By Scotty Reid, August 17, 2007
Predictably, the alleged “Dirty Bomber” Jose Padilla was found guilty in his highly publicized trial. Did anyone expect that he would be found innocent? Ever since his arrest back in 2001 post 9/11, the public has been bombarded with headlines, editorials and biased media mouthpieces presuming his guilt based on statements and press releases from officials in the Bush Administration. I cannot count how many times I tuned into right wing talk radio hosts who along with their anti-Muslim rants would publicize the alleged radiological bomb plot along with plots involving blowing up apartment buildings, charges that the US Justice Department would drop once the case moved to the Federal Courts. Considering all the media attention on his case and other Bush Administration hyped terror plots, it was near impossible for Jose Padilla to get a fair trial with an impartial jury.
Most of that media attention was the result of a coordinated propaganda program to instill fear in the public, so that they would feel compelled to accept the unprecedented and un-constitutional powers the Bush Administration still claims to this day. When that power came into question and a hearing scheduled before the Supreme Court to decide if the Executive Branch exceeded its Constitutional authority in detaining US citizens indefinitely with out due process, the Bush Administration dropped its claim and transferred Jose Padilla to the civilian courts. However, the damage done to Jose Padilla’s chances of getting an untainted jury was irreversible. In a move that can be argued taints future juries of future terrorism suspects, the White House issued a press statement thanking the jury who convicted Padilla on evidence that many experts deemed flimsy and questionable. It was reported that presiding Judge Marcia G. Cooke said the case was “very light on facts”.
Although whether or not Jose Padilla was afforded a fair trial with an impartial jury is an important question, the larger question remains. That question is who will be the next American citizen declared an “enemy combatant”, denied their Constitutional rights and subjected to torture. In a sense it was not Jose Padilla on trial but the Constitutional rights of every man, woman and child who is a citizen of the United States. Yes I said child because a Bush advisor argued that they have the power to torture children. Although the right wing Muslim hating base has no inclination to defend the Constitutional rights of Muslims or minorities, they should fear such treatment under future administrations of Democrats. If the un-constitutional powers claimed by Bush are allowed to set precedence for future administrations, it is not a stretch for those who support second amendment rights or those who are anti abortion, to find themselves in similar circumstances. We might witness anti-abortion clinic protestors held in military brigs for years without charge and subjected to the same torturous interrogation techniques to determine if they are part of terrorist cells that plan to bomb clinics. Currently right wing terrorist groups enjoy favored status and support from the Bush Adminstration in efforts to provoke Iran and other domestic right wing groups are absent from their terrorist watchlist.
There is a reason Democratic leaders such as Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi do not comment on the Padilla case. There is a reason they are not defending the Constitution by means of Impeachment instead choosing to employ empty words feigning outrage at constitutional abuses. The Democratic Party hopes to one day assume these powers for themselves because there is no other explanation for their leaders ignoring a citizen’s majority call for impeachment right now. The conspiracies the American public should be most concerned about are not the ones the Bush administration likes to hype. The conspiracy seemingly involving both political parties to undermine the Constitution and give our government unchecked executive powers that it has never held in our history should be of utmost concern. A lack of public outcry and activism perhaps signals an end to government for the people in the United States. Instead, we seem to be left with, judging by the Padilla jury, are people for the government, the kind of people that history should cite as enabling the rise of the Fourth Reich in America. Considering my personal and increasing criticism of the government, support for Constitutional freedoms, and the increasing interest in my blog by persons located in Washington, Dc and Reston, Virginia, I hope that if I am “disappeared”, it will not take 5 years or more to reappear in a US court.
Scotty Reid is co-host of the Internet radio broadcast One Black Man’s View
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