We have heard a lot about the second strike against an alleged narcotics-carrying boat on September 2nd. Congress want the full tapes of the bombings released, and Secretary Hegseth is refusing to release them. The question seems to be whether a war crime was committed - the execution of helpless shipwrecked victims.
I believe that whole question is a moot one for two reasons. First, we are not at war. Second, the first strike was illegal.
What would we think if Border Patrol officers blew up a vehicle trying to enter the U.S. and killed everyone in it because it was suspected that the vehicle contained illegal drugs?
What would we think if the DEA/Police blew up a suspected drug dealers house/apartment killing everyone in it?
The answer is obvious. The officers would be arrested and charged with murder. We operate under the rule of law in this country. We arrest suspected criminals, give them a fair trial respecting due process protections, and let a jury decide their guilt or innocence. Labeling them as "narco-terrorists" would not change that.
Why then would we think it's different in international waters? They are suspected criminals - not terrorists or enemy soldiers. Calling the bombings an act of war and labeling the victims as terrorists changes nothing.
Our Navy and Coast Guard are fully capable of seizing and searching the boats, and if contraband is discovered, arresting the people on the boats. They would than be given a fair trial and either convicted or found innocent. That is the law. That is what has always been done. Killing them with a trial and proof of their guilt is illegal - it is murder.
And that is true even if ordered done by a president.
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