- In December 2007, an article titled Police State America:
A Look Back and Ahead discussed the growing threat, accessed through the
following link:
-
- http://sjlendman.blogspot.com/2007/12/police-state-america-look-back-and.html
-
- It reviewed post-9/11 legislation and a blizzard of Bush
Executive Orders, National and Homeland Security Presidential Directives,
and other ways of enforcing police state harshness by eroding constitutional
protections.
-
- One way is by silencing truth, notably against WikiLeaks
founder Julian Assange, jailed in London on a European arrest warrant for
Sweden where he's wanted for unlawful coercion, sexual molestation and
rape. In fact, it's for allegedly having sex without a condom, despite
no evidence proving wrongdoing. He strongly denies it, calling the charges
politically motivated.
-
- Moreover, since when is condomless or consensual sex
illegal, whether or not he cohabited with two female accusers, snaring
him in a honey trap. It likely was hatched in Washington or by complicit
US allies to attack WikiLeaks by imprisoning or perhaps killing him, even
though others are releasing cables daily in his absence.
-
- On December 9, RAI Novosti headlined, "Kremlin suggests
WikiLeaks founder for Nobel (Peace) Prize," according to an unnamed
Kremlin source. He also tops an online Time Person of the Year poll, the
selection to be announced in mid-December.
-
- Entrapment - A Favorite FBI Tactic in America's War on
Terror (aka its War on Islam)
-
- At issue is United States of America v. Antonio Martinez,
aka Muhammad Hussain, arrested on terrorist related charges.
-
- An earlier article quoted Law Professor Anthony Barkow
saying:
-
- "A person is entrapped when he has no previous intention
to violate the law and is persuaded to commit the crime by government agents.
But if he's already willing to commit the crime, it's not entrapment if
government agents convince him to do it."
-
- So far, only Justice Department allegations are known,
accentuated by inflammatory media reports. Whether or not there was intent
is based solely on their charges. As a result, it's far too early to make
judgments, especially as so many previous cases showed innocent men and
some women were bogusly charged, convicted and imprisoned, victims of American
injustice.
-
- Department of Justice Charges
-
- On December 8, a Department of Justice press release
headlined, "Maryland Man Charged in Plot to Attack Armed Forces Recruiting
Center: Inert 'Bomb' Provided by Undercover FBI Agent Posed No Danger to
Public," saying:
-
- "Antonio Martinez, aka Muhammad Hussain, age 21,
of Baltimore, a US citizen, was charged by criminal complaint today with
attempting to murder federal officers and employees and attempted use of
a weapon of mass destruction against federal property in connection with
a scheme to attack an Armed Forces recruiting station in Catonsville, Maryland.
Martinez was arrested this morning after he attempted to remotely detonate
what he believed to be explosives in a vehicle parked in the (station's)
parking lot."
-
- On December 8, he was arraigned in Baltimore US District
Court before Magistrate Judge James K. Bredar.
-
- An FBI sting entrapped him, US Attorney Rod Rosenstein
saying everyone he approached to participate declined, tried to dissuade
him, or reported him to FBI authorities, "and there is no evidence
(he) received direction or support from any other person." Except,
of course, from FBI operatives who goaded him like others they wanted entrapped.
-
- His criminal complaint alleges that on September 29,
he posted a Facebook statement calling for violence to stop Muslim oppression.
Then on October 1, he allegedly posted another message saying he hates
anyone opposing Allah and the prophet Muhammad.
-
- "On October 8, 2010, an FBI confidential course
(CS)" informed the bureau. CS then began communicating with Martinez
through Facebook. In discussions, he alleged that Martinez wanted to go
to Pakistan or Afghanistan to become a mujahideen.
-
- "After learning (that he) was seeking to attack
and kill military personnel, the FBI recorded a series of conversations
between" him and CS, during which he allegedly identified the Catonville,
MD recruiting station as his target. Tapes, of course, can be easily manipulated
and altered to say whatever authorities wish.
-
- Martinez allegedly tried to recruit five others to help
him, contacting at least three who refused. He then "allegedly agreed
to meet CS's 'Afghani brother,' an undercover FBI agent (UC)." CS
said he wanted to help. Their conversations were also recorded, and Martinez
was closely monitored until his arrest.
-
- On November 4, he introduced "another potential
recruit" to CS. He also allegedly declined to help. On November 16,
he introduced CS to UC, allegedly admitting "his goal to become a
martyr and his desire to attack the (Catonville) Armed Forces recruiting
center soon."
-
- On December 2, the FBI alleges Martinez and CS again
met "to look at the parking area around the recruiting center."
He "allegedly drew up a map detailing where the vehicle containing
the bomb should be parked, which he gave to CS for UC."
