Over the past few days I’ve seen the debate on trying terrorists in American courts and I’m shocked by the willingness to even discuss an alternative. Yeah, I get the fact that torture is going to be a part of the trials and the defendants may have a pedestal to advance their foolish beliefs, but my experience with the law is that generally it works pretty well, particularly when both sides are adequately represented.
What strikes me as most unusual is the conservative’s unwillingness to put their faith in the laws of the land, the very land they claim to so patriotically support. I for one have complete confidence in the legal system and can’t imagine anything better for our country than trying these alleged terrorists in the criminal courts of America. Let the world see what American represents and how our justice works.
Sure, there is going to be a lot of litigation on the torture issue, but what did these right wing zealots expect? There is always a cost when basic human rights are violated and the cost in this case is going to be the exclusion of evidence and, possibly, a reduction in sentencing. Nevertheless, I suspect that there is plenty of evidence available that will not be excluded and if the government can’t convict because of excluded evidence the fault is not with the Obama Administration but the preceding administration.
The prior administration had the foresight of an eight year old kid. It lived in the moment without any comprehension that their actions could have consequences in the years to come. And like a kid, they hide behind denials and excuses instead of admitting mistakes and have left it up to the grown-ups to sort it all out while they continue to gripe, complain, and claim the sky is going to fall.
The most recent blurb I’ve heard is from Cheney’s daughter. Evidently, she fears the defendants may use the court as a pedestal to spew their insane dogma. What a gutless, fear-mongering twit. Get over it Liz, your father approved torture and his decisions may hurt the prosecution. Nevertheless, broadcast every minute of the trial. Let the evidence come out. Let the defendants try to explain themselves. And let the trial take its course. Our country is certainly strong enough to withstand a trial of those who planned the murder of 3,000 people and to think otherwise shows a total lack of faith in our government, our Constitution, and our values.