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|NEXT STORY »

Republicans Decry Decision to Try 9/11 Planner in NYC

GOP slams AG's 'dangerous mentality'

By Nick McMaster| Posted Nov 13, 09 12:15 PM CST|

(Newser) – Republican leaders are sharply criticizing the Obama administration’s decision to prosecute Khalid Sheikh Mohammed in civilian court. John Boehner called the plan to try the confessed planner of the 9/11 attacks in New York "irresponsible” and accused AG Eric Holder of "reverting to a dangerous pre-9/11 mentality." Said the House minority leader: "The possibility that Khalid Sheik Mohammed could be found ‘not guilty’ due to some legal technicality just blocks from Ground Zero should give every American pause."

Other Republicans echoed that sentiment: Califorinia’s Buck McKeon said the decision was “dangerous.” Virginia’s Frank Wolf called it “crazy,” especially because Mohammed will not be held in a supermax unit during the trial, which could take 5 years, the Hill reports. “It could jeopardize the security of the United States. This is the guy that beheaded Danny Pearl. He is the mastermind behind 9/11.”

In this March 1, 2003 file picture, Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is seen shortly after his capture during a raid in Pakistan. (AP Photo/File)

This July 2009 photo downloaded from the Arabic language web site www.muslm.net shows a man identified by the site as Khalid Sheik Mohammed in detention at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. (AP Photo/www.muslm.net)

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65 comments

VIEWING:

Reader68389796
Nov 13, 09 12:19 PM CST

GOP, then let's try him on the moon, how about that? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Nov 13, 09 12:21 PM CST

how bout we just try him at GITMO where is already?

IN RESPONSE:

RockyPneumonia
Nov 13, 09 12:30 PM CST

godawgs, he has to be tried where there's a court that has, y'know, jurisdiction.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Nov 13, 09 12:33 PM CST

@rocky you know they have this thing they were doing there called the military tribunals...y'know jurisdiction.

IN RESPONSE:

DontLikeYou
Nov 13, 09 12:41 PM CST

These are not US citizens? They are murderers who are fighting a self proclaimed war. This will be the first time in American history that foreign fighters will be tried in a US civil court. This is a very B A D idea. It's incompetent.

-8

IN RESPONSE:

IndyRick
Nov 13, 09 12:49 PM CST

At least he'll have water to drink up there. :)

IN RESPONSE:

RockyPneumonia
Nov 13, 09 12:53 PM CST

His citizenship is irrelevant. He committed a criminal act on American soil (even if KSM was not actually here at the time, as a conspirator, he's legally liable for the crime committed here). You may want to buy into al Quaida's hype and dignify them by considering them "soldiers", but it's better if we treat them as what they are -- common criminals.

IN RESPONSE:

myvoice
Nov 13, 09 12:58 PM CST

i hate to admit it but DLY has a point! :) Why should this guy get the same rights as a citizen of the US? HE is not a US citizens but an enemy! He should be tried in military tribunal and put in front a firing squad... wait no life in prison and raped everyday for the rest of his pathetic life!!

-5

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Supercilious
Nov 13, 09 1:00 PM CST

He will be convicted and he will be executed. And it will be in NYC.

IN RESPONSE:

myvoice
Nov 13, 09 1:07 PM CST

oh i forgot my *sarcasm* disclaimer!

-1

IN RESPONSE:

RockyPneumonia
Nov 13, 09 1:08 PM CST

Unfortunately, godawgs, the days are past when things were considered true just because conservatives claimed they were true.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Nov 13, 09 1:35 PM CST

@rocky i missed the line where I said something was right. I statement was that if they are already in place why move them for what is going to be lengthy trial and have to pay the extra money to protect them?

IN RESPONSE:

RockyPneumonia
Nov 13, 09 1:59 PM CST

Because they're being tried, godawgs, as criminals should be, in criminal court, and no US civilian court has jurisdiction in Cuba.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Nov 13, 09 2:20 PM CST

they didn't commit a civil crime though. if htey held up a liqueur store sure try them in regular court. these guys were picked up by the Military on a battlefield. They were shooting at our military. If we are all of sudden going to switch this to the regular courts, how have we not violated their 6th amendment rights already?

-3

| 0 minutes ago

Fondue
Nov 13, 09 12:21 PM CST

Anyone believe a man that said "yes, I did it" will be found innocent? If you do, I have some swamp land to sell you and a health insurance plan that will cover everything for only $45.99/ month. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Nov 13, 09 12:23 PM CST

It's not that we think that he is not guilty, but if you do put him on trail in a civilian court there is a chance that he gets off on a technicality. You dod remember the saying by Ayers "Guilty as hell but free as a bird". It could happen, but I don't think that President wants to be seen as less popular then Bush so he will ensure that it doesn't.

