Show Trials Will Inflame the Muslim World

Dick Morris gives his perspective on the decision to try Khalid Sheik Mohammed in a NYC civilian court and the horrors which go along with this decision.

PAINTING A BULL’S EYE ON NEW YORK CITY
By Dick Morris And Eileen McGann

"President Obama’s decision to put Khalid Sheikh Mohammed on trial in New York City along with four others accused of helping destroy the World Trade Center and attack the Pentagon on 9-11 paints a bulls-eye for terrorists right on New York City, their favorite target. Now Obama has identified where the terrorists should focus their energies – on New York City.

His decision to bow to political correctness and not to try Mohammed at a secure military base and to try him in a civilian court, according him all the rights of an American citizen, raises important questions:

Most importantly, is the admissible evidence against Mohammed damning enough to secure a conviction? The evidentiary requirements protecting an American citizen on trial are far stricter than those which would apply to an enemy combatant before a military tribunal. We already watched how the twentieth hijacker, Zacarias Moussaoui escaped the death penalty because the evidence the government could use against him in a civilian criminal court was limited by his civil liberties. As a result, the data from his computer, which had not been seized pursuant to the Fourth Amendment, could not be entered into evidence against him. Failing such evidence, the feds had to settle for a life sentence.

Since much of the evidence against Mohammed was gathered through interrogations before which he may not have been read his Miranda rights and during which he may have been water-boarded, one wonders how much of his statement that he was the mastermind of 9-11 is going to be admissible. It could be that he will use the very constitution of the very government he seeks to destroy to protect himself from the death penalty or even life in prison.

The decision to try him in a civilian court also confronts the Department of Justice with a difficult decision on how much of the evidence against Mohammed should be aired publicly. Our anti-terror investigations depend on secrecy and the FBI and Homeland Security agents may not relish having their methods publicized in open court. There is even the possibility that there will be a global backlash in favor of Mohammed as his defense lawyer – paid for by the American taxpayer – will make him appear to be the victim of over-zealous investigators and prosecutors rather than the perpetrator of one of the greatest mass murders in history.

In any event, President Obama is affording the terrorists exactly what they wanted in the first place – a global stage right near New York’s theater district. The very goal of terrorism is to attract world-wide attention and, by trying Mohammed in a civilian court in the middle of New York City, President Obama is giving them the stage they want on which to articulate their perceived grievances.

Finally, there is the disturbing question of what will happen if Mohammed and/or his some of his confreres are found to be not guilty. Where will they be released? Will they walk out of the courtroom free to prowl the streets of New York, their transportation having been paid courtesy of the taxpayers? Will they be flown to Afghanistan to resume their plots against our government and our people, again at taxpayer expense?

What Obama should have done was to try Mohammed before a military tribunal, without the full rights of an American citizen (which, of course, he is not) and, after a guilty verdict, executed him. But this president bows before political correctness above all else and he may just have done Mohammed and al Qaeda a big, big favor."


Watch this from Atlas Shrugs:



What about that full military trial, Mr. President? Oh, how he loves to lie to you. Oh, how he loves to lie to me.

This nonsense will backfire on President Obama because the American people will not support this circus which is coming to NYC, all on our dime, I might add. When is our leader going to recognize that the Bush Administration is a thing of the past and not our enemy; instead, it is many of his Muslim brethren whose behinds are chapped from all the butt-kissing that has been going on since January 20, 2009.

Besides, isn't he trying to win the hearts of the Muslim world? This tactic sure won't advance his cause. Wait until the defense attorneys turn this show trial against America and inflame the radical Islamists. That'll sure work.

Perhaps, this new storyline about Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is just another ploy out of Alinsky's "Rules for Radicals". Distract the opposition in order to pass a snake oil healthcare rationing bill. One thing for sure--he is exciting his base--the loony left.

I continue to wonder whose side Barack Hussein Obama is on. Who does he represent deep down in his heart? America or the Islamic world? I am certain that it is not the former.