Craven--
I do think we lifted the rule against assassination recently. Know there was an alleged plot to poison Castro, and I wouldn't find this hard to believe, but I didn't know we'd actually carried one out. Will go now to your link.
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Craven
You've got to be kidding. I thought that link would take me to proof that the US gov't had ordered and carried out an assassination. It's not that I want to believe we didn't or did, but all that was, was conjecture from CIA files.
Can you imagine what the world consensus would be if we assassinated Saddam? You think we're unpopular now...
The world would say nothing if Saddam was assassinated, they will say a lot if we bomb and kill thousands of women, children and old men. the US will say a lot if we get a lot of US soldiers killed. Any row over Saddam will be gone in two or three weeks - 6 tops!
BTW, there is still a Presidental decree against assassinating leaders - not lesser men!
Well, BillW, I'll say this. As distasteful as murder is, I'd prefer it to war.
I think we could go in without any hoopla, after the fact, and clean up the nukes and chemicals.
BillW wrote:BTW, there is still a Presidental decree against assassinating leaders - not lesser men!
There's something not kosher about that.
Fill me in, not kosher about what - ?
To authorize the murders of some people and not others. As if some lives are more valueable.
I know they must qualify it reasoning that murdering leaders can de-stabilize countries, but the value judgement on human life somehow makes it even more despicable.
You can't kill Commander Joe, but no prob knocking off his doorman?
CIA just killed those people a month or so ago in Yemen, one happened to be an American. CIA is an arm of the President.
We aren't art war with Yemen, the CIA wasn't provoked, they used and drone and fired a missile into the car. Even reported collateral explosions, which is prima facia evidence they had firearms and/or explosives themselves.
BillW wrote:BTW, there is still a Presidental decree against assassinating leaders - not lesser men!
I think the most recent Presidential Finding banning assassination was signed by Reagan, and it seems to have its limitations...
Quote:In the latest issue of the International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence (XV, 2, 2002), Jeffrey T. Richelson makes an open case for "assassination as a national security option." It is worth reviewing his arguments: "No convincing case can be that the ban [on assassinations] should be made absolute....Arguing that the U.S. should continue its ban in its present form would be more reasonable.
Under the standing U.S. interpretation of international law, targeted killings of enemy leaders are permitted in just those situations where they are most likely to be indicated - in the midst of war, during a continuing series of terrorist attacks, or in the face of imminent attack. Thus, the ban did not stop President George W. Bush from signing a presidential finding in October 2001 that authorized the killing of Osama bin Laden."
Link
This source suggests that how bound our hands are in this regard depends a lot on the circumstances in which we find ourselves, and while some could make reasonable arguments to the contrary, it is clear that many believe we are currently in one of those situations today.
I doubt that the situatation is hear yet (it would be kinda hard to explain someone assassinating someone else while you had investigators on the ground). But, it doesn't prevent us from aiding someone else in do the job. However, heah, like I said before - I guess accidents happen. It isn't a safe world!
I think the decree goes back to all the attempts to kill Castro-especially at the Bay of Pigs. I don't know if it was JFK, LBJ or Nixon. I do believe it was a presidental decree and Bush can therefore just lift it if he desires.
Gerald Ford signed the executive order banning assassinations
That's right! Do you remember the instance that caused it?
Look, BillW, you might get it your way!
Thirty five minutes old when I saw it. The Saudis seem to be up to something.
Saudi's to Buy Iraq?
News of Saudi efforts appeared on Monday, but were not followed up. I started the thread above when I heard it, but neither the soundbite nor the thread showed much vigor.
timber
More on the way
Hmmmm .... this indicates it should be a few weeks yet ....
timber
My, our posts are getting fancy.
Friedman (NY Times) was on Lehrer tonight after returning from the middle east. He suggested the local arab leaders would be quite happy to see Sadaam gone, but dreaded the internal political consequences of a US invasion. So do I.
I s'pose I was showin' off ... but its great to be able to put an image and a related link on the page. I promise not to do it often, out of deference to our bandwidth-challenged freinds.
It would seem however, that Hostilities are yet a ways off. When Air Guard Tanker crew folk suddenly disapear from the shops, malls, and offices around the country the matter will be more immediate.
Jan 27: UN announces Iraq has not been in compliance with UNR1441
Jan 28: State-Of-The-Union Address makes reference to previously announced near-term "Final Deadline"
For February, the Travel Forecast for Iraq is not good. Sustained periods of heavy bombfall may be expected, with occasional firefights. There will be significant accumulation of twisted, charred, bombed out vehicles, but there is little likelihood of actual video of "Dead Enemies". The Media will be complaining they aren't being allowed to play. The public will be getting its war information in tiime and manner of Pentagon choosing. This in itself will become an issue.
timber ... putting away his crystal ball.
Hello everyone,
I've mainly been lurking on Able2know, trying to learn my way around and enjoying it, but since a number of us Abuzzers are going to march in the anti-war rally tomorrow in D C, I thought I'd break out of my shell and ask if there were any Able2know members who'll be attending. It would fun to get to know each other--in person. Anyhow, we'll be meeting at Grant's equestrian statue in front of the capitol at noon Saturday, the l8th. Hope to see some cyber-friends there. Thanks, Joan Lee
PM me and tell me more, Joanie.
