Journal fm6's Journal: That Does It 2

By "Americans", of course I mean "most Americans". I certainly don't mean the southland cavemen who murdered a Sikh cab driver a few days after the attacks. (Sikhs, Arabs, what's the difference? They both wear rags on their heads, right?) I don't mean self-righteous idiots like Bill Maher, who considers his own prejudices "logical" and everybody else's "political correct". And, alas, I don't mean our leaders. Who seems to view terrorism as a very convenient justification for ignoring certain troublesome parts of the constitution. Amendments 1, 5, and 14 seems to be particularly at risk.

I mean, why else is Maher Hawash in jail? For comitting a crime? Well, I've done some research on the dude, and this is what he appears to be guilty of:

• In 1984, he willfully entered the United States, where he acquired an MSEE degree and American citizenship.
• He has maliciously developed video technology for Compaq and Intel, and co-authored a book on multimedia programming.
• The dastardly fellow went on to marry and start a family.
• And, oh yes, he gave some money to one of those charities with "links to terrorism". Not the most suprising thing for a man born in Nablus, on the West Bank.

His choice of birthplace would seem to be the closest thing Hawash has done to an actual crime. So what is he charged with? Not a thing. He's being held as a "material witness" using an old anti-Mafia law. And he's being held in solitary confinement, presumably to cut him off from whatever vast conspiracy he's supposed to have joined.

I know what you're saying. "The Feebs must have information they can't share with us. We should give them some time to prove their case." Nope, sorry. The pattern is too familiar. Under pressure to Get Results, somebody's thrashed through the usual mire of casual association, jailhouse informants, and other low quality source. Hey, if you had to choose between losing your civil service job and throwing some random raghead geek in jail, what would you do?

Of course, I could be wrong. Maybe some stalwart Defender of Democracy is off gathering evidence. And in the meantime Innocent Lives will be saved by having this Evil Terrorist behind bars.

Doesn't matter. The bottom line is that we can't allow the government to lock people up without justification. If every brain-dead functionary with a badge can cover their ass by throwing somebody in jail, with no trial, no need to even explain -- then we've got problems. And believe it or not, those problems are a lot worse than a few crazy suicidal terrorists.

So for your own safety (and, to use a much abused term, liberty) you need to go to freemikehawash.org and click on one of the donation links. It's safe I'm sure. The Feebs won't arrest you just for giving somebody money. Would they?