In Wake of Plot, Justice Dept. Will Study Britainâs Terror Laws
Attorney General Alberto R. Gonzales on Monday ordered a side-by-side review of American and British counterterrorism laws as a first step toward determining whether further changes in American law are warranted.
“Newly revised British counterterrorism laws, for instance, allow the authorities to hold a suspect for 28 days without charges, where American law generally requires that a suspect held in the civilian court system be charged or released within 48 hours.
“‘[F]rankly. . . their ability to hold people for a period of time gives them a tremendous advantage,’ [Homeland Security Secretary Michael] Chertoff added.’â (NYTimes)
Did Cheney Go Too Far?
“By insinuating that the sizeable majority of American voters who oppose the war in Iraq are aiding and abetting the enemy, Vice President Cheney on Wednesday may have crossed the line that separates legitimate political discourse from hysteria.” (WaPo)
Lawmaker Apologizes to Marines for Remarks
“Rep. John Kline (R-Minn.) issued the apology as part of an agreement with lawyers for Marine Staff Sgt. Frank D. Wuterich, who alleged that Kline had damaged Wuterich’s reputation. . . .
“Wuterich took the unusual step earlier this month of filing a federal lawsuit against Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.), alleging that statements Murtha made about the Haditha deaths were libelous. Murtha said after the lawsuit was filed that he did not mean to prejudge Wuterich, but the representative has not responded to a settlement offer that seeks a similar public apology, according to Wuterich’s attorneys, Mark S. Zaid and Neal A. Puckett. The lawyers set last Friday as a deadline for Murtha’s response.” (WPost)
Colorado Redistricting Lawsuit Dismissed
“A panel of federal judges has delivered a blow to Colorado Republicans and dismissed the last lawsuit filed over congressional boundaries imposed by a state court. The ruling, handed down Friday, means district lines drawn by a Denver judge remain in effect.” (AP)
Ohio Candidate Booked on Domestic Charge
“A Democratic candidate for Congress suspended her campaign Monday after she and her husband were charged with domestic violence. Stephanie Studebaker and her husband, Sam, were arrested Sunday night after deputies responded to calls about a fight in their home, police said. Each was released on $25,000 bond.” (AP)
Allen Quip Provokes Outrage, Apology
“Virginia Sen. George Allen (R) apologized Monday for what his opponent’s campaign said were demeaning and insensitive comments the senator made to a 20-year-old volunteer of Indian descent.
“At a campaign rally in southwest Virginia on Friday, Allen repeatedly called a volunteer for Democrat James Webb ‘macaca.'” (WPost)
FEMA Changing Locks on Trailers
“FEMA will replace locks on as many as 118,000 trailers used by Gulf Coast hurricane victims after discovering the same key could open many of the mobile homes. One locksmith cut only 50 different kinds of keys for the trailers sold to FEMA, officials said Monday. That means, in an example of a worst-case scenario, one key could be used to unlock up to 10 mobile homes in a park of 500 trailers.” (AP)
