27 November 2010 Mass Murder, Treason, or both

CNN:

“Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a 19-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia, was seized in connection with a plan to detonate what he believed to be a vehicle bomb at the ceremony on Friday night, the Justice Department announced.

Mohamud was whisked away by the FBI and Portland Police Bureau after he attempted to detonate what he believed was an explosives-laden van parked near the tree-lighting ceremony in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Justice Department said in a written statement.

But the bomb turned out to be fake, thanks to an undercover operation designed to undermine the plotter. Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said "the materials were not explosive," and officials said the public was never in danger from the mock device.



A resident of Corvallis, Oregon, and a student at Oregon State University, Mohamud -- who now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine -- was arrested on suspicion of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, the FBI said. He will make his initial appearance in federal court in Portland on Monday, the Justice Department said.”



Cassi Creek:

The nature of the intended crime is heinous. Detonating a car bomb at a public event with the expressed intent of maiming and murdering as many people as possible is in no way that I can understand going to win one a place in anyone’s version of Paradise. A pattern of radicalization among Somali immigrants and those from other nations to the U.S seems to be emerging. Naturalized U.S, citizens are being convinced by external Islamic sources to carry out Jihad against the nation that allowed them to immigrate, to obtain a modern education, and to acquire the full rights of citizenship.

I have some concern about the possibility of FBI agents being charged with entrapment as they are actually participating in the planning and preparation of some of the attempts at detonating bombs. Yet no one is forcing any of these would-be terrorists to contact the radical Islamic sources or to engage in any activity that might lead to mass murder.

I have yet to see any of these naturalized citizens, or for that matter, native citizens indicted for treason. In the case of domestic terrorists such as Eric Rudolph and Timothy McVeigh, I would think that any attack centering upon a federal building or facility might rightfully demand the consideration of “Treason” as a possible charge.

Using http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/treason as a source of definition and explanation it becomes clear why there were no treason charges against Rudolph and McVeigh

However, as a result of these prominent domestic terror attacks, the U.S. government passed legislation designed to increase the protection around federal buildings to deter future terrorist attacks. From 1995 to 2005, over 60 domestic terrorism plots were foiled due to preventive measures taken in response to the bombing – source (^ a b Blejwas, Andrew; Anthony Griggs and Mark Potok (Summer 2005). "Almost 60 Terrorist Plots Uncovered in the U.S.: Terror From the Right". Southern Poverty Law Center. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2005/summer/terror-from-the-right-0. Retrieved June 17, 2009)

Treason is defined as “The betrayal of one's own country by waging war against it or by consciously or purposely acting to aid its enemies.”

“Under Article III, Section 3, of the Constitution, any person who levies war against the United States or adheres to its enemies by giving them Aid and Comfort has committed treason within the meaning of the Constitution. The term aid and comfort refers to any act that manifests a betrayal of allegiance to the United States, such as furnishing enemies with arms, troops, transportation, shelter, or classified information. If a subversive act has any tendency to weaken the power of the United States to attack or resist its enemies, aid and comfort has been given.

“The Treason Clause applies only to disloyal acts committed during times of war. Acts of dis-loyalty during peacetime are not considered treasonous under the Constitution”

This still leaves a hazy zone, in my perception, around foreign terrorists and around domestic terrorists engaged, trained, and deployed by foreign sources/agents such as these radicalized Muslim who are naturalized or even native U.S, citizens.

In the case of foreign-directed terrorists who are working with intent to damage or demolish our government; or to destroy the integrity of our borders, or harm members of our armed forces at home or abroad, the decision hinges around the purposeful involvement of a foreign government. The repeated attempts by China to acquire information from people involved in our nuclear weapons programs are clearly directing our citizens to carry out a treasonous acts but they can’t be charged with treason, as we are not at war with China. Espionage alone is not treason. Thus, the Rosenbergs were not guilty of treason, only espionage.

In situations, which emanate from the willful recruitment, radicalization, training, and deployment of our citizens by a non-governmental source, the difficulty grows. We understand that there is a faction of Islam, radicalized and funded by one or more governments, which is increasingly hostile to the United States for many reasons. The 9-11 hijackers are the spawn of such fundamentalist Muslims. While they were not Afghani in citizenship or residence they were directed from Afghanistan and their actions were possibly funded by various Arab governments.

