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Writer not familiar with convention, ideals
The Gazette Opinion Staff
Jan. 30, 2010 11:01 pm
A Jan. 14 letter to the editor suggests that columnist Charles Krauthammer is not well-informed on either the Geneva Convention or the ideals of Thomas Jefferson, because Krauthammer would deny terrorists the right to trial by jury. This writer then suggests the unsuccessful Christmas Day bomber should be given rights afforded by the Geneva Convention and that Jefferson would not deny this terrorist a trial by jury. The Geneva Convention does not provide such rights to terrorists.
Terrorists are not protected by civilian law or military tribunal for their acts and in practice have been subjected to torture or execution. These definitions can be freely found on the Internet. FDR used the military tribunal during World War II on eight saboteurs even though they were caught before committing any act of sabotage. All of them were civilians and six of the eight were executed.
Jefferson was a fierce defender of individual freedoms, but he did not experience the terrorism we have today. Terrorists in his day were called Barbary Coast pirates and Jefferson dealt harshly with their terror without Europe's blessing or participation. Would Jefferson be appalled and outraged at the killing of innocent women and children? Absolutely. Would he afford them the right to a trial by jury, or to a military tribunal as FDR chose? It seems more convincing through Jefferson's words and actions he would opt for military tribunal.
Where has our desire for liberty gone?
Bill Crump
Anamosa
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