The first civilian trial of a Guatanamo detainee has come to its rip-roaring conclusion: a federal jury in Manhattan on Wednesday convicted Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani of one count of conspiracy in the 1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in Africa — and acquitted him on more than 280 other counts.
As John Yoo pointed out earlier, the Ghailani trial was supposed to be an easy one. We’re talking about a man who confessed to orchestrating the embassy bombings, and identified a corroborating witness. Here was the perfect opportunity for Obama/Holder to justify their obsession with trying terrorists in civilian courts.
But the trial turned out to be — surprise! — a farce. That confession? Forget about it. That witness? Not allowed because Ghailani identified him during an interrogation during which Ghailani alleges that he was tortured. Of course, by the standards of the left, no doubt Ghailani was “tortured” in the sense that the CIA did not offer him a foot massage and macrobiotic luncheon.
Liberals are doing their best to cheer for this result as a victory for democracy. I say we call them and raise them. Let’s direct some questions to President Obama:
Since you’re pleased with the Ghailani decision, shouldn’t we also open up civilian courts to Bagram detainees (many more of them than the Gitmo crowd)?
You have instructed the Army to Mirandize anyone captured in Afghanistan, right?
You wouldn’t object to having the federal government defend a class action by people injured in drone attacks?
And if you’re not comfortable with these steps, please explain to the NY Times.
Full Story: United States 1, Al Qaeda 280 – Ricochet.com