When to Ask Questions Later

The stealthy use of U.S. drones
To execute Americans
Abroad who menace us brings groans
From civil libertarians
Back home who say don’t hence take lives.
Abuse without due process thrives.

Thus Anwar Al-Awlaki died,
New Mexico, his place of birth,
Al Qaeda violence his pride
For giving him a sense of worth
In planning death for countless Yanks.
His own thank goodness breached his ranks.

Indeed the Fifth Amendment states
We shouldn’t die outside the law.
But please explain how this relates
To lawmen quicker on the draw
Than someone reaching for a gun
And killing him lest they’re undone.

If time permits, perhaps a court
Like those allowing wiretaps
Could issue warrants of a sort
That let a certain while elapse
Before a drone kills during flights
Pursuant to the Bill of Rights.

For now we struggle through a plight:
Concurrent damage by mistake,
Haphazard victims of a fight,
Or sacrifice we hate to make
While yet our troops abroad abound,
More U.S. boots stilled on the ground.