Judge Not So Subtly Rebukes Bush Administration During Terrorist Sentencing

Remember the terrorist who tried to cross into the country from Canada before the milennium celebrations? Well, he was finally sentenced today--to 22 years in prison. The Los Angeles Times reports on it here and the New York Times writes it up here. Neither one mentions the comments by the sentencing judge that a Seattle television station's web site quotes at length. Some highlights:

I would like to convey the message that our system works. We did not need to use a secret military tribunal, or detain the defendant indefinitely as an enemy combatant, or deny him the right to counsel, or invoke any proceedings beyond those guaranteed by or contrary to the United States Constitution.

. . .

[A]ll of this occurred in the sunlight of a public trial. There were no secret proceedings, no indefinite detention, no denial of counsel.

. . .

Unfortunately, some believe that this threat [of terrorism] renders our Constitution obsolete. This is a Constitution for which men and women have died and continue to die and which has made us a model among nations. If that view is allowed to prevail, the terrorists will have won.

. . .

It is my sworn duty, and as long as there is breath in my body I'll perform it, to support and defend the Constitution of the United States.

Wow.