The two March 23 letters approving of killings without due process were narrowly focused, intensely nationalistic opinions missing context in reality.
Linda Walczak ("Drone strikes effective way to deter terrorism") contends: "If you take up arms or advocate acts against us, you have forfeited your right to any due process under the laws of the country you have forsaken."
That would have to mean targeting the National Rifle Association and gun owners who claim a patriotic duty under the Constitution to arm themselves to overthrow the government they find oppressive (ours). Clearly, no due process is required.
Retired Naval Intelligence Lt. Eugene Whitney's opinion in his letter ("Killing terrorists not a human rights issue") states: "The killing of terrorists who are threatening the lives of Americans has nothing to do with human rights."
He has a similar absolute focus. Significantly, the secret process of defining and selecting "terrorists" for killing are unquestioned. Nor is there consideration of U.S. excursions beyond its borders directly and indirectly resulting in hundreds of thousands being killed; most of whom had no ill will toward the U.S. nor any means to do it harm.
The more than 95 percent of people living outside the United States do not accept being targeted for killing and having ruined lives cataloged as collateral damage because of some unspecified U.S. national interests. Threat of superior firepower and economic starvation impose only temporary tolerance and inspire ingenious retaliation.
President Barack Obama recently lectured Israeli students to consider life as viewed by the Palestinians.
As a nation, we do as we do and lecture the world to do as we say.
Alex Yatsevitch
Delmar