June 11, 2002
What A Country
I want to be all good and patriotic and support the eradication of terrorists everywhere (except Saudi Arabia) and wave the flag like a nut. I really do.
But my god, these people in charge of this country.
So this alleged dirty-bomb guy, Jose Padilla, has been detained for over a month. As far as I can see, he hasn't done anything explicitly illegal. He flew from Pakistan to Chicago...that's legal. He converted to Islam and changed his name...that's legal. All we have to go on is that John Ashcroft (who leapt into action as soon as he heard the words "dirty bomb", in case there was some nudity to stamp out) and Don Rumsfeld are convinced he's met with al-Qaeda officials. Well, OK, but if you know about him and where he is, why don't you shadow him to see where he goes and who he contacts? And why do you wait a month to announce that you have him in custody, unless it's to grandstand your new whizbang elite anti-terrorism squad? And how do they justify holding him as an "enemy combatant" (no trial, no rights, no fuss, no muss)?
Typically, President George W. Bush entered the national debate with a measured, calculated, reasoned, inspiring analysis of the situation.
"This guy, Padilla, is a bad guy," Bush said as he met with lawmakers at the White House to discuss his proposal for a Department of Homeland Security. "And he is where he needs to be -- detained."
Not quite Churchillian, but there is a two-syllable word in there. So there's hope.
The Bush Administration also was quick to point out that Padilla had a criminal record in his youth. Ah, those youthful indiscretions. They'll come back to haunt you. Unless you're a member of the Bush Administration.
Look, there's a good chance that this guy is rotten. I'm not suggesting that he's innocent. But the guys who are supposed to be the good guys don't come out of this looking too good. And that's rotten, too.
Posted by michaelf at June 11, 2002 11:49 PM
