If in doubt, jail him

摘要

Ever since the September nth attacks, George Bush has repeatedly spoken of the need to bring the terrorists to "justice", and to defend democracy and the "rule of law". Hours after it was announced on June loth that Abdullah al-Muhajir had been transferred to military custody, the president eloquently declared that the "rule of law" and "limits on the power of the state", were "non-negotiable demands of human dignity" in America's battle against terrorists. Yet what particular rule of law is Mr Bush referring to? And under what legal authority precisely is the alleged al-Qaeda bomber being held?