The problem as I see it is that we have stated principles: e.g. no torture, no punishment without trial, no extrajudicial punishment. There are good reasons for

The problem as I see it is that we have stated principles: e.g. no torture, no punishment without trial, no extrajudicial punishment. There are good reasons for those principles. If we don't follow those principles, then what principles are we following? There are no limits. If it's okay to murder detainees in this situation, then why wouldn't it be okay to murder detainees in that other, only slightly less justifiable situation? If the President can order the assassination of American citizens, then what prevents the next President to order the assassination of political opponents? Why couldn't I murder my neighbor for their TV? If you say "that way lies chaos" that's exactly, exactly my point. I cannot imagine what ends justifies some of these actions. Is it really keeping us "safe" to have a government that abandons our principles whenever expedient?