Originally published February 4 2006
Experts are split in assessment of legal fight being carried out against terrorism in the U.S.
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Attorney General Alberto Gonzales claims that there is a long list of legal victories that the government can lay claim to, but the facts are that no terror cell has ever been uncovered in the U.S., and shoebomber Richard Reid is the only American ever to be caught in the middle of carrying out a terrorist act.
Four years after September 11, the Bush administration has claimed some legal victories in its war on terrorism, but critics say there have been few major convictions and not a single trial of anyone caught trying to carry out an attack.
In a media blitz over the past few weeks to build support for renewal of parts of the Patriot Act -- passed after September 11, to expand authority of the federal government to track down terrorism suspects -- Attorney General Alberto Gonzales has recited a laundry list of legal victories by the government.
He said they range from "shoebomber" Richard Reid to September 11 conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui to university student Ahmed Abu Ali, who was found guilty last month of conspiring with al Qaeda and plotting to kill President George W. Bush.
Far from it," Gonzales told the Council on Foreign Relations this month in a speech.
Other prosecutorial victories mentioned by Gonzales included John Walker Lindh, who fought with the Taliban against U.S.-led forces in Afghanistan; Uzair Paracha, who was convicted of aiding al Qaeda and two Yemeni men who were accused of funneling $20 million to Osama bin Laden.
"What's the most remarkable fact is that we have yet to see any al Qaeda terror cell uncovered in the United States," said Georgetown University law professor David Cole.
"Apart from Richard Reid, we have yet to see any prosecution of any individual attempting to engage in a terrorist act," he said.
Reid was sentenced to life imprisonment two years ago but the case did not go to trial because he pleaded guilty to eight charges stemming from his failed attempt in December 2001 to blow up a transatlantic flight with explosives stuffed in his shoes.
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