Attack of the killer robot

I was stunned to discover that the shooter in Dallas was not brought out alive (“Killer robot used by Dallas police opens ethical debate,” July 8). Police Chief David Brown claims he had to do it: “We saw no other option but to use our bomb robot and place a device on its extension for it to detonate where the suspect was.” No other option is a preposterous excuse, as the shooter could not escape and could not have held out forever.

This police chief made a mockery of the justice system by ignoring due process. Did the chief speak with any legal authority prior to using a bomb? Or did he act on his own? Regardless, what was done was an act of vengeance. Yes, the killing of Micah Johnson “ushers in a new phase in the militarization of U.S. police departments.” But, of course, our president also disregards due process when he orders the use of killer drone strikes on alleged terrorists.

Instead of arresting an alleged terrorist and bringing him to trial, President Barack Obama instead engages in an assassination program. Only recently has the Obama administration even admitted that civilians have been killed by drone strikes. Human rights groups, though, argue that the number of civilians killed by drone strikes is undoubtedly much higher.

So if the president can ignore the Constitution, then why not a police chief? Since the Obama administration has fostered the militarization of the police, it would seem that bombs will be used by other police departments. And the shredding of our Constitution will be complete.