The Fight Over Where To Try 9/11 Mastermind.
Amendment 2669 to the Science, Justice, and Commerce Appropriations bill states that no funds shall be appropriated to the Justice Department for the purpose of prosecuting 9/11 terrorists. Introduced by Sen Graham (R-SC) and co-sponsored by Sens. Lieberman, McCain, and Webb, the bill would essentially mandate the use of military tribunals to try the terrorists. Graham admits that the bill was introduced to stop the administration from prosecuting Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in lower Manhattan. There are reasonable arguments on both sides, but no one is pointing out the most important point.
Senator Graham argues that we cannot treat this terrorist as a common criminal (though praising the previous terror trials in America), that we are at war, that we must not give this man Constitutional rights. Understandable.
Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) says that we can prosecute these guys right here at home, and that it sends a message to the world that Americans are for justice and fairness in all cases, and points to the 195 successful terror convictions previously obtained in American courts. He says let the Commander-in-Chief decide where to prosecute. Reasonable.
We here at realwashington.com feel like many New Yorkers feel: BRING BIN LADEN TO NEW YORK CITY, TRY HIM IN PUBLIC, LET AMERICANS TESTIFY AGAINST HIM, AND EXECUTE HIM RIGHT THERE IN NEW YORK CITY.
Tags: amendment, America, Appropriations, appropriations bill, bill, Commander-in-Chief, Commerce, dick durbin, Graham, HIM, Justice, justice and fairness, khalid sheikh mohammed, lower manhattan, Manhattan, military tribunals, Mohammed, NEW YORK CITY, Science, Sen. Dick Durbin, Senator Graham, terror, Webb
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