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Watchthe following segment from the Unconstitutional: Examining the Patriot Act video.
Write 150 word response to video. No title page. I need cite and references to support your response. What was the video about? What was interesting to you from the video? What thought was good and bad about the topic of the video? Explain your thoughts
Unconstitutional: Examining the Patriot Act[Video file]. (2004). Retrieved April 16 2017 from http://fod.infobase.com/PortalPlaylists.aspx?wID=18566&xtid=49977
Video Transcript below
Americawasinshock.Aswesiftedthroughtherubbleintheweeksthatfollowed9/11thecountrywasterrifiedthatanotherattackcouldoccuratanany momentfromany corner.TheBushadministrationquicklybegintopushthroughsweepingpolicychanges.
Beforeanyonehadachancetounderstandwhatwentwrongheproposedfixesthatwentfarbeyondfightingterrorism.Thisiswhathappenswhenfederallegislatorsrespondinpanic.
Congresshadbeenevacuatedbecausetheanthraxscareandmostofuswerehangingaroundthelawnof thecapital.We werereallyoutoftouchyettheyfeltsomedesiretorushthisbillthrough.
Giveusaweekendtoreaditandlet’stakeitupMondaymorning.HeyI’llcomeinand voteat7:00onMondaymorningifit’sthat urgent.
IntheSenatetheycalledittheUnitingandStrengtheningAmericaActandin theHousetheycalledit thePatriotActProvidingAppropriateToolsRequiredtoInterceptandObstructTerroristActs.Andthecompromisewastocallinboth.TheUSAPatriotAct.Buttherealpurposebehindthosenamesofcoursewastosuggestthatanyonewho wouldcriticizeitisunpatrioticisatraitor.
To thosewhoscarepeacelovingpeoplewithphantomsoflostlibertymymessageisthis.Yourtacticsonlyaidterrorists.
WhenthePatriotActwasfirstsenttotheCongressby theBushadministrationitcamewiththerequestthatweholdnohearingsonitsothattherewouldbenopublicinputorpublicdiscourse.
Thatmighthaveevenbeensomewhatacceptablehadit beenabillthat wasconsideredbyandadoptedunanimouslybythecommitteebutit wasn’t.
ForsixweekspreviouslyCongresshaddebatedhowtoaddresslawenforcementneedsinthewakeof9/11andeventuallyabillwascraftedthathadbipartisansupport.
To haveBobBarronthefarrightBarneyFrankfarleftagreewasanamazingfeat.
WecameupwithadraftofthebillthatdidhaveveryverybroadsupportacrosstheJudiciaryCommittee.Unfortunatelyitwasthenchangedinalastminutedraftbeforeitcameuponthefloor.
Sometimeverylate in theeveningaftermidnighttheJohnAshcroftversionthe BushWhiteHouseversionwassubstituted.
Thebillwasprintedat3:45AMthemorningbeforethevoteontheHousefloor.Youtellmehowmanyofthe435membersofCongresshadachancebetween3:45AMand11:00AMtoreadabillthatwas345pageslong.
NomemberofCongressreadthislegislationbefore itwas votedon.Not one.
Thisisstillwarm.ItjustcameofftheXeroxmachine.Thisisn’tthebillthatwasadoptedbyaunanimous36voteofDemocratsandRepublicansoftheJudiciaryCommittee.Thesearecriticalissues.Thisiswhatwe’refightingfor.Theseareourcivilliberties.
The newbillcontainedprovisionsthathadbeenrejectedbyCongressbefore9/11hadevenoccurred.
WhenIlookedatthedraftIsaidI’veseenthisbefore.Almostalloftheprovisionsrepresentedeffortstoexpandfederallawenforcementpower.
Theyusedthecoveroffightingterrorismtoreallygreatlyexpandfederallawenforcementpowers.
ThePatriotActultimatelypassedboththeHouseandtheSenatewithoverwhelmingsupport.
Thislegislationisessentialnotonlytopursuingandpunishingterroristsbutalsopreventingmoreatrocitiesinthehandsof theevilones.
PresidentBushquicklysigned thePatriotActintolaw.It wasonlythebeginning.
SomeoftheworstviolationsofcivillibertieshavehappenedwithouttheinputorwithouttheauthorizationofCongressortheAmericanpublic.Infactit’softenhappenedwiththediscussionand withtheapprovalofasmallnumberofmenwithintheexecutivebranch.
ThesefewmenhavechangedthecharacterofAmerica.But have theymadeusanysafer?
WewerestartingtogetcallsveryquicklyafterSeptember11thfrompeoplethatwouldtellusmycousinwasarrested.Mybrotherwasarrested.Myuncle.Andwhenwestartedinquiringaboutwheretheyweretakenor whotookthemmostof thefamiliesthatweweretalkingtodidn’treallyknow.
Right after9/11thegovernmentbeganarrestingimmigrantsfromArabandMuslimcountriesinanunprecedentedway.
Weweretargetingcommunitiesonthebasisofstereotypes.HeyIsawsomeone witha beard.Thisonecameouthepraysbykneelingdownandputtinghisforeheadontheground.Mustbeaterrorist.That’sthelevelofignorancethatwehaveinthiscountry.
