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.
Well, then any act of force is unconstitional. There are no buts.
"Remember Pearl Harbor."
I do remember Pearl Harbor -- and the Congress made an OFFICIAL declaration of war.
I agree with you. In fact, the FBI paid me a visit in 1970 because I was an anti-war protestor and was on a fund-raiser in Eugene, Oregon, when someone blew up the ROTC building at the college. Since we were four strangers from Seattle associated with a protest group, all of us and our families got a visit.
I'm white and my family has been here since 1710 and fought in the American Revolution, so I think it is really ridiculous for noncitizens to whine. We just accepted it as part of American life; if you belong to a suspicious group, you might be investigated. This was true 30 plus years ago, obviously.