According the AP, Republican Congressman and Presidential Candidate says the killing of US born Al-Qaida leader Anwar al-Awlaki on Yemeni soil amounts to an "assassination". He further warned that the "American people not to casually accept such violence against U.S. citizens", even those with strong ties to terrorism.
And conservatives claim that Democrats are "soft" on terrorism and security? News flash, Mr. Paul: Anwar al-Awlaki was a leader in Al-Qaida, which has conducted acts of war against the United States. He committed acts of war against the United States, and repeated directed attempts to kill as many US citizens as possible.
I think this is even more despicable in that Ron Paul made the remarks condemning President Obama and America's success in the war against terror as part of a partisan campaign speech - he made the remarks at a campaign stop at Saint Anselm College in New Hampshire. He said America's leaders must think hard about "assassinating American citizens without charges."
"Without charges", Mr. Paul??? Really?? I suppose you think the Navy Seals should have read Osama bin Laden his rights before asking him nicely to put his hands up? Anwar al-Awlaki had a direct role in supervising and directing a failed attempt to bring down two U.S. cargo aircraft by detonating explosives concealed inside two packages mailed to the U.S. The U.S. also believes Awlaki had sought to use poisons, including cyanide and ricin, to attack Westerners. He directed the Christmas Day "underwear bomber".
Anwar al-Awlaki committed acts of war against the United States, and was killed in a military operation. Had he surrendered unarmed to authorities he could have been returned to the US and given a fair trial. He chose to continue acts of war, and died a casualty of war. Good riddance. And good riddance when Ron Paul returns to private life.