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SANA, Yemen — I LEARNED that my 16-year-old grandson, Abdulrahman — a United States citizen — had been killed by an American drone strike from news reports the morning after he died.
The missile killed him, his teenage cousin and at least five other civilians on Oct. 14, 2011, while the boys were eating dinner at an open-air restaurant in southern Yemen.
Nearly two years later, I still have no answers. The United States government has refused to explain why Abdulrahman was killed. It was not until May of this year that the Obama administration, in a supposed effort to be more transparent, publicly acknowledged what the world already knew — that it was responsible for his death.
The attorney general, Eric H. Holder Jr., said only that Abdulrahman was not “specifically targeted,” raising more questions than he answered.
My grandson was killed by his own government. The Obama administration must answer for its actions and be held accountable. On Friday, I will petition a federal court in Washington to require the government to do just that.
Abdulrahman was born in Denver. He lived in America until he was 7, then came to live with me in Yemen. He was a typical teenager — he watched “The Simpsons,” listened to Snoop Dogg, read “Harry Potter” and had a Facebook page with many friends. He had a mop of curly hair, glasses like me and a wide, goofy smile.
In 2010, the Obama administration put Abdulrahman’s father, my son Anwar, on C.I.A. and Pentagon “kill lists” of suspected terrorists targeted for death. A drone took his life on Sept. 30, 2011.
The government repeatedly made accusations of terrorism against Anwar — who was also an American citizen — but never charged him with a crime. No court ever reviewed the government’s claims nor was any evidence of criminal wrongdoing ever presented to a court. He did not deserve to be deprived of his constitutional rights as an American citizen and killed.
After Anwar was put on the government’s list, but before he was killed, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights represented me in a lawsuit challenging the government’s claim that it could kill anyone it deemed an enemy of the state.
The court dismissed the case, saying that I did not have standing to sue on my son’s behalf and that the government’s targeted killing program was outside the court’s jurisdiction anyway.
After the deaths of Abdulrahman and Anwar, I filed another lawsuit, seeking answers and accountability. The government has argued once again that its targeted killing program is beyond the reach of the courts. I find it hard to believe that this can be legal in a constitutional democracy based on a system of checks and balances.
Originally posted by six67seven
Are they TRYING to create terrorists?!?
Anti-U.S. feelings in Pakistan increased substantially as a result of this strategy, weakening the U.S.-Pakistan counterterrorism cooperation.
Anti-U.S. feelings in Pakistan increased substantially as a result of this strategy, weakening the U.S.-Pakistan counterterrorism cooperation.
Originally posted by madmac5150
Here is a question...
The DOJ is still hot on Zimmerman's backside trying to build a case for a hate crime. Should the White House not be the ones that are under such an investigation?
Definite S&Fedit on 18-7-2013 by madmac5150 because: Can't sleep, the clowns will eat me
Originally posted by jude11
The American Govt. killing its own citizens and getting away with it won't last long.
When it does happen on American soil (and it will) I believe that will be the time that people start to stand against the monster.
Originally posted by Lysistrata
Sorry folks - but you really are the terrorists of the world. You elected them - you voted them into office unanimously - not once - but twice. The second time was absolute proof of your culpability in the crimes of terrorism in the name of Obama. I am ABSOLUTELY POSITIVE that if BHO were to run again (hypothetically) you would vote him into office again....
I live in constant fear because of what you have done to me and my country....
...I am ashamed to be an American...........
PS - I suspect strongly that @least 90% of you here on ATS voted for BHO (at least once) and are supportive of this dictatorship.
The Drone That Killed My Grandson