Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his four co-defendants in the Guantanamo Bay war crimes trial relating to the attacks of September 11, 2001, have issued a six-page statement, in the words of the Associated Press, "to try to justify the killing of nearly 3,000 people." (Link to story here.) In the statement, all five men admit that they are terrorists ("terrorists to the bone" even), admit to preparing the attack plans of 9/11/01, and describe that operation as "blessed."The trial against these terrorists was proceeding under the Bush administration but was stopped when Barack Obama took office. Obama has ordered the closure of the prison at Guantanamo and, according to AP, his administration is "consider[ing] new strategies for prosecuting terrorists."
Here's a new strategy . . . finish the trial that was started. Let these guys, again, admit their guilt. Sentence them for their crimes. And carry out the sentences.
Doesn't seem to require much strategizing to me.
Anybody else getting the sense that this administration is in over its head?
2 comments:
I believe that it is fair for a new president to put the brakes on a process that has been extremely close book and handled poorly from the start until the situation can be re-evaluated.
That being said, these particular individuals have never tried to disput the charges against them. They should have been tried and convicted years ago. That is just part of the failure of the Bush administrations policies towards those that have been held. The fate of these individuals should not now, nor should have ever been in question.
The problem is, they're grouped in with the other 240 residence who's crimes are not so obvious.
If the government can prove a case against them, they too, should have been tried and convicted long ago.
The Bush administration, however, did not have a strategy for the others - those in which they knew they could not prove their case.
And this is cause of the failure. The Bush administration failed due process on those that could be proven guilty because they had no strategy for those they could *not* prove guilty. They failed to charge any of the prisoners for fear that some would fail to be proven guilty. They failed the Constitution of the United States - for all that we stand for.
The current President does not want to continue that mistake, and so is taking the time to re-evaluate the situation. Is that wrong?
It is, however, interesting that those calling for the commencement of due process for these nuts several years ago are applauding President Obama for halting the process.
My post was really directed at the treatment of the five individuals - not all the detainees. I don't have enough information to comment on them. But, yes, the Bush administration acted slowly in the administration of justice as well. You won't get any argument from me.
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