‘We Intended the Strike to Be Lethal’ Is Not a Defense

Sunday, November 30, 2025

this happened as described in the Post report, it was, at best, a war crime under federal law. I say "at best" because, as regular readers know, I believe the attacks on these suspected drug boats " without congressional authorization, under circumstances in which the boat operators pose no military threat to the United States, and given that narcotics trafficking is defined in federal law as a crime rather than as terrorist activity, much less an act or war " are lawless and therefore that the killings are not legitimate under the law or armed conflict. (See my Saturday column, with links to prior posts on this subject.)

Posted by donnerboy at 10:26 AM | 5 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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Hegseth's behavior reminds me of a scene in the most recent movie recounting the Battle of Midway.

A Japanese destroyer picks up two American airmen in a rubber raft. The captain of that ship subsequently tied one of the airmen to an anchor and murdered him by drowning.

Make you mad? Yeah, it did me.

#1 | Posted by Zed at 2025-11-30 11:50 AM | Reply

Make you mad?

I never made it that far. One of the worst movies I've ever seen. Worse than Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor, which is saying something.

#2 | Posted by REDIAL at 2025-11-30 12:04 PM | Reply

How are these orders illegal?

Let us count the ways

1. War Powers Resolution
The War Powers Resolution requires the president to notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces to military action and forbids armed forces from remaining for more than 60 days, with a further 30-day withdrawal period, without congressional authorization for use of military force (AUMF) or a declaration of war by the United States. The resolution was passed by two-thirds each of the House and Senate, overriding the veto of President Richard Nixon.

President Piggy has not received the required congressional law.

2. Drug Smuggling is NOT a capital offense.

3. There is evidence that the boats were human trafficking and not drug smuggling.

4. It is HIGHLY illegal to kill shipwrecked sailors-nazi U-boat commanders were prosecuted and put to death for this.

5. These unarmed ships posed zero threat to the US or its armed forces.

6. Venezuela is NOT a source of Fentanyl.

7. Drug smugglers are NOT terrorists.

8. The victims are civilians and, as such, are considered innocent.

9. The victims are unarmed.

10. We are not at war with Venezuela

etc.

#3 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-11-30 12:27 PM | Reply | Newsworthy 2

War Crime or Murder.

Not a lot of other options.

We report.

You decide.

#4 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-11-30 12:30 PM | Reply

Both.

Prosecute whichever gets em' the most Time.

#5 | Posted by Effeteposer at 2025-11-30 03:53 PM | Reply