Trying terrorists

OP-ED: Why We Should Put Jihad on Trial, By STEVEN SIMON, New York Times, November 17, 2009

When it comes to terrorism, experts don't come any smarter than Steve Simon.

Here he is making a case I believe in: we should have no fear putting terrorists on trial.

Comments

[Mark]

Tom,

Not the fear of the trial..its the media circus that will surround it.My conservative brethren are wasting lots of energy complaining. My response to them has been to shut up and move on. Decision made by those we empowered to do it.

You don't like it, work harder in the next election to unseat the libs.

To the media...ignore this trial. Let these individuals be tried, convicted and (hopefully) executed like the scum that they are.By covering the trial of KSM you give him status. Best to treat him like a common criminal. Counter intuitive, but it would be best.

[David Sutton]

Mark - I disagree - I think that the more the media covers this trial - the way that Simon notes would be effective, as in the categorical listing of the horrors that attack, and the ability to plainly put, in a non hysterical fashion the list of crimes on the public record, can only help the cause.

[Patrick O'Connor]

Libs , Mark? I would say this article highlights conservative values.

[Mark]

David...you are assuming the media will cover it w/o bias either way.Al-Jazeera and other jihadist outlets will capitalize on anything they can to put this in a negative light.If this was treated as a straight up criminal trial, no fanfare, no media, no nonsense, I would be less concerned. I think the phrase, "unintended consequences" applies.We will all just have to wait and see.

PS...Libs refers to the decision and those who made it, to have the trial in NYC. To much whining about that by assorted persons.

[large]

Just my opinion, but, we're viewing the whole "trial" thing from our point of view. I've caught myself in the same view . . We don't really know what it will do for us, and we believe we're showing the world we can be fair and just . .

Problem is, when this news becomes Arabic translation it becomes quite different in perception to the Islamic world, and little of it is good for us . . Watching a few hours of al Jazeera will tell you that . .

For all practical purposes, the trials (and even the tribunals) are for us like a funeral is for the living . . For the Islamic world, the opposite . .

Perception is everything . .