Politics: Justice Continues Its 10-Month Holiday

Federal prosecutors decided that they would again defy and appeal a judge's order that dirty bomb suspect (but charged with no crime) and former gang member Jose Padilla be allowed to meet with legal counsel. Padilla hasn't seen an attorney ever in his 10-month incarceration, currently taking place at a South Carolina naval brig.

Remember, Mr. Padilla is an American citizen, who has not been convicted of any crime in relation to terrorism. He was detained upon returning to the United States from Pakistan, based on a tip from some long-forgotten al Queda joker named Abu Zubaydah. That is where the actual facts of his case dry up. This news item does appear to confirm that Mr. Padilla's incarceration features sensory-deprivation interrogations techniques. That's real swell.

Anyhow, I'm not certain how they keep misplacing it, but if John Ashcroft's pals in the Justice Department need a fresh copy, here's a link:

Amendment VI

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the state and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense.