Yemen cleric's father says son wants off US hit list

[sabra]

Source: AFP

DUBAI — The father of a radical Islamic cleric in Yemen who is on a Washington hit list has said his son would stop anti-US messages if taken off the list, Al-Jazeera television reported Monday.

Anwar al-Awlaqi, a US-born cleric with alleged links to Al-Qaeda has been placed on the hit list for directly plotting against the United States, a US intelligence official said last week.

The Qatar-based Al-Jazeera quoted the cleric's father, Nasser al-Awlaqi, as saying that if Washington stops targeting Anwar by threatening to abduct, capture, or kill him, his son would cease his anti-US statements and speeches.

Nasser al-Awlaqi is a former minister of agriculture and rector at the University of Sanaa.

The news channel did not clarify if the offer had Awlaqi's consent.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g95RiEb1p1cUwG3L-_2y6ZxinF3A

[Hawkeye-X]

1. will stop anti-US message? Really? Can you guarantee that?

If your son fails each time, will you pay me $100?

Hawkeye-X

[ShortnFiery]

8. Yes, we put HITS on people without charges or trial.

USA! USA! USA!

Gee, doesn't that make one proud to be an American?

No wonder most of the rest of the world LOATHES and/or FEARS us?

[cliffordu]

10. Maybe they loathe and fear you. Me? Not so much.

So where's the dead baby photo? I miss it.

[ShortnFiery]

11. Yes, Asian nations love us to send our bad-ass Drone Killers in to Bomb and Kill.

Oh yeah, on second thought, THEY LOVE US!

USA! USA! USA!

[proteus_lives]

13. ShortnFiery: pictures are easy, words are hard.

[ShortnFiery]

18. How thoughtful. Pictures often complement if not convey more information than words. eom

[cliffordu]

25. And act as thought bubbles for people who are too lazy to think.

[cliffordu]

15. Yes, actually, they do. Look up Vietnam tours.

You could go tell them what capitalist insects us vets are.

It'd be great!

[ShortnFiery]

17. Have you forgotten that I'm an Army Veteran?.

And I'm a liberal democrat not a corporatist.

We actually exist in larger numbers than you'd think. ;)

[cliffordu]

19. Yeah, I forgot.

With your constant stabbing other vets in the back, I'd doubt that very seriously.

Blame the soldier. That's you all over.

[ShortnFiery]

20. That's bullshit! I don't blame the soldiers. I honor the GOOD soldiers, but due ....

to a lack of INTEGRITY and LEADERSHIP from the top down, they are forced to STFU while WAR CRIMES occur right in front of their faces.

I support the troops who can NOT speak out because far too many of our LEADERS (both civilian and military) are warmongering sociopaths who deny and cover up WAR CRIMES.

You're the one who *stabs other vets* by implying because we want to see an end to these unjust occupations that SOMEHOW we are less than patriotic and don't support the troops.

I was honored to serve in the military and I honor the troops.

You can honor the troops too: stop spreading INANE JINGOISTIC FERVOR and support the rest of us vets in working to bring them home now?

[cliffordu]

23. My support for the vets is inane jongoistic fervor?

I'll tell the next vet I take to the VA for mental health care that's what you said.


:hurts:

[ShortnFiery]

28. Yes, because to give seemingly "an inkling" of criticism is considered by you - UN-American.

You can't allow anyone to discern that the mission is UNJUST.

Why are you supporting the Generals and Civilian Leaders above the lower line troops?

The average infantry troop has no desire to stay there and has NO IDEA what he's fighting for.

[ShortnFiery]

29. You don't need to do that for me. I've had the honor of counseling Active Duty Infantry

troops. I'm a qualified Government Position Psychologist, GS-09-12. I was assigned an Infantry Battalion while my husband was stationed overseas. I've had the honor of talking with soldiers who have seen the horrors of war.

I doubt that your experience with PTSD, alcohol abuse and depression is any deeper than mine. Well unless you've worked as a master's level GS employee in the Mental Health Field like myself?

p.s. I have been blunt with you ... you are not a client? Still, if I've offended you, please accept my humble apology? No doubt, at times I can come across as brusque. :blush:

[cliffordu]

31. You make a mockery of the profession with the swill you post here.

You've NEVER said one word supporting the PTSD vets you allegedly work with, NEVER separated them from the Masters of war, NEVER made ONE post that didn't imply that all soldiers are responsible for the crimes and murders of the few.

Again, where's the dead baby photo?? How are you supporting the Vets with that??

Who is standing in the graphic you posted above???

Of all the haters of the line troops you are one of the worst.

You ought to be ashamed of yourself.

And if you really are a professional working with PTSD survivors, you need to get as far away as fucking possible.

Your contempt is in evidence with every pejorative graphic you post.

