My tweet mentioned in Glenn Greenwald’s blog

Here’s a small moment of fame. My tweet and EliLake’s reply are mentioned in Glenn Greenwald’s blog.

Glenn Greenwald wrote an article pointing out the US mainstream media’s silence in covering US arrests of journalists while covering similar behavior on the part of Iran. It is in his usual style — long, well-researched with lots of pointers, presenting his arguments in a way that would convinces most rational thinkers. The article also showed screenshot of a tweet by Eli Lake. I was amused at this comment and asked Eli Lake’ what his response was. His response,

@mssnlayam Apples and oranges. Roxanne Saberi wasn’t using her press card as cover for terror. Also it’s moral idiocy to equate US and Iran

I tweeted back deconstructing his argument:

@EliLake Implying journalists mentioned in the story to have been jailed by the US (and released w/o charge) are terrorists? Any evidence?

and

@EliLake “moral idiocy to equate US and Iran” No one did. I see US the leading light for freedom. I also recognize hypocrisy when I see it.

Greenwald himself has a detailed response on his blog.

Eli Lake finally had this to say:

To all the lefties rushing to Greenwald’s defense. Yes our government is more lawful, civilized and humane than Iran’s. I stand by that.

I find it funny how people totally move away from the pertinent discussion and talk about something totall unrelated. Instead of commenting on the actual cases of journalists arrested (and later released without charge) that Greenwald has pointed out, Lake goes on a tangent babbling on what he likes about the US. Nice strategy: set up a strawman (Greenwald and lefties), pretend that they claim Iran is more lawful, civilized, and humane than the US, and beat down the strawman.

I understand Twitter is not suited for talking about complex issues, but not points for totally evading the question. I am really curious to see if Lake has a coherent response.

Guilty until proven innocent

A few weeks ago I posted about Sagarika Ghose interviewing Ram Jethmalani. It was about the “rule of law” and how in a civilized society, we do not brand individuals as criminals until they are represented by a competent lawyer in a fair trial, and at the end of it are convicted by an impartial judicial system. The interview made me angry.

Now, I am saddened by a similar story that is happening. Mohammad Ajmal Kasab is the lone person captured after the Mumbai attacks. Should he be punished in some way? Absolutely. And how? After a fair trial. For that to happen, he needs to be represented by a lawyer.

Ashok Sarogi a lawyer willing to represent this terrorist* is facing a mob outside his home:

Nearly 200 activists of Bal Thackeray-led Shiv Sena held demonstrations outside Sarogi’s home in Malad, Mumbai and pelted stones. They also forced the lawyer into giving a written statement that he will not represent Kasab.

Okay fine, Shiv Sena leaders are crackpots. That is known. What about supposedly educated lawyers? Mumbai’s Bar Association decided that its members would not take up the case. Bar Council president Rohini Wagh:

It was a unanimous decision because everyone felt it is our duty as citizens of this country to not defend terrorists

It is their duty as citizens to uphold the Constitution of India and the rule of law. Remember well-fought cricket matches after which commentators and writers exclaim “Cricket is the winner“? While it sounds corny, it is true. The game is bigger than the individual.

Similarly, our Constitutional values are more important than any tragedy that may come our way. Several brave servicemen lost their lives in the Mumbai tragedy while protecting India and its Constitution. We are doing their sacrifice a disservice by not upholding what they gave their lives for.

I am really saddened when I realize this is where we are as a nation. The India I read in textbooks is a mirage. Every day, I see increasing evidence that Indians who share these values are a minority. Unfortunately, I am one of them.

*Can we call Kasab a terrorist? The New York Times’ public editor approves.

Yeah right, I am awaiting legal approval to become gay

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India's Additional Solicitor General P.P. Malhotra; You Sir, are a first-rate moron.

Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code criminalizes homosexual activity. The Delhi High Court is hearing a case challenging the section's constitutionality. Mr. Malhotra's argument:

“AIDS is spreading and if gay sex is legalised, then people on the streets would indulge in it saying that the high court has given approval for it,” Malhotra said.

I really do not understand why health issues are even being discussed. Shouldn't the challenge be as simple as, “The Indian Constitution guarantees the right to privacy. Therefore private homosexual activities cannot be illegal.”? And the Judges nod their heads and strike the law.

Why is this case not viewed primarily as a human rights issue?