Posted on 11/16/2001 1:19:29 PM PST by Oldeconomybuyer
Edited on 04/13/2004 2:39:04 AM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]
WASHINGTON (AP) -- As special forces try to fulfill President Bush's desire to get Osama bin Laden "dead or alive," many lawmakers say bluntly that dead is preferable. They are concerned about a trial, whether in open court or closed military tribunal.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
When Ollie North was being grilled by a Senate committee during the Iran-Contra hearings about 15 years ago, one of the things they tried to trash him with was his purchase of a $60,000 security system for his home, with federal money.
"Isn't that a bit excessive?" one senator asked.
No, said North, because a terrorist had threated to kill both him and his family.
"What terrorist could possibly scare you that much?" the senator asked, looking around for a laugh from the audience.
"His name is Osama bin Laden," North replied.
When the senators asked North what he would reccomend doing to bin Laden (long before the attacks on our embassies, and before anyone was preparing the 9/11 attacks), he said he would hunt him down and kill him.
The senators and others in the audience were appalled by such a "brutal" idea.
I wonder if Biden and Hagel were in that audience.
The point is probably moot, as Osama bin Laden will likely not surrender, but if he does, he is entitled to all the protections that our constitution affords, including a trial by jury. Everyone is. No exceptions. Ever.
If we become like them, they have indeed done what they set out to do -- destroy America. Long live the U.S. Constitution.
T&L
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