A.P. photo/ Intel Center -- How looks are deceiving! He looks wholesome.
A few weeks ago, we speculated about the effect on Radical Muslim terrorism by trying arrested terrorists in U.S. civilian courts. The current underwear-bomber’s arrest turns speculation into certainty.
Because Umar Abdulmutallab was brought before the civilian judiciary, he had to be read his Miranda rights: “You have the right to be silent.” His lawyers insist on it. He refuses to be explain what happened.
Prompt interrogation is important. Does he know of other plots? Who prepared him? Where are they and their supply of explosives? How did he evade airport security measures? Timely information could enable counter-terrorist action that may save lives and help defeat international terrorism.
After he is convicted, he may be interrogated. That may take years. By then it would be too late. For example, a prior case tried in civilian courts was that of Zacarious Moussaoui. That case took three years. His case was cited as a triumph of our civilian judicial system against terrorism. Massaoui might not even have been convicted, given prosecutors’ reluctance to let sensitive intelligence be seen by adversaries, but he pled guilty. Some triumph!
President Obama deplores human blunders that let the underwear-bomber get as far as he did. My source focuses on Obama’s blunder that hinders acquiring intelligence from prisoners (Victoria Toensing, Wall St. J., 12/31, Opinion).
(For related discussion, see prior article)
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