Someone considers your opinion important

I don't know if he did it or not, but what gets me is that he was convicted without a trial. Picture in the paper and everything. This is the Ashcroft form of justice. Ruin peoples lives before the conviction. Even if he is found innocent he will never be able to show his face in public.

I know the military has a different justice system though...

Why would anybody plan something illegal over the computer? There's a digital trail that follows everything you do.

This quote was from the linked article. The man was ARRESTED, not CONVICTED!

What impresses me is that law enforcement officials are monitoring online chat rooms.

Acquiunk- And I would bet that they gather a lot of important information that way!

I would be surprised if they were not monitoring chatrooms and (ahem) political discussion sites. I don't know the legality, but they are pretty much open to the public.

When someone is arrested for Drunk Driving here in Florida, the law States that they must spend 8 hours in jail immediately (where there is an internet cam broadcasting detainees). You lose your license and then have to prove there was no grounds for taking it at an administrative hearing, decided on a preponderance of the evidence (not beyond a reasonable doubt). This is necessary just to get your license back for the duration of time between the arrest and trial. You are even required to pay for a copy of the evidence against you. This is Florida's idea of being presumed innocent until proven guilty.

OC
the other message is don't drink and drive

Without question Husker. "Due process" is designed to protect the innocent... not the guilty.

I am getting the impression that due process is slowly eroding in this country in favor of the use of the courts to arbitrarily deal with issues (mostly social or national security) that generate a great deal of anxiety.