Question: Why should terrorists be given the extraordinary protections that you and I have as American citizens by trying them in a civilian courtroom?
This article reveals some eye-opening concerns with the decision by this administration to try terrorists in civilian courtrooms –You Decide:
Giuliani Criticizes Terror Trials in New York–Posted On The NewYork Times.Com- By JOSEPH BERGER-On November 15, 2009:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/us/politics/16giuliani.html
These are pertinent excerpts from this article:
“Rudolph W. Giuliani, mayor of New York at the time of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, said on Sunday that the Obama administration’s decision to try Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the self-described mastermind of the attacks, in a civilian court in Manhattan would unnecessarily cost millions of dollars for security, create legal advantages for the defense and symbolically deny that the United States is at war with terrorism.
“It gives an unnecessary advantage to the terrorists and why would you want to give an advantage to the terrorists, and it poses risks for New York,” Mr. Giuliani said in an appearance on CNN’s “State of the Union.” He also interviewed on ABC’s “This Week” and “Fox News Sunday.”
Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. announced on Friday that the United States would try Mr. Mohammed in the federal courthouse in lower Manhattan, just blocks from where the World Trade Center towers were brought down by the attacks, which killed almost 3,000 people in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania. Mr. Holder said that a military commission would try five other detainees held at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, because they are accused of committing crimes overseas.
Mr. Giuliani, a former prosecutor whose national profile rose after Sept. 11, ran a short-lived campaign for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination and is being talked about as a leading prospect in the 2010 New York gubernatorial race. On “This Week,” Mr. Giuliani said that he would soon decide whether he would run for governor.
Hillary Rodham Clinton, also interviewed on “This Week,” said she had no plans to run for governor and was committed to her duties as secretary of state.
Mr. Giuliani that said Mr. Mohammed and four other accused Sept. 11 co-conspirators should have also be tried by a military tribunal. But his criticism was shrugged off by Mrs. Clinton and David Axelrod, a top adviser to President Obama, in an appearance on the same program. He suggested that Mr. Giuliani was contradicting himself since he had on previous occasions voiced praise for trials for suspected terrorists in civilian courtrooms. “He may have changed his views but we haven’t changed ours,” Mr. Axelrod said.
Mr. Axelrod also pointed out that since 2001, 195 cases of terrorism have been prosecuted in civilian courts and 91 percent of them have resulted in convictions.
Mrs. Clinton, in an interview from Singapore on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” said Mr. Holder’s decision, reached with the concurrence of the Department of Defense, was “comprehensively examined” and “I’m not going to second-guess.”
She noted that New York Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and his police commissioner, Raymond Kelly, have both said that the city would be prepared to handle any trials related to Sept. 11.
Mr. Giuliani argued that military trials were used for enemy combatants in previous wars and that “we wouldn’t have tried the people who attacked Pearl Harbor in a civilian court in Hawaii.” Allowing such trials in a civilian courtroom creates strategic opportunities, like protracted legal maneuvering and changes in venue and increases the possibility of an acquittal, he said.
“To treat this as a act like an ordinary murder that year was a mistake,” he said on “State of the Union.” “It should have been treated as an act of war.”
The decision, he said, was another example of “Barack Obama deciding we’re not at war with terrorists any more.”
“I’m concerned that we no longer believe we’re at war with Islamic terrorists when they’re at war with us,” he said. He added that the administration has been hesitant to label the Nov. 5 deadly shooting of 12 soldiers and a civilian at Fort Hood, Tex., as an act of terrorism, noting that the suspect, Nidal Malik Hasan, had printed a personal business card that used an abbreviation describing himself as a “Soldier of Allah.”
“The administration has been slow to come to the conclusion that Hasan is an Islamic terrorist,” he said on “This Week.” “These are acts of war.”
Told of Mayor Bloomberg’s blessing for the trial, Mr. Giuliani said: “We have a difference of opinion.”
The decision to try Mr. Mohammed in a civilian court was also batted around on CBS’s “Face the Nation” by Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont, the Democrat who heads the Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Peter Hoekstra, the ranking Republican on the House Armed Services Committee.
Mr. Leahy, a former criminal prosecutor, praised Mr. Holder’s decision and said he did not think Mr. Mohammed would obtain an acquittal because he had been subjected to waterboarding during his interrogation.
“With the review that I’ve had of the evidence available, I have no question that they have enough evidence untainted by the waterboarding that will be admissible in court,” Mr. Leahy said. “And he will be convicted.”
Mr. Hoekstra said he feared that Mr. Mohammed and his accused co-conspirators would try to make the trial “a circus” and “use it as a platform to push their ideology.” Why, he asked, should Mr. Mohammed and the other suspects be given “the extraordinary protections that you and I have as American citizens?”
“Yes, I think that’s a bad decision,” he said.
