It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.

Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.

Thank you.

 

Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.

 

The Drone That Killed My Grandson (NYTimes Op-ed)

page: 1
20

log in

join
share:
+1 more 
posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 12:16 AM
link   
If this doesn't shake you at your core... one of the many unbelievably irresponsible atrocities committed by the U.S. government with no accountability whatsoever via the drone program.

I'll post a few parts of the story by Nasser al-Awlaki, the founder of Ibb University and former president of Sana University, served as Yemen’s minister of agriculture and fisheries from 1988 to 1990.

Found the story HERE


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.


"the government argued that its killing program is beyond the reach of the courts" -- no accountability. And that goes for anyone and everyone in the world that might find themselves or a loved one a target. You will get no answers, you will just live with the silence. Are they TRYING to create terrorists?!? That's a damn good way to do it.

Keep your eyes toward the skys. Won't be long before someone at the command center fires the first drone shot over American soil... and gets an award for doing so. (or has it already happened?)



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 12:25 AM
link   

Originally posted by six67seven
Are they TRYING to create terrorists?!?


They created the ones we have now so... probably.

Job security.



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 12:28 AM
link   
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.

Sooner or later there will be an attack that takes out innocents in the street or a playground full of "acceptable" losses. The entire population will then realize who the "Real" enemy is. Even those that can't bring themselves to it just yet.

And then?

Take cover because it won't be pretty.

Peace



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 12:37 AM
link   
This is just like the Salem witch trials...

YOU ARE ALL NOW WITCHES

Come on peoples....wake up...Terrorism was coined just for this purpose...Execution without trial.
A brilliant plan by all accounts, and is working a treat...since a terrorist can be hunted, killed and justified without a single lawyer, judge or jury.

no point in denying the facts

YOU ARE ALL TERRORISTS
edit on 123131p://f37Thursday by plube because: (no reason given)



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 12:53 AM
link   
reply to post by six67seven
 


Well in addition they made more terrorists

www.theatlantic.com...




Anti-U.S. feelings in Pakistan increased substantially as a result of this strategy, weakening the U.S.-Pakistan counterterrorism cooperation.



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 12:53 AM
link   
reply to post by six67seven
 


Well in addition they made more terrorists

www.theatlantic.com...




Anti-U.S. feelings in Pakistan increased substantially as a result of this strategy, weakening the U.S.-Pakistan counterterrorism cooperation.



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 12:57 AM
link   
Covered well here and ongoing conversation, www.abovetopsecret.com...
NDAA is going to make it even worse.



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 01:06 AM
link   
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&F

edit on 18-7-2013 by madmac5150 because: Can't sleep, the clowns will eat me



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 09:33 AM
link   
reply to post by jude11
 

I wish you were correct.

People dont care about God given or natural rights, the rule of law or individual liberties so long as the government tells you that the victim was "bad": a "terrorist", "right wing extremist", "OWS socialist scum" etc.

Theres a million points one could make on this topic.

Its universally accepted/perceived that the average politician is a scum bag, that government is incredibly wasteful and incompetent, and when theyre not blatantly corrupt, often times they're just wrong.

Yet we, the American sheeple, will continue to let them get away with (mass) murder.



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 10:56 AM
link   

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&F

edit on 18-7-2013 by madmac5150 because: Can't sleep, the clowns will eat me


Unfortunately the ones who should be investigating them are also in bed with them. It would be akin to charles manson judging his own trial.



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 11:07 AM
link   
I am in full support of Mr Nasser al-Awlaki and his entire family - I fear for his life as well for as soon as he gets close enough to resolving the murders of his family members by legitimate means through the courts the government will go after him.
======================================================================================
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.

Stop crying and stop blaming others for your complicity. Notice I didn't say stupidity or ignorance or brainwashed or any other such thing. You conspired to bring a dictatorship upon yourselves and upon the rest of the world.

I live in constant fear because of what you have done to me and my country. I am soon to become an ex-patriot. Fortunately I have the means and the opportunity to do so. From afar I will fight the battle because its impossible to operate within my own 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.

edit on 18-7-2013 by Lysistrata because: (no reason given)



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 11:28 AM
link   
reply to post by Lysistrata
 


Yep. This all started with Obama and it's everyone's fault but yours.

(sarcasm)



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 11:42 AM
link   

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.







You do have a good point.... but what makes you think they're not already killing people on US soil? Maybe not with drones. But they don't necessarily "need" drones in the US. Here they have almost unlimited resources and influence to create an event and spin that event any way they want it to look.







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.




