Rand Paul weekly column 2/15: Who’s next on Obama’s drone hit list?

[Harald]

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2013/feb/15/whos-next-on-obamas-drone-hit-list/

[FSP-Rebel]

Paul has really been pouring it on Obama lately.

[tsai3904]

Now, if you join al Qaeda, bear arms and attack U.S. forces, no one will argue that you still have a right to a trial.

Some people over at Daily Paul have interpreted that comment to mean that if Rand thinks you joined al Qaeda, you can be killed without a trial.

[July]

Some people over at Daily Paul have interpreted that comment to mean that if Rand thinks you joined al Qaeda, you can be killed without a trial.

That doesn't surprise me. I suppose if one were to take just that sentence by itself, in isolation of the rest of the piece, then yes it could be read the way. In context of the rest of the article, though, he's clearly talking about the nuance between actually having your finger on the trigger, and being an immediate threat. The goverment is redefining what "immediate threat" means.