Eric Holder announces, rightly, that the scumbag terrorists who masterminded 9-11 will be tried at the site of their horrific crime, the Southern District of New York, before a civilian judge and jury. The Right-Wing Howler Monkey Media Chorus and the Republic Party (which has become so debased that support for torture is now a litmus test) go berserk. John Cornyn denounces the Constitution as mere “political ideology”. Andrew Cohen does a good job of demolishing some of the more hyperbolic claims. What is the deal with conservatives’ by now reflexive hatred of the jury system, either civil or criminal? Is it because only juries can check the power of the large corporations and economic aristocracy the GOP serves like a dutiful hand-maiden? Is it because, Republican opposition to “big government” notwithstanding, only juries can check the kind of tyrannical power Republicans believe that presidents (but only Republican presidents) can wield?
This trial will be important for the same reason the Nuremberg Trials were important: it will demonstrate to the world that our system–democracy and the rule of law–is superior to brutal, repressive theocratic tyranny. The Republicans would do well to get on the right side of history, morality and traditional American values.
UPDATE: Glenn Greenwald, as usual, has an excellent take. Why do Right-Wingers have so little faith in America?
The Local Crank
The Republicans would do well to get on the right side of history, morality and traditional American values.
Well said!