Put an end to undeclared wars

[The Northerner]

I think it’s time we have a genuine discussion about how our government is conducting undeclared wars. It’s not a right or left issue — it concerns all Americans because we are paying for this with our taxes and therefore we are responsible.

What has happened to the “rule of law”? Without trials, how are we to know that Anwar al-Awlaki was the “inspirational leader behind the Fort Hood attacks and the Underwear Bomber?” I thought our system of justice was based on “innocent until proven guilty.”

Have we now become so afraid we’re allowing the government to be judge, jury and executioner?

Susan Balmer, Rogers Park

Source: http://www.suntimes.com/opinions/letters/11395185-474/put-an-end-to-undeclared-wars.html

I agree.

I doubt that any of us would support being targeted for assassination, based mostly on suspicion, by the military of another country.

[gratuitous]

1. Yes, our citizens have become just that afraid

And there are very powerful forces working hard to keep people afraid, and reacting to events. Calls for a reasoned, sober discussion of the facts involved are subsumed by hysterical screams about national security or the absolute need to defend our country from any and all threats, real or imagined. Especially the imagined ones.

And whether our high government officials are acting in connivance with the very powerful forces or have just been stampeded by those forces, it makes little difference to the victims of our violence. Our current practices would not stand up to constitutional review, and so that's avoided at all costs, which have become very, very high.

[CAPHAVOC]

2. April 21st

Look out!