BY ZELL MILLER Monday, September 13, 2004 12:01 a.m. EDT

My critics in the national media are working overtime trying to paint me as an angry nut who got the facts all wrong in my speech to the Republican National Convention. Since there's not enough time to challenge all of these critics to a duel, let me set the record straight here and now.

First, the anger. A lot has been said about my angry demeanor. I've made enough speeches to know that you're supposed to connect with the audience by telling a joke or a humorous anecdote or some amusing tale. It's a tried-and-true formula that I've used for most of my life. But this was not a normal speech in a normal time.

I'm sure your(sic) aware of the proposed ban on all religious symbols in France. I'm genuinely interested in your opinion on it.

But first, some background on the topic:

On 11 December, a Commission to reflect the application of the principle of laicité appointed by President Jacques Chirac, published its conclusions on secularism in France. The commission recommended, among others, to draft a law on laicism and to include in it a provision stating "clothing and signs manifesting some religious or political adhesion are forbidden in schools. Forbidden religious clothing and signs are conspicuous signs such as big crosses, veils or skullcaps." Medals, small crosses, David's star, Fatimah's hands or small Korans are not considered signs manifesting religious affiliation. President Chirac endorsed the proposals of the commission in his speech of 17 December.

The recommendation of the commission to ban headscarves and other religious symbols from schools triggered prompt opposition from three French Christian Churches -- the Catholic, Protestant and Orthodox Churches -- as well as from the Muslim and Jewish communities. Strict separation of the state and religions has been pronounced state policy in France since 1905.

Read more for my opinion on the matter!



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Many proposals have been put forth by opinionated folks: let the US try him, let the Iraqi Governing Council try him, let the Hague or ICC try him, or simply lock him up with Noriega. More than a few people have simply suggested killing him.

But that last one won't happen- it's not how people of honor act, and despite what some folks will suggest, America will act with honor in this.

So, the opinion I want to put forth is one that hasn't gotten a lot of publicity to date: it is, follow the historical examples.

In this case, there are two such examples. One, Nuremburg. The other? Eichmann, 1961.

Nuremburg:

Nuremburg Case Law for how the trial was conducted.Courtesy of CourtTV.

Eichmann:

Notes on the Eichmann charges, and composition of the Judges, Prosecution, and Defense. Courtesy of PBS.

1. Avoidance of hierarchy.
2. Avoidance of design documents.
3. Having input on many topics, while neglecting the main responsibility.

Read on to see what I say about these and where the downfall lays.



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Mark my words, though, this is the second prong of the three pronged initiative:

prong one: control all three branches of the government

prong two: quell with extreme prejudice the rights of citizens to protest by removing their access to due process, paving the road for political prisoners, like there used to be in South Africa. Sure, now its "suspected" terrorists, but how long until its anyone who disagrees with the administration? without access to legal counsel, the outside world and being held indefinitely and executed without trial, the US will have the ability to "disappear" citizens who are vocally antiadministration, and there won't be any way to prevent it since it will all be done in secret, with no protections.

prong three: rubber stamp the middle east, and then the world, in the US image. with prongs one and two in place, prong three will proceed without interference.

I know I'm extrapolating a bit, but you have to admit, everything is heading in this direction.

I respectfully hold a different perspective on results that his actions have borne out, and the direction I perceive he's headed in.

Freedom, Liberty, the reason that being an American is such a wondrous thing, cannot be preserved by depriving the American people of it.

Now, I concede that public assembly and protest has taken place in recent months, and whether or not I agree with those protests, I agree with their right to hold them- and they haven't been deprived of that right to assemble and speak. Good.

I do have a bone to pick with citizens held incommunicado without legal counsel, or with legal counsel in the absence of priveliged communications. Spying on a citizen and his lawyer is wrong.

Abuse of wiretap law is wrong. And it has happened.

Two federal judges have dealt a potentially crippling blow to a nationwide Internet child pornography crackdown, saying the FBI recklessly misled judges to get search warrants that were used in making more than 100 arrests.

Constitutional safeguards cannot be relaxed just because "the crimes are repugnant," said U.S. District Judge Denny Chin in New York as he dismissed evidence obtained against one defendant.



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