I can only speak to the law school – law & econ, libertarian and conservative schools of thought, with the concomitant pro-gun point of view.

From the GMU newspaper Broadside:

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blockquote> Mason Graduate Convicted on Federal Terrorism Charges

By Christopher Anzalone Broadside Managing Editor

Ali al-Timimi, 41, who recently earned a doctorate in computational biology at George Mason University, was convicted last week on ten federal counts of supporting and encouraging terrorist activities. Specifically, he was convicted of urging his followers to join AfghanistanÂ’s former Taliban regime and Lashkar-e-Taiba, a violent Pakistani radical group known for participating in the decade-long insurgency in Indian-controlled Kashmir and for attacking the Pakistani ShiÂ’ite minority. Although the charges on which al-Timimi was convicted carry a mandatory prison sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole, Federal Judge Leonie Brinkema has not ruled out tossing out some of these charges.

Mason Graduate Convicted on Federal Terrorism Charges

What do they teach over there ?

Not so fast…GMU is a publicly funded state school and open to the public. I should know – I went there. There are some areas that are secured (like the Center for Biodefense), but for the most part – open to the public.

There are many reasons why charges are dropped and just because they were doesn’t necessarily mean they were wrong in leveling them in the first place. I’m not defending any side here, I just don’t see the facts in this post to make a conclusion one way or another. If he was arrested for a lack of a permit that seems dubious. If for trespassing then it seems more reasonable.

I don’t like to see people (Desi or otherwise) get harassed for their beliefs, however illogical, but when you make controversial statements like “This guy next to me is a liar” you should expect to enter into a dialogue with a number of people including angry Marines. In fact compared to the Marines I know this jarheadÂ’s behavior was comparatively civil and witty. I imagine that’s what Tariq wanted to do with his protest- promote dialogue. Next time he plans to do so inside school property he should be prepared to supply some indica of ID saying he has a right to be there. Otherwise, don’t resist arrest when you are hauled off for trespassing- if that is indeed what he was arrested for.

Maybe, outside every building they could put a notice: “Only persons with valid ID beyond this point. All others will be considered tresspassers and prosecuted.” You know, like airports.

M. Nam

Bull. What kind of spineless protestor must you be to go home and get your id to present to a cop?? You have to be kidding me. Asking for ID is a form of intimidation. He was doing nothing wrong, nor was he trespassing. There is a REASON why all charges were dropped. Even attempting to take GMU’s or the police’s side in this is pretty lame.

If it was for not having a permit I see the complaint. But if it was for tresspassing and resisting arrest then I don’t see the problem with the arrest or the rough treatment.

For all the cop knows this kid is some stranger from the street who is in one of GMU’s buildings without permission. That is trespassing. He asked the kid for ID. The kid gives a lame excuse for not having it and starts to run/walk away. The cop pursues and arrests the kid. What’s wrong with that?

Am I missing some facts?

GMU’s free-speech policies, protest-policies etc need to be revamped and made more objective. The cops’ contention was that he did not have a permit for the protest. Khan’s contention was that a permit is required only if one is distributing literature( he was not).

I disagree with Khan’s opinion and views, but hey, he’s an American citizen – free as a bird to say what he wants to say.

M. Nam