Senator Conrad: If You Don’t Believe in Civilian Court Trials for Terrorists, ‘Go Somewhere Else’

CNSNews.com ^ | November 25, 2009 | Matt Cover

[Man50D]

Since Attorney General Eric Holder announced on Nov. 13 that five suspects in the 9/11 attacks would be tried in a civilian court in New York City instead of a military tribunal, Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.) told CNSNews.com that civilian courts are well-suited to prosecute al Qaeda terrorists and that "if people don't believe in our system, they ought to go somewhere else.”

Conrad also dismissed a question about the rights of terrorists captured on foreign battlefields and the rules of evidence in terms of a civilian court trial as not serious.

On Capitol Hill on Nov. 19, CNSNews.com asked Conrad: “We’re going to have a civilian trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. If our troops -- the evidence against him is going to be found in Afghanistan, there on the battlefield -- if our troops need to enter a house and they think that there’s evidence there, should they have to establish probable cause and get a search warrant from a judge first?”

Conrad said: “You’re not being serious about these questions, are you?”

CNSNews.com: “[Yes], in a civilian trial. If I was on trial or you were on trial, that would have to be [done].”

Conrad responded, “We have tried terrorists in our courts and done so very successfully in the past and that is our system. So if people don’t believe in our system, maybe they ought to go somewhere else.”

The Fourth Amendment, which protects all defendants in civilian courts, prohibits the government from searching or seizing evidence without first establishing probable cause and obtaining a warrant – based on that probable cause – from a judge.

The Fourth Amendment reads: “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.”

According to the Supreme Court in Weeks v. United States (1914), the government cannot use evidence obtained without a search warrant.

“The tendency of those who execute the criminal laws of the country to obtain conviction by means of unlawful seizures and enforced confessions, the latter often obtained after subjecting accused persons to unwarranted practices destructive of rights secured by the Federal Constitution, should find no sanction in the judgments of the courts, which are charged at all times with the support of the Constitution, and to which people of all conditions have a right to appeal for the maintenance of such fundamental rights,” the Court found.

[Man50D]

Video clip at CNSNews website.

[pnh102]

Fine then. Have these terrorists tried in North Dakota.

[Dallas59]

These people are American civilians?

[Ghost of Philip Marlowe]

So where should we go, GITMO?

[monocle]

Has anyone else noticed that with increasing frequency elected officeholders are telling their constituents to stuff it. And it isn’t limited to one party. Recall Barney Frank and Lindsey Graham. Basically they are saying the King can do no wrong.

[niteowl77]

Another "moderate Democrat" drops the mask.

Mr. niteowl77

[Hardastarboard]

These people are American civilians?

The Senators? No, I think they're some kind of alien reptiles that only look human. It's as plausible as saying they're Americans, based on how they think.

[calex59]

Well, a**hat, our system is NOT to try prisoners of war, especially terrorists, in civilian court, so I suggest you are the one who should “GO SOMEWHERE ELSE”. Jerks act as if we have always tried enemy combatants in civilian courts. I have a better idea, buddy, why don’t we just dump you and the rest of the communist a**hat running the government right now and be done with it?

[Shane]

This situation has been developing for quite some time. We have allowed a “political class” to develop.

For the most part, our elected Representatives have forgotten who they work for. We need to vote the arrogant, smug individuals out of office, enact term limits, and elect people who understand the constitution and who they represent.

[Diogenesis]

EDITORIAL EXCLUSIVE: On terrorists, Justice recused“

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AG Eric Holder's clients (the REAL reason for the transfer – to free them):

• Saad Al Qahtani
• Mohammed Zahrani
• Achraf Salim ("Sultan") Abdessalam
• Abdul Rahman Abdul Abu Ghityh Sulayman
• Musaab Omar Al Madhwani
• Jawad Jabbar Sadkhan (Al Sahlani)
• Majid Khan

---

“Corruptocrat AG Eric Holder’s conflicted DOJ“

---

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.
We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream.
It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same,
or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children
and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."
President Ronald Reagan

---

“The New Media Journal | Attorney General Holder's Advisers Have Conflicts on Detainee Cases“

---

[gov_bean_ counter]

Conrad never answered the question...

[Fresh Wind]

Have these terrorists tried in North Dakota.

And buy them houses in Conrad's neighborhood once they're acquitted.

[tanknetter]

Another "moderate Democrat" drops the mask.

Note that Conrad didn't answer the question.

My prediction (or, perhaps, statement of the obvious): KSM walks free, Obama, the Dems and the MSM blame it on Bush's "anti-American" policies.

[Jeff Head]

Hey Conrad, I can tell you seveal place you should go...but one of them is to pack your bags and get ready to go home at the next election cycle.

SIX CRITICAL REASONS TO NOT TRY TERRORISTS IN US COURT

THE MAN WHO DESPISES AMERICA

AWAKEN, O AMERICA, YOUR LIBERTY IS CALLING (Inspiring Video)

[Dallas59]

To Serve Americans.

[Biggirl]

Blowback will take place come 2010. Read my tagline.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Disgraceful.

[Proud_texan]

A Senator who, no doubt, would have no problems voting for a law allowing warrentless searches of citizens.

We have quite the group of big brains in DC, glad we have them looking out for our liberties as well as our daily bread as without them we would surely starve.

Sheesh.

[monocle]

Unfortunately we are caught between a rock and a hard place. If we succeed in ousting of elected officials, the newly elected will have little say because many representatives will be retained by inner city voters granting them more power. Think Charlie Rangel and John Conyers - they seem to win by greater margins if their questiomable actions are exposed.

[Biggirl]

2010 is coming and it will make 1994 look like a day at the beach.