🚀 go-pugleaf

srt@nospam.unt.edu wrote in
news:asqeji$6cq$1@hermes.acs.unt.edu: 

> Monte <GeeDubya@aol.com> wrote:
> 
>> Further if an American is working for the enemy AND is
>> caught in our territory, be it in our own country or
>> foreign areas which we are controlling, that American is
>> held by and tried by the military as a spy and if found
>> guilty can be executed.  Note the due process involved
>> here.  Even a foreign spy caught in the act is given due
>> process. 

> 
> Nice theory.  Tell that to Jose Padilla though.  

Exactly my point!  This administration is usurping all powers, 
ignoring constitutional rights, and in general running 
roughshod over all rights of citizenship.  All without a 
whimper from the Congress and precious few outcrys from the 
general populace.

These are not good times for the American ideal.  The minority 
seems relegated to hoping that history will once again repeat 
and this decades McCarthyites get their due as well.  A long 
shot, but all we have at the moment. ;(


>On the up
> side, a few days ago a federal judge ruled that the Bush
> administration stepped over the line with Padilla, and said
> he must be given access to his attorneys.  Hopefully Mr.
> Padilla will be given due process some time in the near
> future (I have no particular sympathy for Padilla, and if 
> found guilty he can rot for all I care -- but he should be
> found guilty first, and not held on the whim of a few
> people). 
> 

Unfortunately it is just a federal judge, and Ashcroft is sure 
to appeal.  Florida I believe is in the 5th Circuit, not a 
good thing as they are the ones who saw no problem with a 
murder defendants lawyer sleeping through most of the trial. 
(subsequently reversed at the USSupCt level).  On the whole 
the 5th Circuit justices make jackasses look like veritable 
legal Einsteins.

Monte