He quoted a former Israeli government official who said that diplomatic constraints have prevented the Mossad from carrying out "preventive operations" (targeted killings) on the soil of friendly countries until now" but that now Sharon is "reversing that policy, even if it risks complications to Israel's bilateral relations."

So in a way it is fitting that Belgian law change will put Sharon along with Kissinger and Pinochet in the elite group of those who have to take their lawyers with them to their travel agents when they book a trip.

In the U.S. of course, justice is simpler. The authorities know that Muslims are guilty and the purpose of law enforcement is simply to find out just what it is that they are guilty of. So Pakistani student Khurrum Ali, who has a valid student visa and is enrolled at New York's Hunter College was arrested by the INS because another college alleged that he owed them $2,000 in outstanding college loans.

For most people, the American revolution stopped the old English custom of imprisoning debtors, but the new Ashcroft era continues its innovative ways with the Constitution.