"The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls." -- Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Where Are All the Detainees?: This is scary. I spent part of the morning searching for information on the Guantanamo Bay detainees, to find out if there still are people being held without due process and how many. This is very difficult information to get, as you can see from this 12/12/02 story on CNN:

"Most of the more than 900 people arrested in the far-reaching federal investigation that followed the September 11 attacks have been deported, released or convicted of relatively minor crimes not directly linked to terrorism, according to the Justice Department.

"An additional undisclosed number -- most likely in the dozens -- were held as material witnesses, people the government asked a court to detain because they may have direct knowledge or connection to terrorism. Some are possibly still being held." (emphasis added)

This is from the same article:

"Justice officials refuse to disclose even the total number of material witnesses held at one time or another, citing prohibitions against releasing the proceedings of secret grand jury investigations.

"The government continues to resist releasing the names of any detainees, which 22 public interest groups are seeking through lawsuits in federal court. Officials say al-Qaeda and other groups could find out how the United States tracks down terrorists or learn other secrets if the names were made public."

I did find mention of the detainees in this article in the Navy Supply Corps newsletter for November/December 2002, which indicates there are more than the "dozens" of detainees CNN mentioned being held. In fact, the article suggests that there are 604 detainees. And this report on globalsecurity.org suggests that there may be as many as 625 detainees as of early December.

In short, the US is holding as many as 600+ people on the Guantanamo Base in Cuba without charge and without the availability of legal counsel or access to the normal channels of justice that any others would and should be afforded. This is a slippery slope down which I never want to tread. Be afraid. Be very afraid. I am.

More on the "Mayberry Machiavellis": Now even the Christian Science Monitor is piling on the Bush Administration's zero tolerance policy towards what it calls "disloyalty." Basically, that appears to mean that if you publicly disagree with the Bush Administration and are employed in the administration, you will be fired. Ah, yes, the Bush Administration's strong commitment to free speech rides roughshod over human rights.

Even His Own Party Doesn't Buy It: A new poll shows that even 60% of Republicans -- and 72% of all poll respondents -- do not feel that Bush has made a valid case to go to war with Iraq at this point. Absent a finding that Iraq has been building weapons of mass destruction, only 41% of respondents favor such a war. Way to speak for the majority.

A Hero's Fall: Kirby Puckett was one of my heroes growing up. Two World Series Championships, numerous honors, a Hall of Fame career sadly shortened by glaucoma ... I was going to say he has been unmade, but that's not true. His true legacy is only now coming to light.

This May Be Of Interest Only to Me: Max Headroom may be making a comeback! That would be a great thing -- one of the few TV shows (only 14 episodes were made!) I have truly enjoyed watching, because it explored both sides of the new technology coin, including the positive and negative roles of media in the new pollution. By the way, the Beck link that came from is excellent -- a Beckology tour de force!

Who is Michael Medved and Why is He a Moron?: This is why -- a rebuttal to his goofy arguments for war in Iraq. (by way of Fark)