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On Wednesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee met to question Attorney General Eric Holder about his decision to prosecute Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others in criminal courts rather than military tribunals. As the father of Todd Beamer, who died on United Airlines Flight 93, I was able to attend that hearing. What transpired caused me great concern and shook my confidence in our current administration....How can we be assured that these enemies will be found guilty? Given that criminal courts are now the presumed venue for those captured on the battlefield, will soldiers need to read them their rights at...

So why is Attorney General Eric Holder doing this? Ostensibly, to demonstrate to the world the superiority of our system where the rule of law and the fair trial reign. Really? What happens if KSM (and his co-defendants) “do not get convicted,” asked Senate Judiciary Committee member Herb Kohl. “Failure is not an option,” replied Holder. Not an option? Doesn’t the presumption of innocence, er, presume that prosecutorial failure — acquittal, hung jury — is an option? By undermining that presumption, Holder is undermining the fairness of the trial, the demonstration of which is the alleged rationale for putting on...

To try Mohammed in a criminal court is to treat his act as criminal, and coming from a young administration that has already ceased using the phrases ‘terrorism’, ‘Islamic fundamentalism’ and ‘war on terror’ this serves as confirmation for many who, like myself, view the struggle against terrorism and against the oppressions of fundamentalism as the most important international (and moral) task facing our nation. Trying Mohammed in a criminal court is not necessary, and one could argue that he does not deserve to be treated as even the least respected criminal by the United States. He is by every...

If there was ever a more irresponsible decision by a U.S. attorney general than Eric Holder's decision to try the mastermind of the 9/11 terrorist attack and four others as common criminals in a civilian court in New York City, I can't recall it. He is gambling with the nation's security and providing a platform that will give aid and comfort to the enemy at a time of war. And he is doing so with no discernible benefit, least of all to showcase the strength of our judicial system. Does Eric Holder remember the most infamous criminal trial of the...

Attorney General Eric Holder adopted a tough-guy pose when he announced that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four others will be tried in federal court for the most heinous terror attack on Americans in history. “After eight years of delay,” he intoned, “those allegedly responsible for the attacks of September 11 will finally face justice. It is past time to finally act.” Where to begin? The claim that the Bush administration was somehow dilatory sets a new standard for gall, particularly coming from Eric Holder. As former federal prosecutor Andrew McCarthy points out, “The principal reason there were so few military...

WASHINGTON -- For late-19th-century anarchists, terrorism was the "propaganda of the deed." And the most successful propaganda-by-deed in history was 9/11 -- not just the most destructive, but the most spectacular and telegenic. And now its self-proclaimed architect, Khalid Sheik Mohammed, has been given by the Obama administration a civilian trial in New York. Just as the memory fades, 9/11 has been granted a second life -- and KSM, a second act: "9/11, The Director's Cut," narration by KSM. September 11, 2001 had to speak for itself. A decade later, the deed will be given voice. KSM has gratuitously been...

Barack Obama's suggestion that the alleged September 11 mastermind would be convicted could affect the verdict in the trial, legal experts have warned. Remarks by the US president and Eric Holder, the Attorney General, forecasting a conviction for the Khalid Sheikh Mohammed could create unnecessary delays in the trial, analysts said. Defence lawyers were sure to apply to have the charges dismissed after Mr Obama made an overarching effort to reassure Americans that the decision to put Mohammed on trial at a federal court in New York was sound. "I don't think it will be offensive at all when he's...

Attorney General Eric Holder faced tough questions during a Senate hearing yesterday, but the toughest of all came after the lawmakers filed out of the room. Alice Hoagland, whose son, Mark Bingham, was killed in the 9/11 hijacking of Flight 93, politely laid out her own concerns with the plan to put accused terrorists on trial in Manhattan. "I can't help thinking that it does make New York City a more dangerous place and a target and it will give these ugly people . . . every elegant access to all of the media sources in the United States. We...

