American Terrorism

Illustration by Belle Mellor

In keeping up with the current drone discussions going on right now I ran across an article on The Texas Fred Blog written by Texas Fred himself which you can read here. The article outlines the fact that "Obama has the power to authorize lethal force, such as a drone strike, against a U.S. citizen on U.S. soil, without trial." Attorney General Eric Holder wrote in a letter released Tuesday.

Texas Fred seems to more or less focus on President Obama in his article rather than the pressing issue at hand, that our Constitutional rights of due process against the deprivation of our lives is being stamped all over by the government. I have said this before and I will say it again if we as American citizens do not become involved in some way with our governments proceedings they will continue to "interpret" and "assume" that what they are doing is best for each and every one of us. If the war on terrorism is being fought overseas then why are we commissioning drones that can be used on U.S. soil? The answer lies in the question itself, the war on terrorism isn't just some war that is thousands of miles away, it is a war for each and every American citizens mind and personal liberties that was opened up 12 years ago when everyone jumped for joy when the Patriot Act was passed. Now most citizens are filled with buyers remorse as they realize that without due process, the government could use a drone against an American citizen, point blank.

In the article - which is geared more towards Anti-Obama citizens - Texas Fred goes on to outline Senator Rand Paul (R-KY) and Attorney General Eric Holders differing opinion on the matter of the President having the authority to authorize a drone strike on American citizens, on American soil. Texas Fred begins to lose sight on the issue over personal distaste of the current President. He goes on to say:

"Any person, man or woman, Democrat or Republican, that says Obama has the legal authority to unleash deadly force — such as drone strikes — against Americans on U.S. soil without first putting them on trial has just written Barack Obama a blank check to become a vigilante and commit MURDER at will, with no thought of repercussions."

 I personally think that this is a bit drastic considering that if it were any other President they would have exactly the same power as President Obama in this situation. It really pains me to see everyone so focused on the people involved in the issue rather than the issue itself. American citizens should be made aware (and should have a say in the matter) that drones - with the potentiality for deadly strikes - patrol our own soil. The last that I knew we were not currently being invaded by another country. The war on terror is being fought right in our front yards, and with strong federal interpretations. Find a voice and let yourself be heard, don't just accept that your opinion doesn't matter on issues like this, because it does.