has american become a nation of cowards?

[niyad]

Has America Become a Nation of Cowards?
by David Sirota

If the mission to neutralize Osama bin Laden were a blockbuster movie, the screen would have almost certainly faded to black as soon as the accused terrorist's death was announced. No doubt, the credits would roll to Queen's "We Will Rock You” and then a big “The End” would appear.

. . . . . .

Who is the president now prohibited from executing sans due process? At first glance, the answer might seem to be "anyone not named Osama bin Laden." Except, days after the bin Laden mission, Obama ordered the assassination of U.S. citizen Anwar al-Awlaki, even though Awlaki hasn't been charged with -- much less convicted of -- a crime. If this is now acceptable, whom else can the president order killed without judicial review?

Why were the Nazis entitled to due process, but accused terrorists aren't? Nazis killed millions of innocents and were convicted at the much-celebrated Nuremberg trials. Yet, many insist bin Laden and other al-Qaida leaders must be executed or detained without a similar trial because a courtroom drama would supposedly generate a circus (this, as if Nuremberg were some low-key affair).

Why the double standard in confronting the Nazis and al-Qaida? Is it because since bravely facing down Hitler, we became a nation of cowards? Are we today so intimidated by the possibility of al-Qaida retribution that we're willing to subvert the ideals enshrined in our Constitution? And if so, isn't that letting the terrorists win?

. . . .

http://www.commondreams.org/view/2011/05/13-10

[DJ13]

1. Why were the Nazis entitled to due process, but accused terrorists aren't?

Because the terrorists might expose ties and funding that could embarrass the US government?

[ixion]

2. We went from the 'land of the Free and the Brave' to the land of

the Enslaved and Terrified.

[niyad]

7. or, for some of us, enslaved and outraged

[mmonk]

3. Yes.

[TimLighter]

4. "Why were the Nazis entitled to due process"?

As you may recall the "useful" Nazis were imported to the Soviet Union and the United States. Operation Paperclip it was called. We must have got the better of the group because our Nazis beat their Nazis in the space race.

The not so useful were tried and executed or imprisoned, it wasn't as clean and cut and dried as the OP makes it sound.

[niyad]

6. welcome to DU

no, it wasn't cut and dried, and it is interesting that you got that from the OP. the central question is still, why were the nazis tried and the suspected terrorists are not?

[DaveJ]

8. It's an interesting question

I feel like life in general is controlled by preconceived notions, no opportunity to control one's fate, just a lengthy process devoid of any intellectual adjustments.

We need to face the reality that whoever sought to control the planet has garnered more control since then. The rights and dignity of individuals and Justice certainly is not what it used to be.

[niyad]

9. I think we stepped through the looking glass quite some time ago

[opihimoimoi]

5. I for one is glad the Osama is now gone....

[Yon_Yonson]

10. If not a nation of cowards then certainly ‘A Nation of Sheep’!

[Cid_B]

11. As far as Awlaki goes.. you ever see Band of Brothers?

You remember the German heritage Americans who went to go fight for the Fatherland? Were they entitled to a "trial" while we slaughtered the rest of their chosen compatriots? Of course not..

You side with the enemy and you fucking die because someone is going to drop a hellfire on you or you may meet Seal Team 6 or just a E2 MP gunner. Either way, just as dead and by their own choice.

[niyad]

12. you know, some days some of the responses on du are just so incredible