The Padilla Indictment:
By on Nov 22nd, 2005 at 12:24 pm
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Yeah, total bait and switch. Nothing about a dirty bomb. Just tacking Padilla on to another criminal indictment in South Florida.
But what about Alberto Gonzales’ hyping of the evidence against Padilla gained using powers granted DOJ under the USA Patriot Act?
Here are quotes from his prepared remarks today:
The criminal case brought against these defendants will involve the use of declassified Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act — or FISA — intercepts that chronicle jihad recruitment in the United States and travel overseas for the purposes of fighting violent jihad.
The Department of Justice is prosecuting this case in part because prosecutors and law enforcement agents were able to share information and use declassified FISA material from a multi- district intelligence investigation under the provisions of the USA PATRIOT Act. By tearing down the artificial wall that would have prevented this kind of investigation in the past, we’re able to bring terrorists to justice.
President Bush has directed his administration to utilize all available tools to protect America from acts of terrorism. This case, which began as an intelligence investigation, is a classic example of why the criminal justice system is one of those important tools. This investigation has been underway for quite a while now — and has resulted in charges against Padilla, which he will now face in a court of law. If convicted of these charges, he could face a sentence of life in prison.
I think Gonzales’s remarks are the first step in an attack on a bipartisan group of senators vowing to prevent the worst parts of the Patriot Act from becoming permanent.
November 22nd, 2005 at 12:42 pm“….President Bush has directed his administration to utilize all available tools to protect America from acts of terrorism….”
Um, maybe you haven’t heard Mr. Gonzalez….MR BUSH is the primary terrorist IN THE WORLD.
November 22nd, 2005 at 12:47 pm#2 they left out, it is only for those they feel compelled to pursue
November 22nd, 2005 at 12:51 pmWow, I thought he had no Legal Rights since the Pesident declared him a “bad man”, I mean, “Enemy Combatant”…
Bet they have NOTHING actually linking him to a “Dirty Bomb” plot. Mind you, he may be Guilty as Sin, but he deserves a Day in Court.
If convicted, will he get Time Served??
November 22nd, 2005 at 12:56 pmThe Power of Attainder is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_of_attainder
“Bills of attainder evolved into a convenient way for the King to convict subjects of crimes, and confiscate their property, without the bother of a trial–and without the need for a conviction, or indeed any evidence at all.”
So what are you going to do about it Americans, it seems to me you are ruled by a king?
November 22nd, 2005 at 1:09 pmPadilla taken into custody (not arrested) for plotting to blow up a dirty bomb, in the US and then charged with wanting to “murder kidnap and maim” people outside the US…
Sounds an aweful lot like attacking Iraq because they had WMDs pointed at us, but now we are “spreading democracy”
November 22nd, 2005 at 1:11 pmThe trial is supposed to begin in September, 2006. Coincidence?
November 22nd, 2005 at 2:00 pmThis case was a crock from the start, and now they will exploit it to their best advantage politically: against the opponents of the Patriot Act, and at the same time to bolster the “Republicans’= strength against terrorism claim” just in time to make a few last minute campaign ads.
meanwhile on the “Spin stops Here”
CORRUPTION
The Biggest Scandal In Congress In Over A Century
Disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff’s “house of cards” has taken a big hit. Michael Scanlon, former spokesman for Rep. Tom DeLay (R-TX) and lobbying colleague of Abramoff, was right in the middle of Abramoff’s deck. Yesterday, Scanlon pleaded guilty to one count of federal “conspiracy with others to commit bribery, mail and wire fraud, and honest services fraud” to cheat Abramoff’s Indian tribal clients out of millions of dollars. He now faces “a maximum of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine and repayment of $19.7 million to clients.” But this case isn’t going to end with Scanlon. Part of the plea deal is that he agrees to fully cooperate with Justice Department prosecutors. “What you’re building is a ladder. You have Abramoff at the intermediate step, elected officials above him, and Scanlon…underneath,” explained Stan Brand, former counsel to Congress. “He knows where all the bodies are buried,” said a congressional aide who worked with Scanlon. Expect what Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) called “a disgusting story of greed unlike any [other]” to further unfold in Scanlon’s testimony.
November 22nd, 2005 at 2:32 pmSo if they didn’t indict Padilla for the original crime they were investigating him for, does that make it a politcal game playing? Isn’t that what the Repubes called the Libby indictment?
November 22nd, 2005 at 4:26 pmThey are not using the dirty bomb stuff and the confessions because they were coerced.
They have no real evidence on this guy, but they will surely have plenty when trial time comes, just before the 2006 elections.
The only reason, repeat, only reason an indictment was brought down was because on Monday the Supreme Court is to make a statement on this thing. It may well be that SCOTUS may do away with the whole rotten bit.
November 22nd, 2005 at 5:15 pm16 And he gathered them together into a place called America.
November 23rd, 2005 at 2:24 pm17 ¶ And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne, saying, It is done.
18 And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and Suddenly,there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great.
19 And the great Nation America was divided into three parts, and the cities of that Great nation fell: and great America came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.
20 And every island fled away(dissappeared under water , for you ignorants), and the mountains were not found.
21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Nice post. I’ll return. when Opponents Anticipate Cosmos Increase: http://slashdot.org/ , Astonishing Table becomes Black Table in final Con Play Love – that is all that Soldier is capable of , Fetch Con Roll – that is all that Circle is capable of Curious Game becomes Tremendous TV in final
January 17th, 2006 at 3:40 pm