Larisa Alexandrovna: "9/11 Trials - Fear Of Justice Or Fear Of Truth?"

[Hissyspit]

http://www.atlargely.com/atlargely/2009/11/911-trials-fear-of-justice-or-fear-of-truth.html

November 14, 2009

9/11 Trials - Fear of justice or fear of truth?

A group of men commit a horrible mass murder. Still others helped in the planning of the murder. Law enforcement apprehends the surviving individuals allegedly involved in this horrible crime. A trial is to take place in the city where this mass murder occurred, which gives the surviving victims and the families of those killed a chance to witness justice for their loved ones.

Unless of course you live in nowhere- near -the -scene -of -the- crime, US; read the Wall Street Journal editorial pages, and watch Fox News. Then bringing the alleged plotters to justice is far too scary.

Such is the reaction of the far right to the news that the alleged plotters involved in the 9/11 attacks will be tried in a court of law and in NYC - the city in which this mass murder took place.

Front and center in the ridiculous outrage is Rep John Boehner (R-OH):

"House Republican Leader John Boehner (Ohio) says the Obama administration is putting "liberal special interests before the safety and security of the American people" in deciding to bring the 9/11 mastermind to the United States for trial in federal civilian court."

Boehner lived in Ohio during the attacks and still lives in Ohio. Unless geography has drastically changed and I missed an important event in which Ohio somehow merged with New York, then Boehner's reaction is entirely unwelcome.

A crime was committed in NYC, NY. The victims of that crime and the families of those killed want justice. The alleged plotters of that crime are to be tried in the city where the crime was committed, bringing closure to a city attacked and to the victims and families of that attack. How is Ohio in any way related to this situation?

If the people of New York are okay with allowing the rule of law to hold those who attacked them accountable, then why is a congressman from another state so outraged? Moreover, the rule of law is what this country is based on. Would Boehner prefer we do it is the Soviet way - simply disappear the suspects? Well, the Bush administration tried that and look how well such a move was received by the American people in particular and the world over in general.

Let me put this another way, below is a view of my neighborhood in NYC, where I lived in the Financial District. The photo was taken a few weeks after the 9/11 attack:

This is my horror and this is my nightmare. If I am not remotely frightened of bringing these men to justice, why is Boehner? Moreover, what right does Boehner have to tell me that I don't deserve justice for the loss of my neighbors and friends? Two people I lost were a young couple who lived across the hall from me. We became very good friends and knew each other for a few years. They went to work on 9/11 and never came home again. Who is Boehner to tell me or the families of those two wonderful people that we cannot have justice?

The Truth of It

Or perhaps he is not actually frightened of the suspected terrorists themselves? Perhaps what Boehner and other Republicans are really frightened of is the truth that will come out during the trials? Just think of the world coverage of these trials and consider how the facts might make Congressional Republicans look after the eight years they spent supporting every Bush administration policy.

Think of the evidence that will be presented, flimsy in some cases. Think of the tortured confessions. Think of the possibility that because of the Bush administration's war on terror policies, some of these men might actually walk free, rather than be held to account. So much for the only platform the GOP has to sell to its constituents - national security.

The dim-witted, bigoted, and uber-nationalistic will of course parrot the fear talking points because they don't know any better or if they do, they don't much care for either justice or truth. But their leaders in the GOP know exactly what they are doing.

They are hoping to deny NYC justice in order to save the GOP from accountability for their own failed and illegal policies - policies which are not remotely effective in fighting terrorism.

Glenn Greenwald approaches this issue from another perspective, which I urge you to read.

Mods, Reproduced in Entirety w/ Permision.

[malaise]

1. Fear of truth

Next.

[tularetom]

2. If we don't try them, we can't fry them

That sentiment ought to appeal to the fearful and vengeful right wingers. They want to kill people in the worst way, and probably these guys more than anybody; So why would they want to oppose trials for them?

[Sinti]

3. K&R n/t

[babylonsister]

4. Rec'd! nt

[annabanana]

5. k&r. . . . . n/t

[Canuckistanian]

6. I tried to leave a response on Red State

But apparently, you need a registration. No way I'm doing that.

Here was my message:

What a bunch of cowards

Britons in World War II during the bombing of London would have laughed you out of the room if you ever tried this line of reasoning.

"This is an open invitation for an attack on NYC "

"The terrorists hate our way of life, but have no trouble using our own system against us."

"Washington Liberal “do gooders” are gambling with my life"

NEVER would I have guessed at such a fearful, trembling response to a SINGLE MAN in this brave he-man world.

Where the H*** are your spines?

[Ohio Joe]

7. Well...

I agree with the decision to try them in a court of law. The crime of 9/11 should never have been handled as a military matter and should have been a criminal matter from the start. I find it unlikely that any of them will walk free though or that any prosecuter would be stupid enough to even attempt to use any evidence that would obviously be thrown out. I don't think that is what the repugs are afraid of at all. I think what they are afraid of is seeing President Obama succeed where that douchebag bush failed.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. It's actually very simple

Obama needs to let the terrorists go. That makes him look bad, which fits the wingnut agenda. Once free, the terrorists are free to attack America again, which feeds the dwindling wingnut fear agenda.

[Hissyspit]

9. late-night kick nt

[chill_wind]

10. Afternoon K & R.