Re:Redacted memo justifying drone strikes on US citizens [pdf]
by jqm on Monday June 23, 2014 @12:32PM
(#7932838)
Well, Ted Bundy got a trial.
But you are right, a police officer would have shot him had he caught Ted in the act and no one would think badly of it.
I suppose this is the difference. If the person being struck by a drone actually had a machine gun and was using it when he was struck than yes... a crime was being stopped with lethal force. If he is at home asleep and you send a drone to kill him at a time he is not engaged in the act maybe you are veering into extra-judicial execution. And that is why this is problematic.
But you are right, a police officer would have shot him had he caught Ted in the act and no one would think badly of it.
I suppose this is the difference. If the person being struck by a drone actually had a machine gun and was using it when he was struck than yes... a crime was being stopped with lethal force. If he is at home asleep and you send a drone to kill him at a time he is not engaged in the act maybe you are veering into extra-judicial execution. And that is why this is problematic.