Will Grigg?s Liberty Minute

September 27, 2010

Barack Obama claims the authority to order the summary execution of Anwar al-Awlaki, a U.S. citizen currently residing in Yemen. Awlaki is accused of playing a role in inciting the attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airliner last December.

Awalki denies that he is involved in terrorism. He has never been formally charged with a crime, let alone indicted, prosecuted, or convicted of one.

Several weeks ago, Awlaki?s father filed a lawsuit seeking an injunction against the extra-judicial killing of his son. The Obama administration insists that even discussing this question violates the so-called ?state secrets privilege? ? and that Awlaki?s sole recourse is unconditional surrender to a government that claims the right to kill him without due process of any kind.

Thomas Paine warned: ?He that would make his own liberty secure must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself. ? If Obama succeeds in asserting the power to assassinate citizens at whim, Anwar al-Awlaki won?t be the last victim.

Let us take back the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free.