Fear Can't Weaken Justice

In Washington's echo chamber, reasonable can turn outrageous with blinding speed.

Last fall, U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, demanded that U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder identify Justice Department lawyers who did work in private practice defending terrorism suspects detained at Guantanamo Bay. He wanted to know whether that past work creates conflicts of interest, and whether these attorneys are advising the president on detainee-related issues.

Grassley is interested in the president's decisions to close Guantanamo and try suspected terrorists in civilian courts. He opposes both moves. “We just want to know who is advising who, and what their predilections are,” Grassley said in Cedar Rapids Monday.

I disagree with Grassley on those issues. I'm not afraid to confine or try detainees on American soil. I have faith that our courts can handle it.

But I also think Grassley's request is reasonable. The public has a right to know who its lawyers are and about their backgrounds. It's important to know who is helping shape national policy. I felt the same way after the Bush administration's secret energy meetings.

I also understand that the information Grassley sought is political dynamite. And last week, the fuse was lit.

A group called “Keep America Safe,” co-founded by Liz Cheney, daughter of the former vice president, launched an attack video calling these attorneys the “Al Qaeda 7” and questioning whether DOJ now stands for “Department of Jihad.” The video ominously asks, “Whose values do they share?”

I asked Grassley about the ad. “I've never see that, so I shouldn't comment on something I haven't seen,” he said.

He really should take a peek. Then he'd understand why so many folks on both sides of the aisle have flatly condemned it.

Our justice system works only if the accused, no matter how despicable, gets a rigorous defense. That goes for civilian courts and military tribunals. Legislation creating tribunals, which Grassley backed, provides for that defense. When I asked Grassley if he has a problem with lawyers who defend terror suspects he said, “No, no.”

That's good to hear. But I think he needs to share his feelings with Cheney and others who are pushing for a witch hunt.

I hope, in calling for transparency, Grassley doesn't mean showing our enemies that our nation's commitment to justice under the law is a flimsy facade that can be blown down by any shrill political wind. That certainly won't keep America safe.

Iowans care about justice and fairness. That's why jurors spent 25 hours deliberating Mark Becker's fate, weighing his insanity defense, even though they knew he pulled the trigger. That's our system's strength.

We shouldn't allow fear to weaken it, no matter how tantalizing the political payoff.

Comments: (319) 398-8452 or todd.dorman@gazcomm.com