US Attorney General Eric Holder confirms government has right to murder U.S. citizens

**Prince** · 03-08-2012, 10:30 AM

US Attorney General Eric Holder confirms government has right to murder U.S. citizens anywhere, anytime, without legal review

Thursday, March 08, 2012 by: J. D. Heyes

(NaturalNews) Attorney General Eric Holder, Jr., says the U.S. Constitution does not protect American citizens who may be plotting to kill other Americans via terrorism.

In a speech at Northwestern University School of Law in Chicago this week, Washington Post: Breaking News, World, US, DC News & Analysis and could therefore be targeted legally.

"Any decision to use lethal force against a United States citizen -- even one intent on murdering Americans and who has become an operational leader of al-Qaeda in a foreign land -- is among the gravest that government leaders can face," Holder said, no doubt before scores of future lawyers, some of whom may eventually work for the federal government someday. "The American people can be -- and deserve to be -- assured that actions taken in their defense are consistent with their values and their laws."

Holder said anyone deemed to pose an "imminent threat" to other Americans and who could not otherwise be reasonably captured could face the business end of a sniper or drone-launched missile, or any number of other killing techniques. Critical factors that would result in such a decision include a "relevant window of opportunity to act, the possible harm that missing the window would cause to civilians and the likelihood of heading off future disastrous attacks against the United States." Holder went onto say the president is not bound by the Constitution to delay assassinations of American citizens until some "theoretical end stage of planning -- when the precise time, place and manner of an attack become clear," The Washington Post reported.

"Given the nature of how terrorists act and where they tend to hide, it may not always be feasible to capture a U.S. citizen terrorist who presents an imminent threat of violent attack," Holder said.

Justifying the indefensible

Though he didn't mention anyone by name, Holder's speech appeared to be aimed at the death of Anwar al-Awlaki, a senior al Qaeda leader in Yemen who was killed by a U.S. drone strike in September.

Since then, the Obama administration - the same one that The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia - has rightfully been under increased pressure to explain it's legal position regarding the targeted killing of American citizens, regardless of what they are allegedly planning to do, without affording them a trial.

Hina Shamsi, director of the ACLU's (American Civil Liberties Union) National Security Project, said Holder's comments are flat-out dangerous, and though it was supposedly an attempt by the administration to be more transparent, the speech "is ultimately a defense of the government's chillingly broad claimed authority to conduct targeted killings of civilians, including American citizens."

In comments to USA Today, Shamsi continued, "Few things are as dangerous to American liberty as the proposition that the government should be able to kill citizens anywhere in the world on the basis of legal standards and evidence that are never submitted to a court, either before or after the fact."

Others maintain such assassinations violate international legal conduct as well.

"Relevant international law does not permit targeted killing far from battle zones," Mary Ellen O'Connell, a law professor at the University of Notre Dame, told the paper.

Constitutional hypocrisy

Holder defended the administration's position, essentially by changing the argument to one Obama used to criticize.

"The Constitution's guarantee of due process is ironclad, and it is essential, but ... it does not require judicial approval before the president may use force abroad against a senior operational leader of a foreign terrorist organization with which the United States is at war, even if that individual happens to be a U.S. citizen," Holder said.

The position that Obama is taking now - and his attorney general is defending - is that the country has a right to protect itself against its enemies which is exactly the position taken by the previous Bush administration, and one that Obama, as a U.S. senator and presidential candidate, routinely criticized.

The one major difference is, the Bush administration never targeted and killed U.S. citizens. That "honor" lies squarely with Obama.

Learn more: US Attorney General Eric Holder confirms government has right to murder U.S. citizens anywhere, anytime, without legal review

**LAM** · 03-08-2012, 10:34 AM

Is everybody still supporting the fake war on terror now?

**Tuco** · 03-08-2012, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by LAM

Is everybody still supporting the fake war on terror now?

Nah, I've been supporting the fake war on drugs

**secdrl** · 03-08-2012, 11:05 AM

Again, leave it to LAM to focus on what this article has absolutely nothing to do with. Instead of making this a "war on terror" issue. Let's take a look at the bigger picture. This is one more polocy implemented by the Obama administration to set a foundation for massive amounts of government control?

