2. "Can the U.S. kill an American citizen without charge or conviction?"

"Is it legal for the federal government to kill a U.S. citizen overseas, someone who has never been charged or convicted of a crime? Civil liberties groups are condemning the killing of Anwar al-Awlaki, but many legal scholars say it is fully justified."

Anwar al-Awlaki was, according to U.S officials, "a senior talent recruiter and motivator who was involved with planning operations for the Islamist militant group al-Qaeda." He also happened to be a US citizen. Today (Sept. 30) he was killed in northern Yemen.


This has brought up a debate. Since he was a US citizen and he was not allowed a trial before he was killed, is his 6th amendment violated? Or, since he was not on US soil at the time and he was said to be working with al-Qaeda, is he not entitled to his 6th amendment right?

"In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."

There is not mention that the person in question has to be in the US, or even a US citizen. The only thing that could be applicable in this case is the "impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed."


Source:
Can the U.S. kill and American citizen without charge or conviction?

1. "Obama to exclude Social Security from deficits plan"

In class, and in chapter 1, it was mentioned that voters over 65 vote more often than those under 25. President Obama recently gave his deficits proposal. In it he did not affect Medicare or Social Security.

In 2004, there almost 30% more of the voters over the age of 65 than those under 25 voted. Social Security benefits start at 62, so for those over 65 politicians opinions of Social Security has at least some affect on their voting. If Obama made changes that upset those that are drawing from Social Security, it could have a big impact on his outlook for future terms in office, especially if there are still more voters over the age of 65 than 25, as is/was the trend.

"President Barack Obama will not include reforms to the Social Security retirement program in his deficits proposals to Congress next week, the White House said Thursday." He probably did not make his choice solely based on the next presidential election, but it would not be surprising if it had at least some affect on his decision.

Sources:

"Obama to exclude Social Security from deficits plan" - http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44536231/ns/politics-white_house/

"Obama's deficit proposal marks a move away from compromise" - http://articles.latimes.com/2011/sep/19/nation/la-na-obama-deficit-20110920