The difference between the 'disposition' of Gitmo detainees that are sincerely enemies of the USA and responsible for American deaths and Anwar Al-Awlaki is the fact 'Alwaki is still out there and American.'
...Federal authorities Wednesday granted two civil liberties groups a license (click title to entry - thank you) they need in challenging the government's authority to use lethal force against U.S. citizens designated as terrorists.
The action by Treasury Department officials comes just one day after the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights (CCR) filed suit to receive the license they need to go to court. They say it is a first step toward trying to stop the potential targeting of alleged U.S. terrorists abroad.
Regulations give Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control authority to license those who provide legal representation to challenge the government....
The CIA has already investigated the 'influence' Awlaki played in the Fort Hood violence that lead to many deaths of USA soldiers. Those findings were submitted to the USA military. It is all academic from there.
But, the 'basis' of the argument is that somehow Awlaki has to be arrested, read his rights, given a trial and then sentenced before the USA can pass judgement on his 'death sentence.'
Once the CIA determined 'the role' Awlaki played in the deaths of American soldiers, he was judged as an 'enemy combatant' status.
Enemy Combatant under the Geneva Conventions states, "Any person in an armed conflict who could be properly detained under the laws and customs of war."
The difference between that definition and the 'status' of American Awlaki is he is not detained.
We already know there are persons such as Osama bin Laden on "The Most Wanted List" with a price on their head. "The Most Wanted List" includes Americans. Does that mean they can be hunted? Yes. That means someone 'better be' hunting them.
Does American Awlaki have a special status outside the influence of the intelligent community to be hunted because he is OPERATING outside the USA and an American?
No.
Should the USA mlitary and/or CIA try to take the 'jerk' alive? Sure, but, if they aren't able to and the guy dies then I guess he loses, huh?
If Alwaki's father has information leading to the 'safe arrest' of his son, KNOWING, he had absolutely nothing to do with the deaths of the soldiers of Fort Hood.
Even if Alwaki's father has information leading to the 'safe arrest' of his son at all, I suggest he provide it and end 'the danger' of his son's current status.
I would strongly suggest the lawyers (now properly processed with credentials) for Alwaki's father come forward with that information and ask for a further investigation of the evidence at hand exonerating his son. Otherwise, Alwaki may be an American, but, as an Imam advocating hatred of a CLASS OF PEOPLE, namely Americans he is in danger of being killed while 'WANTED.' Just because he was born in the USA and educated in the USA does not exonerate him from advocating and inspiring the acts of others against an entire CLASS OF PEOPLE.
Imams in the USA do not have special status. This is not an 'Islamic' middle ground where holy men can make outrageous statements and expect people to carry out violence against others. For how long has The West stated that kind of influence among the young men in the Middle East is an issue? A long time. We advocate the closing of madrassas for that reason.
So, an American Imam is no different than any other citizen KNOWN to have invoked words of hatred that manifested in violence. He is wanted. He is dangerous. It is determined. If there is evidence otherwise then it needs to be submitted and investigated to change his status, but, the 'idea' that as an American he can avoid the 'intervention' of American law and military is hideous.
The USA made a mistake. They allowed his website to be viewed by the people of this country because we practice Freedom of Speech. What we as 'generous' people did not discern was that our generosity would be used against us in allowing such openness.
As an Imam he authorized the deaths of USA soliders still within our borders. He is as guilty as any general of an opposing military force.
