LETTERS: Trying the 9/11 suspects in New York
Trying 9/11 suspects
in lower Manhattan
It is right and just that the men accused of being responsible for 9/11 face justice in New York City ["Five 9/11 suspects to face trial in NYC," News, Nov. 14]. These criminals should stand before the people against whom they perpetrated their crime.
Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford) and others are wrong to treat these men as soldiers or combatants. To do so is a disgrace to the honorable profession of soldier. These men are criminals.
We should have the courage to stand these men up before our way of life, in our courts, not a thousand miles away from the scene of their crime and hidden from view.
We should show the world the strength and justice of America.
Kenneth Cusick
Bayside
If there's a chance the upcoming terror trial is going to drag on and on, I agree with Rep. King that it be held by a military tribunal in Guantánamo ["They just want justice," News, Nov. 14]. Doing so will save money. Quite simply, and with their own admission of guilt, they should be put to death.
Herb Stark
Massapequa
Rep. King is quoted as saying that the 9/11 suspects should be executed, and Sen. Charles Schumer said, "As the author of the federal death penalty law for terrorists, I believe this is the best and quickest way to impose the ultimate penalty on these terrorists" ["Politicians debate it," News, Nov. 14].
I was under the impression that the basic purpose of a trial is to establish innocence or guilt before reaching a verdict. I think Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) got it right: "We are a nation of law and I have great confidence in the judicial system."
David Cox
Bellport
Why are we wasting court time and precious tax dollars trying these "suspects" in New York City or anywhere else, for that matter?
They do not deserve to live or breathe another day. "Off with their heads!" I say.
Geraldine Quinn
Smithtown
Have they forgotten what can happen in a jury trial? A New York jury acquitted El Sayyid Nosair, of the jihadist murder of Rabbi Meir Kahane in 1990, although they found him guilty of other charges. The judge said the verdict was devoid of common sense and logic. We might be shocked by an equally bizarre verdict for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
Allan E. Mallenbaum
Plainview
The only real problem of having open trials is that secrets of how the government went about capturing these terrorists will be exposed. This information will be used by new terrorists to kill and injure Americans without the fear of being caught.
Joe Brancati
Plainview
