Military commissions are American justice

The Star’s editorial “Let’s show the world how justice is served” (11/19, Opinion) implies that a public trial, even with its intelligence disclosures and world stage for the terrorists, is as simple as trying Khalid Shaikh Mohammed before Judge Judy.

Military commissions have long been used and have been endorsed by both parties in Congress. They are American justice, dating back to when President Roosevelt ordered them for war criminals in World War II.

This naiveté, that a public trial is the only form of American justice, pales in comparison to the suggestion that, by holding show trials, we will be “returning to the rule of law.” The attorney general has already promised that even if the five terrorists are acquitted, they will continue to be detained. I doubt the American Civil Liberties Union will be impressed.

Moreover, past trials of terrorists like the Blind Sheikh turned out to be a recruiting tool for terrorists who saw in the editors’ "beacon of freedom" only a target beacon.

U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts
R-Kan, former chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee
Washington

Comments

[Greghand]

Ted I think Roberts was referring to the revealing of the methods in which the U.S. used to apprehend the suspects. A civil/public trial may expose our secretive measures where as a military trial would not.

[ggbridge]

We're going to embarrass America by relying on our criminal justice system? That's a sad state of affairs. It can't be more embarrassing than our so-called democracy, the beacon of freedom in the world, holding prisoners without charges for 8 years. I'm sure Al Queda will be sad to see Guantanamo go as it's been such a successful recruiting tool for them. Thank god that hell hole is being closed down.

[Kee]

All due respect Ted just a few questions.

President Obama guaranteed they would be found guilty and executed. How is this a fair trial?

None of these "defendants" have been Mirandized. If they are convicted does that mean Miranda warnings no longer apply to the rest of us? Or couold they be acquitted because of Miranda?

The US will have to grant defense motions to disclose "unindicted coconspirators" as we did in the trial of the Blind Sheik, thus disclosing all our targets for future terrorism. Is this a good thing?

How did the AG "order" the Sy of Defense to turn over these prisoners to him? I mean he does not command Sec Def. The President had to order this. Why has Obama denied repsonsibility?

If terrorists attack NY during this "trial" and there is a loss of life, on whose head will lay the fault?

Senator Roberts is too polite to point out this is simply another way this jack leg President has found to attempt to embarass America. Shame on him.

[Ted]

I think you are just playing more politics. I see no reason that people who are charged with killing thousands of Americans should't be tried in our courts. As far as the recruiting tool goes, I think our invasion of Iraq gave them all the recruiting marketing tools they needed.