Booth's Escape Route

[John Stanton]

We are having a problem with semantics. We are using inappropriate words to emphasize shock and impact. MURDER - is the unlawful killing of a person, with malice aforethought. ASSASSINATE is to murder by sudden attack for inpersonal reasons. etc. etc. Since Powell acted under orders of lawful authority, he did not attempt MURDER. There are many many of us who did, and are doing, the same thing over and over. We were convinced by our Military and Religious leaders that this (WW II) is a "Just War". We were not limited to how to do the killing , Bombs, cannons, fires, bullets, knife, hammers, rocks, rope, needles, were all OK. (Note: Confirmed by the Pope, in writing). How can you call Powell's Assignment , a Mistake? A mistake occurs when you have several choices, and you choose the wrong answer. It is not a MISTAKE to fail. Going there was not a MISTAKE, He did what he was told, that is not a MISTAKE. Would the killing of Powell runnimg up the stairs to Seward's room, be Murder? In the case of Booth - - was Booth under ORDERS? or was he on his own,, looking for remuneration. Similarly, who is responsible for a death caused by an unmanned drone? Is it MURDER.