60 minutes talks about Civil Rights abuses
Published April 09, 2003
CBS News | Guilty Until Proven
I certainly agree with the authorities fulfilling their responsibilities to question anyone and everyone that might be able to shed light on terrorist activities.
But it is necessary to hold people for so long?
"The government was able to hold Omar and hundreds of other Muslim detainees by charging them not as criminals but as visa violators. The law says criminals, even murderers, must be charged with a crime quickly – usually within 48 hours – or released.
Immigration laws used to work the same way, but after 9/11, the justice department rewrote the rules so that suspected visa violators could be held in jail as long as the government wants – without any charges filed against them. "
Generally, America has a great system in place to protect citizens from government abuses.
This Afghani-American citizen believed in the system:
"Shokriea says she wasn't worried when her husband was picked up for questioning. At least not right away.
“I knew the US justice system. You're innocent until proven guilty,” she says. “I just thought, you know, he would be questioned and just released.”
But her husband was held for 10 months in solitary confinement at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, New York. He later told his wife that "innocent until proven guilty" was not how it worked here. "
I think vigilance is in order.
Thank you, Steve Rhodes, for pointing out this story.
- 60 minutes talks about Civil Rights abuses
- Published: April 09, 2003
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- Section: Culture
- Writer: Murphy
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You're welcome.
The story was even stronger on television (CBS really should put 60 Minutes stories up as video - 10 minutes isn't bad to watch even over a dial-up connection).
Brian, you probably should let Eric speak for himself (or at least leave his name out of your statement). While I certainly disagree with him often, he hasn't attacked people and has admitted when he had doubts about issues.
Steve,
"Alarmist" is a direct quote from Eric.
"Mercy" is a direct quote from docRussia.
Both are here.
Additionally, the context is appropriate. Eric accused me of being "alarmist" for my position on just this issue (that we need to act now because civil rights are being eroded daily). And docRussia did state that not executing those being detained secretly was "season[ing] justice with mercy."
I should have put the link in, though, as it wasn't obvious where I got those quotes. So thanks for pointing it out.
Steve and Brian, I am very pleased that while we often disagree, we care about fairness and respect each other. That is very American.
Steve and Brian, I am very pleased that while we often disagree, we care about fairness and respect each other. That is very American.
How true. Those Canadians wouldn't know fairness and respect if it bit them on their maple-leaf-shaped asses.
That goes double for the English.
And don't get me started on the French.
Huum if I understand some of you people theory all arabic people are eminent terrorists and must be held in jail as long as war against terrorism ends
sorry for my harsh "name" was just a bit mad.
Add your comment, speak your mind
(Or ping: http://blogcritics.org/mt/tb/4456)
Murphy,
Pro-warriors, no doubt, will offer three reasons not to worry:
1) All these people being held, like Omar, are guilty and would be killed if not for our "mercy" (docRussia).
2) Hey, we're AT WAR.
3) Don't worry about it yet--it's not so bad. We'll let you know when things are getting out of hand. Don't be an "alarmist." (Eric)
So be glad Omar wasn't killed and dumped in the sea after a secret "trial," understand that these things happen when a country is at war, and try not to worry too much about civil rights and stuff.
If you do worry, you'll just worry yourself to death. After all, this is a "war on terrorism," and it is unlikely to be finished within your lifetime. Just get used to the permanent police state.
Try not to worry. Watch some TV.