Padilla is not a terribly savory individual, but as Justice John Paul Stevens wrote in dissent, "At stake in this case is nothing less than the essence of a free society."

Judging from the decisions in the other two cases, once the procedural problems of Padilla's case are resolved, the court is likely to -- and certainly should -- come around to Stevens' view that this nation "must not wield the tools of tyrants even to resist an assault by the forces of tyranny."

Padilla has been summarily imprisoned for over two years in solitary. The Bush administration should not wait until it inevitably and deservedly loses this case. Charge him or release him.

http://www.cincypost.com/2004/07/06/edita070604.html