Nice little anti-obama haterant. You want to know what baffles me about your little rant? What baffles me is how you imagine it would be any different if Romney was sitting on the throne. Or, even better, how you imagine that elections are completely fair and un-tampered-with.

We've recently read about the NSA spying on...well... pretty much everyone. Drones killing US citizens, etc etc... in other words, a lot of evidence that "they" are trying to exert a lot of control "behind the scenes" (aka where "we" can't see) in order that things may go the way "they" want them to. What makes you think their activities stop when it comes to the voting booth, or tallying votes, etc?


I don't think "we the people" elected Obama any more than we elected Bush. I know this isn't a super-popular opinion, but I'm pretty sure we had our last real election in....oh, I dunno... around 1960 or so. And then TPTB voted to "impeach" behind our backs. Actually, to be completely honest, I'm not even certain it was fully legit back then. I have wondered if JFK was "installed" in the position just like everyone else-- because they thought he would behave and do what they wanted... but I suppose that's a whole other topic....


edit on 18-7-2013 by iwilliam because: (no reason given)

edit on 18-7-2013 by iwilliam because: (no reason given)



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 12:45 PM
link   
reply to post by jude11
 


They will just blame it on the "terrorists" overseas and it'll be a new war started. No one will believe it.. its an on going cycle..



posted on Jul, 18 2013 @ 05:57 PM
link   
reply to post by Lysistrata
 

yes indeed, and i will bet i am the only one on ats that instantly recognized the greek origins of Lysistrata.
thank you.



posted on Jul, 21 2013 @ 02:38 PM
link   
I am ashamed of what the federal government does these days.

That some of it is done with my measly tax dollars makes it that much worse.



posted on Jul, 21 2013 @ 04:10 PM
link   


The Drone That Killed My Grandson


Just a few comments on this subject... both direct and indirect...

First, many of us can find room for acceptability of drones in a combat theater. We all know that war is hell and it is civilians... and moreso, often children that suffer the worst from what we call... collateral damage. If there was ever any reason to seek an end to mankind's most horrid failing, it is this... the death and maiming of innocents.

On the flip, to counter such humanitarian feelings are regular reports of kids in various nations being trained to hate and kill from childhood and even to be explosive mules for suicide missions. So, while we wring out the tear rag here at home, we see organizations like Hizbollah and others dipping the bucket for their own young in ways that makes even the military draft, look enticing.

*ahem*

Finally... someday it may happen that an innocent here in our own nation will fall victim to some unmanned ariel vehicle and then... whatever is left of hell restrained, will break lose. Laws will no longer matter and people will begin shooting at these things here in America like mountain tribesmen do in Afghanistan today.

Of course, we could avoid any of this by deciding NOT to deploy unmanned drones over our own people and our own country. But taking into consideration the results of these last two presidents, I doubt quite seriously that We the People are their main concern for safety and goodwill.

My tuppence



posted on Jul, 21 2013 @ 04:29 PM
link   
I understand the feelings of the poster. But . . . I wonder why with the war going on in the Middle East and a religious war among the Islamics and with the Infidel (the Great Satan) why was he sent there? Is it because you believe your real loyalty lies with Yemen and the Islamic Middle East rather than with being an American.

If an American does not want to be killed, or have family members killed, they should avoid that area of the world. Only militant Islamics reside in those areas. The tragedy is that the death of innocents is a by product of war.

I am against Islam as a dangerous political organization and with luck our country will do what is necessary to protect Americans. I honestly believe that one American's life is not worth all the islamics in the middle east. It appears that rather than complying with American laws they seek to change those laws that Americans have adopted.

I think any time we can kill militant Islamics and the mullah's without sacrificing an American, it is worth it. We have the military capability to wipe the Middle East from the face of the earth if necessary. What I find very interesting is that no Islamics will come forward and condemn the actions that want the Infidel dead.

Therefore, as long as that mentality exists where killing the Daniel Pearls of this world and decapitating the man on Islamic TV for the amusement of these so called human beings, I stand by what I have said. When a group choses a religion over a country where they are born, they deserve the consequences. That is why Islamic's are viewed as the enemy in America. John



posted on Jul, 22 2013 @ 05:14 PM
link   
I will say two things...

1) Any gov't that insists it is above/beyond the law of its land is a gov't againsdt the people and not one by and for the people as ours is puported to be. This isn't new under Barry, has been going on for a while, Barry is just a tanner GWB--criminal subverting the law.

2) Anyone ever want to see what wrath looks like, you do something to mine, I dare you. There is no place in the expanse of the 'Verse where you'll be able to hide you and yours from my wrath, there will be nothing you can do to escape my wrath, and both Heaven and Hell will weep for you.

Derek







 
20

log in

join