The Staggers

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Anwar al-Awlaki is dead

One of the most wanted al-Qaeda leaders has been killed by a US air strike in Yemen.

By George Eaton Published 30 September 2011 15:17

Anwar al-Awlaki is no more. The al-Qaeda cleric, who became one of the world's most dangerous terrorists, has been killed by a US drone aircraft in Yemen.

It's another foreign policy triumph for Barack Obama, who ensured that Awlaki, of Yemeni descent, became the first US citizen to be placed on the CIA's targeted assassination list. The "spiritual leader" of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula seemed to have a hand in almost every major terrorist plot against the west. He was linked to the 2009 Fort Hood shootings, the "Underwear Bomber", the failed Times Square plot, several of the 11 September 2001 attackers and Roshonara Choudhry, who stabbed the Labour MP Stephen Timms. All were inspired by Awlaki's jihadist sermons, many of which remained on YouTube, despite the protests of the UK government

His death is the biggest blow to al-Qaeda since the killing of bin Laden. Awlaki's relative youth (he was 40), eloquence and reach meant that he filled at least part of the void left by Osama.

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27 comments

Mon, 2012-04-23 03:49 — FranklinBonner

I believe this is a catastrophe for the American people as it signals that the government, perhaps even the President himself can dictate without trial, without any come back who amongst their citizens is an enemy of the state and can be killed without question, without trial, without open reason. http://www.online-legal-info.com/

Sun, 2011-10-02 16:01 — swatantra

People like him have in fact forfeited their rights and deserve their fate.
What is Justice anyway?
Enemies of the State that murder and maim innocent citizens deserve the same fate they mete out to others. That is Justice. Natural Justice.

Fri, 2011-09-30 21:59 — dillon (not verified)

good riddance to this hate filled.racist and fascist,may the worms in hell feed on his rotten corspe of hate and bigotary.

Sat, 2011-10-01 08:09 — Captain Sensible (not verified)

The piece of 786 also had the Yemeni Rhino horn ceremonial dagger. Some may say what, but biodiversity is important for the planet. We spend millions protecting the last rhinos.This turd world terror merchant is destroying our planet. This baggage lived in the UK at our expense and also led the prayers after 9/11!!!!!!!

Sat, 2011-10-01 09:55 — Fergus Pickering (not verified)

Churchill wished to kill top Nazi leaders out of hand. It was Americans who insisted on the trials, out of which Goering came quite well.

Sat, 2011-10-01 10:05 — Luddite (not verified)

1% says "Luddite and Bin Laden where two peas in a pod" Ha Haaaa!! your so funny matthew.. But i prefer that other one, from some US general "One very bad man had a very bad day" now that's f**king funny..

Sat, 2011-10-01 11:05 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

It's goodbye to bad rubbish, the USA is to be congradulated.

Sat, 2011-10-01 12:01 — Luddite (not verified)

Stuart Eels. I'll second that. Congratulations Mr president and
congratulations to the American armed forces, and congratulations to England on beating Scotland in the world-cup it's been a brilliant last few days.

Sat, 2011-10-01 13:50 — Coleridge (not verified)

The next time Hamas, Hezbollah or Islamic Jihad or any other islamoNazi terror group butcher innocent Jewish civilians I'd love to see the Islamist-supporting scum above ask why the Jews didn't receive a trial? Or is it the case that's it's just murdering neo-nazi Islamist supremacist terrorists who must have all their legal rights scrupulously accorded to them.

Mon, 2011-10-03 07:55 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

You are quite right swatantra nandanwar. he forfeited his rights. The innocent people around the world who have died had no choice.

Thats why I'm congradulating the USA Marcus, lets not confuse his hatred with ficton.

Sat, 2011-10-01 13:54 — Zionist (not verified)

Mazal Tov to Prez Obama and the US government for taking out this islamoNazi. The free world rejoices. The Islamist world mourns.

Sat, 2011-10-08 08:33 — Herring (not verified)

I bet they'll find lots of porn stashed away in his home - like
'goats in stockings' just like happened with OBL

Sun, 2011-10-16 09:01 — Jackie (not verified)

I'm quite surprised that so many people still believe that al Qaeda exists as a Mid Eastern Organisation bent on destroying the West, and not that it was an imaginary force invented by our joint Governments to get us to back illegal wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, for profit. Have you not noticed a touch of fantasy about these 'killings'? Quite literally habeas corpus.

Fri, 2011-09-30 15:55 — Luddite (not verified)

What's this good news week. "eloquence and reach meant that he filled at least part of the 'void' left by Osama". You sad bastard... and you wonder why few take the political-left seriously!!

Fri, 2011-09-30 16:54 — talsom

Political left? This reads like a Pentagon "news" release! To think that people like Mr.Eaton get paid (presumably) for this unthinking drivel!

Sun, 2011-10-02 10:57 — Stuart Eels (not verified)

Still using the killing of a terrorist Coleridge and Zionist, I didn't dee many muslims mourning on any of the news channels. That reaslly must upset you you warmongers!

Fri, 2011-09-30 17:39 — Sam (not verified)

If they knew all along where he was, why didn't they capture him alive? No one has the right to pronounce a death sentence without a fair trial. Let deomocracy go to hell Mr Obama. Practicing and preaching are not the same... You should join the Republican party.

Fri, 2011-09-30 17:50 — swatantra

For people like Awlaki a show trial is pretty pointless, and summary execution the best way to dispose of him. And he should expect it: if you live by the sword then expect to die by the sword.

Fri, 2011-09-30 17:58 — matthew fox (not verified)

Luddite and Bin Laden where two peas in a pod, cave dwellers, prone to emotional meltdowns, and viewed as irrelevant by the world.

Fri, 2011-09-30 18:12 — Marcus (not verified)

George Eaton, how is the first ever killing of two American citizens without trial by the federal government possibly be a triumph?

A very sad day for that country.

Fri, 2011-09-30 18:13 — Luddite (not verified)

Sam... Why are you getting so up-set. Anwar al-Awlaki is now shagging his 70-odd virgins, isn't that better than spending his life plotting mass-murder and looking like a character from Monty Python.

Fri, 2011-09-30 18:20 — Luddite (not verified)

Marcus "American citizens" now your taking to the piss...

Fri, 2011-09-30 18:34 — Marcus (not verified)

@Luddite, how were they not American citizens?

Let me clarify, they were extremists, evil terrorists and most probably deserved to die.

That however is not the issue. The issue is that one person has decided that without trial or any comeback they were to die. Obama could do the same to his political opponents, his next door neighbour, or the guy that looked a little funny in the crowd yesterday.

It has never happenned before. I fear it will happen again.......... as with every turn a liberty, a personal right is being removed.

This is how freedom ends. It ends to applause.

Fri, 2011-09-30 18:45 — Benedict (not verified)

@Luddite,

Isn't Barack Obama who ordered the attack a member of the "political-left"?

Fri, 2011-09-30 19:05 — Luddite (not verified)

Marcus. "Let me clarify, they were extremists, evil terrorists and most probably deserved to die". So what are you farting on about... I really don't buy into your argument.

Benedict. Barack Obama wants to be re-elected...
Obama is not the gentleman Jim you think he is..

Sun, 2011-10-02 15:08 — Marcus (not verified)

I think people are missing the point here. It's not about the slaying of a bad man. It is about the lack of justice and rights. Who's next? Political opponents? Tea Party activists? The Dalai Lama?

Reminds me of the film V for Vendetta, where the government deems it right to kill it's own citizens......... and does so to great applause.