Friday, September 29, 2006

Error on Arar? How Many More?

Now that the Bush administration has codified its un-American judicial practices into law, what can citizens expect? Canada, our friendly neighbor to the north, just issued a formal apology to Mr. Mahar Arar as it explores paying financial renumeration.

Arar is perhaps the world's best-known case of extraordinary rendition - the U.S. transfer of foreign terror suspects to third countries without court approval.

The head of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police offered these words to the nabbed man.

"Mr. Arar, I wish to take this opportunity to express publicly to you and to your wife and to your children how truly sorry I am for whatever part that the actions of the RCMP may have contributed to the terrible injustices that you experienced and the pain that you and your families endured, I know that an apology can never give back to Mr. Arar what was taken from him, but what we can do is move forward with changes and reforms."

Speaking before the House of Commons, the police chief said he is truly sorry for the RCMP’s role in Mr. Arar’s ordeal.

What does the American Congress do to prevent such shabby treatment of others in the future? The answer is nothing as they ensure similar situations will happen again via the Military Commissions Act.

CIA Chief Porter Goss clearly said his organization “didn’t get it right all the time” while serving President Bush. Implementing such practices as hearsay, coerced evidence via torture, and restricting access to evidence will cause more Arars. Who do I blame for these errors to come? I hold my elected representatives accountable, President Bush, Vice President Cheney, Senators Cornyn and Hutchison, and Representative Conaway. Who do you blame?

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