On Sunday, Mrs. Clinton was also asked about the Obama administration’s review of its military policy in Afghanistan, which would determine how many more troops might be sent there. Asked why the decision is taking so long, Mrs. Clinton said on “This Week” that “the majority of Americans will know the president has gone the extra mile to make sure that whatever decision he makes is in the best interests of the country.”
She emphasized that the top priority is to defeat Al Qaeda, not to ensure the viability of the Afghanistan government: “Our highest obligation is to the American people,” she said. “It is to do everything we can to make sure that America is secure, that our allies, our interests around the world are protected. And that is what we’re focused on.”
She said that while it would be nice to see Afghanistan become a functioning democracy — “that could happen,” she added — the primary focus must be on enhancing American security.
“We do not want Afghanistan to return to being a safe haven for terrorism,” she said.
Mrs. Clinton, traveling with President Obama, was also asked about Sarah Palin, the 2008 Republican vice presidential nominee who writes in her new book, “Going Rogue,” that if she and Mrs. Clinton met for coffee, “I know that we would fundamentally disagree on many issues.” But Ms. Palin added: “My hat is off to her hard work on the 2008 campaign trail.”
“I absolutely would look forward to having coffee,” Mrs. Clinton replied on “Meet the Press.” I’ve never met her. And I think it would be, you know, very interesting to sit down and talk with her.”
“I’ve got more than I could say grace over to read, but obviously in the next week there’s going to be a lot of attention paid to her book,” she continued. “And I’m sure that, you know, I’ll see excerpts printed and, you know, snippets of interviews as I, you know, channel surf in, in Singapore and in Shanghai and in Beijing. But, you know, I’m ready to have a cup of coffee. Maybe I can make a case on some of the issues that we disagree on.
Note: The following eye opening article and/or blog post reveals a George Soros funded unincorporated association by the name of “Peace and Security Funders Group (PSFG)”, which was established in 1999 and consists of more than 50 private and public foundations that give a portion of their $27 billion in combined assets to leftist organizations that undermine the war on terror in several interrelated ways, to include one that steadfastly defends the civil rights and liberties of terrorists whose ultimate aim is to facilitate the annihilation of not only the United States, but all of Western civilization-You Decide:
Funding the War Against the War on Terror!-Posted on FrontPageMagazine.com-By: John Perazzo –On October 6, 2006:
http://archive.frontpagemag.com/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=2309
Note:This recent article and/or blog post reveals another disturbing anti-American slant by the DOJ-You Decide:
DOJ Drops Charges Against Indicted Islamic Terrorist–Posted on Judicial Watch-On October 1, 2010:
http://www.judicialwatch.org/blog/2010/oct/doj-drops-charges-against-indicted-islamic-terrorist
Note: These articles and/or blog posts relate to and/or support the concerns revealed in the above article-You Decide:
Time to Fire Eric Holder!–Posted on Floyd Reports-By Guest Writer-On June 24, 2011:
http://floydreports.com/time-to-fire-eric-holder/
National security experts blast attorney general’s claim that lawyers are America’s ‘most effective terror-fighting weapon’!-Posted on The Daily Caller-By Neil Munro-Updated on June 20, 2011:
Why Liberals are Wrong on Osama’s Death–Posted on The Patriot Update- by Nathaniel Davidson-On May 10, 2011:
http://patriotupdate.com/articles/osama’s-well-deserved-end-liberals’-fuzzy-thinking
Obama administration retreats (again) on Khalid Sheikh Mohammed civilian trial; Holder blames Congress–Posted by Michelle Malkin-On April 4, 2011:
Obama Discovers New “Rights” for Terrorists–Posted on Floyd Reports-By Guest Writer-On March 31, 2011:
Pawlenty: Holder Should Resign Over Ghailani–Posted on NewsMax.com-On November 19, 2010:
De Borchgrave: Obama ‘Obviously in Serious Trouble’–Posted on NewsMax.com-By Dan Weil, with Kathleen Walter-On November 19, 2010:
Eric Holder’s War: ‘A courtroom is the wrong place to fight it.’–Posted on National Review Online-By RICH LOWRY-On November 19, 2010:
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/253588/eric-holders-war-rich-lowry
Coercion Is Not Torture–Posted on National Review Online-By Andy McCarthy-On November 19, 2010:
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/253604/coercion-not-torture-andy-mccarthy
Putting P.R. before National Security–Posted on National Review Online- By Mark Corallo-On November 19, 2010:
http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/253606/putting-pr-national-security-mark-corallo
A Time for Strength: ‘The president must fight terror with firmness, not vacillation.’–Posted on National Review Online-By PETER HOEKSTRA-On November 19, 2010:
