Judging a Long, Deadly Reach

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/01/world/american-strike-on-american-target-revives-contentious-constitutional-issue.html?_r=1&hp

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: barry levine 
Date: Sat, Oct 1, 2011 at 7:43 AM
Subject: re: Judging a Long, Deadly Reach
To: letters@nytimes.com


To the Editor:

   It would have been easy to convict Anwar al-Awlaki of treason if he had been tried in an American court of law; he had attached himself to our enemies. But he was not tried in court. He was not even charged with a crime. That puts him in the  other category: American citizens who cannot be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. Our law provides no third category. Summary execution by the Executive of an American citizen should concern us all. Republicans in congress could initiate impeachment--but many of them seem to believe that Muslims don't deserve constitutional rights. Democrats in congress could initiate impeachment--but many of them seem to believe that re-electing their man is more important than the Rule of Law. It is an occasion for sober reflection on America's values. If you're not queasy, you're not paying attention.

Barry Haskell Levine