| Test Case for Ashcroft |
2 June 2003
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Suspected Bomber Eric Rudolph Busted
Eric Rudolph has been hunted by the FBI for 5 years in connection with the bombing at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996 and an abortion clinic bombing in the south. Last week-end, a local cop in North Carolina brought him in. After a fair trial, in which his guilt or innocence should be decided instead of here, all eyes should be on US Attorney General John Ashcroft to see how this man avoided the federal government for as long as he did.
The southern end of the Appalachian Mountains, where Mr. Rudolph hid, is far from developed. A former member of the US Army, Mr. Rudolph was trained to survive in the wilderness. However, people in the region are sure, as are federal officials, that he has help. So, Mr. Ashcroft must decide how serious Mr. Bush's terrorism policy is.
Even if found innocent, Mr. Rudolph was wanted and anyone harboring him, aiding him, or even keeping quiet regarding his whereabouts is guilty of obstruction of justice at the very least. How many are arrested, and how serious the charges if any, will be litmus tests on Mr. Ashcroft's tenure at the Justice Department. He is anti-abortion, as are most of the people in the western part of North Carolina, but planting a bomb to stop abortions is terrorism -- an act of violence in pursuit of a political goal. Mr. Ashcroft will be on trial in the court of public opinion, or should be.
At the same time, there is a forgotten victim in this, Richard Jewell. That's the man who was a security guard at the Atlanta Olympics, initially hailed as a hero for evacuating people, then vilified as a possible bomber. His home was searched, and his name was dirtied. If Mr. Rudolph is found guilty, Mr. Jewell will be cleared. However, that is not enough. An apology would be in order at least; he should not hold his breath.