floor speeches of both chambers long prior to this discussion.

There are several speakers, in both the House and the Senate, who stated that the war would last years and span several nations for the purpose of eradicating the organization that perpetrated 9/11 not just the perps themselves but Al Qaeda's ability to strike again.

There were House members and Senate members who stated this. But, since you kindly provided the Congressional record of those floor debates, I am sure that you are well aware of this and that you omission was to save space.

Then again, if you are not so familiar, then I'd suggest that you familiarize yourself with the floor statements made in the House from the moment Rep Lantos was recognized, made his statement and then yielded time.

IN speech after speech, the members of Congress, including IIRC, Ron Paul, did not question the authority of the POTUS to wage a retaliatory action under the War Powers Act alone - oddly invoked if we aren't at war but in an armed conflict...and thank you for your redundant euphemism. It reminds me how dealing with lawyers has made me mistrustful of language.

Look, Sebastian, a COCK!!! Let's suck it!!! Luberator posted on 2011-10-11 12:55:10 ET Reply Trace Private Reply Oh let's!!! Sebastian posted on 2011-10-11 13:01:33 ET Reply Trace Private Reply

war  posted on  2011-10-11   21:19:26 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#107. To: nolu chan (#104) (Edited)

Since we are discussing the resolution that was passed in 2001, providing a copy of the Congressional Record from 2002 when the debate was regarding Iraq and going to war, er, entering into an armed conflict against them, that "information" is extrinsic and thus spurious. We're discussing the authorization to destroy Al Qaeda and their enablers.

Maybe you didn't check the date?

Look, Sebastian, a COCK!!! Let's suck it!!! Luberator posted on 2011-10-11 12:55:10 ET Reply Trace Private Reply Oh let's!!! Sebastian posted on 2011-10-11 13:01:33 ET Reply Trace Private Reply

war  posted on  2011-10-11   21:21:12 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#108. To: nolu chan (#105)

I guess it will pass as your best attempt to create a diversion from your other debunked claims t

I believe this claim is a figment of your imagination, but if you believe that you have debunked anything of mine you can produce the link and post it. This claim is a figment of your imagination.

[snicker]

Look, Sebastian, a COCK!!! Let's suck it!!! Luberator posted on 2011-10-11 12:55:10 ET Reply Trace Private Reply Oh let's!!! Sebastian posted on 2011-10-11 13:01:33 ET Reply Trace Private Reply

war  posted on  2011-10-11   21:23:08 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#109. To: nolu chan (#103)

You did not claim Congress passes Amendments.

You're repeating back to me what I said...why? And if I linked to the wrong post...excuse me...it wasn't done with malice of forethought...

I pointed out that that congress does not, demonstrating the insignificance of your claim that you could (you did not) "cite 'speeches' from the floor of the Senate made in the late 19th century in which the OPINION of a particular Senator, voting in the affirmative, stated that the 14th amendment did not convey birthright citizenship."

Is there a cogent thought in there or did you believe that the length of the sentence somehow conveyed its presently missing point? MY point, was that the significance of a single floor speech is nil - especially in light of how the law - or amendment - was subsequently executed or interpreted.

It is irrelevant to the issue of AUMF for which I produced actual debate of two resolutions.

We are only discussing ONE of those resolutions, btw.

Also, whatever a Senator may blather about congressional intent regarding a constitutional amendment does not carry much weight as the federal congress is not the body that votes whether to ratify an amendment. Others vote on the black letter text presented to them.

Your point is that the Congress passes out amendments without worry about eh language therein contained? Interesting...

Look, Sebastian, a COCK!!! Let's suck it!!! Luberator posted on 2011-10-11 12:55:10 ET Reply Trace Private Reply Oh let's!!! Sebastian posted on 2011-10-11 13:01:33 ET Reply Trace Private Reply

war  posted on  2011-10-11   21:37:55 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#110. To: war (#106)

[war 106] Thanks for that. And I should regard you as an authority to negate what McCain knows or does not know why again? Oh right...you're that guy on the internet...

Because you don't have a clue what you are talking about.

Because I cite and quote legal texts of legal authorities and you just babble nonsense.

You can make believe you did not see the expert opinions and I can repeat and add to them.

See Gary D. Solis, U.S. Military Academy, The Law of Armed Conflict, Cambridge University Press, 2010, paragraph 1.4.1, "The Law of War" or "The Law of Armed Conflict"? at pp. 20-21.

