The recent decision by the Obama administration to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and other accused masterminds of the 9-11 attacks in New York City is a mistake and should be reevaluated by the Justice Department.
Mohammed, or “KSM”, as the press refers to him, is by his own admission one of the masterminds of the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and the hijackings that occurred on 9-11.
Mohammed freely admits that he played a major role in planning and coordinating the 9-11 attacks. There is no question of guilt to be determined at this trial.
So why have a trial? Because there are two views of the people who committed the 9-11 attacks. The Bush administration believed that the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon were an act of war and that people involved in the attacks were enemy combatants, and therefore should be treated as such. The Obama administration has vowed to treat the perpetrators and their actions as criminal in nature and therefore the accused should be given all of the rights and privileges to someone accused of a crime specified in our system of law.
Having a trial in New York will not accomplish anything except tear wounds that we have tried to heal since 9-11. Families and communities that have tried to move on since the loss of their loved ones- husbands, wives, sons and daughters, will be reminded of that tragic day.
The unrepentant perpetrators of the attacks will be given the opportunity to shout anti-American slogans day after day in court (several have requested to serve as their own lawyer) and be placed on a world stage to spout their extremist views-encouraging more violence and terrorists acts in the United States.
Criminal trials can sometimes take years. Enterprising defense lawyers seeking to delay punishment will tie up the court with motions, filings, subpoenas, and all types of stalling tactics.
Think of the message a criminal trial sends: commit a terrorist act and get a show trial in New York City, the media center of the world, where you can shout from the roof tops your hatred of the United States and spread your propaganda.
Here in Danbury, and in the New York metropolitan area, we are particularly sensitive to the impact of 9-11. Some of our neighbors perished that day, and many of us know some one who has been touched by the tragedy of the attacks.
Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his colleagues deserve one fate-to stand in front of a military tribunal, and since they freely admit to their role in the attacks, accept the punishment that is due them.
No show trial, no motions and appeals, no tv cameras and no court circus.
Swift and speedy military justice.
After all, that is what this country owes the 3000 plus victims of 9-11.
