Why is Massaoui different, in your estimation? Is it because of his tangential connection to the nebula that is al-Queda? Is it because he's non-white, or Muslim?

Last week, a raid on “suspected terrorists” recovered 130 hand grenades and a launcher, 70 other grenades set up to be fired from a rifle, a machine gun and 2,500 rounds of ammunition. They were reportedly “planning” to kill as many people as possible.

Can you imagine the outrage from right-wingers if these “suspected terrorists” had been proclaimed “enemy combatants” and were told they were not entitled to a trial?

There would be outrage because these men were not Muslims, but Christians and were white men planning to kill brown people. Indeed, one right-wing blogger seemed upset that they were even arrested at all, and others are upset that they haven’t been granted bail.

An expensive time-consuming trial of these men is not an issue.

However, if the tables were turned and they had been Muslims planning to kill white Christians, the right-wing would have no problem with them being proclaimed “enemy combatants” and denied a fair trial.

Why is that?

http://dneiwert.blogspot.com/2007/05/domestic-terror-all-around.html

Words are fine...up to a point.

Habeas Corpus is a corner stone of Amercia's republic. It's a main character of America. Bush and a large number in congress has changed that character for the worst, and not too many are upset about that. Yes, there are those that are trying to be heard about such matters, such as Greenwald; but the bottom line is: Words are fine...up to a point.

OK. So words are insufficient. The crisis is too grave for mere words to suffice. You said that three times (at least).

More is required. What beyond "words" needs to be done? Be specific.

Sysprog @ Wednesday, May 9, 2007 10:11 AM

Thank you so much for that post. I wondered where the hell Condoleezza Rice came from (why she was part of the neocon “in-crowd” being female and black). Big Oil (Chevron) – now it all makes sense.

Che Pasa @ Wednesday, May 9, 2007 10:39 AM

While I don’t agree that the entire edifice is already overthrown (it is creaking ominously, though) I will agree that portions of due process were long gone before the Detainee Treatment Act or Military Commissions Act. It was true as early as the mid-80’s (AFAIK) that you could be deprived of property (at least) for merely being accused of (“illegal”) drug-dealing. It is also true that no amount of lawsuits or press coverage will help you if you are falsely accused of child molestation. You may as well move to Mongolia, for that may be the only place in the world you won’t be falsely persecuted.

@ My Man Godfrey Wednesday, May 9, 2007 12:43 PM

I would rather be blown up (or paralyzed, or blinded) by a car bomb than falsely convicted of a crime and imprisoned.

I wholeheartedly agree (with your entire post, by the way). Someone else agrees too. I recall him saying “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!” In fact, a whole lot of people say it (and some even mean it) this way, “Live Free or Die.”

@James1

I have a suggestion for “more than words.” Do like I did – demonstrate with others in a public place. Even the MSM can’t ignore it if the protest gets big enough. (TV news was there.)

Early in the morning after some Democrat is inaugurated as president, have a handful of FBI agents show up at Bush and Cheney's houses.

"What are you doing here? This is an outrage!"

"No big deal, Mr. ex-President. We're just here for a little look-see. If you've done nothing wrong, you have nothing to worry about..... right?"

I just didn't see it until after posting my response to your earlier one.

Gosh, I would just love to hear someone in the GOP make a similar, impassioned statement about due process, just because we could point him (or her) out as a proper example... but I'm not holding my breath.

http://tinyurl.com/39fokl

By Craig Crawford Wed May 9, 12:15 PM ET

While some Republican lawmakers seem sincere in calling for a quality check in September for President George W. Bush’s war surge, there is a familiar pattern here.

Back in December, when Bush announced his new

Iraq strategy, his GOP war supporters — and even the White House itself — had pinpointed this summer as the soft deadline for determining whether it is working. But early last month the president announced that the troop boost would not even be completed until June, thus buying a few more months.

House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, and Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., among others in their party, are now settling upon September as a deadline. But the White House might be preparing the way for another “ropa dope” of Congress.

Yesterday the Pentagon announced that another 35,000 troops were notified that they are likely to be heading to Iraq by December. That suggests that, come September, the White House will be asking for a reprieve until the end of the year — and possibly beyond.

Contributing Editor Craig Crawford is a news analyst for NBC, MSNBC and CNBC. He can be reached at ccrawford@cq.com.

Oh, now there is a surprise. In light of yet another USA Today poll saying the majority of Americans are *still* against the war. At least the headlines are getting more strident. "Public, Bush out of sync on Iraq" Mild, but it is a start.

Ché Pasa... "It's just a piece of paper."

I just want to point out that Bush never really said that. As much harm as he has done to our Democratic Republic that particular sentence having been attributed to him is a myth.

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Did you fix the world yet? How is that shiny new Congress you got there? Working out?