Observer editorial: It's no bad thing to lead a simple life

Following the tragedy that took place in Boston last week, countless questions have arisen: Why did these attacks take place? What caused these two young men to act in such a manner? Was extremism involved? Were they lone wolves or part of a larger terrorist organization?

The younger of the two suspects, Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, 19, is still in serious condition after sustaining several gunshot wounds, according to reports from The New York Times.

Several high-ranking Republican lawmakers have called for President Obama to declare Tsarnaev an ‘enemy combatant’ following his role in the attacks that left over 170 people injured in downtown Boston.

According to The Washington Post, the younger brother has not been read his Miranda rights, including the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.

They are doing so using a 1984 Supreme Court decision, which outlines a public safety exception that can be used “in order to question the suspect extensively about other potential explosive devices or accomplices and to gain critical intelligence.”

This decision is also justified by a 2010 memorandum from the U.S. Justice Department, according to The Washington Post.

However, this slippery slope argument that is being employed by several federal lawmakers must be watched carefully.

The American Civil Liberties Union released a statement last weekend saying “Every criminal defendant is entitled to be read Miranda rights. The public safety exception should be read narrowly. It applies only when there is a continued threat to public safety and is not an open-ended exception to the Miranda rule.”

Since the tragic events of 9/11 took place, the civil liberties of American citizens have been pushed to the limit, in the name of public safety and national security. Legislation such as the PATRIOT Act, and proposed laws such as SOPA and CISPA infringe on privacy and freedom of American citizens, and this is no different.

Senator Carl Levin, a Michigan Democrat who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee has stated that thus far, no evidence has been shown to support the claim that Tsarnaev was “part of any organized group, let alone Al Qaeda, the Talibam or one of their affiliates...”

Thankfully, as the situation played out early Monday morning, the White House annoiunced that the suspect will not be tried as an enemy combatant.

I am by no means vindicating what he and his brother did. Their actions were heinous acts of hatred what aimed to kill, maim and injure as many as possible.

That being said, it is a comforting sight to see the U.S. government upholding the rights promised to its citizens, regardless of the raw emotion that is still fresh in the air.

While it may be easy to allow this suspect to be interrogated by any and all means following such heinous acts, the American electorate must continue to hold their government accountable when the basic Constitutional rights of U.S. citizens are infringed upon, even in times of fear, uncertainty and doubt.