What is "war"? Wars on drugs, on poverty, and on illiteracy are laudable political constructs but are not literally wars, of course. A state of war has wide-ranging repercussions in contracts, insurance, constitutional issues, neutrality, and governmental wartime emergency powers, not to mention the life and death issues played out on the battlefield. The "War on Terrorism" is not a war in the sense of Geneva Convention common Article 2 … not all armed conflicts are wars, but all wars are armed conflicts."

See Nils Melzer, Targeted Killing in International Law, Oxford monographs in International Law, Oxford University Press, 2008, reprinted 2010, pp. 246-247.

1.1. International Armed Conflict

a) From War to Armed Conflict

Before the establishment of the United Nations at the end of the Second World War, 'war' was generally understood as a formally declared, and mutually recognized, state of hostility between sovereign States, which found its expression in the application of armed force. Peace and war were not so much factual situations as they were formalized legal conditions to which either the entire law of peace (jus pacis) or, alternatively, the full law of war (jus in bello) applied.

[...]

[T]he contemporary concept of 'international armed conflict' no longer requires a declaration of war, nor does its existence depend on the willingness of the parties to recognize a state of war. Certainly, in cases where neither hostilities nor any other infringement of foreign sovereignty have taken place, a formal declaration of war still ipso facto gives rise to the applicability of the Geneva Conventions. In all other cases, the existence of an international armed conflict is simply determined by the actual occurrence of unilateral or mutual hostilities, which must express the belligerent intent of one or both parties to the conflict. In practical terms, the existence of an armed conflict obliges the involved parties to respect IHL 'in all circumstances' —regardless of reciprocity— as soon as, and the latest when, hostilities are initiated as a matter of fact.

See Melzer, Targeted Killing, pp. 224-225.

Extraterritorial targeted killings which clearly were not directed against legitimate military targets, and must therefore be examined under the law enforcement paradigm include… .

In other cases, the responsible State may claim to operate under the paradigm of hostilities, without it being clear whether the situation does, in fact, amount to an armed conflict. For example, the targeted killing by the United States of suspected al-Qaida leaders with the agreement of the territorial Governments, such as Qaed Senyan al-Harithi in Yemen (2002) and, allegedly, Haitham ai-Yemeni in Pakistan (2005), as well as the unauthorized attempt by the United States to kill Ayman al-Zawahiri in Pakistan (2006) all took place outside the territorial jurisdiction of the United States and within the context of its 'war on terrorism'. Since the 'war on terrorism' does not, as a whole, amount to an armed conflict, these targeted killings must be governed by the law enforcement paradigm unless they constitute an integral part of hostilities occurring in separate situations of armed conflict. As will be seen, however, even targeted killings occurring within the conduct of hostilities must be governed by the law enforcement paradigm if they are not directed against legitimate military targets. For instance, based on publicly available facts, it is at least doubtful whether the political leader of Hamas, Khalid Mashal (1997), and the organization's wheelchair-bound and half-blind spirirual leader, Sheik Ahmed Yassin (2004), could be regarded as legitimate military targets at the time when Israel launched its operations against them. Unless proven otherwise, both operations would therefore have to be examined under the standards imposed by the law enforcement paradigm.

In sum, State-sponsored targeted killing frequently takes place in siruations where the operating State is likely ro question or dispute the applicability of law enforcement standards. Therefore, the conclusion that any targeted killing not directed against a legitimate military target must — 'by default' and regardless of temporal or territorial considerations — comply with the law enforcement paradigm is highly significant for the examination of current State practice under international law.

See the condemnation by the international community for an extra-judicial Israeli assassination.

UN Security Council S2004-240 (03-24-2004) US Veto re Targeted Killing of Ahmed Yassin

European Union, 2572nd Council Meeting, External Relations, Brussels, 22 March 2004, Presse Release 7383/04 (Presse 80), page 8 of 24.

22.03.2004

MIDDLE EAST

– Assassination of Sheikh Ahmed Yassin – Council conclusions

“The Council condemned the extra-judicial killing of Hamas leader Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and seven other Palestinians by Israeli forces this morning. The European Union has consistently opposed extra-judicial killings. Not only are extra-judicial killings contrary to international law, they undermine the concept of the rule of law which is a key element in the fight against terrorism.

