Irregular Times Diaries: Unfit Discussion
In a time of the spring, old paths are obscured and new growth begins.
Irregular Times Diaries: Unfit DiscussionIn a time of the spring, old paths are obscured and new growth begins.
Someone happened by the Irregular Times web site tonight and left a message about something called Project Hamad. The project, in short, exists in order to bring attention to the plight of a man named Adel Hamad, a prisoner in the America gulag at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
The federal government says that Adel Hamad is a terrorist.
I say that Adel Hamad is innocent.
How can I say that Adel Hamad is innocent? Well, how can the federal government of the United States of America declare that Adel Hamad is a terrorist?
The simple truth that Americans have forgotten is that I have solid legal standing to say that Adel Hamad is innocent, and the U.S. federal government has no legal standing to say that Adel Hamad is guilty of terrorism.
The simple truth that Americans have forgotten is that our legal system is based upon the presumption of innocence. The Supreme Court has ruled consistently, in the past, that it is a fundamental aspect of America law that a person accused of a crime is considered innocent until that person is proven to be guilty.
The federal government has not proven that Adel Hamad is guilty. The government has not brought any evidence against Adel Hamad before the public. The government has not put Adel Hamad on trial. The government has not even charged Adel Hamad with a crime. The government has not given anyone any reason to believe that Adel Hamad is guilty of anything.
So, I say that Adel Hamad is innnocent. I say that the government of the United States of America is imprisoning an innocent man. I will continue to say this, until I am proven wrong, until Adel Hamad is proven guilty. And so, I am joining Project Hamad.
Feel squeamish about that? Why? Because the name of the organization is Project Hamad? Because you think that makes the group sound like it’s some kind of terrorist front organization? Well, maybe it is, but then again, maybe Amway is a terrorist front organization. We can speculate on and on about who might be secretly coordinating with terrorist groups. The people at the Department of Homeland Security would probably love us to do that. But it’s paranoid to do so.
Besides, what reason do you have to think that Project Hamad is a terrorist group, other than the name Hamad in the title. It’s not a European name, that’s for sure, but what difference does that make? Are we now supposed to assume that all people of non-European descent are likely terrorists? That’s the mindset of people who suspect Barack Obama because his last name sounds like Osama and his middle name is Hussein. I won’t engage in that kind of ethnic hatred.
Here’s all that joining Project Hamad requires: You have to agree to the following statement:
“I believe people detained by the U.S. government have the right to:
— know the charges against them
— have access to a lawyer
— be able to have the merits of their case reviewed by a federally appointed judge”
The federal government of the United States of America has declared that people do not have these rights. Congress has assented to that declaration by passing the Military Commissions Act. Now, you have to decide whether you will be complicit.
Will you join Project Hamad, or are you too afraid to do so? Do you agree that these rights no longer exist?
As for myself, once more, I say that Adel Hamad is innocent.
Why do I insist on saying this? Because it’s the American way, that’s why.
(240 votes, average: 3.01 out of 5)
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January 18th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Innocent until proven guilty may be the American way, but is it the Homeland way?
January 18th, 2007 at 7:54 pm
The Homeland Way: If the President says you’re a criminal, you’re a criminal. No appeal allowed. No lawyers allowed. No trial necessary.
This isn’t exaggeration - it’s the way that the Homeland Security goons are running America now.
January 21st, 2007 at 2:53 am
Secure at last! Secure at last!
Thank God almighty, we are secure at last!
(There’s a bumper sticker for you)
January 21st, 2007 at 11:01 am
Wait until they blow up a dirty bomb in our country. Then all you peacenicks will be “United” once again (remember 9/11).
All of the detainees in cuba are there because they were picked up on the battlefield not in a countryclub in the middleeast.
it’s good to know that there are folks like you out there that hate our country as much as those muslim freaks…..
Go live over there if this country is so evil.
Oh wait, they cut off our heads just because we don’t believe what they believe.Maybe living here isn’t that bad afterall.
You wouldn’t be bitchin about any of this if Kerry was in the whitehouse would you???????
You pussies wouldn’t have survived during world war 2 (how could you have ever gotten those poor japanese out of those internment camps)
January 21st, 2007 at 4:05 pm
No, Steve, you are wrong on a number of counts.
1. Many of us were not, as you say “United” with the majority in the wake of September 11.
2. Most of us give Democrats a great deal of shit, Kerry included.
3. Most of the Guantanamo detainees were not picked up on the battlefield. Most of them were turned over for bounties by third parties.
4. If standing up for and defending the rule of American law is anti-American, I’m a steak sandwich.
5. It takes more courage to stand for the rule of law for EVERYBODY than it does to whimper in fear, as you are doing.
Don’t be such a wimp. Let go of your fear and get a damned spine, Steve. That’s what American freedom demands.
January 22nd, 2007 at 3:40 am
I could say, “Wait until Steve blows up a nuclear bomb over the Pentagon. Then you’ll be sorry we didn’t have him thrown in jail without being charged with a crime.” I could say that, but it would be a load of bullshit. Kind of like what you said, Steve.
January 22nd, 2007 at 9:01 pm
These are not americans.They are terrorists.Period.Why would a teror suspect have legal standing in our court system.Unless they are a legal american citizen,they have no rights,except they can stop trying to for their beliefs on us.And the democrats are afraid of conservatives.They nedd to be afraid of ISLAM>
February 3rd, 2007 at 6:08 pm
Steve
I am NOT a pussy. As a survivor of WWll, I must protest your illogical response.
In that war, enemy POW’s were not illegally imprisoned. They were in fact treated with every dignity provided for in the Geneva convention (you remember that one, the one that Bush and Cheny reject as being “old Fashioned”). Those who were charged with crimes against humanity, were given full legal councel and the dignity of a public trial before an international tribunal. Other enemy combatants were allowed to return to their homes in spite of the crimes that they committed against civillians and allied combatants. Indeed, some were even allowed to emmigrate to the USA and live protected lives for the past 60 years. that is of course except for those few like Clause Barbi who, upon discovery were shipped back to Europe to undergo full trial for their crimes.
How dare you Steve have the temerity to suggest that those of us who believe in the Constitution and laws which it generate are pussies for demanding that our elected leaders follow that code of conduct that they are sworn to uphold.
No sir. You are the pussy for failing to educate yourself and defend the Constitution. Failure to do this may result in you being arrested and detained indefinatley for crimes that you may, OR MAY NOT have committed.
July 30th, 2007 at 8:54 am
I hope that shoot the raghead