-2

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Nov 13, 09 12:27 PM CST

so then why waste the money on what could be a five year trail to find him guilty?

IN RESPONSE:

RockyPneumonia
Nov 13, 09 12:32 PM CST

...Especially since whatever that "technicality" is, it will be most certainly due to some malfeasance that occurred while the Republicans were in power.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Nov 13, 09 12:34 PM CST

@rocky it would have happened while Bush was in power, but if he gets off Obama will take the fall for it.

IN RESPONSE:

DontLikeYou
Nov 13, 09 12:42 PM CST

Absolutely correct. Obama will hold the bag on this one. What a dumb ass.

-7

IN RESPONSE:

RockyPneumonia
Nov 13, 09 12:50 PM CST

As you may have noticed, godawgs, if President Obama cured the common cold, the wacko right would come out vehemently in favor of virii.

IN RESPONSE:

Yourself
Nov 13, 09 1:00 PM CST

@rocky +1 for the last comment... with that said, we have a judicial system that works, why is it republicans are so afraid of our judicial system? incase you all forget, which republicans do quite well, the 1993 WTC bombers were all tried on american soil and then sent to Colorado's supermax. yes, they're in "your" backyard, and no, they haven't done anything since, they never will. The argument of trying them in NY is a legitimate one in that it WORKS, it always has, it always will. our judicial system WORKS and will find them guilty seeing as they admit to doing it. A military court isn't necessary, since they aren't part of the military! trying them at gitmo holds little value seeing as it's the very location we apparently tortured some of the prisonners, not to mention it's not on american soil. Stop "pussyfooting" as someone said in another post, and lets do it the way we already know how, the american way, using our tried tested and true judicial system.

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Nov 13, 09 1:11 PM CST

@ DLY, yet another reason why KSM hasn't a chance even with Allah on his side.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Nov 13, 09 1:46 PM CST

@yourself actually every US military base you go to is considered American Soil no matter what country you are in.

IN RESPONSE:

Unaffiliated
Nov 13, 09 1:46 PM CST

Rocky, I agree with that last comment about virii, but what if Bush had somehow fallen backwards into finding that cure? Would the left be lining up to cheer him, or denouncing him for violating the civil rights of a virus?

IN RESPONSE:

Yourself
Nov 13, 09 3:41 PM CST

@godawgs - actually, US bases aren't ALL considered American soil, they do follow American law. However, every US Embassy is considered US soil. There's a big difference.

IN RESPONSE:

godawgs
Nov 13, 09 4:06 PM CST

@yourself you are right. that was my mistake.

| 0 minutes ago

polstroad
Nov 13, 09 12:21 PM CST

Why nolt in hold trials in McCain's home town? Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Yourself
Nov 13, 09 1:00 PM CST

which one would that be? he's got too many homes to count, i'm pretty sure he doesn't know which one is officially his "home town"

| 0 minutes ago

RogerMohajir
Nov 13, 09 12:23 PM CST

My God, they're right. We can't start having trials where there's a possibility of finding someone innocent! That there is a right slippery road, partner. Reply

+11

IN RESPONSE:

serfinWI
Nov 13, 09 12:36 PM CST

They already plead guilty and asked for the death penalty. As a citizen of the US, if you plead guilty, you don't get a trial. What's the point? Why do these guys get a trial? They already plead, and it wasn't "not guilty"

| 0 minutes ago

Doctor_Supercilious
Nov 13, 09 12:24 PM CST

More ginning up the fear by the GOP, the only thing they have left besides the word "No". Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Nov 13, 09 2:16 PM CST

Yes, the outcry from trying these individuals in NY is the fault of the GOP, did you help write this headline?

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Nov 13, 09 2:35 PM CST

Here's the problem with your Obama-siah. The Chosen ONE caters to people such as yourself which represent an ill-advised minority of the country. You think changing a policy, which has been in place since WW2 is GOOD, but you fail to think through the CONSEQUENCES. Continuing this style of governance is ONLY a recipe for disaster.

| 0 minutes ago

Face-Of-RNC
Nov 13, 09 12:26 PM CST

We GOP boys just can't let the world see how U. S. justice works while Obama is in office. Now if you wanna wait till we take the White House, well then it'll be just fine! Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

Doctor_Supercilious
Nov 13, 09 12:26 PM CST

Yes, that dangerous pre 9/11 mentality where we caught terrorists and brought them to justice and in some cases stopped them (Millennium bomber). Reply

IN RESPONSE:

tran_tor
Nov 13, 09 12:35 PM CST

I think they are referring to the mentality that the terrorist attacks were criminal cases to be addressed on an individual basis. This line of thinking allowed the WTC to be bombed twice before the eventual successful destruction of the buildings.

