In case you feel that today’s security measures are necessary and do not unduly harm any innocent, especially without need, I would refer you to the story of this Canadian citizen, who, merely by passing through the United States, stopping briefly in New York to change planes on his way home, was subjected to an ordeal of nightmarish proportions.

I would warn you that you may not be able to stomach this story. I would still suggest you read it, however. There is still much that is not known about the reasons behind his illegal detention, imprisonment and torture. Why was this software engineer, father of two, with not even a spot on his criminal record, taken from the airport and detained? Why was he questioned without a lawyer–in fact, through his entire ordeal, only allowed to call someone once, only allowed a single brief visit with an attorney that gained him no representation? Why was he shackled and chained, injected against his will with a substance that was never identified to him, repeatedly strip-searched, and made to sign documents he was not allowed to read?

But most importantly, and least explained, is why he was not sent back to Canada, his country of citizenship, as was his right under international law. Why was he instead chained and shackled, flown to Jordan, thrown blindfolded into the back of a truck, repeatedly beaten, and then driven to Syria, the country his family had fled when he was a teenager? The American government claimed the reason he was sent there was classified; but what possible reason, classified or otherwise, could they have had to send him to an unfriendly country, against international law, to be inhumanly tortured for almost a year?

There is now a call in Canada for an inquiry into this hideous miscarriage of justice, but you can count on the fact that the Bush administration will never reveal their reasons. The American media is practically silent on the matter. More information can be found at in the Canadian media or through Amnesty International Canada.

As long as the American people allow the government to perform such ruthless acts, without any fear of consequences of any kind, without any sort of public oversight, they will simply multiply and flourish. How far will you allow it? Until people you know personally are treated in this manner? Is this the United States you know? Is this the government you want?

Do not forget that if you are an American, and you remain silent on actions your government takes such as this, then you are complicit in and responsible for such things. The actions taken by my government in this case are inexcusable. We know that police-state barbarities are being committed in our names, but we are too fearful to stand up and do anything about it. That must stop. Refer this story to people that you know. Tell family and friends of it. Contact your representatives; make clear that you do not support these actions, that there must be an investigation, that the powers given to the government through the Patriot Act are far too strict, and Patriot II must never be allowed to pass. Ashcroft has to leave office, and the Bush administration must be voted out.

The case of Mr. Arar is not an isolated one. This has gone too far. Make it stop.