Courtophobia

Why are we so afraid of the courts? The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution clearly states, "In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence."

This amendment has served us well for over two hundred years. Now all of a sudden, it's not good enough. The Obama administration is on the verge of backing down from its commitment to try Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four co-defendents in civilian court. The reasons given are the cost of security and the threat of terrorist reprisals. The real reason is the political pressure caused by fear-mongering from self-serving politicians. If the Obama administration caves on this, it will be a public relations victory for the terrorists.

The original idea was to use the trial to show that we are a nation under law. Trying these people in a military court would send the opposite message. It would show the world that we do not trust our legal system to prosecute offenders. It would also show that we do not trust those entrusted with protecting us to do their job. And the terrorists would use this decision to proclaim that Muslims can not get a fair trial in America. This is not true but when did a silly little thing like the truth ever stop politicians?

I repeat my call to our President, which I make with the deepest respect to the man and his office-GROW A PAIR! Show the world that we respect our Constitution. Show the world that we practice equal treatment for all, no matter how heinous their crimes. Show the world that we have faith in our police and military to keep us safe. Show the world we are still the home of the brave, not the home of snivelling cowards who buckle under pressure. Otherwise, the people who want us to live in fear have won.