Secret memo justifies killing U.S. citizen Awlaki
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY — According to The New York Times, the killing of Anwar-al-Awlaki, an American citizen and Muslim cleric, was justified by a secret legal memorandum written by the Obama administration.
Awlaki, born in New Mexico, was killed during a covert operation carried out by a predator drone.
Completed around June 2010, the 50-page memorandum by the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel provided justification for killing an American citizen without a trial, despite preventative provisions, including a federal law against murder, protections in the Bill of Rights and various strictures of the international laws of war, according to the New York Times.
If it was not possible to capture Awlaki alive, he could be legally killed, according to a legal analysis of the memorandum.
Intelligence agencies said he posed a significant threat to Americans because he was taking part in a war between the United States and al-Qaida.
Assertions against Awlaki include his continued role in al-Qaida operations, his push for an attack on the U.S. and an attempted bombing of a Detroit-bound airline on Christmas Day of 2009. Based on this, the Justice Department concluded it was legal to kill Awlaki without a trial.
—The Daily Titan
By Alvan Ung
Change of face: Students React To Site Changes
ARKANSAS STATE — Starting as the brainchild of a visionary college student eight years ago, Facebook has grown to be the biggest social networking site in the world with more than 750 million users. A part of everyday conversation for many, the knowledge of its usage is equally common. Or at least, it was. The site recently introduced some new changes, and they’ve been drastic enough to cause a stir within the Facebook community.
“I definitely feel more creepy, and like I shouldn’t know everything that scrolls past since I may not be in contact with that person or even know them. However, it has made me sort of reconnect to people I haven’t talked to in a while since I see their name scroll past,” sophomore Flannery Wasson said.
While the current changes have already caused a commotion, what many users may not know is that these changes are just the beginning.
There are two new major features of the site, called the “Timeline” and “Open Graph.”
The Timeline is essentially the current profile, in a reimagined way. It will lay out the most significant moments of one’s life in a reverse chronological format, for all to see. Facebook creator Mark Zuckerburg even described the Timeline feature as “the story of your life” and “a new way to express who you are.”
—The Arkansas Traveler
By Zach Wilson
Pets on campus costly for students
OHIO STATE — If a student owns a pet on campus, it can cost them hundreds of dollars, or possibly end in eviction.
Some students who frequently move homes are forced to give up their pets, sometimes because many realtors do not allow pets. Off-campus housing realtors such as Pella Company, Buckeye Real Estate and Kohr Royer Griffith, do not allow pets and have strict penalties, according to their leases.
Students who refuse to give up their pets are subject to eviction. Strategic communications student Sam Balyeat said he avoided eviction and said he paid the $100 fee once. Balyeat took his cat home to his parents’ house in Oregon.
For a 12-month lease, owning a pet can cost a student $500 in apartment fees and pet rent through North Steppe Realty.
—The Lantern
By Mary Posani