Politics: Cunning Investigative Technique, Gentlemen

A family in Everett, Ma. was inexplicably searched at 7 am by some unidentified agents of some law enforcement body of the government. Literally, that's the level of information the people get these days. Anyhow, Ali and Najah Ali, who have been citizens since 1952 and 1963 respectively, and who are 72 and 65 years old respectively, had a bunch of agents come into their home, demand their passports, refuse to explain the search, and never display a search warrant.

Restaurateurs Ali and Najah Ali are renowned for their steak bombs, but the more than half-dozen people with badges who searched their Everett home Thursday morning were not looking to eat, said the elderly couple.

``We're Muslim,'' Ali Ali, 76, pointed out, ``and they're after Muslim people.''

Spokesmen for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the FBI and Everett police, all of whom the couple claim came knocking, would neither confirm nor deny the cold-call took place.

``I have no information for you,'' said Paula Grenier of Homeland Security's Boston office.

Even if you don't know the Ali family, you may have dined in one of their three Angelina's sub shops located in Everett, Malden and Salisbury.

The affable grandparents, in business for nearly half a century, are native Palestinians, but have been U.S. citizens for decades - Ali Ali since 1952 and Najah Ali, 65, since 1963.

Nice, huh?