Because of the use of non-Western methods of money transfer the sources of money used to recruit and fund attempts such as the Oregon incident, or the failed Times Square car bombing, pinning any action on foreign governments is extremely difficult. If such connections are taking place, the source governments are using great care to avoid our acquisition of such definitive information. Without it, we can’t justify a declaration of war against a Muslim nation. The intent by government-backed but not-governmental sources such as Hezbollah, Hamas, or Al Queda, or by individuals such as bin Laden or Al Awlaki to fund, plan, and initiate acts of war against the United States also precludes the use of treason as a valid charge. While we recognize that some religious sects wish to destroy our government, despite the insistence of our poorly educated right wing theocrats, we can’t declare war against a religious group. Ideologies are not governments, cannot be defeated with force of arms.

The Ft Hood attack by Maj. Nidal Hasan can’t be called treason. Though acting under the influence of a religious extremist who openly proclaims that all Islam should attack the U.S., he was not acting as the agent of a foreign power. While his intentions may well have been treasonous, his crime was not and cannot be.

In one aspect, treason may be even more despicable. It may be about the exchange rate in many instances. Indeed, the etymology of the word traitor originates with Judas' handing over of Jesus to the Roman authorities: the word is derived from the Latin traditorem which means "one who delivers."

That is probably more than most want to know about the origin and etymology.

The number of Somali males who return to Somali for radicalization and then become either fighters there or return to the U.S, as a potential sleeper is growing worrisome. So is the number of other foreign-borne citizens from South Asia. I have little concern for how they live in other nations. I am concerned that they not become an open source of political and civil danger in this nation. Most of all, I want them to follow our laws so that our reactionary theocrats don’t have the ammunition to take us back to the days of red scares and McCarthyism.

When it comes down to which group is the greater danger, I’d have to say the American brand of Taliban worry me more.



27 November 2010 Mass Murder, Treason, or both


CNN:

“Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a 19-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia, was seized in connection with a plan to detonate what he believed to be a vehicle bomb at the ceremony on Friday night, the Justice Department announced.

Mohamud was whisked away by the FBI and Portland Police Bureau after he attempted to detonate what he believed was an explosives-laden van parked near the tree-lighting ceremony in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Justice Department said in a written statement.

But the bomb turned out to be fake, thanks to an undercover operation designed to undermine the plotter. Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said "the materials were not explosive," and officials said the public was never in danger from the mock device.



A resident of Corvallis, Oregon, and a student at Oregon State University, Mohamud -- who now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine -- was arrested on suspicion of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, the FBI said. He will make his initial appearance in federal court in Portland on Monday, the Justice Department said.”



Cassi Creek:

The nature of the intended crime is heinous. Detonating a car bomb at a public event with the expressed intent of maiming and murdering as many people as possible is in no way that I can understand going to win one a place in anyone’s version of Paradise. A pattern of radicalization among Somali immigrants and those from other nations to the U.S seems to be emerging. Naturalized U.S, citizens are being convinced by external Islamic sources to carry out Jihad against the nation that allowed them to immigrate, to obtain a modern education, and to acquire the full rights of citizenship.

I have some concern about the possibility of FBI agents being charged with entrapment as they are actually participating in the planning and preparation of some of the attempts at detonating bombs. Yet no one is forcing any of these would-be terrorists to contact the radical Islamic sources or to engage in any activity that might lead to mass murder.

I have yet to see any of these naturalized citizens, or for that matter, native citizens indicted for treason. In the case of domestic terrorists such as Eric Rudolph and Timothy McVeigh, I would think that any attack centering upon a federal building or facility might rightfully demand the consideration of “Treason” as a possible charge.

Using http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/treason as a source of definition and explanation it becomes clear why there were no treason charges against Rudolph and McVeigh

However, as a result of these prominent domestic terror attacks, the U.S. government passed legislation designed to increase the protection around federal buildings to deter future terrorist attacks. From 1995 to 2005, over 60 domestic terrorism plots were foiled due to preventive measures taken in response to the bombing – source (^ a b Blejwas, Andrew; Anthony Griggs and Mark Potok (Summer 2005). "Almost 60 Terrorist Plots Uncovered in the U.S.: Terror From the Right". Southern Poverty Law Center. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2005/summer/terror-from-the-right-0. Retrieved June 17, 2009)

Treason is defined as “The betrayal of one's own country by waging war against it or by consciously or purposely acting to aid its enemies.”

