So somehow, Letters of Marque and Reprisal are now the magic fix to terrorism?
Congress will simply authorize the Dept of State to issue out these letters to any american or group of americans that wants to go hunt terrorists.
I have a couple questions on how this works.
Is the US liable for any criminal acts our citizens commit while acting under the authority of the letter?
Is there an obligation to the US to attempt to obtain the release of any american detained by another country while acting under the authority of the letter. (remember, that unlike the ocean and international waters where privateers could operate, there is no “international lands”)
Is there an obligation to the US to provide intelligence information to an american operating under the authority of the letter?
Is there an obligation to the US government to negotiate for the release of an american operating under the authority of the letter if they are captured by Al Qaida?
Is there any historical examples in US history of a successful application of Letters of Marque?
Unless we can answer these, I’d say Ron Paul is full of crap and stupid ideas.