Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearwater
I trust it indeed. But I think that this whole issue is a litmus test.
It is the very thing that terrorism is targeted against - the belief in freedom and its ability to deliver justice, even under extraordinary conditions as these.
The aim of terrorists isn't to destroy the US physically. It is - as the name implies - about spreading fear and terror, and one of Roosevelt's great for freedomrs is now more important than ever: Freedom of fear. I'm not talking about a naive happy-go-lucky mentaility. But abandoning basic legal principles (i.e. a formal and regular trial) would elevate the terrorists to a status they don't deserve. They must not be given the feeling that, just because they have done an outrageously heinous and despicable crime, they are outside - and in their view above - the American legal system (be it civil or military). I believe devoutly in the United States' legal system and its ability to deliver justice in this case, and if given a chance to prove that it works even in such an extaordinary matter, I'm confident that it will succeed.
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I understand. And I agree with you in principle on a few things here. However, leaving these foreign terrorists in the military justice system wouldn't have done anything to destroy America's principles of legal justice, sense of fairness, or freedoms. I actually think that moving them to the public court system is something that can be damaging to "justice". To be honest, we already see the games beginning with "mental stability" and "fitness" to stand trial. And I think there will be games played in jury selection. I can almost guarantee it.
Not to mention things that may have to come out to prove guilt, which may be damaging to national security. Some dealing with sources and methods. That should concern you. It's not irrational "fear" we're dealing with. Let's leave emotion out of it. It's common sense and national security we need to consider. Military tribunals can deliver justice and fairness. And they don't need to potentially disclose sources and methods out in the open to do so. Nor do they give a stage and soapbox to those who seek it.
As such.....I see this as a grave mistake that the Obama administration is making.