http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/253589/time-strength-peter-hoekstra
Terror Verdict Tests Obama’s Strategy on Trials–Posted on The New York Time-By CHARLIE SAVAGE-On November 18, 2010:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/19/nyregion/19detainees.html?nl=us&emc=politicsemailema1
First conviction unlikely to help Obama shut Gitmo–Posted on Yahoo News-By MATT APUZZO, Associated Press-On November 18, 2010:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101118/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/us_guantanamo_detainee
Prosecuting Terrorists in Federal Court–Opinion posted on The New York Times-On November 18, 2010:
Ex-Detainee Acquitted on Most Counts in ’98 Bombings–Posted on The New York Times-By BENJAMIN WEISER-On November 17, 2010:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/18/nyregion/18ghailani.html?emc=na
Gov.-Elect Cuomo: Keep 9/11 Trial Out of NY–Posted on NewsMax.com-On November 12, 2010:
http://www.newsmax.com/InsideCover/US-NY-Governor-Sept/2010/11/12/id/376929?s=al&promo_code=B1A9-1
Ed Meese: Obama’s Timid Approach to Terror Hinders Response–Posted on NewsMax.com-By Ronald Kessler-On October 22, 2010:
http://www.newsmax.com/Headline/Ed-Meese-Obama-Terror/2010/10/22/id/374646
Soldier ordered to delete videos of Fort Hood shooting–Posted on World Magazine-On October 15, 2010:
http://online.worldmag.com/2010/10/15/soldier-ordered-to-delete-videos-of-fort-hood-shooting/
Judge Bars Major Witness From Civilian Terrorism Trial–Posted on The New York Times-By BENJAMIN WEISER-On October 6, 2010:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/nyregion/07ghailani.html?hp&emc=na
Critics Blast Obama Administration’s Decision To Read Terrorist Suspect His Miranda Rights–Posted on Personal Liberty Digest-By Personal Liberty News Desk-On May 10, 2010:
Obama Seeks to Ease Rules on Questioning Terror Suspects–Posted on The New York Times-By CHARLIE SAVAGE-On May 9, 2010:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/us/politics/10holder.html?hp
Morning Bell: It Is Time To Prioritize Security Over Terrorist Rights–Posted On The Heritage Foundation-On January 29, 2010:
Administration Considers Changing Terror Trial–Posted On NewsMax.Com-On January 29, 2010:
http://newsmax.com/Newsfront/US-Obama-911-Terror/2010/01/29/id/348379?s=al&promo_code=9658-1
GOP Senate Leader Says U.S. Commanders in Afghanistan ‘Confused’ about How To Handle Captured Terrorists Now That Some Are Tried as Civilians–Posted On CNSNews.Com-By Edwin Mora-On January 13, 2009:
http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/59669
Tens of Thousands Sign Petition Urging Holder to Move KSM Trial from New York-Posted On CNSNews.Com-By Matt Cover, Staff Writer-On January 11, 2010:
http://www.cnsnews.com/public/content/article.aspx?RsrcID=59516
Response to Airliner Attack is Legal Theater of the Absurd-Posted On The Washington Times-By Kim Holmes-On January 7, 2010:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2010/jan/07/holmes-response-airliner-attack-theater-absurd/
Treating Terrorism As An Ordinary Crime:
Accused 9/11 Mastermind to Face Civilian Trial in N.Y.–Posted On The New York Times-On November 13, 2009:
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/us/14terror.html
New York terrorist trial raises stakes–Posted On Politico-On November 13, 2009:
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1109/29486.html
Politicians rip decision on terrorism trials–Posted On CNN Politics-On November 13, 2009:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/11/13/mohammed.critics/index.html
David Paterson: New York Terrorism Trial a Mistake-Posted On CBSNews.Com-On November 16, 2009:
http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/11/16/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry5676119.shtml
Reid: ‘I am at war with your country’–Posted On CNN.Com-On January 31, 2003:
http://www.cnn.com/2003/LAW/01/31/reid.transcript/
Note: The above articles support my recent blog posts-You Decide:
Europe’s Looming Demise: Changes on the Continent Cloud Our Future!
Could Steps That Team Obama Has Taken Be Emboldening Terrorists?
Does Human Rights Law Apply to Terrorists?
https://weroinnm.wordpress.com/2009/05/07/does-human-rights-law-apply-to-terrorists/
Where Is America Today?
https://weroinnm.wordpress.com/2010/05/26/where-is-america-today-2/
Washington Times Calls for Obama’s Impeachment!
https://weroinnm.wordpress.com/2010/08/31/washington-times-calls-for-obama’s-impeachment/
A Nation Adrift Theme and Disclaimer:
https://weroinnm.wordpress.com/2010/01/26/disclaimer/
“Food For Thought”
“God Bless & Keep Our USA Safe”
Semper Fi!
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i agree. Why should u and i pay for their defense!
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Good points, I think I will definitely subscribe! I’ll go and read some more! What do you see the future of this being?
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