Spy agencies can target Americans: official, page 1
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Topic started on 3-2-2010 @ 04:14 PM by Avenginggecko

Spy agencies can target Americans: official


www.reuters.com
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In unusually frank comments, the top U.S. intelligence official acknowledged on Wednesday that spy agencies can target for killing Americans who are involved in terrorism.

"We take direct action against terrorists, in the intelligence community," Dennis Blair, director of national intelligence, said.

"If ... we think that direct action will involve killing an American, we get specific permission to do that," he told the House (of Representatives) intelligence committee.
(visit the link for the full news article)


Related News Links:
www.commondreams.org


reply posted on 3-2-2010 @ 04:58 PM by DaMod
reply to post by MemoryShock


Not to mention, now agents have an excuse to do what they want. And kill whomever they want.

I foresee a similar article in the future.

Mr. Multibillion dollar business owner who was due to bring up hard evidence against Barack Obama's business activities was killed today by united states officials. The investigation led them to believe that Mr. Miltibillion was affiliated with a Neo Nazi Islamic Voodo terrorist organization and therefore a kill on sight order was issued.

or..

A young man was shot and killed today by the Federal Bureau of Investigation today. He was labeled as a terrorist after government officials noticed he posted "I could kill them for this" on AboveTopSecret.com. This malicious post led officials to believe he was planning a strike on the United States Supreme court. Fortunately our beloved government officials are now allowed to kill people's labeled as "terrorists" for our protection.

[edit on 3-2-2010 by DaMod]


reply posted on 3-2-2010 @ 04:59 PM by jam321
reply to post by SRHAZE420


From the article, it seems they are not just basing it on how terrorism is defined. We all know that terrorism/terrorist is broadly defined from agency to agency.

The article says that other things are considered.

From source

In making such decisions, "whether that American is involved in a group that is trying to attack us, whether that American is a threat to other Americans, those are the factors involved," Blair said.


I'm sure their are other factors included as well.


reply posted on 3-2-2010 @ 05:08 PM by jam321
reply to post by MemoryShock


where's the due process?

Someone's opinion can be biased...killing people on potential bias?


First, I am not saying I agree with this. I just think too many times this gets buried in closed doors sessions and we never hear of it. IMO, Blair did something he wasn't supposed to do.

Otherwise, we probably would have never heard about this till months or years later.

Due process is essential, but many times we are not privy to the information that our spy agencies have. While we may see a person like Anwar al-Aulaqi, as an accused terrorist, our spy agencies might have actual proof.

They could try to arrest him, but sometimes trying to arrest somebody in a different country is complicated and maybe even impossible. If this person is intent on doing harm to his/her own country, is it not the responsibility of government to stop them at all costs?


reply posted on 3-2-2010 @ 05:17 PM by DaMod
reply to post by jam321


I don't think we are worried about this being used on someone like him. Its people like us that we are worried about.


reply posted on 3-2-2010 @ 05:43 PM by DaMod
reply to post by MemoryShock


I don't think anyone here is qualified to define the word "terrorist" or "intent" as they define it.


reply posted on 3-2-2010 @ 07:50 PM by Avenginggecko
Originally posted by jam321
reply to post by MemoryShock


where's the due process?

Someone's opinion can be biased...killing people on potential bias?


First, I am not saying I agree with this. I just think too many times this gets buried in closed doors sessions and we never hear of it. IMO, Blair did something he wasn't supposed to do.

Otherwise, we probably would have never heard about this till months or years later.

Due process is essential, but many times we are not privy to the information that our spy agencies have. While we may see a person like Anwar al-Aulaqi, as an accused terrorist, our spy agencies might have actual proof.

They could try to arrest him, but sometimes trying to arrest somebody in a different country is complicated and maybe even impossible. If this person is intent on doing harm to his/her own country, is it not the responsibility of government to stop them at all costs?


I'm not quite sure I understand how it's more difficult to launch a military strike on foreign soil than it is to arrest the American in question. It seems like it would be far easier diplomatically to arrest someone in Yemen than it would be to blow up a camp of Yemeni/American suspected terrorists.

My main concern is that this carte blanche to kill undesirable Americans will eventually lead to domestic targets. Instead of arresting "terrorist" cells of Americans, the CIA simply gases them to death.

As I said, the only time any agency of state or federal governments should kill an American is when that American is in the act of endangering innocent lives.

Simply being part of an extremist organization should not give the CIA carte blanche to assassinate citizens.

I do agree with you that this has probably been going on for awhile (at least since Patriot Act 1.0), but I believe the recent spate of court rulings that have significantly broadened intel agencies' powers have given them more courage to act independently of the public.

The fact that they're willing to talk about it in an open session and be assured that no one is going to do anything about it, is pretty telling.
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