Peoplewereessentiallypresumedguiltyuntildeterminedtobeinnocent.
Thegovernmentcalledthesepeopledetaineesasiftheyweresimplybeingmadelatefordinnerbuttherealitywasmuchuglier.
Thesefolkswerekeptinsolitaryconfinementwhichis23to24hoursadayoflockup.Nocontactwiththeoutsideworld.Sometimeswithoutanyblanketsinthemiddleofwinter.Thelightswereon24hours.Thewindowswerecoveredover.Peopledidn’tknowwhathour ofthedayornightitwas.These wereterribleconditions.
Andmanypeoplewerebeatenduringthistime.Theywereshackledhandstowaisttofeet.Theywerestripsearchedeverytimetheyhadtoleavethecell.Manyofthemwereyankedalongthe floor.
Thearrestswereconsideredsecretandthedetaineeswereallowedlittlecontactwiththeoutsideworld.Theywereheldformonthseventhoughtheyhadbrokennocriminallaws.TheJusticeDepartmentcalledittheholduntilclearpolicy.
The holduntilclearpolicywasnotthesubjectofanypublicdebateorevendebatewithinCongress.ThatwasachangeimplementedbytheJusticeDepartmentitself.Itwasdoneonthestrokeofonepolitician’spenand itaffectedthelivesofhundredsofimmigrantsallacrossthecountry.
ThiswasundertakenwhollyoutsideofthePatriotAct.ItwassimplyadecisionbyJohnAshcroftaverypublicdecision.
EvenwithintheJusticeDepartmentitselftherewasenormousdebateandcontroversyaboutwhetherornotthepolicywasconstitutionallegalorcorrect.
Thisrulechangewillapplytothe75individualswhoarecurrentlydetained.
ThesamewayMcDonald’stellsyouhowmanyhamburgersthey’vesoldthegovernmentwasgivinguskindofarunningtally.
Therehavebeenatotalofover480peoplearrestedor–
We have arrestedordetained614persons.
–detainednearly1000individuals.
Hesweptbroadlyhesweptblindlyuntilthenumberwasover1000andpeoplestartedaskingquestions.Theysaidhowmanyofthese1000peoplehavebeenchargedwiththecrimesofSeptember11?Andtheanswerwaszero.Thenpeopleaskedwell howmanyofthesepeoplethesesuspectedterroristhavebeenchargedwithanycrimerelatedtoterrorism?Andtheanswerwaszero.
Sothosewerenotgoodanswersfromthegovernment’sperspective.Sowhatdidthegovernmentdo?InearlyNovemberitannouncedwenolongerwillgiveoutadailytally.It’stoodifficultforustogiveoutadailytally.Itwasn’tdifficultforthemwhentheythoughtitsentthemessagethatwe’redoingsomethingtofightterrorism.
Butwhenitstartedtosendthemessagewe’relockinguplotsofpeoplewhoaren’tevenchargedwithterrorismtheyjuststoppedtellingushowmanypeopleweredetained.
Thenetresultofourprofligateuseofdetentionswithoutlegalrepresentationhasbeentomakeuslesssafe.Ithasn’tuncoveredanyterrorists.
The Constitutionisreallyquiteclear.InpartsoftheConstitutiontherightsandprivilegesarereservedonlyforAmericancitizensliketherighttovote.ButelsewhereintheConstitutionthefoundingfatherswereequallyexplicit.Nopersonshallbedeniedlifelibertyorpropertywithoutdueprocessoflaw.Theydidnotsaynocitizen.Theysaidnoperson.
We’llneverknowexactlyhowmanypeopleweredetainedinthosefirstsevenweeksalone.We’llneverknowwho allthosepeopleare.
As soon asSeptember 11thI knewbecauseI’man Arabthey’regoingtohatethegroundIwalkon.Andforsuretheydid.
February22ndIgotaphonecallabout7:00inthemorningfrommy unclesayingthatabout12 to15federalagentsjustcameintomyparent’shousepickedupmymommydadandmysister.
It wasaterribleday.Iwill notforgetinallmylife.Meormyfamily.
Around 5:30in themorningIheardahard knockonthedoor.
We wake up.What’sgoingon?What’swrong?
Ikeeptellingmyhusbanddon’topen.Wedon’tknowwho theyare.Buthewasalreadythere.
I openedthedoor forthemonsuddenlytheyruneverywhereshouting.
I thoughtout house wasgettingbrokenintoor maybebeingrobbed.
And you could hearofficersrunningaroundclearclearclearlike somethingyou see on TV.
With theirgunspointedouttheypulledtheblanketoff ofmeand saidgetupintothelivingroomnow.
I was scared.
Theyhadtheflashlightin my eye.
Whoarethey?
I don’t know what they weredoing.I don’t know why.
Hepulledhisgunandhe put itright in the middle ofmyforehead.
ThenIjustlookedovertomymomonthebed.
Right awaytherewas onemanorderingmetogetup.IsaidOKgo awayI needto goputmyscarfon.
Hesaidyouneedtogetuprightnow.IsaidyouneedtogooutofmyroomsoIcancovermyselfsoIcangetup.He won’tlet me.
Onehe saidI amfromtheFBIanothersaidI’mfromtheINS.
