The “freedom” agenda

US authorities arrested Maher Arar, an innocent Canadian citizen, on bad information provided by the Royal Mounted Police. Mr. Arar was then shipped to Syria, via Jordan, imprisoned for a year, and repeatedly tortured. He was never given a trial, a charge, or even a lawyer.

The incompetence of both US and Canadian law enforcement in this case is simply staggering. Mr. Arar’s unfortunate (and probably criminal) treatment is the reason why we have laws protecting habeas corpus and due process. Our government disappeared a citizen from a friendly country in complete disregard of national and international laws not to mention basic civil rights. This is stuff straight out of the Latin American dictator playbook from the 70’s. It is simply shameful that Western governments are abandoning core democratic principles for the sake of fighting terrorism, and fighting it poorly I might add. This is Bush’s freedom agenda at work and the Administration, at this moment, is fighting Congress tooth and nail to continue these practices.

Benjamin Franklin once said, “Those who would give up Essential Liberty to purchase a little Temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” He is, of course, correct. Our current leadership, however, does not understand this point. They made the Faustian bargain and in doing so, betrayed the Constitution and their oaths of offices.

“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

…preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States – there is damn little of that going on these days. If a blowjob was evil enough to impeach Bill Clinton, then the Democrats should file proceedings as their first act when we take back the House. This is simply too much – these people must go now.