Scott Horton Interviews The Other Scott Horton
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The Other Scott Horton (no relation), international human rights lawyer and contributing editor at Harper’s magazine, discusses Attorney General Eric Holder’s unpersuasive speech defending extrajudicial assassination; the new (government-friendly) definitions of “due process,” “imminent threat,” and “battlefield;” the minimal US effort in arresting and trying terrorism suspects living abroad; the geographical limitations of drone strikes (because collateral damage of Europeans is unthinkable, whereas civilians in Yemen and Pakistan don’t matter); and whether Obama should be tried for the murder of Anwar al-Awlaki’s sixteen year old son.
MP3 here. (19:34)
The other Scott Horton is a Contributing Editor for Harper’s magazine where he writes the No Comment blog. A New York attorney known for his work in emerging markets and international law, especially human rights law and the law of armed conflict, Horton lectures at Columbia Law School. A life-long human rights advocate, Scott served as counsel to Andrei Sakharov and Elena Bonner, among other activists in the former Soviet Union.
He is a co-founder of the American University in Central Asia, and has been involved in some of the most significant foreign investment projects in the Central Eurasian region. Scott recently led a number of studies of abuse issues associated with the conduct of the war on terror for the New York City Bar Association, where he has chaired several committees, including, most recently, the Committee on International Law. He is also a member of the board of the National Institute of Military Justice, the Andrei Sakharov Foundation, the EurasiaGroup and the American Branch of the International Law Association.
yuuyuyuy
March 9th, 2012 at 2:11 am
Phil Giralid gets money from Iran
yuuyuyuy
March 9th, 2012 at 2:11 am
Philip Giraldi gets money from Iran.
Orville H. Larson
March 9th, 2012 at 2:27 am
What's your definition of "due process"? Mine goes something like this: A specific charge, supported by honest, reliable evidence, which the accused has the right to contest.
In any case, that's not the way President Barack ("The Peace Laureate") O-Bomb-a and his attorney general, Eric Holder, see it. No, O-Bomb-a claims he's got the right to order American citizens killed on his say-so alone. Presumably, this is in keeping with such noble legal precedent as the divine right of kings, the Fuhrerprinzip, "Murder Incorporated," and stuff like that.
To be sure, O-Bomb-a says that he'll observe "due process" before he blows someone away. Of course, the guy who's slated to be snuffed might not agree. . . .
Anonymous
March 9th, 2012 at 3:46 am
The Genius of The Joo-dicial system??? Really? It don’t look like that. It nevere did. Evereyone knows there is to set of rules. And for the filthy rich there are a whole other game rules.
Your game is up (bar-ass-o-cia-sion)
eCAHNomics
March 9th, 2012 at 7:32 am
Do you have a link?
eCAHNomics
March 9th, 2012 at 7:33 am
Why was al Awaki's son assassinated?
IP Khalifah
March 9th, 2012 at 7:42 am
Obama= O for oiltips ba=baba OPEXnoBookz to f ind mama=AIPAC liez
U$Kingz Kheraf ZoO play: Khalifah Aaed Enaya is crazy/home Jailed to be killed soon
eCAHNomics
March 9th, 2012 at 7:46 am
What is the exact legal definition of "member of an associated group?" Is there a list of associated groups?
eCAHNomics
March 9th, 2012 at 7:49 am
Hmmm. Where there is a country with a vibrant govt & rule of law, they will work within the system. That leaves out the U.S.
Anonymous
March 9th, 2012 at 8:52 am
They don’t kill people like that in Europe because they are of value! There are bond issued on their names. In Yemen no bonds worth crying over.
@JohnEllis02
March 9th, 2012 at 9:46 am
Then Philip Giraldi must be a moral and honest man, as Iran only gives its money to those the most moral and honest.
@JohnEllis02
March 9th, 2012 at 10:26 am
SIXTH COMMANDMENT
“Do not take the life of any human or unborn
baby, or in anyway contribute to their death.”
ELEVENTH COMMANDM,ENT
“You have read that it was decreed by Moses,
‘Eye for an Eye and tooth for tooth.’ But now a New Commandment
I give to you, Do not use force to overcome evil. If they strike
you on the right cheek, turn to them the other.”
Rob
March 10th, 2012 at 5:13 am
Two options : Possibly to prevent future retaliation for his father's death. Either that or he was "bugsplat".
popsiq
March 10th, 2012 at 5:33 am
We all trust an elected President as the Supreme Justician of the state. The problem is he doesn't know, or necessarily trust us. So he has to depend on councillors, that we don't know or necessarily trust,, to tell him who we are and why he needs to kill us.
On once again it all boils down to the quality of the intel he gets. And we know that can be ,lots more than just 'spotty'.
Anonymous
March 10th, 2012 at 6:11 am
popsiq, are you saying that if the intel is good killing someone because of their belief and with prospect of ‘bugsplat’ is OK?
Dude you’ve been working for the ‘firms’ for too long. You’ve lost your humanity!
bugsplat=bystanders who die as the result of a strike.
John Ellis
March 10th, 2012 at 9:56 am
Only one purpose has state sponsored terrorism — To protect excessive wealth
DARKNESS
popsiq
“We all trust an elected President as
the Supreme Justinian of the state.”
LIGHT
Only those with excessive wealth, only the 51% voting majority who own all the wealth.
ummabdulla
March 12th, 2012 at 8:26 pm
Why is it never mentioned that Anwar Awlaki WAS arrested when he went back to live in Yemen, and was held in prison for a year or two. He said that it was at the request of the U.S. government, and that Americans were there when he was interrogated.
Before that, he seemed to be pretty mainstream, and his lectures series were popular with English-speaking Muslims all over the world. As was mentioned, he was invited to the Pentagon or something once. After his time in a Yemeni prison, though, he seemed to change. (Wonder what happened in prison…)