Why I like the judicial power

The federal government is prosecuting a case that may have very interesting effects on Internet free speech.

Under the Justice Department's reading of the law, Georgetown University law professor David Cole told The New York Times, "Somebody who fixes a fax machine that is owned by a group that may advocate terrorism could be liable."

Al-Hussayen may face a formidable task in convincing a jury that he did not know and intend what the government says he did. But given the way the Bush administration treats terrorism suspects it designates as "enemy combatants," he is lucky to have the opportunity.