Former Marine Seifullah Chapman, 32, of Alexandria, Va., was convicted of conspiring to provide material support to LET; conspiracy; firearms conspiracy; possession of firearms in connection with a crime of violence; and use of a firearm in connection with a crime of violence.

And Hammad Abdur-Raheem, 35, of Falls Church, Va., was convicted of conspiring to provide material support to LET; conspiracy; and firearms conspiracy.

(By the way, where are all the gun controllers to praise the Justice Department for pursuing strict enforcement of their laws? Hmm? They must be out to lunch with all the moderate Muslim leaders getting ready to praise Ashcroft for going after fanatical extremists who give their religion a bad name. Right?)

The media elite belittled the Ashcroft prosecutions of these Islamists because they practiced on a paintball field. But brushing off these warriors as "paintball terrorists" would be as irresponsible as shrugging off the Sept. 11 hijackers as "video game terrorists" because they trained for their murderous missions on flight simulator software. "For the defendants and their co-conspirators," Judge Brinkema wrote, "these games were viewed as not just an opportunity for outdoor exercise, fellowship and an opportunity to improve self-defense skills, but also as preparation for real combat."

Every single time Ashcroft has brought charges against jihadists in America, he has been mocked and vilified. Every single time he has tightened the screws on Islamic terror recruitment and financing, he has been lambasted as a racist. Every single time they have been arrested, the defendants have proclaimed their absolute innocence. And each time Ashcroft has won convictions against them -- neutralizing terror cells in Lackawanna, N.Y., Portland, Detroit, and now northern Virginia -- he has been met with more condemnation and derision.

[in full at 04.03.10a.htm .      Erasmusen@yahoo.com. ]

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