Remember the case of Jose Padilla? He was the American suspected of plotting to launch a dirty bomb inside the United States. Today a federal judge said the United States government cannot hold Padilla as an enemy combatant without charges.

“The court finds that the president has no power, neither express nor implied, neither constitutional nor statutory, to hold petitioner as an enemy combatant,” Floyd wrote in a 23-page opinion that was a stern rebuke to the government. Floyd, appointed by Bush in 2003, gave the administration 45 days to take action.

“We think that this is a wonderful decision,” said Padilla’s attorney, Andy Patel, as Padilla waited on another line. “It is one of those moments that all Americans should be proud of.”

I, Mr. Patel, am not proud of this decision. Actually it makes me sick that yet another judge has decided to disregard public safety. Padilla is held as an enemy combatant for good reason; intelligence and investigation showed he was plotting a dirty bomb attack. As with all intelligence cases, the methods and actual intelligence gained can and usually is confidential. What this judge has done is ordered the United States government to open up and show its deck of cards.