Breitweiser Bitter, But Pro-Death Penalty 9/11 Family Member "Proud to Be an American"

Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

by Mark Finkelstein

May 4, 2006

'Today' had two 9/11 family members on as guests this morning to react to yesterday's jury determination of life in prison rather than the death penalty for Zacarias Moussaoui. That the family member who expressed general support for the process was relatively unknown, whereas the bitter Bush administration critic, Kristin Breitweiser, is a household commodity, is indicative of MSM coverage in the years since 9/11.

Ironically, it was the family member that was disappointed in the verdict who expressed pride in America and the process, whereas Breitweiser, who got the verdict she preferred, remained bitter.

First to speak was Hamilton Peterson, who lost his father and step-mother on United 93. Katie Couric opened by asking him why he believes Moussaoui should have received the death penalty. Consider Peterson's response:

"Katie, first I'd like to say I am proud to be an American. What happened yesterday in that courtroom speaks well of the United States the world over. The prosecutors did a good job. The jurors did a responsible job. And the integrity of our process was maintained and demonstrated to the world."

But Katie was implacable: "Having said that, you are disappointed I know."

Peterson again declined to rise to Couric's attempt to elicit criticism of the prosecution, which after all is a part of the Bush administration:

"Katie, my personal views are irrelevant. The process which was exercised successfully yesterday and unfolded before the world sends the message what a great system the United States has. And while I am personally disappointed in certain factors, I am proud to be an American."

Contrast this with the reaction of Kristin Breitweiser, who since losing her husband at the WTC on 9/11 has become a ubiquitous press presence with her bitter criticism of the Bush administration. Just last evening in an appearance on 'Hardball', Breitweiser went so far as to imply that former CIA Director George Tenet and two named FBI agents merited the death penalty as much as Moussaoui for their failure to take actions that could have averted 9/11. See report here.

This morning, after a fleeting acknowledgement that "the jury did an appropriate job", Breitweiser immediately trained her sights on her real enemy - the Bush administration. "I think no one seems to be acknowledging the reality here. The reality is our Justice Department prosecuted the wrong person." She went on to name three terrorists in US custoday, and alleged "because of our interrogation techniques of those individuals we are unable to prosecute them."

She also complained that "the 9/11 families have yet to hold one person accountable for these attacks. Three thousand people were killed. We have not prosecuted anyone successfully. Zacarias Moussaoui plead guilty, he plead guilty to charges that were not very directly related to 9/11, and to me that's sad." She granted that Moussaoui was "a terrible person" but claimed there were no legal grounds to execute him. Peterson respectfully disagreed, pointing out that Moussaoui attended flight school but was unconcerned with learning to take off or land and testified that given the chance he would have slit the throats of passengers and crew.

In any case, while Breitweiser deserves understanding and sympathy for her loss, in many ways she has become emblematic of the blame-America-first attitude of many in the MSM and the American left.

Finkelstein lives in the liberal haven of Ithaca, NY, where he hosts the award-winning public-access TV show 'Right Angle'. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Today Show/NewsBusters ping.

[Anti-Bubba182]

"....whereas Breitweiser, who got the verdict she preferred, remained bitter."

And Kerry didn't win! Too bad about her husband, but her fifteen minutes are over. No surprise at all she is AGAIN on the Today show.

[jennyjenny]

I do have sympathy for her and I hope some day she is able to deal with her misguided bitterness. Sadly, I don't think she will, or even wants to.

[SittinYonder]

She went on to name three terrorists in US custoday, and alleged "because of our interrogation techniques of those individuals we are unable to prosecute them."

Is this based in fact or is she pulling this out of air? I don't know what she's referring to.

[Toby06]

Apparently there is good money in prolonging the pain.

[SittinYonder]

Mr. Rove, the first thing that I would like to address is Afghanistan - the place that anyone with a true “understanding of 9/11” knows is a nation that actually has a connection to the 9/11 attacks. One month after 9/11, we invaded Afghanistan, took down the Taliban, and left without capturing Usama Bin Laden - the alleged perpetrator of the September 11th attacks.

This is from Brietweiser's latest rant on Huffington's website. She's not doing much to maintain credibility, is she?

I guess I missed the memo about the troops leaving Afghanistan. Somebody had better tell all those American soldiers still over there.

[Laverne]

This is the line all the libs are talking to now (Spitty Chrissy, Olberidiot, etc). DNC talking points must have hit the streets. Because we "tortured" the baddies, we can't bring them to trial. Bunch of huie pushed by the liberal left who want to hold hands with OBL and AQ and sing kumbaya, blame America, and undermine the WOT.

[prairiebreeze]

It's difficult to know whether to feel pity or disgust with Kristin. I guess I feel a little of both.

Hamilton Peterson has my full respect.

[ConsentofGoverned]

"I do have sympathy for her and I hope some day she is able to deal with her misguided bitterness. Sadly, I don't think she will, or even wants to."
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>.......
Where was this sad widow when Curt Weldon was trying to open the facts of ABLE DANGER?? where was her outrage at the stifling of this important information by lawyers from the Clinton Adm at DOD?? Talk about actions that would have prevented 9/11..she is a dupe.

[Toespi]

Be assured she was bitter before 9/11.

[beyond the sea]

It's difficult to know whether to feel pity or disgust with Kristin. I guess I feel a little of both.

Yeh, you're right, it's tough.

Pity for her and some disgust.......... I'll just say as a middle-aged male, she's pretty damn cute, in a private school girl type way.

;-)

Let's hope she gets her mind in a better place someday soon, she is not doing her deceased husband any favors with her misguided political comments.

[eyespysomething]

I have no interest in "bringing them to trial" if they have info we can get out of them.

I actually have no interest in what's done with them, as long as they aren't released.

[SittinYonder]

Yeah, but do you know who or what she's talking about?

[eyespysomething]

What? I'm now supposed to read the article BEFORE I comment? Sheesh, you nazi!

[eyespysomething]

I bet I know which one sleeps better at night.

[KosmicKitty]

while Breitweiser deserves understanding and sympathy for her loss

Sorry, but this (b)-witch, and mother shee-han, long ago wore out any sympathy I had for them.

Now, I'd like to suggest they find another country to live in, cause I don't want them here anymore and they are so miserable here, I'm sure they'd be happy anywhere else.

[RuyDiaz]

She pulled the same crap yesterday on hardball softball Teeball with Chris Matthews. (Matthews had Breitweiser and another sock puppet on to bash the Bush administration without interruption.) What Breitweiser said yesterday was that since Khalid Shaik Mohammad and two other al-Qaeda guys had not been treated with kid gloves their confessions could not be admitted in court, and thus could not be prosecuted. She was actually dismissive of Moussaoui's conviction, because he was not important enough. Speaking of Breitweiser's 15 minutes of fame; they will never be up as long as she is a photogenic face spewing Bush-hatred. As long as she is useful to the likes of Chris Matthews she will be paraded in front of the cameras.

[Prysson]

Ha..I too was trhinking that her fifteen minutes were up.

[SittinYonder]

What Breitweiser said yesterday was that since Khalid Shaik Mohammad and two other al-Qaeda guys had not been treated with kid gloves their confessions could not be admitted in court, and thus could not be prosecuted

Thanks.