Miami Seven: terrifying "terrorists" but no convictions

As CNN says, 0 of 7 convicted in Sears Tower terror plot. Stopping terrorists is obviously important, but was this really a very good use of resources and tax dollars? Obviously it was helpful to the Bush Administration who was desperate to have a big terror announcement and scare the hell out of citizens, though I fail to see where this helped the US as a country. Taxpayer dollars aren't there to be used for political manipulation, though the Bush team is perfectly fine with doing just that.