Do They Deserve to be Called "Criminals"?

Today, I am questioning the decision to try 5 Guantanamo Bay detainees in criminal court for the September 11th attacks on our country...IN NEW YORK CITY. Seriously? Do these people deserve to be called criminals, rather than terrorists? Suddenly, the word takes on new meaning being elevated to an honor rather than a shameful designation. This decision bothers me for several reasons:

• Why should they receive the benefit of a trial, during which they are to be considered innocent until proven guilty, as our criminal justice system dictates? This decision leads me to believe that the administration views these detainees as common murderers, not as perpetrators of intentional acts of war. American citizens are afforded the privilege of an unbiased trial. These men deserve no privileges under our Constitution. As war criminals, give them what they deserve, a military tribunal.

• This is not a law enforcement issue. If this trial makes it into our courts, it will surely be a circus, straining our resources and clogging the justice system. Must we all relive the horror of September 11th in order to say, "We find you guilty..."? We are battling violent extremist who are happier dying than they are living, not simple criminals. These men will relish the fiasco the trial creates, ripping open the wounds of a rebounding city and of thousands of families who lost loved ones that day.

• Why not a military tribunal?? Are these men not enemy combatants during a time of war? We are about to bring them into our country and offer them the comforts of our American prisons, comforts that they do not deserve. Terrorists who attacked the USS Cole are going to military tribunals...what makes them different? In addition, let's not put our country and our soldiers at risk even more by disclosing the evidence and classified information necessary to prosecute this case. A military tribunal will keep the evidence under wraps, ensuring other terrorists cannot benefit from it.

• Some lawmakers in D.C. hope this decision will "demonstrate America's values." You've got to be kidding me. How about valuing a strong military defense that reacts when attacked to defend its people rather than ignore reality for the sake of political correctness? All we will do is give these terrorists a podium on which to pontificate their hatred for our country and our people. Parading them around our streets just validates their existence on the international political stage. Let them melt into obscurity within the walls of Guantanamo. Surely, they would prefer the former.

• Are the unintended consequences worth it? How would you like to be the wife or the son of the judge assigned to this case? What would happen if you were one of the jurors (assuming they can actually find unbiased candidates...that's another story)? The lives of everyone involved in this case will be put at risk. Why? So that we can showcase our criminal justice system to the world? Is it worth it when a military tribunal process is available and, in my opinion, better suited for these cases?

I can imagine their smug grins as they are ushered through the streets of New York day in and day out, staring back at the faces of those they've hurt with no regrets. There is actually a chance that their cases could be thrown out, depending on the judge. That is not acceptable on any level. What will this do for the morale of our troops, or for the entire country for that matter? They want to be executed in name of their god. They want to be portrayed as villains. They want to be the center of attention on OUR soil. Why would we grant them any of their wishes? Bottom line, the prospect just makes me sad, and disappointed.