Targeted Killing Justified

US can legally kill Americans in terror groups

NO.  Not justified.  Wrong, wrong, wrong.  Killing because we disagree.  The opposite of the whole story of America.  Who will be next?  You?  Me?

Targeted Killing Americans

Al-Alwaki

Assassinated by robot plane.  A US citizen never even charged much less convicted of any crime, was traveling in a car.

Do so few see the problem here?  Let me list some of the ideas and principles that it seems to me that many if not most Americans would value, that are obviously at risk here:

Right to life

Due Process

Constitution

Respect of person

Free speech

Autonomy

Ethical principles

Checks and balance in government

Right to a fair trial

Freedom of religion

American citizenship

Proper use of taxpayers’ money

Proper use of technology

Public access to information

Rights of the individual

Free association of persons

No guilt by association

Separation of church and state

Honoring International borders

Honoring International treaties

Respecting minorities

Protecting at risk minorities, individuals, and groups

Protecting citizens abroad

Of course I would not defend this man’s opinions or his actions in any way.  My concern is here for our country.  Many a state where the rule of law was lost and its citizens thereby subject to tyranny began down the path with some reason and foundation.  There a line was crossed and a pathway chosen.  God help us if that has happened to us.

wash post article

A Time To Kill?

Is it?  I talked about non-judicial killing.  I used the example of the robot plane, please see my last blog and especially the wise discussion in the comments, from someone much more knowledgeable about the use of the drones.  I was contemplating the ethics involved and of course I thought of the modern extreme example of obvious evil done by a country and by its individuals:  Nazi Germany.  Note the US Army Officers in training contemplating this.  

But I stepped back and thought of Bonhoeffer's thoughts on ethics, and His call to seek God and God's will and guidance rather than rely on our own feelings and opinions, the basis of most modern ethics.  What is God calling us to?  What is God calling me to?  And am I doing that?  

Is the church of America following the call of God?  Is our only recourse in the face of threat from terrorists seek and destroy?  Is there no hope in God?  I don't mean to make light of the evil carried out by terrorists.  But what in this age does God call us as His people to?  

"I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.”   

                                               -Jesus  (Luke 5:32)


"Thou Shalt Not Kill"
                -God

The Death of Osama

“Faced with the death of a man, a Christian never rejoices, but reflects on the serious responsibility of each and every one of us before God and before man, and hopes and commits himself so that no event be an opportunity for further growth of hatred, but for peace.”

         -Fr Federico Lombardi, From the catholic herald

"Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart be glad when he stumbles"

        -Proverbs 24:17

Ten years later, I thought that the news of Osama Bin Laden's death would sooth me.  But it did not.  Unlike many who were rejoicing in the streets, I found myself contemplating instead.  The best this world can do with a man like Osama is end his life.  And I am so proud of those who worked hard to find this criminal.  But those who believe in Christ must know and share that this is never the best we can do.  If it is not true that our God can change lives, if there are those living who are beyond His ability to reach and love and forgive, then our message is a falsehood and we should close our Bibles and go home.  But if it is true, then let us speak it with a voice louder than the voices of hate.  Let us show it with all of our energy, and let us put at least as much money into showing love as we put into sending troops.

Another blog about this
One Jewish Perspective
Boston Globe Discussion