Yesterday, Arizona Sen. John McCain, during an appearance on the 'Imus in the Morning' show, said it would have been a "serious mistake" to have read the suspect in the attempted Times Square car bombing his Miranda rights.
McCain's remarks reignited the Miranda rights debate that came up during the case of the 'Christmas Day' or 'Underpants' bomber when Senators McCain and Lieberman "introduced a bill that would give authorities time to interrogate those people held on suspicion of engaging in acts of terror against the U.S. Lieberman also plans to introduce new legislation that would strip Americans of their citizenship if they were arrested on terrorism charges on U.S. turf."
McCain's comments on Miranda rights ignited Keith Olbermann's ire as well, and were the topic of the 'Special Comment' segment of his show last night.
'"Don't give this guy his Miranda Rights until we find out what it's all about,'" recalls Olbermann from McCain's statements. '"Obviously that would be a serious mistake, at least until we find out as much information we have...'"
"You shame yourself in the eyes of American patriots," Olbermann remarks, "and in the eyes of your fellow veterans who sacrificed, and the honored dead who gave their lives to protect the freedoms and the laws you have today suggested should be optional.
"Freedom-loving Americans look back with horror at what could have happened on Saturday night six blocks from here," the Countdown host continues, "And we also look back with horror at how a man who thinks America is some kind of brand name, who does not respect the laws and honor of this great nation, could have come so perilously close to becoming its leader."
This video is from MSNBC's Countdown, broadcast May 4, 2010.