He justfreakedout.Hejustwentcrazy.Whatare youdoing?Go youhavea gun?No.NoIdon’thavea gun.
Wewentoutinto thelivingroomandtheytookpicturesofmy sisterand wewereallcrying.
Andthenwhen theytook usoutsidetheyhandcuffedmydad.
Theyhandcuffed meinfrontofmychildren.Meandmywifeandmydaughters.
Justputusin thecatanddroveusto theINSdetention.
Wewerelivinglegallyabovethegroundopenlyinthiscountry.Wewereobeyingthelaw.
Butthatdidn’tseemtomatter.Safouh HamouihiswifeHananand19-year-olddaughterNadinweretakenheretotheSeattleINSdetentioncenter.Itwasaplacethatremindedthemof theoppressiontheythoughttheyhadleftbehind.
SafouhHamouihadbeenapilotintheSyrianAirForcewhenbadweatherforcedhimtomakeanemergencylanding.RatherthanreceiveanykindofpraisehewasaccusedofattemptingtoassassinatehispassengerswhichincludedtheSyrianvicepresident.HefledSyriaandappliedforpoliticalasylumintheUnitedStates.
HesettledwithhisfamilyinSeattleand heopened thearea’sfirstMiddleEasterngrocerystore.For10yearsheandhisfamilylivedpeacefullyuntil hisapplicationforasylumwasdeniedduetotheincompetenceofhis lawyer.HewasordereddeportedbutheremainedintheUSwhileawaitingtheoutcomeofhisappeal.TheFBIclearedSafouhfourdaysafterhewasarrestedyettheHamouiswerestillkeptinprison.
WhenIwenttheremyheartalmoststopped.Mybloodpressurewentcrazy.Itwassoscarysounfair.What’sgoingon?Why am Ihere?Why arepeopledoingthistome?
Ijust couldn’tunderstandhowtheycoulddosomethinglikethat.Iknowmydadfought sohardtocometothiscountryforfreedomandjustto beable tolivewithoutfear ofprosecutionbecauseofhisreligionorbecauseofhisjoborbecauseofwho he is.10yearslaterwefindoutthatthecountrythatwecameheretosaveusisactuallydoingthesame tous.
Why?Why?BecauseI’mArabic?BecauseI’mwearingmyscarf?BecauseI’mproudofmyreligion?Myreligion issobeautiful.Do notbemyenemyandtorturemewhenIthoughtIwas infreedomcountry.Icankeepmyreligion.Icanpracticemyreligion.Ican.Youknow?
You’re ina fourwalledroomand it’sverysmall.Andyou’rein therewith yourmom andshe’ssickand–Weshouldhaveneverbeeninjailletaloneasolitaryroom.
Justwatchingthembehindbarsall threeof themwerecryingwereintears.All threeofthem wereinshock.Theyjustwantedmetofindoutwhatwasgoingon.Andwhythey’rethere.
10months.Justimagine.10months.Daybyday.
MediaattentionhelpedbringaboutthereleaseofNadinandhermother.
Ihadtoholdmymomfaintmorethan11timesrightin front ofmy face.
SafouhwasletoutonemonthlaterbecausetheINShadfinallyadmittedhewasnotaflightrisk.
Freedom.That’swhatI’mherefor.Icametothiscountryforthefreedom.AndIfoundIfightforthefreedomand I’mhereforthefreedom.
His daughterNadinherownmemoriesalltooapparentrushedtoembracehim.
[CRYING]
TheHamoui’syoungestdaughterarrivedhomefromschooltofindherfatherthere.ThefateoftheHamouifamilystillhangsinthebalance.Theymayyetbedeported.
I’velivedheremywholelifesinceIwasthree.Idon’tknowanything.Ican’tspeakArabic.Ican’twriteit.IfIgobacktoSyriaI havenothing.
TheAmericanpeopleneedtoknowwhathappenedinthenameofsafety.inthename offightingthiswaronterrorismwelostourcivillibertiesoverit.We lostourfreedom.Andthat’swhattheterroristswant.Theywantedustofall apart.Theywantedusnotto becomeunited.They wantedustoseparateandturnagainsteachother.AndIthinktheymighthavesucceeded.
Thegovernmenthas argued thatroundingupanddetainingpeopleliketheHamouisisavitalstepinthewaragainstterror.Buttopcounterterrorismofficialssaysuchpolicieshavedestroyedourrelationshipwiththeverycommunitiesthatcouldwarnlawenforcementaboutanimpendingterroristattack.
Thefirstlineofdefenseagainstinternationalterrorismisinformation.It’sintelligence.Itmeanshavingsourceswithincommunities.Whatweweredoingby alltheseroundupsisalienatingthosecommunitiesandmakingthemmoredistrustfuloflawenforcementlessinclinedtobecooperativelessinclinedtovolunteerandtocomeforwardwhentheyhaveinformationthatwouldbeofmaterialvaluetolawenforcement.
Itwasthewrongwaytogoaround it.Weweretargetingcommunitiesfromwhichtherewasnoknownterrorismandyetweweredoingit onthebasisonstereotypes.Itisn’tgoingtostopthenext9/11.
Takealookatthisman.Cleanshavenwelldressed.Hecouldbeayoungbusinessmanbuthe’sabouttoflyaplaneintotheWorldTradeCenter.
