[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by Donut: My claim that Magik was wrong was based on his misunderstanding of the group in question.

Point taken. Fair enough.

Originally posted by Donut: Back to the point. Am I right in believing that the Constitution states that prisoners should be given a speedy trial? It's been 18 months since these people were arrested.

For one thing, a "right to a speedy trial" is a very relative phrase in our current legal system. It is not unusual at all for suspected criminals to wait 18 mos for their trial. In fact, this is often a result of their own lawyers seeking delays in the trial.

If they were being held for 18 mos without being charged with a crime, THAT would definitely be a violation of their Constitutional rights...but since no information is being released about their situation, any claims that they are being held without charges is merely speculation.

FWIW, I agree that the actions of the gov't in this situation should be questioned and challenged. It does represent a dangerous "first step" if it is allowed to simply slip by unnoticed. Personally, I don't feel the gov't's motives are as sinisters as some are implying, but I recognize the fact that I could be wrong...so it is necessary that their actions be challenged.