Criminals or Combatants?

When the United States entered World War II, Adolf Hitler ordered German saboteurs to wreak havoc on the country.

On June 12, 1942, U-Boat U-202 landed one team with explosives and plans at East Hampton, Long Island, New York. Their mission was to destroy power plants at Niagara Falls and three Aluminum Company of America (ALCOA) factories in Illinois, Tennessee and New York.

Another team landed from U-584 at Ponte Vedra Beach (25 miles [40 km] south-east of Jacksonville, Florida), on June 17. They were tasked with laying mines in four areas: the Pennsylvania Railroad in Newark NJ., canal sluices in both St. Louis and Cincinnati, and New York City's water supply pipes. .

All eight were tried, convicted by the Military Commission with six men sentenced to death. President Roosevelt approved the sentences. The constitutionality of the military commissions was upheld by the Supreme Court in Ex parte Quirin and six of the eight men were executed by electrocution on August 8.

al Qaeda has declared war on the US. The Dec. 25th bomber was trained by al Qaeda and sent by al Qaeda; yet, he is going to be tried as an ordinary criminal? The four from Gitmo, including the mastermind of the 9/11 attack will be re-tried in our courts--at a cost of $75 million to NY City just for security.

Are we at war with al Qaeda--or not? Are these men enemy combatants or not? Are military tribunals (like the one that convicted Khalid Sheik Mohammad) just or not? Then why should he be tried again?

Keli wrote:Are we at war with al Qaeda--or not? Are these men enemy combatants or not? Are military tribunals (like the one that convicted Khalid Sheik Mohammad) just or not? Then why should he be tried again?

Would it help you understand "why" iffen I told you that it was reported on Fox that just the "cost" for Security for the New York City trial(s) would be in the neighborhood of $20 MILLION.

So guess how much the Lawyers that Obama picks for the Defense are each going to make?

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No, the white shoe law firms were sending their pro bono yearlings to Gitmo. Even in the military tribunals the perps needed representation and the white shoe law firms were happy to provide it. Maybe it is a little more convenient to them. There is no rational answer.

Maybe it is more high profile in criminal court. It sure doesn't have anything to do with national security...