Agrouplikeal-QaedahasdemonstratedthattheyunderstandwhattheAmericanconceptionofaterroristisandtheydoeverythingtheycantoundermineit.The19suicidebombersweknowforexampleshavedtheirbeardsandtheydeliberatelyavoidedmosquesbecausetheyfeltthatmosqueswereunderscrutinybytheFBI.
That’swhywhenyoubaseyourlawenforcementyouranti-terrorismmeasuresonstereotypesyou’reboundtofail.
Extension14.Messagereceived.
OhthankyouIhaveaconsultationtomakeaboutacasethatwe’rehandlingandwewerewonderingifwearerequiredtoturnoverinformationabouttheimmigrationstatusofourvictims.It isaveryspecificcasewherewemightaskedfordoingthatandwewouldliketoeducateourselvesgetasmuchinformationas possible.Pleasecallmeback.Mynumberis–
Canyoubelievethat?I have apolicedepartmentcallingaskingiftheyneedtoturnovertheimmigrationstatusofcrimevictims.Crimevictims.Thevictimsofcrime.That’swhat’shappeningsinceAttorneyGeneralAshcrofthasgivenpeopletheideathatstateandlocalpolicearesupposedtobeinvolvedinenforcingimmigrationlaws.Thevictimsofcrimearenotprotectedany longer.
Ashcroft’sdirectivethatlocalpoliceenforceimmigrationalsomeansthatifanimmigrantwitnessesacrimetheywillnowbeafraidtocomeforwardfearingthattheymaybedeportedorevenlockedupindefinitely.ThatleavescriminalstorunfreeonthestreetswhichisexactlywhypolicedepartmentsinLosAngelesandSeattlehavepoliciesnottoenforceimmigrationlaw.
Whatyou’redoingismakinglocalpolicemansurrogatesforthisenforcement.Andthey’renotversedinimmigrationlaw.Theydon’tunderstandimmigrationlaw.Theydon’tknowwhatthelawis.Howcanyouaskthemtogoandenforceit?It’sterriblydestructiveoflocallaw enforcementtimeandresources.
Theonlywaytofindtherealterroristsisthroughthehardjobofinvestigativelawenforcement.Investigatingindividualsuspiciousbehaviorthatpertainstoapersonwho’sdoingsomethingwrongasopposedtoattackinganentiresegmentofthepopulation.
Tofocusonwholegroupsofindividualswholeclassesofindividualswho’vedonenothingmorethanbeborninthewrongcountryorworshipthewrongGodispoorlawenforcementthatmakesuslesssafe.
ButtheJusticeDepartmenthasignoredtherecommendationsofcounterterrorismexperts.Insteadtheyinitiatedasweepofimmigrantswhoworkedatthenation’sairportswiththeideathatsuchmassarrestswouldpreventanotherhijacking.
Andmanyof thepeoplewho wereroundedupthemajoritywereLatinos.Theyhadnothingtodowithterrorismnoterroristswere caught.Somehowthegovernmentfeltlikethecountrywouldfeelbetterifweroundeduppeopleservingpizzaandcleaningintheairports.
Andmassdeportationsweresecretlybegun.
What thefederalgovernmentdidisitcommissionedprivatecommercialairlinerjetsfromdifferentairlinesandithadthesenighttimeairliftdeportations.607080PakistaniindividualsinanairplanethatmightbeaPortugueseairlinejetthat wouldtakeoffinthemiddleofthenightandreturnpeopletoPakistan.
Nobodyherewouldbenotified.Peoplewill havevanished.Theirfamilieswon’thavebeenabletotracethem.Weroundeduppeoplethatwereseekingpoliticalasyluminthiscountry.Wesentthembacktotheplacetheywererunningfrom.
ReportsbegantofilterbackthatpeoplehadbeentorturedinSyriadisappearedinEgyptandmurderedinPakistan.
Weputallthesepeopleinterriblesituationsallaroundtheworldandtheenormityofthateveryonceinawhileoverwhelmsme.Thiscan’tbethecountrythatIgrewup in.
ThewayAmericahadtreatedthedetaineeswassobadthattheJusticeDepartment’sInspectorGeneralfounditnecessarytoissueareportcondemningwhathadoccurred.
AreportcameoutandbytheOfficeoftheInspectorGeneraloftheDepartmentofJusticethatbasicallyconfirmedthatall ofthesethingsdidhappen.
Thiswasnotareportofoutsidecritics.ThiswasareportdonebytheInspectorGeneraloftheJusticeDepartmentitselfcriticizingthehaphazardand theindiscriminatemannerinwhichtherightsofimmigrantsweretrampleduponintheaftermathof9/11.
WithinadayortwoafterwardsAttorneyGeneralJohnAshcroftgotonthenewsandsaidwellwe’ditthesamewayalloveragain.
Heinsistedthathehaddonenothingwrongthathehadnoregretsthathewoulddoitalloveragain.
ThisisthechieflawenforcementofficeroftheUnitedStatesthat’ssayingwellyeswe’dredoalloftheseunconstitutionalpoliciesalloveragain.Andwe’rejustflooredbecausethere’sanotherdepartmentinourgovernmentjustbasicallysayingthisishorrendousanditcan’thappen.Andhere’sourAttorneyGeneralsayingI don’t care.
