On: What Do We Really Know About Osama Bin Laden’s Death?

[hackinthebochs]

Innocent until proven guilty is for accused citizens acting and bound by an existing legal framework. It does't extend to anyone who may pick up arms against you. You don't set up a trial for every enemy soldier on the battlefield just to make sure he's really the one that shot your comrade and tried to shoot you; you kill them first. Assassinations against military leaders engaged in active war is an extension in time and space of this concept.

[fineman → hackinthebochs]

The thing is, with an enemy actively shooting at you it's pretty clear they're guilty.

But when you go in later we need proof that it's the right person you've caught. Not just for their sake, but for ours.

Rule of law protects me, so I have in interest in offering it to others at any opportunity even if they're scum and don't "deserve" it.