Every terrorist in the world is going to know who the judge and jury are. What about their safety? What about their families safety? What about the safety of the community?

He was arrested as a war criminal, what if all civil procedures weren't followed to the letter because of it? What if a very liberal judge lets him off on a technicality or a mistrial? Don't think it not possible, Obama's Attorney General already pardoned a couple terrorists and we all know this administration is soft on terrorism. Heck, they won't even say the word anymore.

He needs to go before a military tribunal and then taken to the firing squad, quick fast and in a hurry.

Chels, how in the world can you call these guys common criminals? They are enemy combatants. This is a terrible decision. I hope and pray that something can be done to stop it.

Originally Posted by Sally Jo

Chels, how in the world can you call these guys common criminals? They are enemy combatants. This is a terrible decision. I hope and pray that something can be done to stop it.

Sally for sure these guys are NOT common criminals. Why are we spending any money on this and giving them a large stage where they can get even more publicity? I can see people protesting , screaming for their release.
We need a place like GITMO.

Originally Posted by dklassen

Every terrorist in the world is going to know who the judge and jury are. What about their safety? What about their families safety? What about the safety of the community?

He was arrested as a war criminal, what if all civil procedures weren't followed to the letter because of it? What if a very liberal judge lets him off on a technicality or a mistrial? Don't think it not possible, Obama's Attorney General already pardoned a couple terrorists and we all know this administration is soft on terrorism. Heck, they won't even say the word anymore.

He needs to go before a military tribunal and then taken to the firing squad, quick fast and in a hurry.

DK, I can absolutely see your point on this and understand your fears, although I don't agree with them. Quite frankly, I don't have my heels dug into the ground on this either way. This may sound harsh, but I would just like to see them executed. I'm sorry if that offends anyone, but those are my feelings.

Chels, on this we agree 100%. The sooner the better. Unfortunately, I don't wee it happening any time soon.

Originally Posted by Sally Jo

Chels, on this we agree 100%. The sooner the better. Unfortunately, I don't wee it happening any time soon.

Putting them on trial in our Federal court system rather than a military tribunal will give their attorneys so many cards to play, AND for years they will have an INTERNATIONAL platform to allow them to get their message out !

and then be treated to a confinement that is better living conditions than they have ever had in their life. Then show the permissive American court system will allow them to live the good life for many years. This has to be second best (or maybe even first) to obtaining 40 vestal virgins with suicide!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

An absolute charade, showing the whole world just how ridiculous some American ways are when it comes to dealing with those who would kill us....without a thought....and now they benefit from one of the most permissive, archaic, slow, agonizing and costly system.......only in America.

btk

This decision by Obama shows again that his style of politics puts the Protection of the Country way down on his list of priorities.

Also it is another step to help Muslims.

Those tactics didn't seem to do Tim McVeigh any good.

I think you underestimate the legal system - granted I can see why. Not everyone is as stupid as an "L.A. O.J. juror"

Are you kidding. If this ends up like OJ and the Obama Administration keeps these terroists in Jail as it seems to be promising then that is the end of our judicial system. Do you thing maybe that is Obama's plan.

Would anyone be surprised if it were?

Yoda

there was a plan. It has not been in the administrations modus operendi to need a plan to do anything....ergo the stimulus bills, the numerous bail outs, the energy independence goal, etc.

Say what they believe needs to be heard in the moment, then move on to the next one. Follow up and deliver? Now that is another subject.

btk

Originally Posted by djplong

Those tactics didn't seem to do Tim McVeigh any good.

I think you underestimate the legal system - granted I can see why. Not everyone is as stupid as an "L.A. O.J. juror"

The OJ case was unique in that the public was able to see and understand much more than the members of the jury. While I remain sure that he did the acts of which he was accused, we saw a top-flight defense team take on the best that the LA District Attorney had to offer. IMHO, the jury was right - on the basis of evidence presented in court, OJ could not be found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

KSM and the others will have unlimited funds to buy the services of the best defense attorneys in the United States - the team will be even stronger than the one in the OJ case. The prosecutors will be good, but good at civil servant wages, not $1,000 per hour and up.criminal attorneys. With the many procedural holes in the government case, I will not be surprised when a verdict of 'not guilty' is reached. I certainly hope I am wrong, but believe this will be the outcome.

"Jury Nullification" has been successfully attacked over the years since O. J. got off because of it. You can't just tell a jury "maybe this happened instead" and posit a number of equally improbably events these days. I saw EXACTLY that attempted in the civil trial where I was a witness (cop shot deranged man, killing him, family was looking for a payout from the city) and the family got *nothing*.

I've got to agree with Chelsea- if we put these animals on trial as "enemy combatants" then we elevate them to the status of martyrs- just what they want and what we DON'T need.

If we treat them like the slime they are and downgrade their importance, they'll still die- but they won't be any bigger in life due to the trials.

Think about it- David Koresh & Ruby Ridge became martyrs to the right wing- and emboldened Timothy McVeigh to commit this nation's second worst massacre.

Capone was tried on income tax evasion- he still spent his life in jail, even if they couldn't prove murder.

The Iraqis kiled Saddam straight out, without affording him the "status" of a state execution- made it harder for him to become a martyr to the Sunnis or Baathists.

I think keeping these small men small will still result in justice, but without us puffing out our chest in vengeance, and thereby making ourselves targets for the next round of would-be martyrs.


Ultimately, are we looking to punish them for the entire radical Islamic movement, which of course will not go away just because they are executed, or are we looking to punish criminal murderers for the crime(s) they committed on 9/11/01? Your view of this will determine the method in which they will be seen in history.