We must try them again

Because if we even think they are a danger

We cannot take taht chance

We need to protect our liberty

This abusive litigation can backfire against the US government: In the form of lower public confidence in the US system of justice.

Don't miss the key issue: These are American citizens under surveillance, and being harassed for being unusual. Despite a mistrial, the US govt wants another trial. Huh? That's not a speedy trial, but punishment by judicial abuse. Does not have the appearance of justice, but punishment through trial.

A. Warrants

How much information were JTTF-DHS gathering without getting the required warrants and judicial oversight; Where else is this kind of surveillance happening?

B. First to cry wolf: Scapegoating

Why is it so easy to get false information into the system, but so difficult to ensure that absurd information is not vetted?

Who within the DHS "mandatory reporting" system has an incentive to provide false information to investigators to distract attention from the DHS-related problems (security violations, illegal disclosures of secure information)?

C. Accused punished without trial:

- How many other Americans -- on accusation alone for opposing the US president's illegal activity -- are under similar surveillance?
- How many Americans -- that are similar to this group -- are under surveillance, but really not a real threat to anyone?
- How many Americans have been threatened, "Unless you cooperate with our non-sense investigation, we're going to prosecute you?"

"We must try them again

Because if we even think they are a danger

We cannot take taht chance

We need to protect our liberty"

That's right what the fuck does actually being guilty of committing some crime have to do with it.

I knew there was something fishy about that whole case. That whole thing just reeked of racism.

"Oh, look. Let's investigate these kooky-looking Haitian spooks who invented their own religion and meet together and have Voodoo conclaves in an abandoned warehouse. Surely they must have ties to Al-Qaeda...."

[ EH wrote on December 13, 2007 7:12 PM ]

"Use as many examples as you want, but it boils down to the War On Terrorism being one huge false positive."

A. Budge Authority Based on Fraud

How much money has been spent chasing ghosts?

B. Pretextual Stops

How many in JTTF/Law enforcement -- looking for excuses to abuse power -- are citing "terrorism" to get information and interrogate US citizens knowing full well they do not have the required informatoin to get a warrant or subpoena?

I mean, I know they weren't really helping their own cause by running around in military camo, wearing ski-masks, and having paintball matches all of the time, but seriously, the feds actually thought these guys were capable of carrying out a major terrorist operation on US soil??

I guess Gonzo must have thought they had averted another David Koresh/Branch Davidian/Waco catastrophe at the time. Sheesh. What kind of clowns do they have running DOJ right now??

I think it is racism: they would never have
picked a bunch of wacky white guys for this ; because their base wouldnt have been frightened enough by white guys,

I hate to say it, but I think ma miller is right.

Could Jose Padilla, a NATIVE BORN US CITIZEN, have been held for 5 years w/o being charged if he was white? I have a real hard time imagining that they could get away with effectively stripping him of his citizenship if his name and face matched what passes for "real American" in the eyes of many.

Isn't trying them again double jeopardy?
This was banner headline on Fox news when the story broke. It gave the Bushies reason to believe they were actually protecting us from terrorists, while they ignored power plants and ports. These guys couldn't blow up a balloon.

This prosecution wasted a lot of time and money for nothing. The US Attorneys normally decline anything that isn't guaranteed to win in court, passing up many cases with strong evidence. This is what happens when politics drives the prosecution rather than the merits of the case. They are so desperate to get some good press in the "war on terror" that they will grasp at straws to prosecute anyone claiming to have Al Qaida links.

One day soon I'll start selling my patented 12 Step program to catch more terrorists and impress hot women. BUT WAIT, THAT'S NOT ALL! You'll also get my free guide to restaurants offering federal agent discounts, ABSOLUTELY FREE. Operators will be standing by to take your orders for this limited-time offer.

I'm reading all this and thinking, for all the BS and the changing narrative, all I see is these billboards in the highways that say "REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY" and these are HUGE expensive signs, and I wonder isn't it suspicious that somebody came up with this idea and hasn't been prosecuted for waste when the world has millions of cell phones and dedicated 911 service?

I mean honestly folks.. stop and think of the changing narrative, the torture, the non-existent WMD, the prosecution record of our current GITMO detainees, our broken borders, and some A-hole came up with the idea to build those stupid ass signs...

Smells like PSOPS to me...

I mean honestly folks.. whad-da-fukk? Have you seen these signs?

TPM oughta get an insight into who got the contract for that gig and putting out US flags on the over-passes, thats the question I want asked, "was any taxpayer money spent on draping flags off of over-passes along side the large ugly call this number instead of 911 signs where so much money was pissed away."

Certainly no stranger than these muts who:

"mix Islam, Buddhism, Christianity, Freemasonry, Gnosticism and Taoism"

Hey I got an idea, lets reinvent the 911 emergency concept and build signs all accross the country to do so.....

Those signs should be auctioned off or rented to the private sector and whoever's idea it was to spend money this way be put in jail.

Time for a circular firing squad. the case was laughable, DOJ is a bigger joke than a car full of clowns. Bush can look at the destruction of Justice as a crowning achievement.

moondancer: I love your posts!

Yes, this case is a case of the govt looking in a mirror... and seeing itself in these kooks!

"Why are americans such chickenshits. 'Land of the brave' indeed, I sure have not seen much bravery from my neighbor to the south for as long as I can remember."

I'm with you! The Republican bedwetters have managed to terrify simple-minded Americans (of which there are many). A large segment of the public is acting like schoolgirls at a church picnic running screaming from the thunder.

I am embarrassed and ashamed, as I have been for the last 7 years. When will this nightmare end?

Is anybody really surprised by this? Nope. The one thing that is functioning is the american jury system. Thank God. Where is gonzo for the press conference announcing this result? Or how about a king press conference? It's that global war on poor people, I mean terrorists right.

Michael A wrote on December 14, 2007 8:48 AM: "The one thing that is functioning is the american jury system."

Mike: It is? Why do you think the Military Commissions Act was passed. Under that Act, there is a panel of military judges serving as both judge and jury. The accused doesn't even have the right to face their accusers and call them liars, or to review any of the evidence against them. That would violate National Security.

To Captain America:

Just because someone may come along later and give these guys a real crime to commit doesn't mean the government gets to entrap them. Law enforcement can't say, "Hey these guys look like they might commit a crime. Let's suggest one to them!"

To the ham-handed agent-provocateur:

"Yeah, get us the guns and the money and the boots. Sure, we'll blow up the Sears Tower - whatever. Can you get us cars? Don't forget the money. When's the money coming?"

That's what passes for the War on Terror in the Bush regime. And to think it's only cost us two trillion dollars, thousands of lives and our constitutional rights.