Mcarthyism of the new millenium

An American citizen Syed Hashmi, 26, was arrested Tuesday as he attempted to board a flight at Londons Heathrow Airport. He is suspected of aiding Al-Qaeda in terror attacts. He accused of sending money and military gear to aid in Afghanistan rebel groups attacks on American troops in the Middle East. Mr. Hashmi, who had been living in England for two and half years, was charged in the United States because he is an American citizen. He was born in Pakistan and moved to the U.S. as a child. The arrest of Hashmi confirmed the suspicions of U.S. intelligence: New York City is indeed tied into international terrorism, and Al-Qaeda. If convicted of all four possible charges, he could face up to 54 years in prison.

This reminded me of the Rosenberg family, Julius and Ethel. The two were American members of the Communist Party, and convicted of espionage. The two were thought to be Russian spies, passing secrets of U.S. nuclear weapons to Russian intelligence. During the duration of the trial, the majority of the American population thought them guilty, and the jury showed no mercy. The two were found guilty of espionage after evidence proved that Julius had met with Russian agents and provided military secrets. The Rosenbergs were convicted on March 29, 1951, and sentenced to death. They were the only two American civilians to be executed for espionage-related activity during the Cold War. The couple was executed in the electric chair on June 19, 1953.