Letters to the Editor

Absolutely agree. For some insane reason, the US gov't wants to "showcase" our wonderful and terrific system of justice to the whole world. At a price tag of $200-$400 million.
Why not just do a photo-op of OJ Simpson or Robert Blake on the golf course showing how we treat murderers?

Yogiman: From yesterday....I could be wrong (scholars Loner or gdia should know this), but a POTUS has to be born on American soil, as in one of the 50 States. Not a territory like Puerto Rico or Virgin Islands.

The "birthers" are going after Obama's birth cert., saying he wasn't born in Honolulu, HI, but Kenya. Or Indonesia. Or in a hut in Zambowi. I think it's common knowledge his father was Kenyan.

That's why McCain slipped into "natural" US citizenship: it was time of war (1934?)and he was born on a US carrier in the Panama Canal Zone. Or a spaceship from Vulcan.

Good morning

Maybe this can answer your question, Mr. Briamonte

The decision to charge Mr. Abdulmutallab in federal court, and the methods used to interrogate him, are fully consistent with the long-established and publicly known policies and practices of the Department of Justice, the FBI, and the United States Government as a whole, as implemented for many years by Administrations of both parties. Those policies and practices, which were not criticized when employed by previous Administrations, have been and remain extremely effective in protecting national security. They are among the many powerful weapons this country can and should use to win the war against al-Qaeda.

http://emptywheel.firedoglake.com/2010/02/03/holder-to-republicans-stop-being-such-watbs-about-miranda-warnings-and-mukaseys-decisions/

As for the other three whys seem to be fillers just to take up space, maybe others can answer what seem to me are childish questions.

Good morning, Nashville!

Frank is our beloved Idgaf, if I recall. Great letter, Id, don't expect me to be able to answer any of those "seven questions from hell". That's above my pay grade.

Are these rhetorical questions or anwerable questions? Let's see....

1. Q: "Why is [Attorney General] Eric Holder making decisions on who/how and where terrorists are to be tried while engaed in an act of war against us?" Answer: Because that is his job, Id. The president has delegated authority tp the AG, nothing new or different there.

2. Q: "Why doesn't the President have a consistent policy of trial?" Answer: I dunno. Maybe because each case is diferent?

3. Q: "How do you try some [Gitmo detainees] in civilian courts and others in military courts?" Answer: Again, I dunno. Maybe they use military courts when waterboarding and enhanced interrogation techniques were used to obtain the self-incriminating testimony. Civilian courts do not admit evidence obtained under duress.

4. Q: "Why should we [or President Obama] be willing to spend $200 million just for security on one trial when it was never done before and is an unnecessary expense?" Answer: Security would certainly be needed, I don't know about that 200 million dollar figure, sounds like hype.

5. Q: "Why when a terrorist wants to plead guilty as long as he/they are put to death, do we deny such a last request, and then try him in civilian court with rights of a citizen and lawyers paid for by taxpayers." Answer: If we kill them they become martyrs, Id. Lawmakers are ex-lawyers, they are just spreading the wealth around for their colleagues to enjoy.

6. Q: "Why would we subject our citizens to acknowledged threats that require $200 million for security" Answer: Because this is fear-based governance, Id. The right-wing talk-show hosts are all fear-based demagogues as well.

7. Q: "Why have a trial at all when Holder and [press secretary Robert] Gibbs have already determined they will be found guilty and executed?" Answer: Good question. Everyone has already passed judgment on these guys. Nobody calls them "suspects", in the MSM or in Washington, DC, they are referred to as "terrorists". This whole thing is grand theater.

Well, there it is; I attempted to answer these 7 unanswerables.

One more thing, Id, Bush and Cheney should have considered all of the items that you ticked off in your LTE, before making their hasty decision to bring terror suspects to a US naval base located on illegally occupied Cuban soil. Those two bozos thought that this would tweak Castro's nose, while grandstanding for their neocon handlers. Please, let us not blame Mr. Obama for creating this expensive, embarassing and unsolvable problem. Like the financial meltdown, the Gitmo problem is solely the work of Bush-Cheney, not Obama-Biden.

D7, thanks for the kind word, but I think that the birther thing is somebody's scam...you know, send us money, so we can get justice. If this was valid and legit, we would have known by now, I think. Obama was the most vetted presidential candidate in history.

That explains the rambling letter. I was confused as to some of the question, but now I know who wrote the letter. lol

Now let’s move on to something serious or not.

Cpt. Nemo: The earthquake in Chicago came in handy for all you husbands out there. When you ask your wives, "did the earth move?", they don't have to lie this time, because it really did.

Latest Data Hints at a Recovery in World Trade

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/02/11/business/economy/11econ.html

Maybe?

I think when House askes his wife, "How was it for you?" and she says, "the earth moved", he'll take personal responsibility.

Ron Paul vs. Sarah Palin for the Soul of the Tea Parties

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jane-hamsher/will-palin-and-the-neocon_b_456824.html

"Yogiman: There you have it. "Loner" says you are full of it."

I concur...about him being full of it. Maybe he doesn't understand that Hawaii was admitted to the union in 1959...before Obama was born...I've heard rumors that they're still in the union...

Courage is of no value unless accompanied by justice; yet if all men became just, there would be no need for courage.
Agesilaus the Second

Beware me...Beware ME!!!

-Ides of March

gdia: "Vehicle"...best song of the late 70's. BEST!

good morning, everyone!

I've had great leaders killed, you eat your own poop.

-Ides of March

"Both you guys are way off...I'm the one to worry about."
-stranger bearing gifts

dargent, i don't have one of those!

Hi, Dusty's grandson. Thanks for giving us updates! Have you been able to talk with him at all?

Good to hear Dusty gandson

"Why have a trial at all when Holder and [press secretary Robert] Gibbs have already determined they will be found guilty and executed?" asked by Frank B.

BECAUSE. Just because. Now don't ask any more "childish" questions (according to captain -- " As for the other three whys seem to be fillers just to take up space, maybe others can answer what seem to me are childish questions."

Frank, your letter is mirroring the questions being asked by millions of Americans and quite frankly even some people who don't live here.

I say we have the trials in Nashville. We can set up camp in the new Convention Center - that'll sell out those dates. We can have Broadway blocked offf from, oh let's say Lyle down to the river and can have booths set up for souvineer sales. Things like "Ima bomber and youratarget" buttons sold by the representatives of the "innocent victims who bomb us" to us, the nasty ugly Americans who want our country safe.

All kidding aside, the cost to the Feds and NY City is too high to do this. A military trial is what you should get if you are a war criminal.

What scares me most is the White House bippity boppity bouncy ball decision making. First it was "dis" then it was "dat". And now it's "de other" and NY city offficials and state officials DON'T WANT IT THERE. Did the President or ERIC Hold 'em hear any of their No's.?

No.

Ooh! Glad to hear he made it through the surgery and is recovering now. Still keeping him in our thoughts and hope you, grandson, are holding up well too.

yes, how are YOU doing?

Sidgaf

Blanket, your record is the same as mine! LOL

lol, MamaG!

Mama, how's the BS this morning?