An American citizen

If the administration of George W Bush had approved the execution of an American citizen without trial there would have been international outrage. And in fact, despite being the most internationally criticised American government in history, it never did.

Now President Obama has instructed that Anwar al-Awlaki, an American citizen living in Yemen, be shot on sight. He will probably be killed by an unmanned Predator aircraft.

Mr al-Awlaki has not been convicted of a crime.

Change has indeed come to America.