Sticking to the rule of law in a dangerous world

Jose Padilla is not a very nice guy. As a juvenile, he once participated in the killing of another gang member by kicking the guy in the head. Still, his arrest, detention and trial on terrorism charges concern me.

Even before the verdict was rendered by a federal jury two days ago, Padilla -- an American citizen arrested on American soil -- clearly had his Sixth ("speedy trial") and Eighth ("cruel and unusual punishment") Amendment rights violated. He was held for more than three years as an "enemy combatant" before being transfered to the civilian court system, and during his stay in the military brig he was tortured.

The trial rested on an application to train at an insurgent camp that Padilla allegedly filled out. The jury deliberated less than two days, and Padilla will likely get life when a sentence is handed down. I'm not saying that this guy isn't dangerous. He may have met with actual terrorists, and he may have been in the process of planning some violent acts. What I'm saying is that there is a process here in the United States, and that the rule of law has to carry the day every day or we risk becoming more like the enemy whose ways we claim to abhor.