More good news for civil liberties in the Ashcroft era: Jose Padilla, an American citizen accused of supporting Al Qaeda terrorists who has been held incommunicado by the military for more than a year, will be allowed to see a lawyer, the Defense Department said today. But don't get too excited yet: A statement by the Pentagon said the department was allowing Mr. Padilla access to counsel "as a matter of discretion and military authority. Such access is not required by domestic or international law and should not be treated as a precedent," the statement said. And if you do have the gumption to treat it as precedent - you're in for it...