I don't like Ashcroft deciding to ignore lawyer-client confidentiality (and for American citizens!). That violates the due process rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

I don't like the indefinite detentions (possibly of American citizens -- but we can't tell because the government refuses to tell anyone who it has detained). I particularly don't like this because it interacts with secret trials with truly nasty synergy. Currently, it's -certain- that any of those detained would have their cases thrown out if they were tried in any normal court -- civilian or military -- because of the gross violations of due process the government has demonstrated. Conveniently, the Administration has provided for secret tribunals that can ignore rules of evidence and can keep all the governmental abuses off the record.

I wouldn't mind military trials, if -- and only if -- there had been an actual declaration of war followed by the imposition of martial law. Then it would be clear that these are temporary measures that will be lifted at the end of the war. Moreover, the courts-martial would have to obey the Uniform Code of Military Justice, which the kangaroo courts the Feds have created are explicitly permitted to ignore.

William Safire speaks for me in this article:

[link|http://www.nytimes.com/2001/11/15/opinion/15SAFI.html|http://www.nytimes..../15SAFI.html]