Posted on 11/16/2001 5:26:42 PM PST by Roy Tucker
HEY! Wait a second! Has there been any?
We may have to wait some more...
Yes, you did. You are apparently unaware that Usama bin Laden and several others signed a fatwa declaring jihad (aka "Holy War") against all Americans: men, women and children. Not to mention all the statements by the Taliban and Al-Qaeda officials declaring war against the U.S. and calling for its destruction. Oh yes, and perhaps you didn't hear about what happened in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001.
These are all proclamations and acts of war, and they are as formal as any declaration of war can be. True, the U.S.Congress has not formally declared a state of war against any specific nation (yet), but it has passed a resolution supporting full military action against terrorists and their state sponsors which has the equivalent effect. And, in practice, it only takes one side to create a state of war. Remember Pearl Harbor.
You are certainly free to believe everything is normal and that there is no war underway, despite the use of this term by virtually every U.S. leader from the President on down. You may also believe the U.S. has not been involved in any wars since WWII because there has been no formal declaration of war by Congress since then.
Of course, you are also free to believe in the Easter Bunny, too. That doesn't mean the Easter Bunny is real.
As for questioning individuals who have recently come to the U.S. from countries with known or suspected ties to terrorist organizations or sponsor nations, U.S. law enforcement is FULLY EMPOWERED under law to conduct whatever investigations it sees fit. I have seen nothing proposed in this case which can be reasonably challenged in court. Criminal investigations have traditionally been given significant latitude when it comes to questioning potential witnesses and suspects -- for centuries, in fact.
What is so special about these people that they cannot be interviewed? If federal agents came to my door and wanted to question me, I would be obliged to talk with them or refuse and be subject to arrest for questioning and further investigation. This is nothing new: it was as true 100 years ago as it is today.
Should these people get special exemptions because they may be Muslims or Arabs? I am an American citizen, and these guys are not. If I had just come back from an extended stay in Qatar, I might very well be questioned about my stay by federal agents. Should I be indignant because I am an American? Of course not! For foreign nationals to complain about it is utterly ridiculous and, frankly, legitimate cause for greater interest.
Am I advocating a police state? Definitely not. The fact is, nothing proposed here is any more "fascist" than this or any other country is justly empowered to do, whether at war or peace. Take a look at Europe. Or, for more extreme examples, check out the very countries these interviewees are coming from. Complaining about being questioned in light of what has happened is shockingly absurd, and those beating their chests about it are pathetic.
I certainly agree that we need to keep a close eye on what our government does during these difficult times, especially when it comes to enacting laws or adopting policies that contravene the Constitution I have sworn to uphold and defend, but that does not justify carping and moaning about silly things like this.
Let's avoid the urge to cry "wolf" at every turn, and focus instead on what really matters.
The F.B.I. can delegate to the Muslim organizations the "investigation" of up to 20,000 white-haired old ladies. They can file reports in triplicate to the F.B.I. about all the terrorists they find. The little old ladies will appreciate the attention. And not one minute of agents' time will be spent looking for terrorists WHERE THERE AREN'T ANY.
Glad I could be of service.
Congressman Billybob
I'd like to know the answers to those questions too. Their customs are alien to the American way. If they don't like their STAY in the U.S. then LEAVE!
We can solve this by shipping them all back where they came from with no questions asked.
Najat, it's not just someone...it's a whole hive of you that was involved in the attack and destruction. So, if you want to consider yourselves part of a "race" then the Justice Department is right in treating you as a collective race.
Got it? And by the way, I'm still waiting to hear your "race" apologize for what happened. And publicly rejoice for what is happening now.
Hypocrites!
Their idea of freedom being kissing the ground 5 times a day praising Allah and working on plans to convert America to Islam.
Just more whining about themselves and their rights, still only tepid protest about 9-11, or none at all, it's all about them, and they are the most famous liars in the world. Why don't they go back to their Islamic paradises and pound sand?
vs
This is racial profiling. Speak to my lawyer.
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