“Under Article III, Section 3, of the Constitution, any person who levies war against the United States or adheres to its enemies by giving them Aid and Comfort has committed treason within the meaning of the Constitution. The term aid and comfort refers to any act that manifests a betrayal of allegiance to the United States, such as furnishing enemies with arms, troops, transportation, shelter, or classified information. If a subversive act has any tendency to weaken the power of the United States to attack or resist its enemies, aid and comfort has been given.

“The Treason Clause applies only to disloyal acts committed during times of war. Acts of dis-loyalty during peacetime are not considered treasonous under the Constitution”

This still leaves a hazy zone, in my perception, around foreign terrorists and around domestic terrorists engaged, trained, and deployed by foreign sources/agents such as these radicalized Muslim who are naturalized or even native U.S, citizens.

In the case of foreign-directed terrorists who are working with intent to damage or demolish our government; or to destroy the integrity of our borders, or harm members of our armed forces at home or abroad, the decision hinges around the purposeful involvement of a foreign government. The repeated attempts by China to acquire information from people involved in our nuclear weapons programs are clearly directing our citizens to carry out a treasonous acts but they can’t be charged with treason, as we are not at war with China. Espionage alone is not treason. Thus, the Rosenbergs were not guilty of treason, only espionage.

In situations, which emanate from the willful recruitment, radicalization, training, and deployment of our citizens by a non-governmental source, the difficulty grows. We understand that there is a faction of Islam, radicalized and funded by one or more governments, which is increasingly hostile to the United States for many reasons. The 9-11 hijackers are the spawn of such fundamentalist Muslims. While they were not Afghani in citizenship or residence they were directed from Afghanistan and their actions were possibly funded by various Arab governments.

Because of the use of non-Western methods of money transfer the sources of money used to recruit and fund attempts such as the Oregon incident, or the failed Times Square car bombing, pinning any action on foreign governments is extremely difficult. If such connections are taking place, the source governments are using great care to avoid our acquisition of such definitive information. Without it, we can’t justify a declaration of war against a Muslim nation. The intent by government-backed but not-governmental sources such as Hezbollah, Hamas, or Al Queda, or by individuals such as bin Laden or Al Awlaki to fund, plan, and initiate acts of war against the United States also precludes the use of treason as a valid charge. While we recognize that some religious sects wish to destroy our government, despite the insistence of our poorly educated right wing theocrats, we can’t declare war against a religious group. Ideologies are not governments, cannot be defeated with force of arms.

The Ft Hood attack by Maj. Nidal Hasan can’t be called treason. Though acting under the influence of a religious extremist who openly proclaims that all Islam should attack the U.S., he was not acting as the agent of a foreign power. While his intentions may well have been treasonous, his crime was not and cannot be.

In one aspect, treason may be even more despicable. It may be about the exchange rate in many instances. Indeed, the etymology of the word traitor originates with Judas' handing over of Jesus to the Roman authorities: the word is derived from the Latin traditorem which means "one who delivers."

That is probably more than most want to know about the origin and etymology.

The number of Somali males who return to Somali for radicalization and then become either fighters there or return to the U.S, as a potential sleeper is growing worrisome. So is the number of other foreign-borne citizens from South Asia. I have little concern for how they live in other nations. I am concerned that they not become an open source of political and civil danger in this nation. Most of all, I want them to follow our laws so that our reactionary theocrats don’t have the ammunition to take us back to the days of red scares and McCarthyism.

When it comes down to which group is the greater danger, I’d have to say the American brand of Taliban worry me more.




27 November 2010 Mass Murder, Treason, or both


CNN:

“Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a 19-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia, was seized in connection with a plan to detonate what he believed to be a vehicle bomb at the ceremony on Friday night, the Justice Department announced.

Mohamud was whisked away by the FBI and Portland Police Bureau after he attempted to detonate what he believed was an explosives-laden van parked near the tree-lighting ceremony in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Justice Department said in a written statement.

But the bomb turned out to be fake, thanks to an undercover operation designed to undermine the plotter. Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said "the materials were not explosive," and officials said the public was never in danger from the mock device.



A resident of Corvallis, Oregon, and a student at Oregon State University, Mohamud -- who now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine -- was arrested on suspicion of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, the FBI said. He will make his initial appearance in federal court in Portland on Monday, the Justice Department said.”