What’shappeninginGuantanamoissymptomaticofthewaythegovernmentisproceedingin itswaragainstterrorismwhichbasicallyseemstobeanythinggoes.
GuantanamoBayCubaastrangeplacefortheUStohaveamilitarybase.SetupaftertheSpanish-AmericanWarin1903theUShaspaidabout$4000inrenttotheCubangovernmentannually.Untilrecentlyit wasalittleknownoutpostbutafter9/11theUSgovernmentadoptedapolicythat wouldshocktherestoftheworld.
GuantanamoBaywaschosenastheplacewheretheadministrationwantedtoholdpeoplethattheypickedupinthewaronterrorism.Nomatterwheretheypicked them up.FromAfghanistanorPakistanorBosniaoranywhereelse.Andtheyreallywentaroundandtheylooked.Where canweholdpeopleandnotbesubjecttocourtrevieworanylegalrestrictions?
InGuantanamotheUSgovernmentinsiststhat themenheldarenotentitledto theprotectionsoftheGenevaConventionsincethey’renotprisonersofwarthat theyweren’tcombatantsofastatepower.Andyetbythesametokenthegovernmentarguesthat they’renotentitledto theprotectionsofconstitutionallawsbecausethey’renotheldonAmericanterritory.
TheadministrationchoseGuantanamoasanislandoutsidethesovereigntyoftheUnitedStatesbutsubjectto ourexclusivecontrol.Andtheydidthatforthespecificpurposeofavoidingthe law.Avoidingalltherules.TheGenevaConventionsourConstitution.
Bycreatingthislabelofterroristunlawfulenemycombatantthey’retryingtousepropagandaonwhyweshouldn’tcareaboutthemwhyweshouldn’tensuredueprocessforthemandkindofsacrificeourvaluesasAmericansthatwe’veheldsohigh.
BBCreporterVivienneWhitewasallowedtoaudiotapehisvisittoaplacethathadbeenpreviouslyofflimitsto alljournalists.
I’mwalkingnowalongthelineofcellswhichareeightfootbyeightfootmetalgrids.We’redeepinsideCampDelta.Icannowseeagroupofmendressedinwhiteint-shirts.Thesearedetainees.TheywerejustafewfeetawaytheothersideofthewireandoneofthemthenspoketoallofusinEnglish.
Are you a journalist?[INAUDIBLE]Canwetalk to you?
We’refromBBCTV.
Thank you very much.Afteralongtimewe’reluckyyou’rehere.
Sorry?
Aftera longtimewe’reluckyyou’rehere.It’sbusyfor[INAUDIBLE].We shouldhave sawyoubeforebut[INAUDIBLE].
Keephim walking.
AllofusthoughtwhenwestartedhearingaboutGuantanamothatthepeoplethatweregoingtherewerepeoplethatwerefightingfortheTalibanthat werepartofal-Qaeda.Andthereprobablyarealotofpeoplethere thataren’tverynice.Butwhatwequicklylearnedfromgroupsthatwerepermittedtogointodocivilrightsandhumanright’sassessmentsisthattherewerepeopletherethatreallydidn’tbelongthere.
BecausethebattlefieldinAfghanistanwaseverywhere andanywhere.Andsothatmeantthatanyonewhowasinandaroundwassubjecttobeingbroughtin.
Whethertheywerefightingforal-QaedaorfightingfortheTalibanasthemilitarysuggestsorwhethertheyweresimplyinthewrongplaceatthewrongtimepickedupbyabountyhunterwhowantedtoclaimarewardthatthemilitarywasgivingoutforbringinginal-Qaedapeople.
Therewerementhatwerewellintotheir80sthatwerebroughtintothisand there werechildren.Thiswasn’tjustpeoplethatweresoldiersonthefield.
MoazzamBeggisaBritishnationalwhosefamilysayshewasinstallingwellsinAfghanistanandteaching inPakistanuntilshortlyafter9/11.
Ireceivedatelephonecallfrommy son.He saiddadI’ve beenarrested.AndIsaidwhat?Why?He saidI don’t know.Isaidwhohasarrestedyou?He saysAmericansandIdon’tknowwherethey aretakingme.And thelinewasdisconnected.
Foroveramonthafterhisarresthisfamilyhadnoideaofhiswhereabouts.Finallytheyreceivedaletter.He hadbeentakentoGuantanamoBay.
Everythingaboutthese detentionsisdesignedtorenderthesehumanbeingsintothisstateoftotaldependenceontheUnitedStatesmilitary.They’reheldinsolitarythey’remanacledwhenpulledoutforinterrogation.They’reinterrogatedatgreatlength.Theycan’treachouttoanybodytheycan’tcall alawyer.Theycan’tcalltheirfamilies.
Thesepeopleareentirelyatthemercyofthemilitarywithnoendinsighttotheirdetention.Andnotsurprisinglythere havebeensuicideattempts.
Atlastcountmorethan30of theGuantanamoBaydetaineeshadtriedtokillthemselves.
Wedon’thearaboutthatanymorebecausethegovernmentnolongerreportssuicideattempts.
