Terrorist Ressam gets 22 years (Our fine legal system at work)

CBS News/Associated Press ^ | 07/27/2005 | CBS/AP

[HowDareYouQuestionMy]

The Algerian man convicted of plotting to blow up the Los Angeles airport on the eve of the millennium was sentenced Wednesday to 22 years in prison.

Ahmed Ressam got a lighter sentence than prosecutors had requested, reflecting his cooperation in telling international investigators about the workings of terror camps in Afghanistan. ... In sentencing Ressam, U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour said he hoped to balance U.S. resolve to punish potential terrorist acts with Ressam's cooperation. Coughenour also said he hoped to send a message that the U.S. court system works in terrorism cases.

"We did not need to use a secret military tribunal, detain the defendant indefinitely or deny the defendant the right to counsel. ... Our courts have not abandoned the commitment to the ideals that set this nation apart," he said.

[HowDareYouQuestionMy]

Oh, yes, the California court system worked like a charm.

[HowDareYouQuestionMy]

Pardon me, I meant the WASHINGTON court system.

[vpintheak]

What a crock. This guy is never going to be rehabilitated. He will only become more extreme and do some real damage when released early for "good" behavior.

[Res Nullius]

In case you're interested: the judge in question is a federal judge in the Western District of Washington; not a state judge. Second, Ressam spent several months in debriefings with the government. I have no way of knowing what information he provided but, apparently, you do.

[EternalVigilance]

Actually, he was cooperating with the government, and handed over some terrorists. But, he has since quit cooperating.

And, his cooperation was never complete.

He signally failed to turn over the animals who destroyed the WTC, and some other key figures, even though he had trained with them in Afghanistan.

[EternalVigilance]

This judge is an example of why no Democrat or RINO is qualified to ever sit in the Oval Office again.

American lives depend on it.

[pleasedontzotme]

Why is he an example of that?

[EternalVigilance]

Why is he an example of that?

Because he felt the need to make a left-leaning political statement along with his decision.

"We did not need to use a secret military tribunal, detain the defendant indefinitely or deny the defendant the right to counsel..."

And President's pick judges, you know...

[A.A. Cunningham]

He was appointed by Reagan. Who in the hell was vetting judicial nominees for the Gipper.

http://air.fjc.gov/servlet/tGetInfo?jid=516

Coughenour, John C.

Born 1941 in Pittsburgh, KS

Federal Judicial Service:
U. S. District Court, Western District of Washington
Nominated by Ronald Reagan on August 11, 1981, to a seat vacated by Morell E. Sharp; Confirmed by the Senate on September 25, 1981, and received commission on September 28, 1981. Served as chief judge, 1997-2004.

Education:
Kansas State College of Pittsburgh, B.S., 1963

University of Iowa College of Law, J.D., 1966

Professional Career:
Private practice, Seattle, Washington, 1966-1981
Assistant professor of law, University of Washington, 1970-1973

Race or Ethnicity: White

Gender: Male

[Lurking Libertarian]

This judge is an example of why no Democrat or RINO is qualified to ever sit in the Oval Office again.

You do know who appointed this judge, don't you?

[EternalVigilance]

Who in the hell was vetting judicial nominees for the Gipper.

RINOs.

First exhibit: O'Conner...

[EternalVigilance]

Yeah, I know. Doesn't change the truth in what I said at all.

If we can't even trust a Reagan appointee, how much less the appointee of a lesser mortal?

[EternalVigilance]

It would be interesting to know what his vote tally for confirmation was in the Senate. I looked a little, but couldn't find it. Frankly, I don't have time today to dig any deeper.

[Lurking Libertarian]

Nominated in August and confirmed in September-- must have been a unanimous confirmation.

[EternalVigilance]

That would be my guess as well.

[HowDareYouQuestionMy]

Sorry about that. It was the U.S. District Court, not a state court. My apologies for that inexplicable error.