IN RESPONSE:

Face-Of-RNC
Nov 13, 09 12:53 PM CST

The other line of thinking is to lie about WMD undoubtedly aimed at us, and then bomb the hell outta them sunsabitches, and their women and children, even though they've done us no harm. And if you think Iraq was 'Shock and Awe' just wait till we obliterate Iran, and pulverize Venezuela, and vaporize Ecuador. We'll learn'em.

| 0 minutes ago

alkaseltzersammich
Nov 13, 09 12:31 PM CST

So basically what they are saying is that we should forgo our own constitution and not give him a trial? I don't understand. Where do they want us to try the man? We have to put him to trial, it is what our law states. There is a risk, albeit a a .0000001%, chance that he could be found innocent. It doesn't matter where he is tried because it will be an American court nonetheless. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

RockyPneumonia
Nov 13, 09 12:55 PM CST

That's exactly what they're saying, alkaseltzersammich; they're such patriotic Americans that they'd defend the country by abandoning the principles on which it was founded.

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Supercilious
Nov 13, 09 1:02 PM CST

Clearly to save freedom and the rule of law we must abandon freedom and the rule of law.

IN RESPONSE:

Fondue
Nov 13, 09 1:15 PM CST

Ah, a police state is fine under their conditions. I get it now. How fucking liberal of me.

| 0 minutes ago

serfinWI
Nov 13, 09 12:39 PM CST

Jury of peers?? That's in the constitution, too. Where are we going to get an impartial jury of peers. They already plead guilty. Usually when you plead guilty, you don't get a trial. This is not a trial to determine the innocence of the terrorists, it's a trial of the CIA tactics, GITMO, etc. It'll be a circus. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Face-Of-RNC
Nov 13, 09 12:57 PM CST

Hey, you're right. We can't be havin' the truth about what we done come out. It might hurt us in the polls. It might forestall our glorious comeback. We gotta put a stop to this. Karl Rove, where are you when we need you???

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Doctor_Supercilious
Nov 13, 09 1:04 PM CST

You hit the nail on the head. The real reason the GOP is against this is it might bring to light some of the more...unsavory... things that were done.

IN RESPONSE:

RockyPneumonia
Nov 13, 09 1:18 PM CST

Actually, it's not. The Constitution says nothing about "peers"; that's part f English common law.

IN RESPONSE:

serfinWI
Nov 13, 09 1:31 PM CST

Then why don't we just call it what it is, a trial of GITMO soldiers and CIA agents and put these guys away forever now. They already plead guilty.

IN RESPONSE:

Rocket448
Nov 13, 09 1:33 PM CST

Just to be clear, and quoting from www.usconstitution.net, In Article 3, Section 2, the Constitution requires that all criminal trials be heard by a jury. It also specifies that the trial will be heard in the state the crime was committed. The 6th Amendment narrows the definition of the jury by requiring it to be "impartial." Finally, the 7th Amendment requires that certain federal civil trials guarantee a jury trial if the amount exceeds twenty dollars. It turns out that a LOT of what we commonly think of as our "constitutional rights" aren't really.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

Hip
Nov 13, 09 12:43 PM CST

I think they'd rather lose and be put to death than win and be set free on the streets of New York... Reply

-2

| 0 minutes ago

clark
Nov 13, 09 12:57 PM CST

@dontlikeyou - your claim is incorrect. No soldier acting on behalf of a sovereign country has been tried in a US civil court. Terrorists acting independent of a government are criminals, not soldiers and should be treated like it. We have tried 214 terrorists in American courts since 2001, convicting 91%. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

serfinWI
Nov 13, 09 1:37 PM CST

And a lot of good it does. thousands more are being bred every minute. Feel any safer because of it? We're still at Orange. Convicting 214 terrorists is a drop in the bucket.

| 0 minutes ago

Stasis
Nov 13, 09 1:04 PM CST

Sorry. No where in The Bill of Rights does it say "American Citizens Only". Something about "all men"...sorry :( Reply

| 0 minutes ago

AnnieChrist
Nov 13, 09 1:37 PM CST

I love how the conservatives use the term 'technicalities' when referring to the Bill of Rights and other measures that ensure anyone tried in this country gets a fair hearing. Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

logothete
Nov 13, 09 1:44 PM CST

Well, gosh. I live only 100 miles from NYC, and I've gotta tell ya, I'm quaking in my shoes. I mean, what if we do find him guilty and put him in Danbury Fed - that's only 60 miles away! And what if he escapes, and shaves his beard and moves in next door to me and coughs over the fence into my backyard and gives me Terrorist Flu? I mean, gosh! it could happen, right? Or what if he's executed and cremated - the prevailing winds could blow smoke right up to my house ... No, wait, it's the Repugnicans who are trying to blow smoke up my ass. Sorry. Never mind. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

riffran
Nov 13, 09 1:55 PM CST

so ready to suck a fetus out of the womb....so eager to defend the rights of islamofascist....nice job libbies Reply

-4

IN RESPONSE:

RockyPneumonia
Nov 13, 09 1:57 PM CST

...And so ready to engage in non sequitur while hoping that no one knows you have no argument, riifran....

