Terrorism and the rule of law

In light of the assassination of Dr. Tiller Conor Friedersdorf poses the obvious questions to our friends on the right who have so strenuously advocated for unchecked Executive power to conduct the war on terror,

Would these predominantly conservative officials, commentators and writers be comfortable if President Obama declared two or three extremist pro-lifers as “enemy combatants”? Should Pres. Obama have the prerogative to order the waterboarding of these uncharged, untried detainees? Should he be able to listen in on phone conversations originating from evangelical churches where suspected abortion extremists hang out?

Unchecked government power is just fine so long as your guy is in charge and its only the "others" that he is looking at. For conservatives though it's only when they're out of power and suddenly causes and groups that they affiliate with are under scrutiny that they are at all concerned about due process and the rule of law.

The Constiution, and specifically the Bill of Rights, protects minorities from the untrammeled will of the majority. For far too long Republicans mocked those of us who sought to uphold the Constiution above all else. Let's see if they finally wake up and begin re-asserting their rights.