Can you imagine some of the world’s worst terrorists being held here in America, in Illinois, in the 6th district? What if one escaped? It’s no secret that drug gang lords can effectively operate their organizations from prison, communicating with the outside world with ease. In fact, prison has become a training ground for violent drug gangs. Do we want to grant Al Qaeda terrorists the same favor? And what kind of terror might come from a cross-pollination of Al Qaeda and drug gangs?

That’s a quote from an editorial posted on Peter Roskam’s House web site. The piece is entitled “Pelosi is Playing Politics with our National Security”. If that isn’t the pot calling the kettle black, I don’t know what is.

Roskam’s stance is first and foremost part of his general strategy of making things difficult for President Obama in every possible way. He is a vigorous participant in the Republican politics of “No”. He has no qualms about sabtoaging our national effort to recover from the miserable Bush years for political gain.  He has demonstrated repeatedly in his brief career that he will do or say pretty much anything to win. You will recall how in the last election he attempted to tie himself to Obama’s coat tails in a successful attempt to regain his seat. He never had any intention of supporting the Obama agenda but he wanted you to think so.

But beyond politics, Roskam seems to be a true believer in torture, in rendition to torture, in endless detention without trial or the ability to know the evidence against you, in the ability of the state to eavesdrop on its citizens without warrant, in the power of the President to do whatever he wants with accountability to no one.  I infer this from the fact that he never opened his mouth in protest through the worst of the Bush abuses of power. Not once.  Roskam always gave his willing “rubber stamp” of approval.

Now President Obama would like to restore the rule of law. But Roskam and his Republican cronies want to make it difficult, if not impossible, for him to do so.  They plan to do this by scaring you, and, so far, they seem to be meeting with some success. The Democratic leadership in Congress appears to be falling into their trap.

Don’t let Roskam and his kind scare you stupid.  We have the ability to securely detain dangerous criminals securely within our boundaries. We have the ability to segregate terrorists from the general prison population. We even have a town in Montana that would like nothing more than to help resolve the problem of detention. But that’s putting the cart before the horse. Our legal tradition of over 200 years demands that before we brand someone as a criminal (or a terrorist) that there be a fair trial. Roskam would like to trash that tradition. Don’t let him do it.

Call Peter Roskam and let him know that you are not scared and that the rule of law must prevail.  You can reach him at (202) 225-4561 in Washington or at (630) 893-9670 in Bloomingdale.

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