Begg’sfamilyhadnounderstandingofthegravenessofhiscircumstances.Thefewletterstheydidgetfromhimavoideddetailsaltogether.
InfacthewastryingtoavoideverythingbecauseIhadbypassoperationandIwasnotwellenoughso he wasnot writinganythingclear to me.After a yearI wroteto him thatI’mverywell.There’snothingwrong withme.Theninresponsetothat letterhewroteme a lettersayingthatI’mpleasethatyou’re well.Pleasetoknow thatyoucando all theactivitiesbutmypositionis different.
I haven’tseenmoonsunornaturallightforthelastone yearexcepttwominutes.I’vebeenkeptlikeananimalin a cage.Theydon’tgive mefood.They don’tgivemewater.Myclothesaretorn.[INAUDIBLE].Thereisno onetohelpme.That’swhy I’mwritingyou.Sopleasehelp meifyoucan.Thatlettertoremeapart.
Ididn’t knowwhattodo.So Igot intouchwiththeforeignofficeandthey said wedon’thaveanyaccess.Americanswon’tallowustogothereso wedo not knowanythingabouthim.If wehearwe’ll letyou know.Theynever everdidanything.
WhatBegg’sfatherisaskingforhissonisspecificallyguaranteedintenetsofinternationallaw.Hewantsanimpartialtrial.
Ifhe’sguiltyheshouldbepunished.Ifhe’snotguiltywhy shouldhe be there?
TheUnitedStateshasrefusedtoabidebytheGenevaConventions.There are therulesofwarthatweredevelopedafterWorldWarII.Basicallywhattheysayiswhenyoucapturepeopleduringawaryouhavetotreatthemhumanely.Youhavetogivethemmedicalassistance.
Youhavetofirstofalldecidewhotheyare.Theygetthisrighttothistribunalthatdecidesareyouaprisonerofwarare you acivilian.Doyouhavenothing todo with thiswhatsoever?
InlieuofatrialPresidentBushhasdeclaredthatcertainoftheGuantanamodetaineesMoazzam Beggamongthemwillbesubjectedtoamilitarytribunal.
Thereisnopresumptionofinnocenceinthisprocessbecausetoevengotoamilitarycommissionyouhavetobepresumedtobeaterrorist.Andthey’reusingthatasjustificationtolowerthestandardsofjusticethatwe’reusedtohiscountry.
PresidentBushhasalreadyletit beknownhowhefeelsaboutthesepeople.
The onlything Iknowforcertainisthat thesearebadpeopleandwelook forwardtoworkingcloselywiththeBlairgovernmenttodealwiththeissue.
TheWhiteHouseCounselAlbertoGonzalesadvisedthepresidenttoignoretheGenevaConventionsatGuantanamo.HesaidtheGenevaConventionsareobsoleteandquaintand shouldn’tgovernthewaythatweneedtoquestionprisonersthere.Secondlyhesaidit’sagoodthingfromourstandpointifyousaytheGenevaConventionsdon’tapply.
BecauseunderUSlawviolationsoftheGenevaConventionscanbeprosecutedaswarcrimes.Sowecouldbeprosecutedforwarcrimesfornotfollowingthem.Butifwesaytheydon’tapplythenwehaveanexcusetosaythatwecan’tbeprosecuted.
We’veheardrecentlythatthere areallegationsthatwhatwe’veseenatAbu GhraibreallyoccurredatGuantanamoaswell.And weknowthatGeneralMillerwhowasinchargeofGuantanamoandnowisinchargeofIraqsaidthathecouldviolatetheGenevaConventionsatGuantanamo.
Oneoftherealconcernswhenwetreatotherslikethisinthenameoffightinga waristhatothersfightinguscan treatoutsoldierslikethis.
We’resettingthestandardunderwhichwe’regoingtosayit’sOKtodothistoourservicemembers.It’sOKforNorthKoreato capture aUScitizenandlabelthemanunlawfulenemycombatantandtrytheminoursamesystemwheresomearmygeneral ismakingallthedecisionsandheappointsapanelofjusthisarmyofficerstobethejudgeandjury.
WhenDonaldRumsfeldwasaskedhowlongcanthesepeoplebeheldhe saidaslongasthewaronterrorismlasts.Thentheyasked himwhenwill we know when thewaronterrorismisover.Hesaidwhentherearenolongeranyterroristorganizationsofpotentiallyglobalreachleftintheworld.Nowallofushavepotentiallyglobalreachtodayandwe’renevergoingtoeliminatepoliticalviolencefromthefaceoftheearth.
Sowhathe’sessentiallysayingisthatwecan holdthesepeopleforeverwithoutevercharging themwithanythingwithoutevergivingthemahearingofanykind.
Congressshallhavethepowertodeclarewarandmakerulesconcerningcapturesonlandandwater.ArticleoneoftheUSConstitution.Lockedupindefinitelynolawyernotrial.Ifyouthinkthiscan’thappentoanAmericancitizenthinkagain.
WehavedisruptedanunfoldingterroristplottoattacktheUnitedStatesbyexplodingaradioactivedirtybomb.
Igetaphonecall inthecar.The prosecutorcallsuphe saysyourclientwastakenbythemilitary.AndI thoughttheywerejoking.
