Comments on: Obama Proposes Swift Execution of Alleged 9/11 Conspirators

By: Andy Worthington

Andy Worthington — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 10:35:42 +0000

Hi Anthony,
Thanks for the succinct analysis of what’s wrong with US politics today. I regularly find myself wondering why Democrats in general are so sheep-like, while so many Republicans obviously wake up every day looking for a fight, and you’re spot-on about Obama’s inability to confront Bush’s horrendous legacy.

By: Anthony

Anthony — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:44:42 +0000

Obama: Just like Bush but less so. He gave up the opportunity to attack Bush’s legacy, and now he is just hoping it will go away quietly.

Why is it that in the US the Democrats act like sheep and the Republicans act like bull dogs? Bush/Cheney had a (bad) vision, and they went for it, no vacillating.

By: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Profile « Emptysuit

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed Profile « Emptysuit — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:28:11 +0000

[...] Jawad (June 2009), A Broken Circus: Guantánamo Trials Convene For One Day Of Chaos (June 2009), Obama Proposes Swift Execution of Alleged 9/11 Conspirators (June 2009), Predictable Chaos As Guantánamo Trials Resume (July [...]

By: Obama’s Confusion Over Guantánamo Terror Trials by Andy Worthington « Dandelion Salad

Wed, 17 Jun 2009 05:32:51 +0000

[...] to the rule of law, the New York Times revealed that a Justice Department task force, looking into the proposed trial of five other “high-value detainees” (including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed), who are accused of [...]

By: Nell

Nell — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:59:48 +0000

Sorry, my memory isn’t trustworthy. The arraignment in question was last June. I think the Bush administration’s hope was that they’d have guilty pleas and executions to use as campaign props in the fall.

Obama may be aiming for the midterm elections…

You think I’m being too cynical? Nothing’s beyond them.

By: Nell

Nell — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:55:56 +0000

Connie Nash: This may not be specifically what you’re looking for, but it’s relevant background to the point that the Talking Dog mentioned in his comment: The Guantanamo authorities’ outrageous and obvious manipulation of the prisoners at last December’s arraignment, allowing Khaled Sheikh Mohammed to intimidate four other prisoners into making guilty pleas and shedding their lawyers by giving them unprecedented opportunities to be together.

This is a vivid account by someone observing the proceedings that day.

By: Indefensible, In Every Sense Of The Word… « Back Towards The Locus

Indefensible, In Every Sense Of The Word… « Back Towards The Locus — Wed, 10 Jun 2009 10:06:49 +0000

[...] And to think: this mangy little whine is only the excuse. (See also – ooh, hello if you’ve read this far; damn good of you – Andy Worthington.) [...]

By: Connie L. Nash

Connie L. Nash — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:25:44 +0000

I’d like to see more discussion or refer me to some items please which look at why even in these tricky cases where all vengeance appears justified & the admitted guilty want – the death penalty may prove counter-productive since it may only feeds the soul that drives unconscionable martyrdom..and those who want to follow them.

By: Connie L. Nash

Connie L. Nash — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 15:15:10 +0000

And how are we to also weigh the many “mistakes” related to this Admin’s “choices” of
McChrystal (go one or two down on http://www.oneheartforpeace.blogspot.com) for Afghanistan, Philip Mudd who (perhaps due to many concerns such as our own) pulled himself out – all the while with this current Admin stating something about Mudd having Obama’s full support. Is somone keeping track in case needed for reference? For an interesting take on those who watch/read Bill Moyers’ Journal – can still do so online or read transcript. Go see the recent poll there after Scahill Interview – he’s the guy who has written perhaps the most on Blackwater and writes on our same concerns for The Nation magazine. 84 % agree with Scahill on Moyers’ poll. So how to get all these folk together on one page? What about interviewing him, TD?

By: Andy Worthington

Andy Worthington — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 13:47:35 +0000

I think that’s absolutely correct, Frances. The administration is asking completely the wrong question, and needs to be aware that we can discern hypocrisy, especially when one “high-value detainee,” Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani, has already been put forward for a trial in a federal court in New York:
http://www.andyworthington.co.uk/2009/05/21/out-of-guantanamo-african-embassy-bombing-suspect-to-be-tried-in-us-court/