[ShortnFiery]

34. I see you are very angry with me. You TWIST my words into the meaning you wish for.

None of the above is my intent:

Let's start with the concept of "Contempt": Again, as I've noted repeatedly, I both honor and support the troops UNCONDITIONALLY. The people who I am angry at, are NOT "the troops" but the highest echelon of Military and Civilian Leaders who have sent them to kill and die in an unjust war.

When it comes down to it, I harbor no ill will toward even the sociopathic soldiers who do horrible acts. However, they need to be identified and promptly disciplined as well as discharged from the military.

I'm far from ashamed of myself because I LOVE THE MILITARY.

You just don't get it: The best way to honor the present troops stationed in these diverse nations is FORCE their leaders to Bring Them Home Now.

It genuinely saddens me that you believe I don't support the troops - I always have.

However, to support the commission of unjust occupations and past misdeeds of our nation is NOT PATRIOTIC, it's putting on blinders.

With sincere respect, SnF

[cliffordu]

35. Right. Your work speaks for itself.

best of luck.

[ShortnFiery]

37. You misjudge me because IMO, you choose to not NOTE the horrors of war OPENLY.

Yes, our troops munitions and artillery cause those horrific deaths. It's not the troops but Their Leaders who are responsible for "collateral damage" and yes, It's VILE.

You give me the impression that you'd rather "cover up" these atrocities? I will tell you from experience, many soldiers report being haunted by these images.

Why do I show these images? Because the American people need to SEE the TRUTH. To know that War is horrific not an X-box game.

You can't understand that I love my country and our military so much that I'm angered to see them MISUSED. I'm doing my damnest to wake people up to these unjust occupations.

You will not permit yourself to understand my perspective and that is very unfortunate.

Best wishes to you,

SnF

[cliffordu]

24. So you'll separate the "good soldiers" from the "bad" ones and support

some of them. Good. Now we're getting down to it.

I served in a shitty war that no one wanted. I support these troops on that basis.

They serve the same ideals I did, regardless of how fucked up the mission or the theater of combat.

Too bad you taint the soldiers with the mission, separate some for support, dump on others at whim.

Perfectly you!

[ShortnFiery]

27. I don't think a soldier who shoots an unarmed, wounded civilian who is low crawling toward cover ...

is what one would categorize as a STRAC Trooper.

I TAINT no soldiers. The ones who knowingly breech the Geneva Convention do that to their character all by themselves.

It's sad that those who CARE and suffer with their conscious must tolerate those who could "go off" on them or anyone else at a moment's notice. And the Leaders don't care as long as the line troops are strong enough to KILL and DIE on command.

[cliffordu]

32. Soldiers who murder need to be seperated and charged, tried and executed.

You never discuss the rest.

[ShortnFiery]

39. There is the Geneva Conventions which every soldier is taught before going into battle.

Those soldiers who breech the Geneva Conventions by, for example, shooting wounded civilians and or combatants who are unarmed, need to be reported and an investigation promptly conducted.

I understand that there is too often a need for split second decisions and most thoughtful seniors would side with "the error of caution" albeit the result is tragic.

Yes, I've typed a great deal about this but you don't wish to believe that I'm either a Patriotic American nor that I care for the troops.

Both my older brother and father were combat veterans. They believed in abiding by the Geneva Conventions.

It's my RESPECT for the Military that drives me. It's WRONG for them to be misused.

[DURHAM D]

2. Well - his son should of thought about it before... nt

[Ozymanithrax]

3. He should surrender at the nearest U.S. embasy and demand to stand trial. n/t

[maxsolomon]

4. +1

come on back and clear your name. i'm sure the crotch bomber would make an excellent character witness.

parents never give up hope.

[Heywood J]

5. Pretty much.

That's the way to get off the list - turn yourself in to avoid the manhunt and stand trial.

[Ozymanithrax]

7. Show up with lawyers and Al Jazera so that it is public...

Have a lawyer demand that he get his day in court as an American citizen.

It won't be a walk in the park. But it would force the government to put up or shut up.

[EFerrari]

6. Because we all know how well the US treats Arab Men

who they accuse of a crime, right? We know that they will be well treated in detention and if they are found innocent, they will be freed.

[Ozymanithrax]

9. He is an American citizen and if done very publicly it would force the government...

to show what they have.

It would not be fun, but it would keep the Yemeni government (who are looking for him in their own war against Al Qaeda) and the U.S. government from using full military force to apprehend him. It gives him a chance to actually stand trial, which is easier to survive than dodging Hellfire missiles.

[EFerrari]

12. You're more sanguine than I am. American citizens have been picked up

in this abortion of a "war" and they have been tortured and denied counsel and finally strong armed into cutting deals simply because they are helpless.

We know and I'm sure this guy knows that innocent people -- people that our government knew to a certainty were innocent -- have been tortured and held for years under Bush. We all know that innocent people are still being held at Gitmo because of American politics. This guy sounds like a jerk and he may well be a recruiter but, if he were my kid, no way would I tell him to turn himself in.

