As promised, the briefest of Special Comments on the statements by the Senior Senator from Arizona after the arrest of Faisal Shahzad, the suspected Times Square terrorist.
"Don't give this guy his Miranda rights until we find out what it's all about," said John McCain. "Obviously that would be a serious mistake at least until we find out as much information we have."
Mr. McCain, apart from the obvious fact that following your advice could mean that because of you Shahzad could walk free on technicalities, it is clear that your comments reveal your utter lack of faith in the system of justice that has kept this country free and safe for 234 years.
The laws are not there to be switched on and off at your discretion, Senator!
They are not there to be applicable to all -- except when you are having trouble getting re-nominated, and you need to boost your poll numbers with the lunatic fringe in Arizona!
This man -- whatever other reprehensible thing he appears to be -- is an American citizen!And if you can decide that he shouldn't have the same rights we would give to the man who shot President Reagan, or to serial killers, or to Bernie Madoff, then the precedent that you set can some day end thusly:
Some day, for some reason, somebody will be able to arrest you, Mr. McCain, and declare that you are not entitled to your Miranda rights, and that perhaps you should be tried by a military court.
While you pander to a group that tries to dress up its bitching about paying its fair share of taxes as "the government is taking away freedom," you propose that the government should take away... freedom.
You shame yourself in the eyes of American Patriots, and in the eyes of your fellow veterans who sacrificed, and the honored dead who gave their lives, to protect the freedoms and the laws you have today suggested should be optional!
Freedom-loving Americans look back with horror at what could have happened on Saturday night six blocks from here.
And we also look back with horror at how a man who thinks America is some kind brand name, who does not respect the laws and honor of this great nation, could have come so perilously close to becoming its leader.