the first casualty in war is truth.
As a matter of fact, the first casualty of this war was a certain group of 6,000 or so human beings who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time on September 11, 2001.
We didn't start this war. But we better be the ones to finish it, or we're dead.
2. I think life and death interests supercede any law. I know as a physician that legally it is true that in a life or death emergency one can act to protect life using reasonable judgement and not be held liable. This is also a principle of most religious law-saving life supercedes virtualy any religious mandate.
3.If suspects are not afforded due process, they should not be convicted. Depriving suspects of their rights is only justified to prevent terrorist acts. I think it reasonable that law enforcement choose between prosecution and protection in any individual case.
<4>.Constraints on our liberties are necessary here but prayers and vigilance are necessary. With both the government and the vigilantes earned trust is a large part of the equation. I welcome Mr Hentoff's vigilance.