On Independent Counsels and Just War Theory
In today's Wall Street Journal, I criticize the stories coming out of the White House that portray President Obama picking al Qaeda leaders for a kill list. This comes on top of a series of leaks that are damaging our national security -- leaks that seem aimed at building up the President's credentials for reelection. I don't call for it in the piece, but this might be the most appropriate moment for an independent counsel. Thoughts?
The other issue that caught my eye in the stories was the claim that President Obama is a student of St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas and brings their views to his choice of targets. I found this unbelievable. Most American lawyers, not to mention one who was a community organizer and taught civil rights law, will not have come into contact with these Catholic theologians and their complex arguments on just war. But even if Obama did know about their contributions to just war theory, I cannot imagine that he is applying their thinking correctly. Which raises a second question: how would Catholic just war theory approach the question of drone warfare?
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Nov '10
Re: On Independent Counsels and Just War Theory
Military ends are political ends. And you don't know how innocent the bystanders are, any more than Obama does.
Apr '11
Re: On Independent Counsels and Just War Theory
It is clear that you are willing to make distinctions and not make distinctions as convenient. "Terrorist." "Military." "Oops, never mind, they're all the same."