Mar 082013
“Dear Senator Paul,” Attorney General Eric Holder began, in a letter he sent to Rand Paul this morning. Paul might have read it with tired eyes, since he’d spent almost thirteen hours yesterday filibustering the nomination of John Brennan as director of the C.I.A. He had said Holder’s name many times in those hours. But the letter would not have required much focus: it reads, in its entirety,
It has come to my attention that you have now asked an additional question: “Does the President have the authority to use a weaponized drone to kill an American not engaged in combat on American soil?” The answer to that question is no.
Sincerely,
Eric H. Holder, Jr.
via Rand Paul Gets a Letter from Eric Holder : The New Yorker.
Canadians remain fair game, however.
Yes, I noticed that. Also, if you read it carefully, Americans on Canadian soil. Be wary. Watch for drones.
Actually, to be precise: Canadians on American soil can be killed by weaponized drones; Americans on Canadian soil can be killed by weaponized drones; and ANYBODY can be killed ANYWHERE by a NON-WEAPONIZED drone (that is, if any old non-weaponized drone happens to fall on your head).