Letter in favor of the 9/11 Planners' Trial in New York City

[brasswatchman]

Letter submitted tonight to the Cleveland Plain Dealer:

Let me be blunt: I can see nothing more fitting than for the planners of the September 11th attack to be tried as common criminals in New York City.

The Republicans have been whining that military tribunals are somehow safer. On the contrary, allowing these men to be tried and convicted behind

Comments

[brasswatchman]

One thing that bothers me, though, is the way everyone is already referring to these people as "guilty", saying things like "they should be executed for what they did", before the trial begins. Isn't that a little premature? Yes, I know that there have been several confessions, but still, I figure it's up to the courts to determine guilt. Until the courts prove them guilty, I'm going to presume them innocent.

Anyways, it would be impossible to find an impartial jury anywhere in the U.S., but New York City seems like an incredible hostile environment for the trial. Situations like this are the reason that change-of-venue laws exist.

That's... a fairly good point, from both of you. I guess I have been giving the Bush Administration the benefit of the doubt - I figure that if they fought so hard to get this guy and keep him locked up at Guantanamo, they at least made sure that they had the right guy. Then again, considering their track record, maybe that's not a smart assumption on my part.

Anyway, concerning the possibility of grandstanding - I'll admit that it's a calculated risk giving these guys the public spotlight, but I honestly still believe it's the right choice here. One of Al Qaeda's strengths has been its mystique as a secret organization. We don't get to see all of their screwups and infighting, the way we do with the US government - only their successes are visible. Barely anything is known about their leadership and their personal flaws. This allows them to cultivate whatever image they choose. I'm betting - as is the president, as far as I can tell - that that image won't stand up to the reality of who these men really are. It's a risk, but at this point it may be a necessary one.

Also, update here: I got a call from the Plain Dealer earlier in the week. They're thinking about publishing it. We'll see what happens.