Islamist cleric Anwar Awlaki killed in Yemen

[mookiemookie]

Originally Posted by Skybird

There is evidence and a long list of facts about Anwar Awlaki. There is no such evidence and long list of facts about Neal Stevens.

President Mookie: "Oh no, no, I have just as good of evidence on Neal Stevens. Of course, it's all classified and I can't show it to anyone, but just trust me, I know he's a terrorist."

"Trust me" is not a basis for an imperial death sentence handed down without and due process.

Is nationality really the issue here?

Yes, for me. Citizens of the United States are granted certain constitutional rights, including the right to due process of law.

Supreme Court justice Scalia, usually one of the more conservative ones, even argued in 2004 that it was unconstitutional to even imprison a U.S. citizen accused of terrorism as an "enemy combatant" without a trial. I'm sure he'd be just as opposed to imposing a death sentence on one without a trial as well.

Originally Posted by Oberon

but to be honest Awlaki gave up his right to be a US citizen when he called for the US to be destroyed.

Careful...now you get into the rights of free speech, and does it pass the "imminent lawless action" test. It's not black and white.