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Justice for All

As America continues its efforts to combat terrorism, one must wonder what will happen when we finally catch Osama bin Laden? (Note that I wrote “when” not “if,” for I remain confident in our President’s leadership and our military’s quest to fight the terrorists who have attacked our land.)

President Bush suggested that a military tribunal is appropriate considering the magnitude of the charges and because the “suspect” is not a citizen of the United States. Tribunals are very straightforward and are used for those accused of war crimes. The proceedings are handled by the military and are kept secret, an aspect which inflames many in the media who feel the need to know anything and everything at all times.

Several voices on the left, and even some Republicans like Georgia Congressman Bob Barr and columnist William Safire, have suggested that bin Laden should be given a fair trial in the U.S. courts. They claim it’s a precious chance for our country to showcase how great our judicial system really is to the rest of the world.

Let’s consider the ramifications of allowing Osama bin Laden to have a high-profile trial, which would cause this country more pain and turmoil than it deserves. I can just imagine the throngs of media camping out on the courtroom steps, waiting to hear from Osama’s $1,000 an hour attorney. Who do you think would take the job, Johnny Cochran or Alan Dershowitz? With Osama bin Laden’s money he would assemble the best legal “Dream Team” the world has ever seen.

The trial would be a major security risk for our country. Consider the safety of the jurors and the judge. No American should have to face the dangers of being the unlucky juror of such a trial. If a man so evil and so powerful could blow up the Twin Towers, what’s to stop him and his little Taliban buddies from blowing up a hotel room which houses jurors who seem unconvinced by his crafty defense attorneys?

Furthermore, a trial would give bin Laden a very public platform to spew his sicko garbage and rhetoric about his hatred for Americans. Ultimately, his followers would commit more terrorist acts in efforts to free him.

Tribunals will prevent such militant martyrs and will provide justice for Osama bin Laden much more quickly than a trial by jury. In addition, it would avoid the unbearable media spectacle, which would naturally follow, if bin Laden were subjected to a trial in the U.S. court system.

Tribunals would provide swift and efficient justice for the terrorist mastermind, whereas, a trial could take years of tedious legal maneuvering. Time is of the essence and Osama bin Laden needs to be defeated and brought to justice as quickly as possible.

I trust our military to make sound judgments concerning the fate of our country. Osama bin Laden is an evil man who must be killed. He does not deserve police protection to escort him into the courthouse. He does not deserve the benefits of trial by jury. And he definitely does not deserve the protection of our Constitution.