Cassi Creek:

The nature of the intended crime is heinous. Detonating a car bomb at a public event with the expressed intent of maiming and murdering as many people as possible is in no way that I can understand going to win one a place in anyone’s version of Paradise. A pattern of radicalization among Somali immigrants and those from other nations to the U.S seems to be emerging. Naturalized U.S, citizens are being convinced by external Islamic sources to carry out Jihad against the nation that allowed them to immigrate, to obtain a modern education, and to acquire the full rights of citizenship.

I have some concern about the possibility of FBI agents being charged with entrapment as they are actually participating in the planning and preparation of some of the attempts at detonating bombs. Yet no one is forcing any of these would-be terrorists to contact the radical Islamic sources or to engage in any activity that might lead to mass murder.

I have yet to see any of these naturalized citizens, or for that matter, native citizens indicted for treason. In the case of domestic terrorists such as Eric Rudolph and Timothy McVeigh, I would think that any attack centering upon a federal building or facility might rightfully demand the consideration of “Treason” as a possible charge.

Using http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/treason as a source of definition and explanation it becomes clear why there were no treason charges against Rudolph and McVeigh

However, as a result of these prominent domestic terror attacks, the U.S. government passed legislation designed to increase the protection around federal buildings to deter future terrorist attacks. From 1995 to 2005, over 60 domestic terrorism plots were foiled due to preventive measures taken in response to the bombing – source (^ a b Blejwas, Andrew; Anthony Griggs and Mark Potok (Summer 2005). "Almost 60 Terrorist Plots Uncovered in the U.S.: Terror From the Right". Southern Poverty Law Center. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2005/summer/terror-from-the-right-0. Retrieved June 17, 2009)

Treason is defined as “The betrayal of one's own country by waging war against it or by consciously or purposely acting to aid its enemies.”

“Under Article III, Section 3, of the Constitution, any person who levies war against the United States or adheres to its enemies by giving them Aid and Comfort has committed treason within the meaning of the Constitution. The term aid and comfort refers to any act that manifests a betrayal of allegiance to the United States, such as furnishing enemies with arms, troops, transportation, shelter, or classified information. If a subversive act has any tendency to weaken the power of the United States to attack or resist its enemies, aid and comfort has been given.

“The Treason Clause applies only to disloyal acts committed during times of war. Acts of dis-loyalty during peacetime are not considered treasonous under the Constitution”

This still leaves a hazy zone, in my perception, around foreign terrorists and around domestic terrorists engaged, trained, and deployed by foreign sources/agents such as these radicalized Muslim who are naturalized or even native U.S, citizens.

In the case of foreign-directed terrorists who are working with intent to damage or demolish our government; or to destroy the integrity of our borders, or harm members of our armed forces at home or abroad, the decision hinges around the purposeful involvement of a foreign government. The repeated attempts by China to acquire information from people involved in our nuclear weapons programs are clearly directing our citizens to carry out a treasonous acts but they can’t be charged with treason, as we are not at war with China. Espionage alone is not treason. Thus, the Rosenbergs were not guilty of treason, only espionage.

In situations, which emanate from the willful recruitment, radicalization, training, and deployment of our citizens by a non-governmental source, the difficulty grows. We understand that there is a faction of Islam, radicalized and funded by one or more governments, which is increasingly hostile to the United States for many reasons. The 9-11 hijackers are the spawn of such fundamentalist Muslims. While they were not Afghani in citizenship or residence they were directed from Afghanistan and their actions were possibly funded by various Arab governments.

Because of the use of non-Western methods of money transfer the sources of money used to recruit and fund attempts such as the Oregon incident, or the failed Times Square car bombing, pinning any action on foreign governments is extremely difficult. If such connections are taking place, the source governments are using great care to avoid our acquisition of such definitive information. Without it, we can’t justify a declaration of war against a Muslim nation. The intent by government-backed but not-governmental sources such as Hezbollah, Hamas, or Al Queda, or by individuals such as bin Laden or Al Awlaki to fund, plan, and initiate acts of war against the United States also precludes the use of treason as a valid charge. While we recognize that some religious sects wish to destroy our government, despite the insistence of our poorly educated right wing theocrats, we can’t declare war against a religious group. Ideologies are not governments, cannot be defeated with force of arms.

The Ft Hood attack by Maj. Nidal Hasan can’t be called treason. Though acting under the influence of a religious extremist who openly proclaims that all Islam should attack the U.S., he was not acting as the agent of a foreign power. While his intentions may well have been treasonous, his crime was not and cannot be.

