The Presidential Teleprompter
We Are At War So Says Attorney General Eric Holder
Prior to beginning his testimony on Wednesday in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee to explain (or more to the point try to explain) the upside to a civilian trial held in New York City versus a military trial for the five terrorists held at Gitmo, he wanted to first make clear that he is aware that a war is going on. Assuming that is true, he should try and explain that fact to his boss.
In any case, as a mere observer from Ground Zero in the War on Terror (Overseas Contingency Operations), what is the possible upside to a civilian trial for those who are in essence war criminals. Is it so a slick lawyer, the best money can buy with funds from who knows where, can make a mockery of the judicial system with stall tactics, attempts to suppress evidence, civilian jurors who could go either way and assuming that there is a conviction, years to an execution.
Does the Attorney General realize that the Pentagon was attacked as well on 9/11? Why not hold a military tribunal down in Washington where justice can be served, without traumatizing an already traumatized city. Unless of course the President wants to be able to preserve his date nights which could be compromised due to the increased security brought on buy a trial in that town.
Net net, like many of the decisions and non-decisions coming from this White House, it all makes absolutely no sense. All of that said, here are some of Holders statements:
-“There was not a political component to my decision,” -“As a prosecutor, my top priority was simply to select the venue where the government will have the greatest opportunity to present the strongest case.” -“And at the end of the day, it was clear to me that the venue in which we are most likely to obtain justice for the American people is in federal court.” - “First, we know that we can prosecute terrorists in our federal courts safely and securely because we have been doing so for years,” -“Second, we can protect classified material during trial.” -“Third, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will have no more of a platform to spew his hateful ideology in federal court than he would have had in a military commission.” -“Fourth, there is nothing common – there is nothing common – about the treatment the alleged 9-11 conspirators will receive.” -“Finally, there are some who have said that the decision means that we have reverted to a pre-9-11 mentality, or that we don’t realize that this nation is at war. I know that we are at war. I know that we are at war with a vicious enemy who targets our soldiers on the battlefield in Afghanistan and our civilians in the streets here at home.”
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