Thank youbut nocomment atthis time.
Newman’sclientJosePadillahadbeenheldasamaterialwitnessforanentiremonthbeforeAshcroft’sdramaticannouncement.He hadbeenchargedwithnocrimebut wasseenassomeonewhocouldprovideinformationtoagrandjuryabout9/11.Suddenlyhewasbeingcalledaterrorist.
We know thatAbdullahal-Muhajirisanal-Qaedaoperative.
BroadcastinglivefromMoscowAshcroftannouncedthearrestasifPadillahadjustbeencaughtinaterroristactnarrowlyaverted.
Weknowfrommultipleindependentandcorroboratingsources.
Nothinghadhappenedfromthetimeofhisarrestfourweeksbeforeuntilhisdesignation.Andtheinformationthattheyhadwasthesame.SoonehastothinkOKsothenwhatchanged?
AndIwantedtopointouttoDirectorMueller–
JustpriortoAshcroft’sannouncementFBIwhistleblowerColleenRowleyhadbeenappearingbeforeCongress.ShewastestifyingaboutthelackofintelligencesharingbetweentheFBIandCIAandhowthey’dbungledthewarningsthatmighthaveprevented9/11.
WeneedtostreamlinetheFBI’sbureaucracyinordertomoreeffectivelycombatterrorism.
NowRowley’sissuesseempasseastheJusticeDepartmentkeptemphasizingthatinteragencycollaborationhadledto Padilla’scaptureandthecountrysavefromaterroristattack.
–wasaresultoftheclosecooperativeworkofFBIagentsandCIAagents.
–closecollaborationamongUSgovernmentagencies.
Butwhathad allthiscooperationyielded?
WithinhoursI mean24hoursthegovernmentthenhadnewsconferencesinwhichtheybacktracked.And theysaidwellitwasn’treallyaplot.Itwasjustinthetalkingstages.
Iwanttoemphasizeagaintherewasnotanactualplan.
Therewerediscussionsaboutthispossibleplananditwasinthediscussionstage.
Certainlywasn’tatthepointofhavingaspecifictarget.
What’sremarkableiswhenyoureadthegovernment’spapersisthattheyinsistthatthegovernmentdoesnothavetochargeMr. Padillawithacrime.
Theydon’treallyhaveanyevidenceofanycrime.Theyhaveanotionthathemighthavemetwithpeoplefromal-Qaedabuttheydon’tthinkhe’samemberandtheysaidso in courtpapers.
Sowhatwasthesuddenurgency?ThecynicalamongusmightbelieveitwastodeflectRowley’sdamaginginformation.Thegovernmentwasn’tsaying.AndwithPadillanowlockedupinsolitaryconfinementin aNavalbriginSouthCarolinahewasn’tabletoexplainanythingeither.SomeinformationaboutPadillabegantosurface.
AsateenagerinChicagoPadilla’sinvolvementinamurdercommittedbyanoldergangmemberlandedhim injuveniledetention.HelatermovedtoFloridaandwhenhewas21hewenttoprisonfor10monthsafterfiringagunintotheairduringanargument.UponhisreleaseheconvertedtotheIslamicfaith atacenterknownforpreachingnonviolence.
Overthenext10yearshisonlyruninswiththelaw wereforminortrafficviolations.Hisnewreligionwouldtake himtotheMiddleEastwherehemarriedhissecondwife.On areturntriptotheUnitedStateshewastakenintocustody.
Mr. PadillawasarrestedatChicagoO’HareAirport.Hewasinitiallydetainedunderthematerialwitnessstatuteandonlyaftertheycouldnolongerholdhimunderthatstatutetheythenlabelhimasanenemycombatant.
Padilla’sactivitiesandhisassociationwithal-Qaedamakehimanenemycombatant.
Anenemycombatant?Wheredidyoumakeupthatterm?Ireallyhadneverheardofit.
Ithoughttheadministration’srulesonmilitarytribunalssaidtheywouldbeonlyfornon-Americancitizens.Isthewholepointofholdinghimasamilitarycombatanttobe ableto questionhimwithoutusingconventionalcriminalprocess?
HisstatusastheAttorneyGeneralsaidinhisstatementisasanenemycombatant.He isbeendetainedunderthelawsofwarasanenemycombatant.
Ifthepresidentlabelsthemanenemycombatantor inPresidentBush’swordsabadguytheycanbeheldindefinitelyincommunicadowithoutahearingwithoutcharges.
Congresshasalreadyruledonthis.Congresssaidyoucan’teveruseourmilitaryfordomesticlawenforcementpurposes.Wedon’twantyoudoingthat.Wedon’twantyouto use themilitarytoarrestcitizens.Wedon’twantmartiallawandthispresidentandthisAttorneyGeneralsaysIdon’thavetofollowtherules.
Does hehavelegalrepresentationat themoment?
Hewasbeingheldundertheauthorityofafederaljudgeandhehadlegalrepresentationinconnectionwith that.Yes?
Does henow?Doeshe now?
IcalledtheDepartmentofDefense.I evencalledtheWhite House.Igottheresponsehewillnotbeabletocallme.Iwillnotbeabletocallhim.Iwillnotbeabletovisithim.AndwhileofcourseIcanwritetohimtheywouldnotguaranteethathewouldreceivemymail.