In one aspect, treason may be even more despicable. It may be about the exchange rate in many instances. Indeed, the etymology of the word traitor originates with Judas' handing over of Jesus to the Roman authorities: the word is derived from the Latin traditorem which means "one who delivers."

That is probably more than most want to know about the origin and etymology.

The number of Somali males who return to Somali for radicalization and then become either fighters there or return to the U.S, as a potential sleeper is growing worrisome. So is the number of other foreign-borne citizens from South Asia. I have little concern for how they live in other nations. I am concerned that they not become an open source of political and civil danger in this nation. Most of all, I want them to follow our laws so that our reactionary theocrats don’t have the ammunition to take us back to the days of red scares and McCarthyism.

When it comes down to which group is the greater danger, I’d have to say the American brand of Taliban worry me more.




27 November 2010 Mass Murder, Treason, or both


CNN:

“Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a 19-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia, was seized in connection with a plan to detonate what he believed to be a vehicle bomb at the ceremony on Friday night, the Justice Department announced.

Mohamud was whisked away by the FBI and Portland Police Bureau after he attempted to detonate what he believed was an explosives-laden van parked near the tree-lighting ceremony in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Justice Department said in a written statement.

But the bomb turned out to be fake, thanks to an undercover operation designed to undermine the plotter. Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said "the materials were not explosive," and officials said the public was never in danger from the mock device.



A resident of Corvallis, Oregon, and a student at Oregon State University, Mohamud -- who now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine -- was arrested on suspicion of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, the FBI said. He will make his initial appearance in federal court in Portland on Monday, the Justice Department said.”



Cassi Creek:

The nature of the intended crime is heinous. Detonating a car bomb at a public event with the expressed intent of maiming and murdering as many people as possible is in no way that I can understand going to win one a place in anyone’s version of Paradise. A pattern of radicalization among Somali immigrants and those from other nations to the U.S seems to be emerging. Naturalized U.S, citizens are being convinced by external Islamic sources to carry out Jihad against the nation that allowed them to immigrate, to obtain a modern education, and to acquire the full rights of citizenship.

I have some concern about the possibility of FBI agents being charged with entrapment as they are actually participating in the planning and preparation of some of the attempts at detonating bombs. Yet no one is forcing any of these would-be terrorists to contact the radical Islamic sources or to engage in any activity that might lead to mass murder.

I have yet to see any of these naturalized citizens, or for that matter, native citizens indicted for treason. In the case of domestic terrorists such as Eric Rudolph and Timothy McVeigh, I would think that any attack centering upon a federal building or facility might rightfully demand the consideration of “Treason” as a possible charge.

Using http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/treason as a source of definition and explanation it becomes clear why there were no treason charges against Rudolph and McVeigh

However, as a result of these prominent domestic terror attacks, the U.S. government passed legislation designed to increase the protection around federal buildings to deter future terrorist attacks. From 1995 to 2005, over 60 domestic terrorism plots were foiled due to preventive measures taken in response to the bombing – source (^ a b Blejwas, Andrew; Anthony Griggs and Mark Potok (Summer 2005). "Almost 60 Terrorist Plots Uncovered in the U.S.: Terror From the Right". Southern Poverty Law Center. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2005/summer/terror-from-the-right-0. Retrieved June 17, 2009)

Treason is defined as “The betrayal of one's own country by waging war against it or by consciously or purposely acting to aid its enemies.”

“Under Article III, Section 3, of the Constitution, any person who levies war against the United States or adheres to its enemies by giving them Aid and Comfort has committed treason within the meaning of the Constitution. The term aid and comfort refers to any act that manifests a betrayal of allegiance to the United States, such as furnishing enemies with arms, troops, transportation, shelter, or classified information. If a subversive act has any tendency to weaken the power of the United States to attack or resist its enemies, aid and comfort has been given.

“The Treason Clause applies only to disloyal acts committed during times of war. Acts of dis-loyalty during peacetime are not considered treasonous under the Constitution”

This still leaves a hazy zone, in my perception, around foreign terrorists and around domestic terrorists engaged, trained, and deployed by foreign sources/agents such as these radicalized Muslim who are naturalized or even native U.S, citizens.

In the case of foreign-directed terrorists who are working with intent to damage or demolish our government; or to destroy the integrity of our borders, or harm members of our armed forces at home or abroad, the decision hinges around the purposeful involvement of a foreign government. The repeated attempts by China to acquire information from people involved in our nuclear weapons programs are clearly directing our citizens to carry out a treasonous acts but they can’t be charged with treason, as we are not at war with China. Espionage alone is not treason. Thus, the Rosenbergs were not guilty of treason, only espionage.

