The Wall Street Journal said in an editorial, regarding the Padilla case, that "the lawyers suing for Padilla aren't interested in justice.

But some lawyers said they were troubled by the legal maneuvering in the Padilla case.

After the Padilla case, in particular, it was revealed that there were over a thousand car accidents a year involving US military personnel in Okinawa.

The Padilla case illustrates the seemingly improvised and reactive nature of the administration's strategy.

"It's unadorned of any mitigation from the government perspective," Mr. Brill said of the Padilla case.

Mayor Wayne Hippo and other members of the Council have said the Padilla case had nothing to do with the city's ordinance.

They are seeking to keep their options open," said David D. Cole, a law professor at Georgetown, "by avoiding Supreme Court review in the Padilla case.

The judges warned that the administration's behavior in the Padilla case could jeopardize its credibility before the courts in other terrorism cases.

He used the word "appearance" several times in explaining why he believed the government's approach in the Padilla case raised suspicions.

The Padilla case was supposed to be an example of why the administration needs to suspend prisoners' rights when it comes to the war on terror.