win or loss, my perspective.
well, here we are. its may 2006 and a 'big step' in the 'war on terror' has come and gone. Zacarias Moussaoui has been convicted as a 9/11/2001 conspirator, of some unknown type. is it a win or a loss? what does it mean for america, for the 'war on terror', for the world?
well this little rant is my perspective. i have been mulling it over in the shower and while laying around complaining about my ribs over the last couple of days. i am not really sure what to make of it, honestly. i have very mixed feelings, for many different reasons.
i will work backwards in my thoughts.
to execute or not to execute
for those of you who know me, probably know that i am not too excited about a full jury system. juries are often crazy and do strange things! it bothers me. they are far from fair. on a good day you can convince a jury of nearly anything. here, however, the jury seems to have worked well and does not appear to have been influenced by any outside influence.
i was personally convinced that the jury would have fallen victim to the neo-nationalism that is rampant in america. the jury heard lots of testimony from various witnesses, victims of 9/11/2001 and from the defendant himself. they were able to wade through the testimony and consider all federal mitigting circumstances succesfully. the jury came back to find that the defendant should not be put to death!!! this should make many people around the world quite happy considering the USA is one few countries in the world with the death penalty. It is quite important for our world image to change for the positive. i look forward to the public relations coup this will be for americans. Zacarias Moussaoui will not be made a martyr for the cause. he will live a long life confined in supermax. perhaps as time passes, and society changes, we may view him differntly and have the opportunity to adjust our penalty imposed upon him.
the bush administration seemed quite disappointed. as if this was a loss. the presidents comments seemed indignent and immature. as if the system failed. this was the wrong view. the ultimate verdict should have been considered a win, the system played its course, the law was followed to an equitable result, as far as the penalty phase is considered. honestly, i am disapointed at any pundit who attacks this jury verdict!
well. my thumb is tired. i'll finnish this later or tomorrow...
well this little rant is my perspective. i have been mulling it over in the shower and while laying around complaining about my ribs over the last couple of days. i am not really sure what to make of it, honestly. i have very mixed feelings, for many different reasons.
i will work backwards in my thoughts.
to execute or not to execute
for those of you who know me, probably know that i am not too excited about a full jury system. juries are often crazy and do strange things! it bothers me. they are far from fair. on a good day you can convince a jury of nearly anything. here, however, the jury seems to have worked well and does not appear to have been influenced by any outside influence.
i was personally convinced that the jury would have fallen victim to the neo-nationalism that is rampant in america. the jury heard lots of testimony from various witnesses, victims of 9/11/2001 and from the defendant himself. they were able to wade through the testimony and consider all federal mitigting circumstances succesfully. the jury came back to find that the defendant should not be put to death!!! this should make many people around the world quite happy considering the USA is one few countries in the world with the death penalty. It is quite important for our world image to change for the positive. i look forward to the public relations coup this will be for americans. Zacarias Moussaoui will not be made a martyr for the cause. he will live a long life confined in supermax. perhaps as time passes, and society changes, we may view him differntly and have the opportunity to adjust our penalty imposed upon him.
the bush administration seemed quite disappointed. as if this was a loss. the presidents comments seemed indignent and immature. as if the system failed. this was the wrong view. the ultimate verdict should have been considered a win, the system played its course, the law was followed to an equitable result, as far as the penalty phase is considered. honestly, i am disapointed at any pundit who attacks this jury verdict!
well. my thumb is tired. i'll finnish this later or tomorrow...