Every article I read describes him as a " Former gang member turned Muslim." A guy who went from bad to worse.
What about " Former gang member who found religion"? That's Oprah Material. Since all we know about him is what the gov't has told us, without evidence, why does he not get the benefit of the doubt?

Even if he wasn't tortured or made too nuts to defend himself, the fact is a U.S. citizen was arrested on U.S. soil and held without charges.
Habeas shmabeas

This is on of the millions of examples of human rights violations the US government and military could be defending themselves against in court. This country has become an imperialist nation. Americans hate where this country is going and the working people of every other country do as well. It is time to take back our democracy. The Revolution is coming.

OAX - we live in a country where folks are deemed guilty until proven innocent. All that blather to the contrary is a smoke-screen designed to keep the average citizen mollified.

You think I'm wrong? When a cop issues you a ticket, is that officer assuming you are innocent? If so, then why write the ticket? Don't even get me started on racial profiling.

Padilla has the same rights that the rest of us have, except for the wealthy, of course. They are entitled to more protection because, after all, they are better than the rest of us. Just ask Dick Cheney.

something is not right

And what about all the time Mr. Padilla was in custody before his sentencing? Most people get credit for time served--of course for the Feds to award that, they'd be on the hook considering that "lawful imprisonment", and that would make any bushie who signed off liable--and something tells me that all the current W pogues are considering any action demanded by the VP's office against what a Democrat appointed counsel might dig up. Cheney and company demand strict loyalty to the president--yet those who have to actually act on those orders are remembering that their first and only loyalty is to the country--a country they may not be willing to forgive indiscretions committed just because W said so. I can only pray that some G-d watches over us if the current congress starts ok'ing immunity, the country as a whole will truly be fucked then.
Respectfully submitted,
Francis Jens Erickson