'Thugs' don't deserve constitutional rights

In a recent news conference, after completing his Hawaiian golf vacation and after the failed attempt of the underwear bomber, President Obama referred to terrorists as "nimble adversaries." When I hear the word adversary I think of two or more people competing in a contest or game. Before this news conference I had never heard the term used to describe a murderer. Bush referred to terrorists as thugs, a much more precise description of the underwear bomber.

Obama's use of adversary to describe those who wish to wash us off the Earth provides insight regarding his understanding of the enemy. Apparently we are involved in an adversarial conflict and it is our duty to provide our would be competitors all the advantages and leverage our judicial system can offer. By extending the benefits of our Constitution to all foreign "adversaries" who wish us harm, we can use this as a teachable moment for the rest of the world. It's almost as if saying, "Look at us. Aren't we wonderful?"

How comforting to sleep at night knowing we have such caring, understanding, empathetic and tolerant leadership in the White House. Time for another round on the links?

Gerald Wester

Mount Prospect