Relevent to this thread:
Ahmed Ressam, the Algerian who was arrested in 1999 with materials and a
plan to bomb LAX airport on New Year's 2000, was sentenced today to 22 years
in prison
<http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_072705WABressamSW.14d92a55.html>
<http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_072705WABressamSW.14d92a55.html>
. He was useful for a while in providing information, but has refused to
assist the US any further in recent months.
It's important that he was caught by our border guards (yay us!), and that
he's locked away. But what's more important is the way his trial was
handled. He is no less a terrorist than Mohamed Atta - just less successful.
And he's much more of a terrorist than Jose Padilla <US citizen 3+ years
without charges>, who has not and likely will not see an attorney because
he's an "enemy combatant". 9/11 didn't change who or what these people are,
it only seemed to change who we are, and that makes me sad.
It seems to make the judge in the Ressam case sad, too. His incredibly
powerful words while sentencing Ressam are below, with no further comment
from me.
The message I would hope to convey in today's sentencing is twofold:
First, that we have the resolve in this country to deal with the subject of
terrorism and people who engage in it should be prepared to sacrifice a
major portion of their life in confinement.
Secondly, though, I would like to convey the message that our system works.
We did not need to use a secret military tribunal, or detain the defendant
indefinitely as an enemy combatant, or deny him the right to counsel, or
invoke any proceedings beyond those guaranteed by or contrary to the United
States Constitution.
I would suggest that the message to the world from today's sentencing is
that our courts have not abandoned our commitment to the ideals that set our
nation apart. We can deal with the threats to our national security without
denying the accused fundamental constitutional protections.
Despite the fact that Mr. Ressam is not an American citizen and despite the
fact that he entered this country intent upon killing American citizens, he
received an effective, vigorous defense, and the opportunity to have his
guilt or innocence determined by a jury of 12 ordinary citizens.
*Most importantly, all of this occurred in the sunlight of a public trial.
There were no secret proceedings, no indefinite detention, no denial of
counsel.* {emphasis switzer's}
The tragedy of September 11th shook our sense of security and made us
realize that we, too, are vulnerable to acts of terrorism.
Unfortunately, some believe that this threat renders our Constitution
obsolete. This is a Constitution for which men and women have died and
continue to die and which has made us a model among nations. If that view is
allowed to prevail, the terrorists will have won.
It is my sworn duty, and as long as there is breath in my body I'll perform
it, to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. We will be
in recess.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/7/27/151137/048
On 7/11/05, Deborah Harrell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > Dan Minette <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
If torture were used on "people who have a real
> chance of providing a lead" in a genuine "ticking
> bomb" circumstance, by those who _know_ both quoted
> conditions are true, it would meet my 'practical
> idealism' requirements. I also factor in 'what would
> *I* be willing to do' in that situation -- is the
> potential payoff (in terms of saving lives) worth the
> stain on my soul (or spirit, or heart, for the List's
> Unsouled ;} )? I am reasonably sure that I am
> capable of killing or even torture if I was certain
> (1)that lives would be saved (2)the targeted person
> was not an innocent (to the best of my knowledge)
> (3)the conditions in quotes above exist. I am quite
> sure that I'd vomit to the point of bleeding dry
> heaves afterward, and have nightmares for a very long
> time, if not the rest of my life.
and she replied
The season finale of "24" addressed just exactly that
> scenario (nuclear device stolen by terrorists, one of
> whom "Jack" has his hands on -- and tortures).
The interesting thing about *24* is that torture was used in several
instances for the reasons Dan believes it could be justified but really did
not give accurate information. There are many problems with torture and once
you justify it for one case you will find it used for a great many. (I
finished moving out - not really moved in yet.)
--
Gary Denton
http://www.apollocon.org June 23-25, 2006
Easter Lemming Blogs
http://elemming.blogspot.com
http://elemming2.blogspot.com
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