What's to keep this "policy" from turning into the old gestapo days? (I'm replenishing my AR ammo stock this afternoon)

**Big Pimpin** · 03-08-2012, 11:14 AM

I wonder if those Obama lefty gov't slaves killed Breitbart?

**LAM** · 03-08-2012, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by secdrl

Again, leave it to LAM to focus on what this article has absolutely nothing to do with. Instead of making this a "war on terror" issue. Let's take a look at the bigger picture. This is one more polocy implemented by the Obama administration to set a foundation for massive amounts of government control?

What's to keep this "policy" from turning into the old gestapo days? (I'm replenishing my AR ammo stock this afternoon)

you may want to read up on Rex-84 and Ollie North which is when all this started, it surely didn't start in 2009! LMAO...the rise of the military and prison industrial complex started with the neo-cons and ALEC in the 80's...maybe you should have started to follow politics before 2009 your a couple of decades late to the game...

**hoyle21** · 03-08-2012, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by secdrl

Again, leave it to LAM to focus on what this article has absolutely nothing to do with. Instead of making this a "war on terror" issue. Let's take a look at the bigger picture. This is one more polocy implemented by the Obama administration to set a foundation for massive amounts of government control?

What's to keep this "policy" from turning into the old gestapo days? (I'm replenishing my AR ammo stock this afternoon)

You don't believe the patriot act and the creation of Homeland security was the stepping stone for this?

You really believe the republicans aren't just as involved as the dems?

**Prince** · 03-08-2012, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by secdrl

Again, leave it to LAM to focus on what this article has absolutely nothing to do with. Instead of making this a "war on terror" issue. Let's take a look at the bigger picture. This is one more polocy implemented by the Obama administration to set a foundation for massive amounts of government control?

What's to keep this "policy" from turning into the old gestapo days? (I'm replenishing my AR ammo stock this afternoon)

Obama wants more government control? What about the Patriot Act that was put into place right after 9-11 (GWB administration), we lost most of our rights when that happened.

**secdrl** · 03-08-2012, 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by hoyle21

You don't believe the patriot act and the creation of Homeland security was the stepping stone for this?

You really believe the republicans aren't just as involved as the dems?

Bush never allowed for the murder of U.S. citizens on U.S. soil without trial. Welcome to the gestapo...

**secdrl** · 03-08-2012, 11:24 AM

Originally Posted by Prince

Obama wants more government control? What about the Patriot Act that was put into place right after 9-11 (GWB administration), we lost most of our rights when that happened.

If you have nothing to hide, fuck it! Post 9.11, IMO, there has to be a small tradeoff for security. If I have to have some dude pat my balls down to make sure my plane isn't going to get blown up, then fuck it, I'm all for it.

Obama will use this policy to justify the murder of U.S. citizens on U.S. soil without trial. That alone should scare you.

**Saney** · 03-08-2012, 11:25 AM

I want a GPS chip implanted in me so the Gov. can follow my every move!

**secdrl** · 03-08-2012, 11:31 AM

Originally Posted by Silver_Back

I want a GPS chip implanted in me so the Gov. can follow my every move!

It's coming soon...

**LAM** · 03-08-2012, 11:33 AM

Originally Posted by hoyle21

You really believe the republicans aren't just as involved as the dems?

they started all this crap in the 80's...

**Tuco** · 03-08-2012, 11:44 AM

Originally Posted by Silver_Back

I want a GPS chip implanted in me so the Gov. can follow my every move!

Cell phones and Facebook?

**IronAddict** · 03-08-2012, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by secdrl

Bush never allowed for the murder of U.S. citizens on U.S. soil without trial. Welcome to the gestapo...

Oy vey!

Here we go, again?!

Some people have a very short and clouded memory of this dunderheads time in office.

**secdrl** · 03-08-2012, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by IronAddict

Oy vey!

Here we go, again?!

Some people have a very short and clouded memory of this dunderheads time in office.

Post proof that Bush allowed for the murder of U.S. citizens ON U.S. soil without due process or trial. I'll wait only a few minutes.

