First question: Can you be arrested there, for committing a crime that isn't illegal there but is here? Because that's what happened in this dude's case. Predictably, he claims he was held in Saudi Arabian custody so they could "harshly interogate" him in the words of an article from AP.org and MyWay.com. In other words, he was tortured by SArab authorities. He's even got the scars to prove it, according to the above mentioned article.
What does this mean for us individuals? Who knows? Threatening the guy in the Oval Office has always been a crime. Think of it like pornography. Freedom of speech does have it's limits, after all.
One other thing I think is worth noting is a poorly phrased paragraph from the above article that quietly biases us against the accused. Check it out:
He did not enter a plea but contended he was tortured while detained in Saudi Arabia and offered through his lawyer to show the judge his scars. "It's all lies," his father said of the charges, and his lawyer said he would plead innocent.
It just seems like an odd way to construct your paragraph. You make the statement that the accused claims torture, then you say something about how the USG has denied it. Then you have a new paragraph about the dad saying the charges are all lies. It's kind of a little criticism, but if this kind of little thing happens a few hundred times, it can actually start to sway people against a person.
OH yeah, my second question is: WHERE'S OSAMA, YOU LIAR??
Hee-hee.From AP.org and MyWay.com:
Man Charged in Alleged Plot to Kill Bush
Feb 22, 5:58 PM (ET)
By MATTHEW BARAKAT
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP) - A Virginia man was charged Tuesday with plotting with al-Qaida to kill President Bush in a conspiracy prosecutors said was hatched while the man studied in Saudi Arabia.
Ahmed Omar Abu Ali, 23, a U.S. citizen, had been held without charges in Saudi Arabia since June 2003. He was returned to the United States and made an initial appearance in U.S. District Court shortly after his arrival Tuesday morning at Dulles International Airport.
He did not enter a plea but contended he was tortured while detained in Saudi Arabia and offered through his lawyer to show the judge his scars. "It's all lies," his father said of the charges, and his lawyer said he would plead innocent.
Before the indictment, a lawsuit filed on behalf of Abu Ali claimed U.S. officials had Saudi authorities detain him so he could be harshly interrogated. Federal prosecutors have been fighting attempts to get the government to disclose why he was being held in Saudi Arabia.
According to the indictment, Abu Ali discussed Bush-assassination plans with an unidentified al-Qaida member in 2002 and 2003, while Abu Ali was attending college in Saudi Arabia.
They discussed two scenarios, the indictment said, one in which Abu Ali "would get close enough to the president to shoot him on the street" and, alternatively, "an operation in which Abu Ali would detonate a car bomb."
While the indictment does not identify the conspirator, it says he was one of 19 people publicly identified by the Saudi government in 2003 as terrorists.
The only other detail of the alleged plot in the indictment states that Abu Ali received a religious blessing from another unidentified conspirator to assassinate the president.
The White House had no comment on the indictment, referring questions to the Justice Department.
U.S. Attorney Paul McNulty said in a statement that "after the devastating terrorist attack ... of Sept. 11, this defendant turned his back on America and joined the cause of al-Qaida. He now stands charged with some of the most serious offenses our nation can bring against supporters of terrorism."
More than 100 friends and family jammed the courthouse to show their support for Abu Ali. Many of them laughed in the courtroom when government lawyers described the alleged assassination plot.
"It's lies. It's all lies," his father Omar Abu Ali, a Falls Church, Va., resident, said after the hearing. "The government lied from the very first day."
Abu Ali's lawyer, Edward MacMahon, said after the hearing that his client would plead innocent. MacMahon said he saw the scars on Abu Ali's back and accused the government of relying on information obtained through torture.
"He expects a fair trial in which he will be vindicated," MacMahon said. "Evidence that comes through torture is the most unreliable evidence."
During the hearing, Abu Ali asked to speak to the judge. U.S. Magistrate Liam O'Grady suggested he consult with his attorney, who then relayed Abu Ali's claims of torture.
When Abu Ali offered to show the judge his back, O'Grady said that he may be able to do so on Thursday at a detention hearing, in which his lawyers will seek his release pending trial.
"I can assure you you will not suffer any torture or humiliation while in the marshals' custody," O'Grady said.
The Abu Alis have fought for nearly two years to have their son returned. They sued the U.S. government, alleging that the Saudis were detaining the young man at the behest of the U.S. government.
The judge dealing with the family's lawsuit against the government never issued an order demanding Abu Ali's return, but had said the family provided "considerable" evidence that the U.S. government orchestrated his arrest.
Abu Ali was born in Houston and moved to Falls Church, a Washington suburb. He was valedictorian of the Islamic Saudi Academy in nearby Alexandria, Va.
"He was very wise, very mature for his age," said Jamal Abdulmoty, who knew Abu Ali through their shared involvement in northern Virginia's Muslim community. "We cannot imagine" that he would be involved in an assassination plot.
According to the indictment, in September 2002 Abu Ali told a friend of his interest in joining al-Qaida, and at one point he decided to fight against the Americans in Afghanistan and unsuccessfully applied for a visa to Iran as a way to get there.
The court papers also allege that an al-Qaida member provided Abu Ali about $1,800 for purchase of a laptop computer, cell phone and books. Abu Ali allegedly discussed with this al-Qaida member ways in which Abu Ali could help al-Qaida's cause, including establishment of an al-Qaida cell in the United States.
Al-Qaida members also provided training in weapons, explosives and document forgery to Abu Ali, according to the indictment.
Abu Ali is charged with six counts and could face a maximum of 80 years in prison if convicted. The charges include conspiracy to provide material support to al-Qaida, providing material support to al-Qaida, conspiracy to provide support to terrorists, providing material support to terrorists and contributing service to al-Qaida.
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On the Net:
Justice Department: www.usdoj.gov
Copyright 2005 Associated Press
Dear Readers,
ReplyDeleteDo you want that Palestine will be free?
If your answer is yes, I recommend you the following home page:
http://www.alah.hu
"This image shows the future. A minaret-form skyscraper rises from the mass of the buildings in New York, the most densely populated city of the United States. The building is the “Tower of American-Islamic Friendship”. It symbolizes two things: on one hand there are a growing number of Moslem people in the U.S.; and on the other hand it shows that the U.S. is in alliance with the Islamic countries. Due to the new friendship America does not provide any more financial or military aid to Israel, which leads to the weakening of Israel and consequently, the freedom of Palestine."
Sincerely,
Zoltan Biro
Well, SOMEbody's hopeful!
ReplyDeleteI hope you're right, pal.
To Zoltan Biro-
ReplyDeleteDo you want truly want the Palestinian people to be free?
Stop trying to convert everyone to Islam and supporting the annihalation of Israel and all jews. Then tell the muslims the world will not cater to Allah and the jews believe they have just as much right to the land as the muslims do. Stop blaming the problems of the muslim populus on the west (christians and jews)and look to your own corrupt power hungry islamic leaders.
Huh, so one dude posts something about how he hopes for peace between Arabs and Americans, and some other dude talks about how Palestinians should stop whining and how Israel waged pre-emptive war against the Arabs. Match a wish for peace with an explanation of war. Damn, this is a good example of the problem right here. Some want peace while others want to justify war.
ReplyDeleteNice.
But, let me get this straight. Israel invaded Palestine because it was kicking the ass of a bunch of other countries? Was Palestine one of them? Because, in your little adventure there, you fail to mention where the Palestinians actually provide a threat to Israel.
You also fail to explain just what Israel is doing with Palestine. Either they make it officially part of Israel, make all Palestinians Israeli citizens or get off the pot. Sure sounds like occupation (without the quotes) to me.
Another thing I want to make sure I have straight is how the Israeli "defensive" is justified. Essentially, based solely on the adventure portrayed above, Israel used the same excuse Nazi Germany used to attack Poland. She made claims that she was being threatened and needed to strike first. So, like Hitler did and later America with Iraq, Israel attacked (several nations) before a single shot had been fired at them. This is the act of a civilized nation?
Oh and Israel was only a tiny, infant state in theory--in practice, it may have been young, but it was backed both financially and militarily by one of the biggest powers on Earth--the United States. Where do you think Israel got all those mighty aircraft? Tiny and infant, indeed.
Now mind you, I'm far from an expert on Palestisrael (or Israelistine, whichever you'd like to call it) but I could have sworn there actually was an attack by the Palestinians. I remember being told by a Jewish friend who began his story of some Palestinian attack by saying "I don't consider myself a very 'Jewish' person, but those bastards attacked us on our holiest of holidays!"
So much for balance.
I'm not saying the Palestinians are without responsibility for what is going on over there. I'm not saying the Israelis are perfect, either.
But painting Israel as a defenseless little country is obvious crap. Likewise, painting the "Arab Nation" as being threatened by Israel (the "Jewish State") is absurd as well. Sure, I've known Jews that hate all Arabs and I know the opposite sentiment exists, too. The thing is at some point you all have to grow the fuck up and realize the killing won't stop until a COMPROMISE IS REACHED.
The Palestinians just want their land back and so do the Israelis. The Palestinians can show us deeds to their land while the Israelis say the Old Testament is the deed to their land.
Well, newsflash folks, GOD DOESN'T EXIST--and if he does, he's not stepping up to the plate to help clear all of this up. Ultimately it all comes down to one question: you want to keep killing each other? I doubt it.
So, STOP.
Israel, you've got nukes--no one would dare invade you now.
Palestine has no military, they're no threat and the so-called "Arab Nation" won't go to bat for real for them so just relax. Give them their statehood and you'll be fine, Israel.
Besides, you really think America would stand by while you got invaded?
We didn't stand by when Kuwait was invaded, for Christ's sake!
No grow up, the both of you!
None of this shit is worth dying over.
Pete-
ReplyDeleteRead and study history . The facts about the 'occupation' are just that. FACTS. Again, read, study, absorb. If you gain ground in war, why the hell should you give it right back? Look at the recent turning over of Gaza strip. Peaceful? Appreciated? Gives hope that jews and muslims can live side by side? No. Over run by militants already using the groung for new targeting at Israel and the belief that the martydom of all the lovely people who blew up jewish civilians is working. MORE VIOLENCE. Europe is already a targeting ground for many muslims. Why? The land has to be returned to Allah becuase it was land gained by the non believers during the Crusades. Think Europe will pack up and leave?
1. No Israel is not a harmless little country. It had to arm itself or it would have been obliterated.
2. Where does the first post really say anything about peace. It says we must cease all aid to Israel and a tower brotherhood between the west and islam should be erected.
3. The real reason for all the war that islamic militants throw at the world for their attacks against everyone (islam vs christianity, islam vs zionisn, islam vs North Africa, islam vs Russia, islam vs islam, becuase muslim number 1 is not tpracticing the "correct" life of muslim number 2's belief,etc) always comes to Palestine. Why aren't islamic govts teaching living WITH the jews instead of only killing them?
Israel is not by any means a harmless, peacenik nation either and Sharon is a mass murderer. But the majority of jews are for living with the palestinians instead of talk of blowing them up.
I believe there is a God but why should he clean up our messes?