The European Union has repeatedly condemned the terrorist atrocities committed by Hamas which have resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Israelis. The EU recognises Israel's right to protect its citizens against terrorist attacks. Israel is entitled to do this under international law. Israel is not, however, entitled to carry out extra-judicial killings. Furthermore, the assassination which has just been carried out has inflamed the situation. The Council called on all sides to exercise restraint and to refrain from acts of violence, which will only lead to more deaths and will put a peaceful settlement still further from reach.

Violence is no substitute for the political negotiations which are necessary for a just and lasting settlement. The Quartet Roadmap remains the basis for reaching such a settlement.”

7383/04 (Presse 80)

8

Even the Defense Authorization Bill that McCain was addressing uses the term armed conflict and not war.

I've read through the floor speeches of both chambers long prior to this discussion.

Sure you did, and then you had a long and enlightening discussion with your imaginary friends.

There are several speakers, in both the House and the Senate, who stated that the war would last years and span several nations for the purpose of eradicating the organization that perpetrated 9/11 not just the perps themselves but Al Qaeda's ability to strike again.

It is just a shame that you couldn't come up with a single example of your several speakers.

There were House members and Senate members who stated this. But, since you kindly provided the Congressional record of those floor debates, I am sure that you are well aware of this and that you omission was to save space.

Why, I'll just bet half your imaginary friends ran over to the Hague and the other half ran over to Geneva and rewrote all that international law stuff.

IN speech after speech, the members of Congress, including IIRC, Ron Paul, did not question the authority of the POTUS to wage a retaliatory action under the War Powers Act alone - oddly invoked if we aren't at war but in an armed conflict...and thank you for your redundant euphemism. It reminds me how dealing with lawyers has made me mistrustful of language.

In speech after speech, which you can't remember, and if you recall correctly, not for example as you falsely claim to recall my denial of jets on 9/11.

As for the War Powers Act, I provided you with the full text. If it says somewhere that assassination of American citizens is authorized, and overrides the Constitution and International Law, perhaps you could quote that part. Try the part that says, "Nothing in this joint resolution— (1) is intended to alter the constitutional authority of the Congress or of the President, or the provisions of existing treaties; or (2) shall be construed as granting any authority to the President with respect to the introduction of United States Armed Forces into hostilities or into situations wherein involvement in hostilities is clearly indicated by the circumstances which authority he would not have had in the absence of this joint resolution."

Dealing with lawyers made me distrustful of lawyers. Dealing with bullshitters made me think of them as light entertainment.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-12   1:35:49 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#111. To: war (#107)

Since we are discussing the resolution that was passed in 2001, providing a copy of the Congressional Record from 2002 when the debate was regarding Iraq and going to war, er, entering into an armed conflict against them, that "information" is extrinsic and thus spurious. We're discussing the authorization to destroy Al Qaeda and their enablers.

Had you bothered to read the Iraq resolution or my posts, or had you been able to comprehend them, as the case may be, you could not have missed the relevant information showing your witless comment to be inane. You seem to have forgotten that members of al Qaeda being in Iraq was one of the specific justifications to going into Iraq.

http://libertysflame.com/cgi-bin/readart.cgi?ArtNum=24551&Disp=69#C69

In 2002, President George W. Bush sought authorization to use military force against Iraq. The resulting joint resolution contained the following:

Whereas members of al Qaida, an organization bearing responsibility for attacks on the United States, its citizens, and interests, including the attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, are known to be in Iraq;

Whereas Iraq continues to aid and harbor other international terrorist organizations, including organizations that threaten the lives and safety of American citizens;

Since you are running, hiding, ducking, diving, diverting and digressing, and in general just bloviating, I need to explain to you that WE are not just discussing the Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) of 2001. WE are discussing your pulling out of your ass the claim that an AUMF authorizes assassination of American citizens without their being charged or indicted or convicted of any crime, and without their having been afforded any due process of law, by virtue solely of a secret committee, whose existence was unauthorized by any law, which acted secretly and with secret evidence.

