Eli Lake reports:
Yemen’s government has announced it will not extradite Anwar al-Awlaki, the U.S.-born jihadist cleric who is credited with inspiring the recent wave of anti-American terrorist plots by al Qaeda recruits.
Over the weekend, Yemeni Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al Qirbi said Mr. al-Awlaki would be tried in the Arabian Peninsula state once he is captured.
“The man the U.S. wants to be extradited will stand trial in Yemen under the national law,” Mr. al Qirbi was quoted as saying in the Yemen state news agency, al Saba.
The Yemenis say the problem is their constitution, which prohibits extradition. It can’t be changed? Oh well, then the problem is cooperating with America. Apparently, they don’t want to be seen as “lackeys” of the U.S. The imam who inspired both Major Hasan and Faisal Shahzad can’t then be sent here for interrogation and trial. (Goodness knows whether Obama would insist on a public trial for him.) But we can continue to target and try to kill him with drones.
It seems that our self-satisfied Obama diplomats must resort to some very “hard power” after all. The left may be aghast that the president is relying on assassination. But the rest of the country won’t shed too many tears. It would, however, be helpful to have access to him and get much-needed intelligence about other followers who are the next potential bombers. But alas, we can’t get the help, and the State Department pronounces itself satisfied: “We are encouraged by Yemen’s willingness to take action against various extremist groups, especially over the last year.” That’s the State Department version of “The system is working.” But it really isn’t.
“I haven’t heard anything about gas prices”
Yup, that sure should be a winning issue for the Democratic Party ticket. Drilling for more oil in the “pristine areas” of the country will thrill the hard liners at the convention.
Gee, remember when the question about Obama was whether he was black enough? Didn’t the answer to that turn up Rev. Wright? Now that they’re trying to convince us that he is just like the rest of us, we get mention of his friend and neighbor Bill Ayers in an ad. I don’t think that lead balloon floats, either.
It is fascinating that many pundits thought McCain was going to hang the campaign on his narrative. They said McCain can’t win as a war hero.
On the flip side, the DNC is all biography, feelings, photos, and warm relationships. Is it a good idea to adopt the losing strategy of the competition? Why is Obama trying to convince us that he is an everyday American, now? Well, actually, Obama has been doing this from the beginning. When he spoke in front of Jewish audiences, he attributed the lack of support to his funny name or malicious emails.
This is the pattern. Obama’s change has no details or real ideas. The one and only thing he runs on is his biography. He is multi-cultural America incarnate, and the brainwashing at the universities has garnered him some support from urban elites. Obama could switch to issues, but then he would have to take a position and defend it. When has that happened in His illustrious career? Think he will start now? That would require change.
Speaking of wasting time–McCain was on Leno last night–clips are available everywhere on the web. I don’t like McCain–personally or politically–but, he can be VERY effective smoozing in this type of format: quick, relaxed, witty, to the point.
I have only recently been introduced to Jennifer’s blog and really enjoy her observations.