Politics and the actual law
Reader comment on item: [The Abu Ali Case and] Balancing Liberties, Security

Submitted by Chad DesLauriers (United States), Mar 2, 2005 at 12:16

Ahmed Omar Abu Ali is an American citizen, and as such, needs to be afforded the same constitutional guarantees that all citizens receive. It is very dangerous to allow the government to decide that one citizen's rights are not as important as another's, This creates a slippery slope where Political Parties in power can squash opposition due to "National security concerns."

Last I checked, there are laws against Plotting to kill the president of the U.S., Collaborating with the enemies of the U.S., and conducting terrorism. (whether on foriegn soil or not) Ahmed Omar Abu Ali should be tried in accordance with our existing laws as any other citizen should.

All the other wrangling about whether the Saudi government tortured Ahmed Omar Abu Ali or improprieties of our government's actions toward him, are politics pure and simple, and it certainly does not excuse him from the law.

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