In situations, which emanate from the willful recruitment, radicalization, training, and deployment of our citizens by a non-governmental source, the difficulty grows. We understand that there is a faction of Islam, radicalized and funded by one or more governments, which is increasingly hostile to the United States for many reasons. The 9-11 hijackers are the spawn of such fundamentalist Muslims. While they were not Afghani in citizenship or residence they were directed from Afghanistan and their actions were possibly funded by various Arab governments.

Because of the use of non-Western methods of money transfer the sources of money used to recruit and fund attempts such as the Oregon incident, or the failed Times Square car bombing, pinning any action on foreign governments is extremely difficult. If such connections are taking place, the source governments are using great care to avoid our acquisition of such definitive information. Without it, we can’t justify a declaration of war against a Muslim nation. The intent by government-backed but not-governmental sources such as Hezbollah, Hamas, or Al Queda, or by individuals such as bin Laden or Al Awlaki to fund, plan, and initiate acts of war against the United States also precludes the use of treason as a valid charge. While we recognize that some religious sects wish to destroy our government, despite the insistence of our poorly educated right wing theocrats, we can’t declare war against a religious group. Ideologies are not governments, cannot be defeated with force of arms.

The Ft Hood attack by Maj. Nidal Hasan can’t be called treason. Though acting under the influence of a religious extremist who openly proclaims that all Islam should attack the U.S., he was not acting as the agent of a foreign power. While his intentions may well have been treasonous, his crime was not and cannot be.

In one aspect, treason may be even more despicable. It may be about the exchange rate in many instances. Indeed, the etymology of the word traitor originates with Judas' handing over of Jesus to the Roman authorities: the word is derived from the Latin traditorem which means "one who delivers."

That is probably more than most want to know about the origin and etymology.

The number of Somali males who return to Somali for radicalization and then become either fighters there or return to the U.S, as a potential sleeper is growing worrisome. So is the number of other foreign-borne citizens from South Asia. I have little concern for how they live in other nations. I am concerned that they not become an open source of political and civil danger in this nation. Most of all, I want them to follow our laws so that our reactionary theocrats don’t have the ammunition to take us back to the days of red scares and McCarthyism.

When it comes down to which group is the greater danger, I’d have to say the American brand of Taliban worry me more.




27 November 2010 Mass Murder, Treason, or both


CNN:

“Mohamed Osman Mohamud, a 19-year-old naturalized U.S. citizen from Somalia, was seized in connection with a plan to detonate what he believed to be a vehicle bomb at the ceremony on Friday night, the Justice Department announced.

Mohamud was whisked away by the FBI and Portland Police Bureau after he attempted to detonate what he believed was an explosives-laden van parked near the tree-lighting ceremony in Portland's Pioneer Courthouse Square, the Justice Department said in a written statement.

But the bomb turned out to be fake, thanks to an undercover operation designed to undermine the plotter. Justice Department spokesman Dean Boyd said "the materials were not explosive," and officials said the public was never in danger from the mock device.



A resident of Corvallis, Oregon, and a student at Oregon State University, Mohamud -- who now faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and a $250,000 fine -- was arrested on suspicion of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction, the FBI said. He will make his initial appearance in federal court in Portland on Monday, the Justice Department said.”



Cassi Creek:

The nature of the intended crime is heinous. Detonating a car bomb at a public event with the expressed intent of maiming and murdering as many people as possible is in no way that I can understand going to win one a place in anyone’s version of Paradise. A pattern of radicalization among Somali immigrants and those from other nations to the U.S seems to be emerging. Naturalized U.S, citizens are being convinced by external Islamic sources to carry out Jihad against the nation that allowed them to immigrate, to obtain a modern education, and to acquire the full rights of citizenship.

I have some concern about the possibility of FBI agents being charged with entrapment as they are actually participating in the planning and preparation of some of the attempts at detonating bombs. Yet no one is forcing any of these would-be terrorists to contact the radical Islamic sources or to engage in any activity that might lead to mass murder.

I have yet to see any of these naturalized citizens, or for that matter, native citizens indicted for treason. In the case of domestic terrorists such as Eric Rudolph and Timothy McVeigh, I would think that any attack centering upon a federal building or facility might rightfully demand the consideration of “Treason” as a possible charge.

