When the Cato Institute and People for the American Way agree that something is very bad, it might be time to listen.

Solicitor General Ted Olson will argue in front of the Supreme Court two historic cases that the government has the authority to lock up U.S. citizens, without charges, without a lawyer, without a trial, without any rights at all, simply by declaring them "enemy combatants" in the administration's war on terror.

<a href='http://www.cato.org/research/articles/lynch-040423.html' target='_blank'>http://www.cato.org/research/articles/lync...nch-040423.html</a>

<a href='http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.aspx?oid=15110' target='_blank'>http://www.pfaw.org/pfaw/general/default.a....aspx?oid=15110</a>

I've always been a bit surprised that this doesn't receive more attention. I would think that 2 years is enough to decide on what to do with "war detanees". Although w/ the nature of terrorism, I can see being reluctant to let them go...you're probably making new enemies by holding them.

It's not an enviable situation to be in, but something should be done.

Have they let Jose Padilla talk to a lawyer yet? That's the one that really shakes me. . .

"For "enemy of the people" read "enemy combatant", as Mr Padilla, a US citizen, has now been designated. He sits in a naval prison in South Carolina, presumed guilty but not charged with any criminal offense. Indeed, Donald Rumsfeld, the Defense Secretary, has acknowledged that he may never be charged. Mr Padilla's lawyers responded to that statement with a petition to the courts, saying their client's detention without time limit or the right to counsel should be "a constitutional concern to everyone".

<a href='http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0616-05.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.commondreams.org/views02/0616-05.htm</a>