Hady Hassan Omar's Detention

[George W. Maschke]

Today's (27 Oct. 2002) New York Times magazine features an article by Matthew Brzezinski titled, "Hady Hassan Omar's Detention" that documents Mr. Omar's long detention (in solitary confinement) without charge based on unsubstantiated suspicion after the events of 11 Sept. 2001. The article describes two polygraph interrogations by an FBI special agent. His passing the first one did not clear him of suspicion, however. A second polygraph interrogation yielded an inconclusive outcome and a hostile "post-test" interrogation. Mr. Omar's polygraph experience is, however, largely incidental to the other civil rights abuses documented in this article, which should be of concern to all Americans.

In what seems to be an act of official spite against an innocent man it wrongfully detained, the INS is now seeking to deport Mr. Omar, an Egyptian national who is married to a U.S. citizen and has an American-born daughter.

[Seeker]

 
As I weep for another of my bretheren.
Can anyone imagine our intense fear, our disappointment in the outcome of our migration here, our utter disbelief that the very place that we hold so near and dear to us has so painfully betrayed us?
I suppose I should count myself as a lucky one since I wasn't detained, but should I foolishly consider myself safe from such a violation?  
  From this day forward

[George W. Maschke]

Seeker,

You ask:

Can anyone imagine our intense fear, our disappointment in the outcome of our migration here, our utter disbelief that the very place that we hold so near and dear to us has so painfully betrayed us?

I'm trying to. Accounts like Hady Omar's and Abdallah Higazy's (see the message thread Polygraph helps coerce false confession) help.

I suppose I should count myself as a lucky one since I wasn't detained, but should I foolishly consider myself safe from such a violation?

I don't think any of us can consider ourselves truly safe from such a violation.

[Skeptic]

Today's (27 Oct. 2002) New York Times magazine features an article by Matthew Brzezinski titled, "Hady Hassan Omar's Detention" that documents Mr. Omar's long detention (in solitary confinement) without charge based on unsubstantiated suspicion after the events of 11 Sept. 2001. The article describes two polygraph interrogations by an FBI special agent. His passing the first one did not clear him of suspicion, however.

The interesting thing is that a passed polygraph should not clear one of suspicion.  However, I have no doubt that had this gentleman failed his polygraph, it would have been held up as proof of guilt.  

Our government truly behaves shamefully sometimes.

Skeptic

[George W. Maschke]

On 31 October, C-SPAN's "Washington Journal" program featured an interview with Matthew Brzezinski about his article, "Hady Hassan Omar's Detention." It is may be viewed on-line here:
 
http://www.c-span.org/journal/