BBC:
Former Cheney aide denies charges
"In pleading not guilty he has declared to the world that he is innocent," Mr Wells said.
"He has declared that he intends to fight the charges in the indictment and he has declared that he wants to clear his good name, and he wants a jury trial."
If the case does go to trial, the White House will have to brace itself for more political damage, says the BBC's Oliver Conway in Washington.
Mr Cheney and other top Bush administration officials could be summoned to testify.
There is another man who would like a trial, and he'd like to summon Cheney too.
I'm sure Mr. Libby will queue up politely behind Mr. Padilla.
Look at these men. Tell me: Which one tried to do irreparable harm to our country?
Man on the Right: Bad. I would like to think that this man on the right is evil and completely 'other.' I would like to believe our government is telling the truth when it says that the man on the right tried to do irreparable harm to our safety, and freedom. That the man on the right is unmoved by the thought of thousands of Americans dead and dying. That might be true.
Man on the Left: Good. I would like to believe our government when it says the man on the left has worked hard for America. That might be true.
"Scooter has worked tirelessly on behalf of the American people and sacrificed much in the service to this country," Bush said. "In our system, each individual is presumed innocent and entitled to due process and a fair trial." ~ George W. Bush on October 29, 2005. in "Bush Stresses Libby is Presumed Innocent."
Look at these men. They say: "If this can happen to him, it can happen to you-- " Who are they talking about?
Read the Power of Narrative on Jose Padilla Case
Strike Three: The Padilla Case
Bazelon's reference to American citizens brings us to another reason why Roberts' confirmation is such a calamitous disaster for anyone who gives a damn about civil liberties. If our media or our politicians had even the slightest understanding of the constitutional principles involved, and if they fully grasped the implications of this case, the story of Jose Padilla would be familiar to every single American. As it is, most Americans don't know who the hell he is.
Keep in mind as you read what follows that Padilla is an American citizen. If this can happen to him, it can happen to you. These are the most recent developments in the Padilla case... Read the rest at PowerofNarrative >>
In September the Washington Post ran with this headline (originally here on 9/10/2005): U.S. Can Confine Citizens Without Charges, Court Rules
"A federal appeals court [...] backed the president's power to indefinitely detain a U.S. citizen captured on U.S. soil without any criminal charges, holding that such authority is vital during wartime to protect the nation from terrorist attacks."
We pause for a word from our constitution:
Article [V.]
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Article [VI.]
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Article [VII.]
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Your 6th, 7th and 8th amendment rights are officially null and void if King George decides that he, and he alone, can 'deem' you to be an 'enemy combatant.'
Move along. Nothing to see here.
Look at these men. Who needs a rich powerful lawyer with access to the president? Who is one?
Catch-22. So you are presumed innocent-- unless you really look guilty to us, and you're poor and unknown.
Then forget it.
Look at these men and tell me who the government is lying about?
I would like to think that our government is not lying, that it's not true that the only evidence they have against Padilla is what web sites he read. But that IS the only thing the prosecution has stated openly about Padilla: he read some web sites about creating a dirty bomb. And as of right now, he has not been charged or had a trial by jury, and he is still being held.
This could happen to any citizen. After all, they don't have to prove anything. King George et al just need to 'deem,' whatever that means.
Look at these men. Until they differentiate us by a guility verdict in a court of law, we're supposed to have equal rights under the law. Who do you feel more equal to?
We're all supposed to be innocent until proven guilty.
You, me. We're all Jose Padilla now.
First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
~~ Mohandas Gandhi
