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Tuesday
February 2010
9
Community Blogs
cur-mud-geon: anyone who hates hypocrisy and pretense and has the temerity to say so; anyone with the habit of pointing out unpleasant facts in an engaging and humorous manner
Is The Civil Court System The Right Venue?
Attorney General Eric Holder recently announced the Obama Administration's decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM) in New York for his role in the Trade Towers terrorist strike on 9/11. This marks the decision to criminalize what the Bush Administration had chosen to keep in the world of a military tribunal.
Is this the right place to bring this action? Is there a risk that KSM will walk? Has this sent a message to terrorists about the resolve of Americans?
The debate has ensued in a vigorous manner and likely will continue as the trial unfolds. This seems to be a statement aimed at the Bush Administration's handling of terrorists more so than anything else. This seems to be part of the pay back to supporters of Obama to payoff his campaign promises, at least in part. Guantanamo is still open for business, but this will evidence the Obama Administration's commitment to changing the face of America's approach to dealing with terrorists.
Holder sounds certain of his ability to gain a conviction, but is that assuredness simply "whistling in the graveyard" or is it well-founded? There was apparently no Mirandizing of KSM. There were, admittedly, some aggressive techniques employed to gain information. The entire episode to date seems unlikely to be something the civil courts will countenance. The tactics employed with KSM were those that would most likely be permissible if a military tribunal were sitting in judgment, but they certainly do not seem appropriate for a trial in a civil court system.
This whole twist appears, in my opinion, to be fraught with problems that will inure to KSM's benefit, and that seems to me to be contrary to the best interests of our country. Terrorism isn't the act taken by a common criminal, and shouldn't be dealt with on the same basis and in the same manner.
KSM is not a murderer, he and his cronies are war criminals. It is as simple as that. A military tribunal is the only place he and his cronies should be tried. I care not about his Miranda rights, right to a swift trial, right to an attorney, etc. They should be treated as were the war criminals at the Nuremburg trials. They killed civilians and that is a war crime. I will not be politically correct..Take them out and hang them by the neck till they stop wriggling, them throw them in a mass grave. They deserve no better treatment than that
The question should be phrased as: "Is the American justice system the appropriate venue to try criminals against America."
To suppose that these people should be stripped of their rights because they are deemed terrorist suspects, is scary. As it sits right now, I essentially have no rights to privacy if the government deems me a terrorist threat (via the (un)Patriot Act). I guess the Tea Baggers should hope that the government doesn't deem them a threat and ship them off to military tribunals.
Common: Do you think you could bring yourself to not use that pejorative term for Tea Party attendees? Even though many in the "media" seem to think it "cute", it is nothing but a display of ignorance.
Absolutely, is there a short-hand for the Tea Party attendees?
Common must get a talking point fax every morning. It's obvious from the divel that dominates his keystrokes he can't articulate an original thought.
What are you talking about specifically? What show's do you listen to that resonate what I comment? I hardly listen to any talk radio or political tv. If I do I watch O'Reily or listen to Savage.
KMS and the others involve deserve no jury, no trial, no US rights no miranda. He is not a legal citizen, they commited an act of terrorism, premeditated the murder of thousands on US soil, they have earned a bullet to the head and a quick trip to the bottom of the ocean. Same goes for the Fort Hood Gunman!
As for Common's pejorative term for Tea Party attendees, it just shows his maturity level and why I will continue to say that he adds nothing of value when he posts on here....
Well thank you for the compliment that I am not a nodding bobble-head as some are on this site. I appreciate the observation.
Belive me, my opinion of you is not complimentary in the least Common!
What is puzzling to me is the stretch. As far as we know, this guy did not commit the war crime on US soil, only his soldiers did, and they're dead. What would the charge be, conspiracy to commit murder? Did he not commit that on foreign soil?
There are so few parallels in our history. The recent act of the terrorist/treasonist in Texas is not a parallel, perhaps this is most like the directions given to the Japanese pilots who bombed military and civilian targets in Hawaii almost 70 years ago. The attack on the US was sanctioned by Hirohito (bin Laden), but masterminded by Tojo (KSM). Tojo was captured, tried by a military tribunal, and executed at Sugamo Prison.
It is very difficult to identify a difference between then and now.
JAFO: Very interesting parallel you've drawn. Hadn't thought about this in that light; it makes the tribunal seem all the more appropriate.
"It is very difficult to identify a difference between then and now."
the reason it is difficult Jafo, is now everyone is expected to be politically correct, and everyone is expected to treat dirtbags like KSM with kids gloves. Because of the "love everyone attitude", we have become soft on acts like this and Fort hood.\There is no difference between what happened in Hawaii 70 years ago and now! The same thing needs to happen now as well!
Where was the outrage when the Bush administration used civilian courts to put away dozens of terrorists, including "shoe bomber" Richard Reid; al-Qaeda agent Jose Padilla; John Walker Lindh; the Lackawanna Six; and Zacarias Moussaoui, who was prosecuted for the same conspiracy for which Mohammed is likely to be charged??
Tags: Political : Quality of Life : U.S.
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