As US Attorney General Eric Holder gives testimony today before the Senate Judiciary Committee on his decision to hold the trial of admitted 9-11 planner Khalid Sheikh Mohammed (KSM) in civilian federal court in New York City (commentary from Andy McCarthy at NRO here) I’m struck by the Left’s use of symbolism. Much has been and will be said about the trial happening in the “shadows of the twin towers”. Let’s sidestep the issue for a moment that there is in fact no shadow because of KSM’s evil jihadist terrorist act and assume the symbolic shadow. I know what they mean when they say “shadow”.
Who exactly is this symbol meant to affect? Is it supposed to make KSM feel remorse for his act as he drives past “hallowed ground” every day to the court house or as he looks out the slivered window at the sunlight. Is he supposed to hear echoes fo screams and bodies hitting pavement after a 100 story dive and feel sorrow? I have no doubt that he hears those sounds every day — they’re called “dreams” and they make him feel warm at night. This isn’t a return to the scene of the crime you see — it’s a return to hallowed ground for him too — the scene of his greatest victory — and ultimately the martyrdom he seeks after spewing his venomous rage at a credulous government that seeks to treat him with “fairness” and “equal protection”.
Is this symbol meant to deter others? “If you blow up a building we’re gonna try you within the “shadows” of it — that’ll teach you.” These people do not feel remorse. They do not navel gaze. They rejoice at the destruction — they are clearing the infidel forest to build Allah’s kingdom. “In the shadow of the Twin Towers” is a self-serving symbol. It sounds impressive — thoughtful even — but in the end is mostly therapeutic and even that is arguable given the security issues involved. Justice is not all or even mostly about self-aggrandizement. Give them some process if we must, but they deserve to swing in some out of the way place uncelebrated and relatively unnoticed. That would be symbolic.
Think KSM’s head on a pike in the middle of Ground Zero would be enough symbolism for me.
“If the law supposes that,” said Mr. Bumble,… “the law is a ass—a idiot. If that’s the eye of the law, the law is a bachelor; and the worst I wish the law is that his eye may be opened by experience—by experience.”
CHARLES DICKENS, Oliver Twist, chapter 51, p. 489 (1970).
Liberals love symbolism over substance.
TCW-
Those 5 words are the best description I’ve ever heard.
Somebody at NRO (McCarthy maybe? I can’t remember) suggested that the whole point of this insanity is to get sensitive evidence out in the public domain that will embarrass Bush, Cheney, et al. without it being “their decision (ie, the administration’s decision) to release it. This in turn will placate the far left who want to prosecute Bush – or whatever the hell they want to do – for his “war crimes”. Don’t know if that’s the game plan, but it seems plausible to me. As in, it’s just twisted enough for Rahm to have come up with.
So we’re tossing the entire intelligence complex to the wind, all for a few political points? Something of importance is bound to come out during the trial, whether it effects Cheney/Bush or not, it would surely effect the rest of us. Sure puts all that capital the left espoused about Republican cynicism leading into the Iraq War to rest – Obama is the king of cynical.
I read much of McCarthy’s writing on the subject earlier. Taking in what I have, you get the feeling some on the left won’t be happy until someone knocks down another set of buildings.
Rich,
Rush has said this whole freaking circus is designed to put W, Cheney and the CIA on trial. Vince Flynn, on Hannity last night echoed that and I was thinking the same thing the moment the a-holes decided to do this. Also since Holder’s former law firm has defended several detainees in GITMO I find that interesting. Chuck Grassley wants a list of Gov. lawyers who have also defended that herd of prehistoric cave men in GITMO as well. I have a feeling this is far from over.
It’s depressing that as we sink further into recession, the Libs are only interested in pushing their agendas. Who cares about the country.
Would that be the inimitable Lee Van Cleef in your avatar?
yes sir…..and that’s Mr. Inimitable Van Cleef.
Danger, Will Robinson….
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091119/ap_on_go_pr_wh/us_sept11_trial
These guys are ridiculous.
Have they gotten their reality from here?
http://cheerleading.about.com/
That second link contains a cunning array of stunts, G-Man.
Pretty much my point, Rufus.
This group makes Jimmy Carter look like a frikken genius. But what can you really expect from someone elected as POTUS who has never held a real job? I doubt I’ll ever understand it.
I am not saying this will happen but just think what will occur if Obamawan’s plan goes awry and KSM gets aquited. The Democrat Party will be dissolved.
and rightfully so.