After his Senate testimony today, Holder was confronted by a woman who lost a son Flight 93. She accused him of giving the military commissions short shrift and enabling a media circus in which KSM will be allowed to rant and put the country on trial. Once again, he failed to address the issue. He tells her he did not give them short shrift and that the defendants ranted in the commissions too. Funny, I don't recall breathless liberal news organizations gleefully giving endless blow-by-blow of those antics. Maybe that is because the military doesn't allow circuses to take place...

<p>Accused 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four others must be, and will be, convicted, Attorney General Eric Holder said Wednesday in defense of his controversial recent decision to try the five alleged terrorists in a federal court in Manhattan.</p>

In fairness to The One, I don’t understand why America’s prosecutor-in-chief can’t express confidence in convicting a guy whom his own DOJ is trying. When Nixon called Manson guilty 40 years ago, he was meddling in a state trial without having seen the evidence. Not so here, but oh well. This is indeed a gift to the defense, although aside from giving the court an extra procedural headache to dispose of, it won’t matter ultimately. No judge is going to free the mastermind of 9/11 on a technicality and no president is going to let the mastermind of 9/11 walk...

Here is video of the mother of a Flight 93 (Mark Bingham) hero who confronted Attorney General Eric Holder today in the hearing room of the Senate Committee today where he had just testified. She did it firmly but graciously and respectfully. Alice Hoagland told Holder - “I take great exception to the decision to give short shrift to the military commissions and to put the five most heinous criminals and war criminals into court in New York City. It will give these ugly people, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Ramzi Binalshibh especially, very eloquent access to all the media sources...

Attorney General Eric Holder's decision to bring self-professed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Shaikh Mohammed and four of his alleged co-conspirators to trial in New York City is a disaster. Barring a repetition in civilian court of an earlier confession, it is at least as likely that the terrorist known internationally by his initials, KSM, will be set free as it is that he will be executed for the murder of nearly 3,000 innocent Americans eight years ago.

Should KSM and other 9/11 terrorists be tried on American soil six blocks from the WTC or by a military tribunal?

For if we are at war, why is Khalid Sheikh Mohammed headed for trial in federal court in the Southern District of New York? Why is he entitled to a presumption of innocence and all of the constitutional protections of a U.S. citizen? Is it possible we have done an injustice to this man by keeping him locked up all these years without trial? For that is what this trial implies — that he may not be guilty.

the White House made up its mind about this six months ago--that would be in May, roughly four months after President Obama's inauguration....why did it wait until last week to make the announcement? That it was the week after an election is bound to raise suspicions that the timing was politically motivated.

Under the Geneva Convention a prisoner of war or a POW is one who is held in continuing custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. Continuing custody means that there is no speedy trial requirement for prisoners of war under the Geneva Convention, they may be imprisoned for the duration of the armed conflict. If a conflict last for 8 to 9 years the prisoner of war, according to the Geneva Convention, can be held for 8 to 9 years and shortly after the conflict is resolved without trial. Any demand to try a prisoner...

The CIA has paid millions of dollars to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) since 9/11, "accounting for as much as one-third of the foreign spy agency's annual budget", says a media report. The ISI also collected "tens of millions of dollars through a classified CIA programme", which pays for the capture or killing of wanted militants, a newspaper reported on Monday citing current and former US officials. An intense debate has been triggered within the US government due to "long-standing suspicions that the ISI continues to help Taliban extremists who undermine US efforts in Afghanistan and provide sanctuary to Al Qaeda...

I can think of a number of motives President Barack Obama might have for his egregious decision to bring Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other high-profile al-Qaida terrorists to New York for trial in our civil courts. Regardless of which motives apply, one thing is clear: Our enemy is at war against us while we are in a suicidal, 9/10 state of denial. I've heard at least three possible reasons for his decision, which fall into the categories of political, ideological and strategic, respectively. These motives are by no means mutually exclusive and are overlapping. My friend Andy McCarthy, at...

