Comments on: Jose Padilla Gets 17 Years

By: tom p

tom p — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 01:30:35 +0000

"When has it ever happened to anyone else that wasn't guilty of terrorism?"

Funny you should mention Canada, Christopher... I seem to recall the case of a totally innocent Canadian who was dropped off on a Romanian hillside after spending months in a Syrian prison... Think about it... Syria???? And I cannot help but notice that you totally ignore the fact that Padilla is a US citizen, arrested on US soil, and deprived of the same rights you would be screaming you are entitled to. I may be a "pathetic liberal" but at least I am not delusional. Jose Padilla is no saint... Saints generally don't end up in a Navy brig... But guess what? Neither am I. Nor are you. But the man had RIGHTS... and you don't care. THIS is what is truly sad about this whole affair, the fact that you don't care. As Ben Franklin said (or something to the effect): "Those who would give up liberty for security are deserving of neither."

By: C.Wagener

C.Wagener — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 19:02:25 +0000

Isn't it at least an open question whether Padilla was held unconstitutionally? FDR held 8 saboteurs who landing in NY during WW II, 2 of which were American. The Supreme Court looked at the status of the two Americans and found FDR did nothing wrong. When Americans conspire with foreign enemies, the Court found that detention with out charges was valid since the detention was not for punishment, but to prevent further hostile acts.

Is there case law that has changed this?

By: Christopher

Christopher — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 05:29:49 +0000

Tom p

What a typical lib you are! Move to Canada for gawds sakes! Happen to the rest of us? HOW?!? When has it ever happened to anyone else that wasn't guilty of terrorism? You liberals are PATHETIC.

By: Adriane

Adriane — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:33:24 +0000

So Jose Padilla wanted to fill Jesus' apartment with natural gas & blow it up???

Now that's some street cred, bro!!!

By: Tom p

Tom p — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 02:20:27 +0000

"There but for the grace of God..."

And I do NOT mean I wish any "bad things" On the USofA... All I am saying is that the way things were handled in his case, could just as easily have been applied to any of us.

As Jesus said, "Whatsoever you do to the least of my brethren, so you do unto me."

And I wonder... why do so many not understand this one simple fact?

By: James Joyner

James Joyner — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:37:04 +0000

I don't see his celebrity as a pity, unless you mean the underlying circumstances.

Yes, that's what I mean. The guy's a dirtbag but, because of the way he's been handled, we've managed to aid his cause.

By: Tlaloc

Tlaloc — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 17:35:50 +0000

It’s a pity, however, that he became a cause célèbre in the process.

If I recall correctly Miranda was no sweetheart either, but "Miranda Rights" are important.

I don't see his celebrity as a pity, unless you mean the underlying circumstances. The focus and attention was needed, is still needed, since the problems are still largely unresolved.