Where's It All Heading?

I suppose with the allegations regarding Mamdouh Habib's movements in Afghanistan I should follow up my previous post.

It doesn't really matter that these allegations have been made; in my view, it doesn't alter the fact that Habib (and Hicks) have been appallingly treated by the government.

We live in a society governed by the rule of law. Innocent until proven guilty. Trials based on rules of evidence.

Regardless of the claims made by the government agencies, Habib was held without trial for years, sent to Egypt with the knowledge of the authorities, and perhaps tortured. He was never charged and placed before a court.

Here we are lecturing the Middle East about democracy, and the implied human right associated with it, while we debase those rights of some of our own citizens. (And a lot of Middle East citizens, come to think of it.)

I'm not suggesting that the authorities do not persue terrorists. However, once someone is detained for more than a short period of time they should be charged. If the evidence isn't there, they should be released.

What's the point of invading a country to install democracy if, at the same time, our democracy is degraded?