When did shooting terrorists become a concern
Jul 22nd, 2009 by David Anderson
Something is getting lost in the mix. In the controversy over the non briefing over the CIA program, which was never implemented, we are losing sight of what is good policy. Everyone applauds drones killing Al Qaeda terrorist leaders so why would a member reveal a plan which if worked out, would be even better. The drones sometimes give collateral damage. That means innocent people get hurt or worse. Is it not more moral to take out only the killers if you can develop the ability? What should we think of a Congress that reveals a secret program which would do just that merely for the Speaker’s political cover?
No wonder fewer people are trusting this gang in relation to national security.
Debra Saunders wrote in a recent column, “The Gang That Couldn’t Shoot At All” her view of the CIA controversy. Last weekend, the New York Times reported that after 9/11, the CIA developed a “secret counterterrorism program” to train hit squads to kill top al-Qaida leaders. It seemed like good news to me. After all, why bankroll an intelligence agency if you can’t use it to kill an enemy against whom America has declared war?
