Anwar Awlaki: Targeted for death
Because there was no due process for Anwar Awlaki, even though his death may have been justified for his acts furthering terrorism, we cannot be sure that he really did commit those acts as he had no opportunity to respond to any allegations. Killing an American without due process violates the 5th Amendment and is also morally wrong, in that Anwar Awlaki was not an immediate threat. It is true that today it is much harder to decide how to act in a war against terrorism, without clear-cut battlefields or uniforms, and it is understandable the U.S. government's worry about the threat of Anwar Awlaki. However, for the U.S. government to sponsor assassination, there must at least be judicial review. And although it is true that Awlaki's father Nasser al-Aulaqi's case against the U.S. government to take Awlaki off the targeted killing list was lost, and so legally the Obama administration was in the right, terrorism is not an excuse to ignore America's founding principles.
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Monday Matters-Marking Period 2 Week Three
When Leaders Die, Terror Still Thrives
Although Anwar al-Awlaki's death may temporarily hurt Al Qaeda's efforts, in the long run it's not going to make a big difference. Killing leader's of terrorist organizations instead may become rallying points for sympathy for the organization and more motivation for violence. This is especially true in the case of religious organizations, and organizations that have more than 500 members. Because Al Qaeda is more than 20 years old, decentralized, and based on religious dogma rather than leadership, it can withstand the deaths of those such as al-Awlaki and Bin Laden. Rather than focusing on killing key leaders, America should try to undermine the social support that Al Qaeda recieves through removing troops from Afghanistan (and at the same time a cause for recruitment) and providing social services to communities where Al Qaeda gets support from.
Jordan, Jenna. "When Leaders Die, Terror Still Thrives." New York Times. 4 Oct. 2011. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/05/opinion/awlakis-death-wont-destroy-al-qaeda.html>.
Although Anwar al-Awlaki's death may temporarily hurt Al Qaeda's efforts, in the long run it's not going to make a big difference. Killing leader's of terrorist organizations instead may become rallying points for sympathy for the organization and more motivation for violence. This is especially true in the case of religious organizations, and organizations that have more than 500 members. Because Al Qaeda is more than 20 years old, decentralized, and based on religious dogma rather than leadership, it can withstand the deaths of those such as al-Awlaki and Bin Laden. Rather than focusing on killing key leaders, America should try to undermine the social support that Al Qaeda recieves through removing troops from Afghanistan (and at the same time a cause for recruitment) and providing social services to communities where Al Qaeda gets support from.
Jordan, Jenna. "When Leaders Die, Terror Still Thrives." New York Times. 4 Oct. 2011. Web. 23 Oct. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/05/opinion/awlakis-death-wont-destroy-al-qaeda.html>.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Monday Matters-Marking Period 2 Week Two
A Just Act of War
Although there is danger of too much executive power, in decisions for anti-terrorism measures, the Obama administration's decision to kill Anwar al-Allaki was a justified security measure without overstepping executive power. Because he had been directly involved in terrorist plots on American, and was within a country that could not have done anything about him itself, the American decision to kill was necessary. Even though at first glance it may seem that due process has not been taken, in reality a court decision last year, and an extraordinarily cautious process within the executive branch proves that it has been sufficient, within the context. And although drones have been criticized, they are really important tools in the war against terror that must be kept.
Goldsmith, Jack L. "A Just Act of War." New York Times. 30 Sept. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/opinion/a-just-act-of-war.html>.
Although there is danger of too much executive power, in decisions for anti-terrorism measures, the Obama administration's decision to kill Anwar al-Allaki was a justified security measure without overstepping executive power. Because he had been directly involved in terrorist plots on American, and was within a country that could not have done anything about him itself, the American decision to kill was necessary. Even though at first glance it may seem that due process has not been taken, in reality a court decision last year, and an extraordinarily cautious process within the executive branch proves that it has been sufficient, within the context. And although drones have been criticized, they are really important tools in the war against terror that must be kept.
Goldsmith, Jack L. "A Just Act of War." New York Times. 30 Sept. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/opinion/a-just-act-of-war.html>.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Monday Matters-Marking Period 2 Week One
Uphold America's Founding Principles
Firstly, Anwar al-Awlaki was an extremist who did call for killing of Americans, using the internet as a medium. However, the killing of any American without due process is unconstitutional and violates the Fifth Amendment. Violent measures like drone strikes do not decrease terrorism, but instead make it easier for Al-Qaeda to recruit members. We must remember our founding principles even while waging a war on terror.
Awad, Nihad. "Opposing View: Uphold America's Founding Principles." USA Today. 2 Oct. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/story/2011-10-02/CAIR-Awlaki-Constitution-terrorism/50637334/1>.
Firstly, Anwar al-Awlaki was an extremist who did call for killing of Americans, using the internet as a medium. However, the killing of any American without due process is unconstitutional and violates the Fifth Amendment. Violent measures like drone strikes do not decrease terrorism, but instead make it easier for Al-Qaeda to recruit members. We must remember our founding principles even while waging a war on terror.
Awad, Nihad. "Opposing View: Uphold America's Founding Principles." USA Today. 2 Oct. 2011. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. <http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/story/2011-10-02/CAIR-Awlaki-Constitution-terrorism/50637334/1>.
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