OPINION:
Before civil libertarians and constitutional scholars all weigh in, let me say this: I firmly believe in the principle of innocent until proven guilty. Undoubtedly, it is one of the bedrock foundations that separates American justice and culture from many, if not most, other countries in the world.
However, the irony of the situation in Boston hasn’t been lost on me. On the one hand, you have Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of two suspects in the Marathon bombings on April 15. According to various news reports, Tsarnaev, 19, cites his Islamic extremist views as his justification for killing three and injuring more than 260 others. If you believe that rationale, then I think it’s fair to say he has no respect for this country or our way of life.
On the other hand, it is exactly this same nation that will be spending millions of dollars on young Tsarnaev’s medical care and legal representation. Go figure. A teenager who is barely old enough to drive can conceivably commit a heinous act of cowardice — yet still be supported by the very people he professes to hate.
Talk about turning the other cheek. Is America a great country or what?
DENNY FREIDENRICH
Laguna Beach, Calif.
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