I don’t know whether to be elated or disappointed that this story is breaking. Sunday’s 60 Minutes covered the CIA’s secret “torture plane.” The torture plane, a Gulfstream business jet with tail number N379P, scoops up suspected terrorists and flies them to rogue nations where they can be tortured. The plane caught the attention of amateur investigators and airplane buffs, who soon began tracking its movements as it hopped from one international airport to another, flying above the law.

As the plane’s reputation became more widely known, investigative news crews got into the act, tracking down the company records and flight logs. They discovered that the officers of the company that leased the plane curiously all had newly-minted social security numbers. If that weren’t enough of a tip-off, the FAA records on the plane abruptly changed, with no explanation given. If I recall correctly, the plane then got handed off to another shell company, all the while continuing to violate every international law, treaty, and human rights protection created.

After digging into this story a bit on my own, I was flabbergasted to learn the torture plane in question is based right here at the Johnston County Airport. That’s right. Our flight to torture will be departing from Smithfield today, and barbecue is not on the in-flight menu.

I sent a note a few months back to the editors of Durham’s Independent Weekly, thinking they would be the local media most likely to take an interest in this story. Instead, they inexplicably ignored it. Now WRAL has picked up the lead, covering the Smithfield angle of the story.

I was hoping to find time myself to visit JNX and take a look around, but life being what it is, I haven’t had the chance. I’m glad other news organizations are now picking up the scent.

And let’s get one thing clear here. Terrorists are bad, mmmkay? They deserve to be punished. Terrorist suspects, however, deserve their day in court.

Is some scumbag plotting to blow up a building? That’s a clear threat to security. Get a warrant and put him under watch. Bust him when he steps out of line. Then make a case and prove it in court. If the perp in question is guilty, the case should be a slam dunk. But if he’s not, you’ll avoid making a tragic mistake.

I’m all for law and order. I wouldn’t have volunteered two years for Crimestoppers if I wasn’t. I know that law enforcement have a tough job. The burden of proof is on them. In defense of liberty, however, you can’t tear up America’s most prized posession: the U.S. Constitution. Our liberty exists because of it, not in spite of it.

Innocent until proven guilty. The key word is proven. You prove it, he goes to jail. If you don’t prove it, the guy walks. Even if he is a murderous scumbag. Yeah, sometimes it’s tough building a case, but that’s how the system works. I don’t care to have my constitutional rights abridged for anyone’s convenience. If one loses, we all lose.

I hope the country will one day wake up and realize the sacrifices some made for a little temporary security were too great. I wasn’t optimistic of this, but it gives me hope now that this story is gaining greater exposure.

So go get the bad guys, men. But do away with the secret planes.