**min0 lee** · 03-08-2012, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by secdrl

If you have nothing to hide, fuck it! Post 9.11, IMO, there has to be a small tradeoff for security. If I have to have some dude pat my balls down to make sure my plane isn't going to get blown up, then fuck it, I'm all for it.

Obama will use this policy to justify the murder of U.S. citizens on U.S. soil without trial. That alone should scare you.

Midget porn.

**secdrl** · 03-08-2012, 12:14 PM

Originally Posted by min0 lee

Midget porn.

Except that.

**Little Wing** · 03-08-2012, 12:20 PM

seems what they have there is a huge window of opportunity to kill anyone they want to and claim they were a terrorist.

**secdrl** · 03-08-2012, 12:22 PM

Originally Posted by little wing

seems what they have there is a huge window of opportunity to kill anyone they want to and claim they were a terrorist.

bingo!!!

**IronAddict** · 03-08-2012, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by secdrl

Post proof that Bush allowed for the murder of U.S. citizens ON U.S. soil without due process or trial. I'll wait only a few minutes.

You try to purport like you know everything, yet you can't even recall 12 years ago... If you aren't aware of this mans crimes then you shall be in the dark for a long, long time to come, cause I don't have the time, nor the inclination to play this game with you...cause it ain't a game.

**LAM** · 03-08-2012, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by secdrl

bingo!!!

and what party started all this legislation? the GOP did back in the 80's with Rex-84....those that think history has no part in the present is not very intelligent or realistic. the MIC pulls the strings in DC. the MIC is more powerful than the POTUS.

**IronAddict** · 03-08-2012, 12:33 PM

Originally Posted by secdrl

If you have nothing to hide, fuck it! Post 9.11, IMO, there has to be a small tradeoff for security. If I have to have some dude pat my balls down to make sure my plane isn't going to get blown up, then fuck it, I'm all for it.

Obama will use this policy to justify the murder of U.S. citizens on U.S. soil without trial. That alone should scare you.

This says it all...

**Prince** · 03-08-2012, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by secdrl

If you have nothing to hide, fuck it! Post 9.11, IMO, there has to be a small tradeoff for security. If I have to have some dude pat my balls down to make sure my plane isn't going to get blown up, then fuck it, I'm all for it.

Obama will use this policy to justify the murder of U.S. citizens on U.S. soil without trial. That alone should scare you.

well if you actually believe that terrorists were behind 9-11, lol.

**troubador** · 03-08-2012, 12:43 PM

We're getting fucked left and right and you guys are hung up on the 'He started it' game?

**secdrl** · 03-08-2012, 12:54 PM

Thanks for posting your proof, IA. Of course there's some shady shit that goes on behind the scenes with any presidency, but Obama has now implemented a policy that should have American up in arms. (literally) Read the article, even you libs should be concerned when the ACLU describes this as, "dangerously chilling."

**secdrl** · 03-08-2012, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by Prince

well if you actually believe that terrorists were behind 9-11, lol.

What? SMH

**IronAddict** · 03-08-2012, 12:59 PM

Originally Posted by secdrl

Thanks for posting your proof, IA. Of course there's some shady shit that goes on behind the scenes with any presidency, but Obama has now implemented a policy that should have American up in arms. (literally) Read the article, even you libs should be concerned when the ACLU describes this as, "dangerously chilling."

Why is it that everyone else seems to know, but you don't?

Ah, It must be a conspiracy against you. Yeah, that's it.

**LAM** · 03-08-2012, 01:02 PM

Originally Posted by troubador

We're getting fucked left and right and you guys are hung up on the 'He started it' game?

because those who started it surely aren't going to fix or stop it as it was done for a reason not just for shits and giggles.

the rise of the police state is a direct result of ideology and policy brought forth by the neo-cons that started decades ago in the 80's and finally people are just starting to wake up. the word neo-con means the "new conservatives" and they have all sorts of wonderful plans for the US.

**Prince** · 03-08-2012, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by secdrl

What? SMH

our own government was behind 9-11, get a clue, a man in a cave did not orchestrate 9-11.

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