In a stunningly audacious move, al-Qaeda has condemned the attack that killed Anwar al-Awlaki as...unconstitutional.
Al-Qaeda has also criticized the Obama administration for killing U.S. citizens, saying doing so “contradicts” American law.
"Where are what they keep talking about regarding freedom, justice, human rights and respect of freedoms?!” the statement says, according to a translation by SITE Intelligence Group, which monitors jihadist Web site.
Now, I can understand why these guys wouldn't understand freedom, justice, and human rights, given their desire to eradicate such concepts in favor of tyranny and oppression. So the idea that they're attempting to throw these ideals in America's face as their argument against Awlaki's death is, frankly, laughable.
As Guy Benson noted a few weeks back, Awlaki's death was not unconstitutional, as he was a member of al-Qaeda, an organization which has been waging war on us for over a decade. Following 9/11, Congress gave the president the power to go after anyone responsible for the attacks:
(a) IN GENERAL- That the President is authorized to use all necessary and appropriate force against those nations, organizations, or persons he determines planned, authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons, in order to prevent any future acts of international terrorism against the United States by such nations, organizations or persons.
As Awlaki was a known member of al-Qaeda--the organization that "planned, authorized, and committed" the attacks, he was fair game, American citizenship or not. It is precisely our believe in justice and freedom that prompted this order. Awlaki was at war with the United States. He died a lawful death as an unlawful enemy combatant--and the world is better for it.