Since Congress hasn't declared war and there is no Constitutional prohibition against the use of military tribunals to address terrorism such as the September 11th attack, it is imperative for Congress to pass a law authorizing the use of Military tribunals against the terrorists who committed these atrocities.
Here's my problem... I want military tribunals, I totally understand their necessity. But only with a declaration of war. I don't want to set the precedent of suspending due process and our civil liberties without the President and the Congress fulfilling their Constitutional obligation to ask for and grant a formal Declaration of War.
Two things disturb me about the way this war has been conducted:
- It hasn't been formally declared.
- Insufficient attention has been paid to all of the alien non-citizens currently in this country.
I have yet to hear a good reason for either. I haven't even heard any bad reasons.
Two things disturb me about the way this war has been conducted: - It hasn't been formally declared.
- Insufficient attention has been paid to all of the alien non-citizens currently in this country.
I agree. But since Congress hasn't declared war. My problem is this:
1. What happens when the terrorists are apprehended? Do they go through our judicial system just like any common criminal? Who knows, he might even be acquitted or paroled in 15 or 20 years. Most of them are young guys. Fifteen, twenty or even thirty years in jail to a 25 years old is not that bad.
2. Wouldn't this kind of justice applied to a terrorist after the devastated damage inflicted on our nation in fact weaken our image as a superpower in the eyes of the world and as a consequence embolden potential terrorists to continue their wave of terror and destruction?
3. And what does this do to our nation's pride and dignity. Not only have we gone through the pain and suffering of burying over 5,000 of our dead, but justice delayed is justice denied.