Tainted by Torture

By Fester:

MSNBC is reporting that one of the military commission/tribunals has been cancelled against the alleged 20th hijacker as the entire trial and evidence chain has been tainted by torture:

The Pentagon has dropped charges against a Saudi at Guantanamo who was alleged to have been the so-called "20th hijacker" in the Sept. 11 attacks, his U.S. military defense lawyer said Monday...

But in reviewing the case, the convening authority for military commissions, Susan Crawford, decided to dismiss the charges against al-Qahtani...

The attorney said he could not comment on the reasons for the dismissal until discussing the case with lawyers for the other five defendants. Officials previously said al-Qahtani had been subjected to a harsh interrogation authorized by former Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

This is what happens when we as a country lack the balls to follow our own rules and basic societal norms.  If the case against Qahtani was solid it could have been proven in the same damn way that the case against the original WTC bombers was proven --- meticulous work within a framework of law.  That worked and that increased the legitimacy and prestige of the United States because we acted with justice instead of vengeance.  We acted with restraint instead of fear. And that restraint strengthened us. 

This amazing lack of faith in American institutions still astounds be at times coming from such dime story patriots and nationalistic tinged messaging machines.  America 's restraint and faith in the rule of law is a strength and not a weakness.  Today torture is an embarrassment  whose stain can not be easily removed even as it lessens our credibility, legitimacy and moral orientation.  Grow some balls America, and believe in your principals again. 

Comments

[anderson]

Huh? What?!

We've been told for years that Moussaoui was the "20th hijacker." How many freaking 20th hijackers are there? Or is like the ubiquitous "3rd in line al Qaeda" operative.