-
- On December 7, "Martinez met with UC and CS to finalize
plans." UC allegedly showed Martinez the bomb detonating device and
how to use it. All three allegedly agreed to use separate vehicles, then
meet afterwards "to arrange their getaway."
-
- On the morning of December 8, Martinez allegedly met
UC and CS as planned, inspected the bomb components, armed the device,
then drove to the recruiting center, "parked in front of the building
and left the area with CS," driving to a nearby vantage point to "allegedly
attempt" detonation. In fact, he had an inert bomb and was immediately
arrested.
-
- He faces a maximum 20 years in prison for attempting
to kill federal officers and employees as well as life for attempted use
of a "weapon of mass destruction against federal property."
-
- Note the exaggeration to incite fear, another prosecutorial
tactic.
-
- Since taking office, Obama has been as ruthless as Bush,
targeting Muslims for political advantage, Attorney General Holder as hardline
as the worst of his predecessors. White House spokesman Nick Shapiro said
Martinez's arrest underscores the need for vigilance against homegrown
terrorism, stressing that Obama focuses on addressing "domestic radicalization."
-
- Based on evidence from many previous cases, authorities
perhaps entrapped another innocent man, a Muslim by inciting him to allegedly
commit what he otherwise may never have conceived or wished. Why believe
prosecutorial charges. It's their word against the accused, never given
equal time, a public chance to reply, and whatever gets out is misreported,
distorted, and forgotten. Case closed.
-
- Guilty by Accusation
-
- Against the major media assault, notably on US television,
suspects are never judged innocent unless proved guilty beyond a reasonable
doubt. The print media is just as unfair, including on December 8 by New
York Times writers Charlie Savage and Gary Gately headlining their article:
"Man Arrested in Bomb Plot in Maryland," saying:
-
- "A 21-year old recent convert to Islam tried to
blow up a military recruiting station in a Baltimore suburb on Wednesday,
ensnaring himself in a sting operation orchestrated by the (FBI), law enforcement
officials said."
-
- In other words, they said it. He's guilty as charged.
Case closed, how the Times, other major publications, and inflammatory
TV accounts report, transmitting government accusations whether or not
they have any basis in fact, a topic never considered.
-
- Unable to afford an attorney, his public defender Joseph
Balter said:
-
- "It's much too early for anyone to come to any conclusions
about the outcome, and we just request that the public reserve judgment
and let the legal process proceed as it should."
-
- Evidence of his likely mistreatment was clear in court
for his arraignment, Martinez showing up haggard and unshaven, identifying
himself as Muhammad Hussain.
-
- His Facebook page says he graduated from Laurel High
School, Laurel MD in 2005. His listed interests include marriage, learning,
work, two films (The Last Samurai and Avatar), worshiping God, prayer,
proselytizing, religious stories, the Koran, and vocal songs. He also said
he's "looking for friendship." A biography section said:
-
- "I'm just a young brother from the wrong side of
the tracks who embrace(s) Islam....We (must) rise up inshallah (God willing)
and continue the establishment of Islam on the earth, and with guidance
(from) Allah we can...."
-
- His wife's Facebook page said she's a Pine Manor College
senior, majoring in English.
-
- A former girlfriend described him as quiet, saying they
last spoke during the summer. She also said he tried Christianity, didn't
understand it, but felt very comfortable with Islam that helped him get
his life in order.
-
- FBI Special Agent Keith E. Bender's Affidavit in Support
of Charges Against Martinez
-
- Saying he personally participated in the investigation,
he explained that "information set forth in this affidavit is based
on my own observations and review of documents, or reliable information
provided to me by other law enforcement personnel involved in the matter."
-
- In 19 detailed pages, he then related the above charges
and chronological chain of events leading up to the arrest, implying that
without FBI provocation nothing might ever have happened.
-
- A Final Comment
-
- Entrapped, Martinez now faces merciless prosecution,
pitting him against the Justice Department's intent to convict so the Obama
administration can claim another war on terror victory. Innocence or guilt
doesn't matter, just the illusion that America is now safer.
-
- Like many other political targets, wrongly convicted
and imprisoned, Martinez appears to be another victim of being Muslim in
America at the wrong time. He'll have the rest of his life in prison to
reflect.
-
- Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at
lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net. Also visit his blog site at sjlendman.blogspot.com
and listen to cutting-edge discussions with distinguished guests on the
Progressive Radio News Hour on the Progressive Radio Network Thursdays
at 10AM US Central time and Saturdays and Sundays at noon. All programs
are archived for easy listening.
-
- http://www.progressiveradionetwork.com/the-progressive-news-hour/.
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