Gov. David Paterson openly criticized the White House on Monday, saying he thought it was a terrible idea to move alleged 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other suspected terrorists to New York for trial.

JOIN KSM IN SINGING "New York, New York"

We want to know what you think! Should KSM and other 9/11 terrorists be tried on American soil six blocks from the WTC or for war crimes by a military tribunal?

Five hundred more people died on September 11, 2001, than died on December 7, 1941. The earlier attack was against a military installation, the later attack was primarily against civilians. One was in a distant territory, the other was in the homeland, against what had been our first national capital. One was an act of war, and led to the atomic bombing of our enemy. The other has now been classified a crime, and has led to a civilian trial. And, most likely, an acquittal. In a display of stunning disregard for national interest, the Obama Administration announced last week...

This morning on Fox & Friends, three 9/11 family members debated President Barack Obama's decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other top attack conspirators in a federal court just six blocks away from the World Trade Center. The three were Debra Burlingame, James Riches Sr., and Charles Wolf. (See the video after the jump.)

On Wednesday, November 18, 2009, Attorney General Eric Holder will attempt to explain his decision to bring war criminal Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to trial in Manhattan's federal courtroom six blocks from Ground Zero. This is our Action Alert to you: Americans, it is time to unite, not as Republicans or Democrats, not as Conservatives or Liberals or Progressives. It is time to unite as CITIZENS. President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder have forgotten that their chief duty is the safety and the security of the American people. IT IS TIME FOR US TO REMIND THEM. AG Eric Holder...

In light of Obama's decision to prosecute Khalid Sheikh Mohommed in civilian court, I found it interesting that the US Senate killed an amendment that would have defunded any effort to try anyone in a civilian court, that was involved in the 9/11 attacks. Big surprise - it was killed by Democrats in a 54-45 vote. S.AMDT.2669 Amends: H.R.2847 Sponsor: Sen Graham, Lindsey [SC] (submitted 10/8/2009) (proposed 10/8/2009) AMENDMENT PURPOSE: To prohibit the use of funds for the prosecution in Article III courts of the United States of individuals involved in the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. COSPONSORS(6): Sen McCain,...

While there is ample reason to believe that these will be show trials, I believe, along with others, the show trials will inure more to the benefit of the jihadists. I think they are neither designed for the purpose nor likely to achieve the aim of persuading the Muslim world or anyone else that we are so fair we are willing to sacrifice our best interests for the world’s pat on the head. They are a naked appeal to the left here and abroad who insist on treating war as a criminal act and jihadists as individual felons not worthy...

WASH­ING­TON — Not long after he was roust­ed from bed and seized in a predawn raid in Pak­is­tan in March 2003, Khalid Shaikh Mo­hammed gave his cap­tors two de­mands: He want­ed a lawyer, and he want­ed to be taken to New York. After a near­ly sev­en-year odyssey that took him to se­cret Cen­tral In­tel­li­gence Agen­cy jails in Eu­rope and an Amer­i­can mil­i­tary prison in Cuba, Mr. Mo­hammed is fi­nal­ly like­ly to get his wish. He will be the most se­nior lead­er of Al Qaeda to date held to ac­count for the mass mur­der of near­ly 3,000 Amer­i­cans, fac­ing trial in...

There is obviously a lot of discussion on FR concerning Obama's decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in a civialian trial in NYC. Most of the comments have centered around the horrible possibility of a new terrorist attack against the court or somewhere nearby. I want to focus on another item I haven't seen discussed... what would happen to KSM, etc if the verdict is Not Guilty? Do they walk? Are they deported? As cleared, are they free to roam the streets of NYC? I am being deadly serious... If you open this to the civilian legal system, what would...

