THE LAW IS WHATEVER WE SAY IT IS:

Can the US assassinate an American citizen living in Yemen?: The targeted killing of Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, without due process, would violate the gold standard of international law set by the Nuremberg trials – and defy the US Constitution. (Ronald Sokol, September 29, 2010, CS Monitor)

Last month, civil liberties groups and the family of Islamic cleric Anwar al-Awlaki filed suit to stop the US government from killing Mr. Awlaki – an American citizen living abroad in Yemen. The government, which is trying to have the case dismissed, labels Mr. Awlaki a threat for alleged involvement in terror plots and inspiring anti-American jihadists. Awlaki is believed to be a target for extrajudicial killing.

The suit raises a fundamental question: When, if ever, is it lawful for government to assassinate?

If an American president blows up a terrorist no one is going to arrest nor try him.

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 30, 2010 5:56 AM