[liberation]

14. This is exactly what happens when we start to ignore that "rule of law"

implies that none is above it, and that there are no f*cking exceptions.

As evil as this bastard may be, our government lost any sort of moral higher ground to request his actual assassination.

Why is this guy in a hit list, while our very own tea baggers who are actively advocating for the overthrowing of the US department get to be shielded by their 1st amendment rights? Why are the people who are reacting to our very own wars of choice held responsible, while the same people who lied us into illegal wars are left untouched because we have to "look forward not back."


This is exactly what happens when we allow subjective and specious views to dictate how we act, rule of law be damned. Once we lose our moral standing it is almost impossible to recover it. And giving our government the latitude to murder its own citizens is exactly the wrong direction to face in the quest to recover that lost moral stance.

[EFerrari]

16. Agreed. I objected to targeted assassination when Israel did it

and whether this man is a citizen or not, I object to this, too. That he is a citizen might help wake up the American public a little bit though, enough to see that impunity is not just for other peoples any more.

[Ozymanithrax]

21. Then you think he should continue to hide until the Yemeni military or the

U.S. find him. Sure, the order says to Capture or Kill, not just kill, but in the middle of a fire fight with air support, it is very difficult to captures someone.

Everything I've see shows that this man has chosen to make war against the people of the United States. He has chosen to conspire to murder innocent Americans. If he is Innocent, he should come forward.

[ShortnFiery]

22. Not again: "The innocent have nothing to fear." meme to justify any action of The State?!?

http://ralpress.org/2008/10/11/the-innocent-have-nothing-to-fear-you-say/

The reason why the expression “the innocent have nothing to fear” must be rejected when used as a “smart bomb” justification for liberty-reducing policies, is because the person uttering it is typically attempting to trick listeners into believing that the only thing at stake is the likelihood of them being caught for a misdemeanour. But this is obviously a sleight of hand, being caught for misdemeanours is not the principal concern for the average law abiding citizen.

Don’t think it KILL or CAPTURE orders could soon be enacted on our soil?

Look at the perilous state of democracy in the USA at the moment. Feast your eyes and ears on these two short videos, this one by a Harvard law professor, and this one by a member of the United States Congress, and then have a look at this article about the administration’s plans for troop deployments on US soil, and go search out the articles detailing the electoral fraud that seems to have become a feature of US political life in recent years.

What’s happening is nothing less than an all-out attack on the freedom of the individual.

http://yorick.infinitejest.org:81/1/img/card-predator_yemen.jpg http://yorick.infinitejest.org:81/1/img/card-civil_libertarians.jpg

[Ozymanithrax]

40. Innocent or guilty he should surrender and take his chances with the law.

Otherwise, it appears that there is sufficient evidence to show he has chosen to make war against innocent people in the United States. There is evidence that he is nothing more or less than a treasonous pig. If he is found on a battlefield, then he can be killed and should be if he does not surrender.
I would hope that he is innocent of treason and murder. In a court room he has a chance to prove it. On a battlefield innocent and guilt are irrelevant. Only physics matter.

[EFerrari]

38. Everything you see? What is this everything?

[Ozymanithrax]

41. Here is some of it:

Fort Hood shooting: Was Nidal Malik Hasan inspired by militant cleric?
Yemeni American cleric Aulaqi confirms contact with Nigerian suspectText
Fort Hood gunman Nidal Hasan 'is a hero': Imam who preached to 9/11 hijackers in Va. praises attack

If you spend a bit of time, you will find interviews with Al Jazera where he calls for all Muslims to murder Americans. His link with the Fort Hood Massacre and the Underwear bomber, who is is reported to have recruited, his drive to continue holy war against the citizens of he United States, show a great deal of evidence that may be involved in conspiracy to murder Americans, (a crime) an accessory to murder before and after the fact (a crime), and continued conspiracy to murder Americans. As an American Citizen he can come forward and demand his day in court. I would prefer that. But if found on the battlefield his innocence or guilt are irrelevant.

[EFerrari]

42. His correspondence with the Ft. Hood shooter

was on another topic per the FBI, iirc. He did not recruit or order the Nigerian guy to do anything. I will check out Al Jazeera because I haven't been following this very closely.

But so far, I haven't seen any evidence at all that he's done anything more serious than Rush Limbaugh does every day. And this man deserves his day in court regardless of his guilt or innocence.

/typo

[Poll_Blind]

26. Show up with a camera crew (or six) at an embassy and surrender. I like the idea. n/t

PB

[tinymontgomery]

30. Let him go on the TV

Let him go on the TV and radio and state that the U S is not that bad and to stop trying to hurt our citizens and then I'll believe him. Till then I don't trust him so much.

[grantcart]

33. lol "did not clarify if the offer had Awlaqi's consent"

[Xenotime]

36. I purely a racist list to begin with.