WASHINGTON — A nearly empty state prison in northwestern Illinois has emerged as a possible site to house detainees transferred from the Guantanamo Bay military prison in Cuba, the Obama White House told the Chicago Sun-Times on Saturday. Gov. Quinn and Obama discussed the federal purchase of the Thomson Correctional Center when Quinn was in Washington on Nov. 4 and visited the White House. Quinn and Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) will outline proposals for the future of the prison at press conferences in the Quad Cities, Chicago and Rockford on Sunday. Durbin’s office has been quarterbacking the potential sale of...

New York's Death Penalty Law Declared Unconstitutional DPIC Summary: People v. Stephen LaValle On June 24, 2004, New York's highest court held that the state's jury instructions were unconstitutional under the state constitution and that the constitutional defect in the existing statute could only be cured by passage of a new law by the legislature. The Court of Appeals vacated the death sentence of Stephen LaValle, concluding that the jurors might impose the death penalty on a defendant whom they believed did not deserve it simply because they feared that the defendant might someday be released. The court remanded the...

Former Attorney General Michael Mukasey said today that it is highly likely that terrorists will attack New York City as a consequence of the Obama administration's decision to send five alleged Sept. 11 plotters there for trial in federal court. During a question and answer period following a speech to a conservative legal group, Mukasey was asked about the possibility that there might be an escape by one or more prisoners. "The [Metropolitan Correctional Center in Manhattan] is a very secure place....Is it secure? Of course, it’s secure. They’re not going to escape," Mukasey told a conference of the Federalist...

From Sarah Palin's Facebook: Horrible decision, absolutely horrible. It is devastating for so many of us to hear that the Obama Administration decided that the 9/11 terrorist mastermind, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, will be given a criminal trial in New York. This is an atrocious decision. Mohammed and his terrorist co-conspirators are responsible for the deaths of more than 3,000 Americans. Thousands of American families have suffered through the loss of loved ones because of the disgusting attacks launched against the United States, and now this trial venue adds insult to injury, in addition to compromising our efforts in the War...

RUSH: Folks, I'm sorry. I can't get off this decision to bring these terrorists to New York and conduct a trial. This is such an insidious plot. It is such a disaster. Do you realize Barack Obama is tougher on insurance companies than he is on the 9/11 mastermind? I want to know -- Eric Holder -- I'm still struck by things he said in his press conference. "We gotta find a jury of their peers." These guys are not citizens! Who the hell are we going to find that is a jury of their peers? Do you realize we're...

Eric H. Holder Jr. called his order Friday to send the suspected plotters of the Sept. 11 attacks to trial in Manhattan "the toughest decision I've had to make as attorney general." But what the nation's chief law enforcement officer did not lay bare for public consumption was the four months of deliberation, lobbying and tug of war inside his own Justice Department that preceded an announcement that will follow him into history. In his nine months in office, Holder has jettisoned a public corruption case against former senator Ted Stevens (R-Alaska) because of prosecutorial lapses, launched an inquiry into...

I have looked evil in the eye, and here's what the families of the 9/11 dead will see: Gloating goons who lack beating hearts that would ever feel any pang of remorse. If they can stomach it, the relatives of those slain when Al Qaeda surprised a sleepy America on a beautiful fall day in 2001 will get a front-row seat to view the worst mankind has to offer. "I would expect that these trials will be open to the public, open to the world and open to the survivors and victims of these heinous acts," Attorney General Eric Holder...

Candidate Barack Obama urged a return to pre-9/11 counterterrorism-by-courts. President Obama’s Justice Department overflows with lawyers who spent the last eight years representing America’s enemies. Thus, Friday’s announcement that top al-Qaeda terrorists will be brought to New York City for a civilian trial is no surprise. That doesn’t make it any less inexcusable. The treatment of jihadist terror as a mere law-enforcement issue, fit for civilian courts, was among the worst of the national-security derelictions of the Nineties. While the champions of this approach stress that prosecutors scored a 100 percent conviction rate, they conveniently omit mention of the paltry...

