‘Dozens’ of US citizens on assassination list, White House adviser hints

[cory777]

Source: Raw Story

When it was confirmed last winter by then-Director of National Intelligence Dennis Blair that the Obama administration had authorized the assassination of American citizens working with terrorist groups overseas, it appeared that no more than three Americans were being targeted in this manner.

In an interview last week with the Washington Times, however, Deputy White House National Security Adviser for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism John O. Brennan suggested that the number might actually amount to "dozens."

"There are, in my mind, dozens of U.S. persons who are in different parts of the world, and they are very concerning to us," Brennan stated, "not just because of the passport they hold, but because they understand our operational environment here, they bring with them certain skills, whether it be language skills or familiarity with potential targets, and they are very worrisome, and we are determined to take away their ability to assist with terrorist attacks,"

"If an American person or citizen is in a Yemen or in a Pakistan or in Somalia or another place, and they are trying to carry out attacks against U.S. interests, they also will face the full brunt of a U.S. response," Brennan continued. "What we need to do is to apply the appropriate tool and the appropriate response."

Read more: http://rawstory.com/rs/2010/0628/white-house-adviser-dozens-citizens-assassination-targets/

---

take a look at my NewsBlog - http://senselessworld-cory.blogspot.com/

[napi21]

1. If they're plotting against the US, they're committing treason,

and should be on that list.

[KonaKane]

2. That's true, since the very definition of treason is harming or plotting to harm the American people

Good catch.

[readmoreoften]

5. Yeah, well, that's usually brought out in this thing called A TRIAL.

But I guess you people have your own concepts of justice.

[katandmoon]

14. TRIALS are *so* pre-BushCo! Obama has learned his lesson well.

[mmonk]

17. That pesky Constitution thingy again.

God's judgement resides in the executive branch and Pentagon. We don't need no stinking rule of law.:sarcasm:

[dflprincess]

24. Would that include passing laws that harm the American people

like NAFTA? For that matter, would it include refusing to pass legislation and harming the people by not doing so - like not extending unemployement benefits?

Actually the "very definition of treason" per the Constitution is laid out in Article III, Section 3.

Section 3 - Treason Note

Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying War against them, or in adhering to their Enemies, giving them Aid and Comfort. No Person shall be convicted of Treason unless on the Testimony of two Witnesses to the same overt Act, or on Confession in open Court.

The Congress shall have power to declare the Punishment of Treason, but no Attainder of Treason shall work Corruption of Blood, or Forfeiture except during the Life of the Person attainted.

I don't see anything about the president getting to make a list of citizens to execute.

[Catherina]

3. There are laws to cover that already. This is MADNESS n/t

[readmoreoften]

4. And the evidence in a court of law would be????? And what about the oversight?

Murdering people for being "suspected" terrorists gives assassins pretty free reign to kill for other reasons. Like assassinations of political enemies and whistleblowers, for two.

[corpseratemedia]

16. yes especially those pesky whistleblowers that are going to embarrass the mil-corp complex

[Chulanowa]

6. Even treason is not grounds for extrajudicial executions

Benedict Arnold got a trial.

However, I don't trust these anonymous sources anymore. They always say the same things, there's never any corroboration, and nothing resembling follow-through. The anonymous source has gone from a journalistic necessity to a journalistic excuse for making shit up.

[Iowa]

10. Actually, I don't think Arnold was tried...

"Benedict Arnold got a trial."

He sold out, switched sides, and ended up fighting for the King and against his former countrymen. In 1781 he returned to England. He died there 20 years later of an illness - in 1801.

[cpwm17]

9. Don't Give Governments Such Powers

This is a scary power to give to a US President. It's guaranteed to be abused.

Here's Glenn Greenwald's take on the assassination policy:

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/06/25/assassinations/index.html


Do you trust a government which could do this to an innocent man (the US kidnapped a Canadian Citizen and sent him to Syria to be tortured. The US refuses to be held accountable for this crime):

http://www.salon.com/news/opinion/glenn_greenwald/2010/06/14/arar/index.html


Also, the great majority of prisoners at Guantanamo Bay are innocent, even of the alleged crimes they are accused of committing. And the government knows this. Many of these prisoners have also been tortured.

These are just a couple of examples of US human right violations. This is a scary path we're heading down.

[Iowa]

12. And of course the government never makes mistakes...

We know this because the no fly lists are 100% accurate and keep us safe from terrorists.

And a President should have the power to order the execution of American citizens.

And there's no need for judges and juries if a President suspects "treason"...

It is shocking that a progressive would endorse police-state tactics, and that another progressive would reply with "Good catch".

:puke:

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

21. So it's a given that two on the list will be *bush and Cheney.

:shrug:

[Rex]

7. I just worry they will assassinate the wrong person...kinda like the

SWAT teams that break into the wrong house, but have the right warrant.

[The Northerner]

8. Saddening. K&R

[aquart]

11. Are we allowed to make suggestions?

There are one or two names I would be patriotically proud to submit.

[Swamp Rat]

13. Rash Limpballs openly plots against America and Americans on his radio show every day

[hobbit709]

15. +1000

[Initech]

19. And then I ask - what about people who make threats against Obama every day?

[bvar22]

18. White House Advisor is wrong.

His statement
"Obama administration has authorized the assassination of American citizens working with terrorist groups"

Should be ammended to read:

"Obama administration has authorized the assassination of American citizens SUSPECTED of working with terrorist groups".

The very foundation of our country:
Innocent until proven guilty in a court of LAW has been causally tossed aside by this administration.
Not even Bush the Lesser went this far over the cliff.

This is indefensible.

[amborin]

20. K&R

[Octafish]

22. Kick for Justice.

Woulda recced if I could.

Will add that I am very surprised that so few people on DU find extrajudicial execution of Americans, eh, peculiar.

[Karmadillo]

23. We need to revive the Democratic wing of the Democratic Party.

nt