Washington Unplugged

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Unplugged: Pros and Cons Of 9/11 Trials In New York

November 16, 2009 11:47 AM

John Dickerson hosted a roundtable discussion of Eric Holder's decision to prosecute 5 Guantanamo Bay detainees in New York with Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton with National Security Network and Hamilton Peterson with Keep America Safe.

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by nowhiningallowed November 19, 2009 7:55 AM EST
Eric Holder's former law firm has previously defended terrorists in court. It's no wonder, then, why Holder wants the 9/11 terrorists tried in NYC. Is his former law firm representing any of the defendants? Even if they're not representing any, Holder should have recused himself from any type of consideration for this matter.
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by keithlakey November 17, 2009 3:44 PM EST
This points up the new nature of the war against terrorism. We can't even settle on whether the 9/11 attack was an act of war or a crime or, as I believe, something else, partaking of both. We can't even settle on whether those we're fighting are soldiers or criminals. I think that we will come to settled conclusions about these things and that we will become more effective fighting terrorism. This comment is not to complain. It's just to note that events have outpaced our concepts here, and that we are still in the process of finding new rule sets under which we will operate during this fight. The good news is that developing new concepts and rule-sets is one of the things that democracies do best, so, long-term, I'm optimistic. I think that we will prevail and that the terrorists are toast.
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by 6591Hou November 17, 2009 8:02 AM EST
First move by the civilian defense attorneys: Throw out the confessions, and then any evidence disclosed by those confessions.
Second move: Demand the presence of all of the CIA agents and military personnel involved in open court. If they aren't all produced then claim the defense is being hampered by the government.
Somewhere along the line keep making the case that the clients were illegally detained by the last administration. The ACLU will probably have it's staff volunteer to work the case pro bono.
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by Salaam_Shalom November 17, 2009 7:36 AM EST
The criticism of trying the 9/11 accused is so right! Why, we all know they are guilty, why bother? Of course, how can we say they are guilty if they have not been convicted through a trial with due process . . . hmmm . . . oh, the heck with logic, let's just fry the scum. Accused scum, I mean. Er, defendants.
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by 30879 November 16, 2009 10:19 PM EST
The only thing these terrorists have to do, is say in a Civil court that they have not been read their Miranda rights, and nothing they have said can be take into consideration against them. Extreme dissapointment with Mr. Obama, supposed to look after the Americans, instead he is looking after the TERRORISTS. At the same time endagering the life of all New Yorkers, Shame, Shame, on Mr. Obama who doesn't know absolutely anythim]ng, and keeps bowing to royalty when he goes abroad, ridiculing himself and his supposed country. Could somebody teach him the ABC'S of politics?
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by Skirt-Lifter November 16, 2009 7:16 PM EST
It's not a security risk...it's a no-win. It's expensive. The gitmo detainees do NOT belong on our soil. PERIOD.

Both these guys, Maj. Gen. Paul Eaton & Hamilton Peterson made moot points. They are missing the big picture...

Suspected combatants, arrested and detained on foreign soil, need to go on trial in foreign lands, by military tribunal. They don't belong here. It seems so black-n-white to me.

Bringing them to NY, USA can only turn out bad.

If they are found guilty, the Arab-Muslim world will have a rally cry of injustice and martyrs to carry their torches.

If they are found innocent, the Arab-Muslim world will laugh at how weak Americans are...Not to mention how New Yorkers will feel.

What a stupid idea. How can we be so simple minded? I know, I know ... "we have a great judicial system and we must trust it." NO! Our judicial system works in the context of civilian justice, not enemy combatants.

This is truly a monumental brainfart.
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