if abraham lincoln had a drone (i don't know with a time machine or whatever)

[Prism]

20. I think our current drone discussion is quite peripheral

I think what's really happening is a post-9/11 weariness towards our security state and the trend towards untrammeled war-making power resting with the Executive. At some point, people will look at executive prerogatives and declare enough is enough. Everyone has their motives. I have no doubt many Republicans would not find fault with the current policy under Bush, just as many Democrats would object were it Bush.

It's a reaction to a minor question with a much larger concept in mind. Paul's problem is pretty academic. I don't think an Obama presidency would ever use drones on American soil to kill American citizens. It's simply a touchstone for the larger question that has been percolating in many peoples' minds for some time - Where does executive power end? For the past thirty or so years, we've seen increasing unilateral war-making power concentrated within the presidency. Congress has almost entirely checked out on its co-equal responsibilities as representatives increasingly shirk tough decisions and policy-making for fear of having something on the record that could threaten their re-election chances.

Drones are just an opportunity to have that discussion. "When and where do we rein a President in?" A lot of people have chosen this particular hill, even if it does seem a small, unlikely one.

I just like that the question's being asked at all.