Using http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/treason as a source of definition and explanation it becomes clear why there were no treason charges against Rudolph and McVeigh

However, as a result of these prominent domestic terror attacks, the U.S. government passed legislation designed to increase the protection around federal buildings to deter future terrorist attacks. From 1995 to 2005, over 60 domestic terrorism plots were foiled due to preventive measures taken in response to the bombing – source (^ a b Blejwas, Andrew; Anthony Griggs and Mark Potok (Summer 2005). "Almost 60 Terrorist Plots Uncovered in the U.S.: Terror From the Right". Southern Poverty Law Center. http://www.splcenter.org/get-informed/intelligence-report/browse-all-issues/2005/summer/terror-from-the-right-0. Retrieved June 17, 2009)

Treason is defined as “The betrayal of one's own country by waging war against it or by consciously or purposely acting to aid its enemies.”

“Under Article III, Section 3, of the Constitution, any person who levies war against the United States or adheres to its enemies by giving them Aid and Comfort has committed treason within the meaning of the Constitution. The term aid and comfort refers to any act that manifests a betrayal of allegiance to the United States, such as furnishing enemies with arms, troops, transportation, shelter, or classified information. If a subversive act has any tendency to weaken the power of the United States to attack or resist its enemies, aid and comfort has been given.

“The Treason Clause applies only to disloyal acts committed during times of war. Acts of dis-loyalty during peacetime are not considered treasonous under the Constitution”

This still leaves a hazy zone, in my perception, around foreign terrorists and around domestic terrorists engaged, trained, and deployed by foreign sources/agents such as these radicalized Muslim who are naturalized or even native U.S, citizens.

In the case of foreign-directed terrorists who are working with intent to damage or demolish our government; or to destroy the integrity of our borders, or harm members of our armed forces at home or abroad, the decision hinges around the purposeful involvement of a foreign government. The repeated attempts by China to acquire information from people involved in our nuclear weapons programs are clearly directing our citizens to carry out a treasonous acts but they can’t be charged with treason, as we are not at war with China. Espionage alone is not treason. Thus, the Rosenbergs were not guilty of treason, only espionage.

In situations, which emanate from the willful recruitment, radicalization, training, and deployment of our citizens by a non-governmental source, the difficulty grows. We understand that there is a faction of Islam, radicalized and funded by one or more governments, which is increasingly hostile to the United States for many reasons. The 9-11 hijackers are the spawn of such fundamentalist Muslims. While they were not Afghani in citizenship or residence they were directed from Afghanistan and their actions were possibly funded by various Arab governments.

Because of the use of non-Western methods of money transfer the sources of money used to recruit and fund attempts such as the Oregon incident, or the failed Times Square car bombing, pinning any action on foreign governments is extremely difficult. If such connections are taking place, the source governments are using great care to avoid our acquisition of such definitive information. Without it, we can’t justify a declaration of war against a Muslim nation. The intent by government-backed but not-governmental sources such as Hezbollah, Hamas, or Al Queda, or by individuals such as bin Laden or Al Awlaki to fund, plan, and initiate acts of war against the United States also precludes the use of treason as a valid charge. While we recognize that some religious sects wish to destroy our government, despite the insistence of our poorly educated right wing theocrats, we can’t declare war against a religious group. Ideologies are not governments, cannot be defeated with force of arms.

The Ft Hood attack by Maj. Nidal Hasan can’t be called treason. Though acting under the influence of a religious extremist who openly proclaims that all Islam should attack the U.S., he was not acting as the agent of a foreign power. While his intentions may well have been treasonous, his crime was not and cannot be.

In one aspect, treason may be even more despicable. It may be about the exchange rate in many instances. Indeed, the etymology of the word traitor originates with Judas' handing over of Jesus to the Roman authorities: the word is derived from the Latin traditorem which means "one who delivers."

That is probably more than most want to know about the origin and etymology.

The number of Somali males who return to Somali for radicalization and then become either fighters there or return to the U.S, as a potential sleeper is growing worrisome. So is the number of other foreign-borne citizens from South Asia. I have little concern for how they live in other nations. I am concerned that they not become an open source of political and civil danger in this nation. Most of all, I want them to follow our laws so that our reactionary theocrats don’t have the ammunition to take us back to the days of red scares and McCarthyism.

When it comes down to which group is the greater danger, I’d have to say the American brand of Taliban worry me more.