November 14, 2009Exclusive: Decision to Try 9/11 Masterminds in New York a Slap in the Face to All Americans Pam Meister In an act that further makes a mockery of the Islamist threat that faces us, the administration has decided that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other Gitmo detainees will be sent to New York City to stand trial in a civilian federal court for their role in the 9/11 atrocity. According to Attorney General Eric Holder, prosecutors will seek the death penalty.   No word yet if Lynne Stewart has offered to be on the defense team.  ...

JERUSALEM – A memorial to the victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks was unveiled in the Arazim park outside of Jerusalem. Commissioned and built by the Jewish National Fund-USA, the memorial commemorates the victims of radical Islam and features a central sculpture in the shape of a waving American flag transformed into a memorial flame. A small piece of wreckage from the World Trade Center resides in a compartment in the granite base. The sculpture is surrounded by a circular, crater-like plaza and reflection area tiled in stone. The Jerusalem monument is one of the first major international memorials to...

<p>Outraged New Yorkers said yesterday that admitted 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheik Mohammed and four other terrorists deserve to be put to death -- and some even volunteered for the job.</p> <p>"Kill them without a trial. Just a bullet in the head and say goodbye. Why waste taxpayer money?" said Thomas Pland, 70, a truck driver from Astoria, Queens.</p>

Audio Interview with General Tom McInerney.

The Obama administra- tion's obdurate refusal to accept the reality of Islam ist terrorism was underscored yet again yesterday when Attorney General Eric Holder announced that 9/11 architect Khalid Sheik Mohammed will be brought to New York to be tried as a common criminal. What an outrage. Mohammed not only admits his role in the worst terrorist attack in American history but actually boasts about it. He should have been stood up in front of a wall and shot years ago. Never mind that the trial of Mohammed and four terrorist associates is certain to devolve into a propaganda circus.

Just as in the Rime Of The Ancient Mariner, Obama has shot the albatross and it will be a curse upon the Democrats for 2010 and into the 2012 election. The albatross is a bird of the sea that is accustomed to following sailing ships. Sailors consider them good luck. In the poem, the Mariner shoots the albatross with a cross bow and kills it. The sailors fearing a curse upon them force the mariner to wear the albatross around his neck in hopes of warding off a curse of impending disaster. It fails and they are doomed. They all...

For those that still refuse to forget!

Should any Jury even allow this to come to a civilian trial?

Congressional Republicans – along with independent Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman – are not happy with the Obama administration's decision to try alleged Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (left) and four other Guantanamo Bay detainees in civilian federal court in New York. "The Obama Administration's irresponsible decision to prosecute the mastermind of the 9/11 attacks in New York City puts the interests of liberal special interest groups before the safety and security of the American people," said House Republican leader John Boehner in a statement. "The possibility that Khalid Sheik Mohammed and his co-conspirators could be found 'not guilty' due...

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed to Be Sent to New York for Trial

In keeping with their campaign promises, the Obama Administration is moving the9/11 terrorists from Cuba to the US to stand trial, effectively giving them the full protection of the US Constitution. Today, A.G. Eric Holder announced that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would be tried, in all places, New York, the very place he is alleged to have attacked on 9/11. Normally one would worry if the accused could get a fair trial in the very place most devastated by the attacks. Wouldn't any jury be biased against anyone accused of killing 2,751 of their neighbors? Wouldn't a quiet city in the...

WASHINGTON -- Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, alleged mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, and four others accused in the attacks will be put on criminal trial in New York, Attorney General Eric Holder is expected to announce later Friday. The decision, described by people familiar with the matter, is part of wider announcement planned on how to bring to justice detainees held at the Guantanamo Bay prison. It's the first set of decisions before a Monday deadline on how to deal with the more than 200 prisoners remaining at the facility, which President Barack Obama has ordered closed.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Self-proclaimed Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other Guantanamo Bay detainees will be sent to New York to face trial in a civilian federal court, an Obama administration official said Friday.