Brainfade Posted February 12, 2010 Posted February 12, 2010 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100212/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_sept11_trial Administration may abandon civilian 9/11 trial WASHINGTON – Attorney General Eric Holder is leaving open the possibility of trying professed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed before a military commission instead of the civilian trial originally planned for New York City. "At the end of the day, wherever this case is tried, in whatever forum, what we have to ensure is that it's done as transparently as possible and with adherence to all the rules," Holder told The Washington Post in an interview published in Friday's editions. "If we do that, I'm not sure the location or even the forum is as important as what the world sees in that proceeding." Opposition from New York officials has forced the Obama administration to reconsider plans to put Mohammed on trial in federal court in lower Manhattan, near where the World Trade Center was felled. City and state officials and many congressional Republicans argue that the high-security trial would put New Yorkers at risk of further attacks, cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars in security expenses and take a staggering toll on nearby businesses. Holder still maintains that a civilian trial would be the best option for the case and "best for our overall fight against al-Qaida." President Barack Obama said in a CBS interview that he hasn't ruled out holding the trial in New York federal court but was taking into account the objections of Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the city's police. Two comments: (1) Mr. President, if you believe strongly enough that a civilian trial is the best way to go, and if it is important enough to you, stand your ground. (2) The fact that you are dithering is a clear indication that you don't really believe that is so. In this case, don't make promises you can't/won't keep.
Lurker Posted February 12, 2010 Posted February 12, 2010 http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100212/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_sept11_trial Two comments: (1) Mr. President, if you believe strongly enough that a civilian trial is the best way to go, and if it is important enough to you, stand your ground. (2) The fact that you are dithering is a clear indication that you don't really believe that is so. In this case, don't make promises you can't/won't keep. I dont think it is either CA. In my experience I have NEVER seen US as divided and partisan as it is today. One can blame Republicans and Democrats for this but it is staggering to see they dont see eye to eye on anything! What could be worse for a country than 26/11?? And both these parties have failed to close the gap on this one. Flip or flop? Who cares? It is the country thats going down the pooper.
Brainfade Posted February 12, 2010 Author Posted February 12, 2010 I dont think it is either CA. In my experience I have NEVER seen US as divided and partisan as it is today. One can blame Republicans and Democrats for this but it is staggering to see they dont see eye to eye on anything! It all started with Bush's narrow "victory" over Gore in 2000-01. Flip or flop? Who cares? It is the country thats going down the pooper. Ya know what the skeptic in my thinks it is? They don't have evidence that can stand up in civilian court unless extremely sensitive classified intelligence is compromised. All the "Mayor Bloomberg and the people of NY are being considered" is hogwash. My point is this: Do NOT make hollow promises before you can factor in the pitfalls.
Lurker Posted February 17, 2010 Posted February 17, 2010 Ya know what the skeptic in my thinks it is? They don't have evidence that can stand up in civilian court unless extremely sensitive classified intelligence is compromised. All the "Mayor Bloomberg and the people of NY are being considered" is hogwash. I am currently travelling and had an absolute gem of a discussion with an elderly gentleman in Albuqurque, NM this weekend. Basically he was lamenting about KSM trial and was clearly disappointed with all that was going on. I am not going to disclose his politicial leanings(they have a funny way of making people pre-judge the arguments), but one thing he mentioned that stood out for me. Basically he mentioned how US is still struggling to put people to trial after almost 9 years of Sept 11. In a sardonic way it was similar to how things moved in less developed countries(he didnt mention India but I knew exactly where he was coming from considering none of the myriad bomb blast perpterators have been brough to books yet). Me and you can argue about whether Obama made a false promise but I would think both of us are on the same page on how long it has taken and what a bad symbolism it has become. xxx
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