Although thegovernmentnowclaimsthatPadillamayhavebeeninvolvedinaplottoblowupapartmentbuildingsthey haveprovidednoevidencenorchargedhimwithacrime.
ThedetentionofanAmericancitizenindefinitelywithoutcounselisbasednotonlyonhearsay–it couldbetriplehearsayforallweknow–buttheyadmitthatoneoftheindividualswhogavetheinformationhasliedtotheminthepasthas hisownagendaforgivinginformationandtheotherinformantinquotesrecanted.
We’veneverinthehistoryoftheUnitedStateshadinvestigativedetention.Wedon’tdothat.Exceptnowwedo.
RecentlytheSupremeCourtdecidedthatenemycombatantssuchastheGuantanamoprisonersandJosePadillahavetherighttoanattorneyandaccesstoacourtoflaw.Itremainstobeseenhowthegovernmentwillcomplywiththisruling.
Theaccusedshallenjoytherighttoaspeedyandpublictrialandbeinformedofthenatureandcauseoftheaccusationandtohavetheassistanceofcounselforhisdefense.TheSixthAmendmentoftheUSConstitution.
Everystepofthewaywe’veheardJohnAshcrofttellthepublictrustuswe’rethegovernment.And yetherefusestoreleaseimportantinformationthatthepublicneedsinordertounderstandwhat’satstake.
Governmentclaimsofsecrecycanrightfullybeviewedwithsuspicion.
And thesecretsecretsecretaswehavelearnedinhistorygenerallyit’sthey’rehidingtheirlackofevidence.Korematsuisaperfectexample.KorematsuiswhentheJapanesewho wereinternedbasedonthegovernment’sallegationthatthesepeopleweredangerousandhadtobeput ininternmentcampsindefinitelyuntilthewarwasover.
Subsequentlyafterthewareverybodynowknowsthattheinformationthatthegovernmentgavetothecourtwasfalse.Theymisledthecourtonpurpose.Andtherestoftheinformationof coursetheysaidwas asecretsecretsecret.Andthesecretsecretsecretwaswedon’thaveanything.
In1953attheheightoftheCold WarthegovernmentalsomisledtheSupremeCourtinthecaseofUS v. Reynolds.Thatrulingestablishedthegovernment’srighttosecrecyif itjeopardizednationalsecurity.ButtheLosAngelesTimesrecentlyrevealedthatthegovernmentusedtheNationalSecurityclaimtohidethetruthabouttheAirForce’spoormaintenanceofa B-29bomber thatcrashedkillingninepeople.Thenationalsecurityclaimwasalie.
There’salegacyofabuseoftheseverykindofpowers.WewentthroughthecivilrightsmovementwheretheFBIandtheCIAwereinvestigatingthecivilrightsleadersMartinLutherKingtheanti-warprotesterspeoplewhowereperceivedtobethepoliticalenemiesofthegovernment.ThissameauthorityisnowvestedintheJusticeDepartmentbythePatriotActandthat’sadangeroussituationforAmericans.
Ican’tconfirmordenywhoourclient is.Ican’tconfirmordenysomeoftheargumentsthatwe’vemadeinourlegalpapers.Ican’teventalkaboutthebasicfactsaboutwhathasledthegovernmenttotrytosealthislawsuitfrompublicreviewand frompublicscrutiny.Ican’ttalkaboutwhythegovernmentinsiststhat itjeopardizesnationalsecurity.
TheACLUhaschallengedsomeoftheunconstitutionalclausespresentin thePatriotActbutthey havebeengaggedfromeventellingtheAmericanpublicwhat isgoingon.
Evenasthepresidenthas madethePatriot Actone ofthecornerstonesofhisre-electioncampaignwecan’ttellthepublicaboutthecircumstancesandfactsofourlawsuitchallengingaportionofthePatriotAct’sconstitutionality.
Ithinkthattheworldisgoingtobemorepeacefulandfree.As aresultofthisdiscussionourfellowcitizenshaveabetterunderstandingoftheimportanceofthePatriotActandwhyitneedstoberenewedandexpanded.TheimportanceofthePatriotActwhenitcomestodefendingAmericaourlibertiesandatthesametimethatitstillprotectsourlibertiesundertheConstitution–
The publicneedstohavethefactsasitmakes itsdecisionsaboutwhetherornotthePatriot Actwenttoofar.
TheACLUisnottheonlyorganizationsthat hasbeensilencedbythePatriot Act.IflibrarianshavebeenapproachedbytheFBItheyofcoursecan’ttellyouthatbecauseoneoftherulesinthePatriotActisthatyoucan’ttellwhichisterrifyingreally.
Whatitallowsthegovernmenttodois tocomeinand subpoenayourcustomerrecordstofindoutwhatbooks have beencheckedoutor whatbooksthey’vebought.It doesn’tallowthebookstoretocontactalawyertofightit.It’salldonethroughforeignintelligencesurveillancecourtanddoesn’tgiveusanopportunitytostandupforourcustomers.
Atleastwhenyougetasubpoenafromalocalcourtbecausethere’sreasonablecausetosuspectthatsomeonehasbroke