Since the president can order American citizens to be hunted down and killed without trial, why can't we do the same thing with people who make and distribute computer virus's?

I think because they have our credit card numbers and SSNs as hostage.

You need to elaborate.

Well, no reason not to hunt down and kill people who create computer viruses. If our policy is to violate our own and international laws and commit extrajudicial executions then there would be nothing to stop them except that I doubt there would be public support or support in congress for such a thing. :-) Anyone, including governments can break any law, at any time. It’s a matter of people demanding that the laws be obeyed, enforced and those who break the be held accountable and brought to justice when they are not. Enough Americans either support or don’t care that suspected, alleged terrorists may never, or in the case I believe you are referring to, that of Anwar Awlaki and Samir Khan, in Yemen, didn’t have to go through a legal process that determines their guilt or innocence.

Why do you think Awlaki was still an American citizen?

Do you have a problem with the “capture or kill” list of the FBI’s 10 most wanted, for example?

If they are asking for a vote I’m in favor of it..

Because there would be no end to the mele and eventually people would be dead for eating bacon on sunday.

It’s like TLOTR that’s too much power for one man to possess. It’s like an A-Bomb… It’s there just in case but hopefully we will never ever have to use it.

The idea that a government can order people to be killed boggles my mind. I would not be comfortable living somewhere where this was law.
Also, while people who make and distribute viruses are annoying and often dangerous, I don’t think it’s a crime worthy of death. I suppose I may feel differently if some prick gives me a virus though..

I think you’ve got a great platform for independent candidate there.
Promise to go after all the annoying people with Delta Force.

Would “well the president did it” be a viable defense in court?