The case that Muslim military chaplain James Yee was a spy for Syria or anyone else has been falling apart. It’s not even clear that the documents he was carrying – the original basis for the charge – were in any way classified. For this, he was put in solitary confinement for three months. Worse, the military – having failed to make their case – subsequently used their search warrant to reveal an extra-marital affair by Yee and are now prosecuting him under military law for this indiscretion. This is called framing someone. The trial has now been suspended because the prosecution cannot prove the classification of the documents in question. This seems to me to be a text-book case of military abuse of basic standards of fairness. A Muslim-American, who may well be completely innocent of all espionage charges, may now face years in jail for having an affair.
THE FRAMING OF JACKSON: I might also add that I’m deeply suspicious of the attempt to nail Michael Jackson for alleged child-abuse. I haven’t commented on the case because it’s really a piece of celebrity insanity. But if it’s actually a case of prosecutorial misconduct, it becomes a serious matter for public concern. You only had to watch the prosecutors’ news conference to see that they were trying to use the law – any way they could – to destroy an eccentric figure they despised. If the case falls apart, these witch-hunters need to face public accountability.
The Dish 