IN RESPONSE:

riffran
Nov 13, 09 3:20 PM CST

I learned that from all the libbrhoids here...watsa matter don't like the same thing being thrown back?....remember this the next time "Yall" start the usual repub, Bush , Cheney bashing , and blaming anything and everything you do not like on the right, no matter how unrelated. And as for the actual story......That jerk is NOT a U.S. citizen and should not be given rights as if he was, and should have never been brought here...period

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Guava_Jelly
Nov 13, 09 3:44 PM CST

This is SICKENING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-3

IN RESPONSE:

Face-Of-RNC
Nov 13, 09 7:54 PM CST

It's down right sickening. Here we are trying to give our enemies every right in the world to kidnap and torture Americans, and these damn liberlsl keep gittin in the way. I don't know how we are ever going to finish killing off the rest of the world if we don't get started. Fearless Leader Cheney has been trying to show us the way, but the false Americans just don't get it.

| 0 minutes ago

Jes
Nov 13, 09 2:06 PM CST

Hate to be a stickler like this, but that first picture they are calling a file photo is not Khalid, it's Saddam. Reply

-2

IN RESPONSE:

Yourself
Nov 13, 09 3:43 PM CST

Hate to be a stickler like this, but no it's not. That's Khalik Sheikh Mohammed. (of which they spelled it Khalid) That's definitly not Saddam Hussein.

| 0 minutes ago

JimW
Nov 13, 09 5:32 PM CST

Personally, I hope they get found not guilty, and are released on the streets of New York ;-) Reply

| 0 minutes ago

kansas1946
Nov 13, 09 5:42 PM CST

Blah...blah...blah...Bonehead is at it again. Like Republicans have any credibility on anything. Give me a break. It would be a crying shame if we started acting like Americans again. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Fractured1321
Nov 13, 09 9:55 PM CST

Hey, you guys ready for a little good ol' fashioned state sponsored terrorism? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

freethemall
Nov 14, 09 6:48 PM CST

Human rights are universal. They do not apply to just Americans. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 65 comments »

terrorism • New York City • prison • New York • GOP • Ground Zero • Daniel Pearl • September 11 • Khalid Sheikh Mohammed • John Boehner • Eric Holder • 9/11 attacks • Frank Wolf • Obama administration • Supermax • Republicans • Buck McKeon

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Republicans Decry Decision to Try 9/11 Planner in NYC

GOP slams AG's 'dangerous mentality'

9/11 Trials Won't Be in NYC

White House gives up on bringing terror suspects to Manhattan

9/11 Trials Won't Be in NYC

White House gives up on bringing terror suspects to Manhattan

Giuliani Forgets
When 9/11 Happened

'We had no domestic attacks under Bush,' Giuliani says. Except...

Giuliani Forgets When 9/11 Happened

'We had no domestic attacks under Bush,' Giuliani says. Except...

Paterson Rips Obama for Putting 9/11 Trials in NYC

NY governor among few Dems to criticize move

Paterson Rips Obama for Putting 9/11 Trials in NYC

NY governor among few Dems to criticize move

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Republicans Decry Decision to Try 9/11 Planner in NYC

GOP slams AG's 'dangerous mentality'

Related Newser Stories

9/11 Trials Won't Be in NYC

White House gives up on bringing terror suspects to Manhattan

9/11 Trials Won't Be in NYC

White House gives up on bringing terror suspects to Manhattan

'NO DOMESTIC ATTACKS UNDER BUSH'

Giuliani Forgets When 9/11 Happened

'We had no domestic attacks under Bush,' Giuliani says. Except...

Giuliani Forgets When 9/11 Happened

'We had no domestic attacks under Bush,' Giuliani says. Except...

Paterson Rips Obama for Putting 9/11 Trials in NYC

NY governor among few Dems to criticize move

Paterson Rips Obama for Putting 9/11 Trials in NYC

NY governor among few Dems to criticize move

terrorism • New York City • prison • New York • GOP • Ground Zero • Daniel Pearl • September 11 • Khalid Sheikh Mohammed • John Boehner • Eric Holder • 9/11 attacks • Frank Wolf • Obama administration • Supermax • Republicans • Buck McKeon

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