You have yet to attempt to address why GWB, the same president, sought and obtained the AUMF of 2002 to go into Iraq. If all the utter nonsense you claim for the AUMF of 2001 were true, there would have been no need to the AUMF of 2002. Also, there would be no need for the crap in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 if that were already part of the AUMF of 2001 and made the president omnipotent and above the Constitution and all other laws.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-12   1:39:07 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#112. To: war (#108)

#80. To: war (#74)

Oh...I forgot...you don't believe that there were planes...and that my own eyes and ears deceived me..."figments of my imagination" is what I believe you called them...

I believe this claim is a figment of your imagination, but if you believe I said I believed there were no planes on 9/11, you can produce the link and post it. This claim is a figment of your imagination.

I guess it will pass as your best attempt to create a diversion from your other debunked claims that you find yourself unable to defend with any substance.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-10   19:30:30 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply

- - -

#108. To: nolu chan (#105)

I guess it will pass as your best attempt to create a diversion from your other debunked claims t

I believe this claim is a figment of your imagination, but if you believe that you have debunked anything of mine you can produce the link and post it. This claim is a figment of your imagination.

[snicker]

Look, Sebastian, a COCK!!! Let's suck it!!! Luberator posted on 2011-10-11 12:55:10 ET Reply Trace Private Reply Oh let's!!! Sebastian posted on 2011-10-11 13:01:33 ET Reply Trace Private Reply

war  posted on  2011-10-11   21:23:08 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  

That's the best you can do because you got caught bullshitting again. That's pathetic.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-12   1:40:04 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#113. To: war (#109)

[nc 103] I pointed out that that congress does not, demonstrating the insignificance of your claim that you could (you did not) "cite 'speeches' from the floor of the Senate made in the late 19th century in which the OPINION of a particular Senator, voting in the affirmative, stated that the 14th amendment did not convey birthright citizenship."

[war #109] Is there a cogent thought in there or did you believe that the length of the sentence somehow conveyed its presently missing point? MY point, was that the significance of a single floor speech is nil - especially in light of how the law - or amendment - was subsequently executed or interpreted.

It is irrelevant to the issue of AUMF for which I produced actual debate of two resolutions.

We are only discussing ONE of those resolutions, btw.

The significance of a floor speech signifying the intended meaning of a piece of legislation may well be used by a court to help determine the intended meaning where the black letter text is not clear.

It is of significantly less significance regarding anything in the Constitution.

The existence of the AUMF of 2002 is inexplicable if all the miraculous things you allege to be in the AUMF of 2001 are really there. Equally, the desperate grope in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012 speaks to the nature of your prevarication and bullshit.

nolu chan  posted on  2011-10-12   1:41:11 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  


#114. To: nolu chan (#111)

Had you bothered to read the Iraq resolution or my posts, or had you been able to comprehend them, as the case may be, you could not have missed the relevant information showing your witless comment to be inane. You seem to have forgotten that members of al Qaeda being in Iraq was one of the specific justifications to going into Iraq.

That was a connection that was resoundingly rejected. IIRC, the adminstration originally did not seek an AUMF for Iraq. It believed that by making that connection it could use the AUMF from 9/18/01. Few in Congress were fooled and so a spearate case against Saddam had to be made.

So, sure then, bring the 2002 AUMF into play. It underscores the reality that the AUMF of 2001 was FOR AL QAEDA.

WE are discussing your pulling out of your ass the claim that an AUMF authorizes assassination of American citizens without their being charged or indicted or convicted of any crime, and without their having been afforded any due process of law, by virtue solely of a secret committee, whose existence was unauthorized by any law, which acted secretly and with secret evidence.

Nope. What we are discussing is the targeted killing of an enemy who was actively engaged in fomenting and conspiring in acts of war against the US and for which an AUMF had existed for a decade. He happens to be a US citizen. Assassination is a political act. War is killing the enemy.

THAT is what we are discussing.

Also, there would be no need for the crap in the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011 if that were already part of the AUMF of 2001 and made the president omnipotent and above the Constitution and all other laws.

If you are referring to the detainee language, the SCOTUS had long ago held that the AUMF of 2001 was not justification for tribunals and that it was settled law that such tribunals had to be established by the COngress and not the Commander in Chief.

Look, Sebastian, a COCK!!! Let's suck it!!! Luberator posted on 2011-10-11 12:55:10 ET Reply Trace Private Reply Oh let's!!! Sebastian posted on 2011-10-11 13:01:33 ET Reply Trace Private Reply

war  posted on  2011-10-12   7:47:15 ET  Reply   Trace   Private Reply  



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