Painful though it may be, let us review the atrocious events of September 11, 2001. A team of murderous barbarians brutally attacked America on our soil. These bloodthirsty terrorists callously doomed thousands of innocents to a horrific, fiery death. Many of them were heroic first responders and military personnel who are charged with keeping us safe. Most were just average people caught unaware as they went about their usual Tuesday morning routine. The terrorists cut these innocent lives short because they wish to bring an end to the United States and all that we stand for, including the Constitution that we hold dear.
So, should the monsters who masterminded the attacks be afforded the sacred Constitutional liberties usually reserved for American citizens, in short, U.S. legal rights which they are actively working to undermine? Yes, according to the Obama administration. Attorney General Eric Holder has decided to try the 9/11 conspirators in New York City’s federal court. This misguided decision will endanger the security of New York City and the nation. It is an irresponsible waste of taxpayer dollars during an economic crisis, and offers nothing substantial in the way of benefits.
Debra Burlingame, a lawyer whose brother was the pilot of American Airlines Flight 77 which was crashed into the Pentagon, has stated that a federal trial would be nothing short of “lawyer assisted jihad.” The 9/11 conspirators will be given a prominent stage from which to spew their hatred against the United States. The trial will paint a bull's-eye on New York City for like-minded jihadists looking to follow the example of their jihadi brethren. Even more dangerous, the terrorists will be given due process rights. They might even be given access to classified materials during the discovery process, and hand our intelligence secrets to our worst enemies!
What is the point of this exercise? Speaking to the press in China, President Obama said that Khalid Sheikh Mohammed would be "convicted" and would have "the death penalty applied to him." This statement alone, has potentially tainted the jury pool and opened the door to a defense motion for a mistrial. It’s hard to see how these proceedings would be anything more than a show trial, and an expensive one at that. It will cost an estimated more than $75 million a year for security alone during the trial. It is doubtful that this is a prudent use of funds during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression.
The Obama administration should have stuck with the original plan to try the terrorists in a military tribunal. This plan, approved by the United States Congress, is a fair, safe and effective way to bring these men to justice. They would be tried in a secure facility, far from the United States. They would be offered a defense team, but would not have access to classified data. They would be denied the media exposure their cause craves. The conspirators had signaled their intention to plead guilty under a tribunal. The dog and pony show that Holder wants to hold in downtown New York will drag on indefinitely, prolonging the agony of the 9/11 families in what will be the second wave of the 9/11 terror attacks while risking national security.
Concerned Americans, joined by 9/11 family members and victims, active and retired members of the military, and first responders are standing up to say NO to the administration. The 9/11 Never Forget Coalition will hold a rally at noon on Saturday, December 5 in New York’s Foley Square to urge the president and Attorney General to reverse course for the good of our nation.
Hopefully, this will ignite a spark and spread like wildfire across America. This is a matter of grave concern for us and all Americans who are encouraged to join over 135,000 fellow citizens who have signed a letter to the Obama administration at the Web site: keepamericasafe.com. Take action, write letters to the editor of you local newspaper, speak out on the Web and call your representatives in Congress to let them know where you stand. We will use the tools of democracy the terrorists despise, to protect ourselves from them.
Tim Brown is the founder theBravest.com and David Webb is the co-founder of TeaParty365.
On Friday, December 4 from 1-2pm ET join us for a discussion of this topic on FoxNews.com's "The Strategy Room" where we'll cover all aspects of the upcoming terror trials in New York City.
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