I’ve read through a lot of the give and take over the decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in New York City and I have to admit, I’m still baffled.<\/p>\n
Why is it even a question whether or not terrorists should be brought to trial? And why is Rudy Giuliani, a former Federal prosecutor, opposed to the idea?<\/p>\n
America’s criminal justice system represents one of the highest and strongest ideals of our democracy. <\/p>\n
Even the worst of the worst are granted their day in court. <\/p>\n
As a society, we share the facts of the case. We educate ourselves about the motives and the horror behind the crime; and we collaborate in the punishment meted out.<\/p>\n
Some critics have suggested that in this case justice should be handled in a military court setting. I couldn’t disagree more.<\/p>\n
The US military is already bearing a large enough burden in the post 9\/11 world. Frankly, we have too often taken the easy way out since that terrible day. <\/p>\n
Rather than think and deliberate and search for the most effective strategy for protecting America’s people, we have simply handed over task after task to our service men and women.<\/p>\n
This represents a failure of our civilian leadership and of our collective courage as a people. A potentially dangerous one. <\/p>\n
The truth is that it’s time for a collective re-examination of many of the concepts that shaped the current ‘war on terror.’ <\/p>\n
It’s time to rethink what has been primarily a military strategy for combating terrorism.<\/p>\n
Some will argue that thinking, re-evaluating, debating is unacceptable — a sign of weakness, un-American.<\/p>\n
But that old dodge is wearing thin. In fact, the US military has already begun its own internal review of the mistakes made over the last eight years.<\/p>\n
Hopefully this trial will be a first sign that America’s civil institutions are also regaining confidence.<\/p>\n
At our best, we are a society of laws and institutions. We are a culture where the “hang ’em high” mentality expressed this week by former governor Sara Palin is tempered by respect for such principles as habeas corpus and due process.<\/p>\n
In the end, I have little doubt but that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed will be found guilty and condemned to die. <\/p>\n
How we reach that goal will say as much about us as it says about him.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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