Dying with a Wimper
Frankly, I'm delighted with yesterday's verdict in Zacarias Moussaoui's trial. The last thing I wanted was for Moussaoui to be a martyr. Besides, I just didn't buy either the prosecution's or Moussaoui's own stories about his hand in 9/11.
Oh he's a bad guy and would certainly hurt Americans if he could, but a 9/11 mastermind who was stopped only inches from his goal of another Sept. 11th massacre? Please. He's a monster only in his own mind. Let him die now with a wimper instead of a roar.
Finally, we can be done with this ludicrous show trial which has done little more than divert all our attentions from the real fact that we are no closer to capturing Osama bin Laden today than we were five years ago.
posted by Brandon at 11:44 AM
11 Comments:
Brandon, perhaps not surprisingly I agree with all your sentiments on this verdict completely.
The only thing I would add is that America and Americans have to move beyond the thirst for revenge.
I think it makes us uncivilised.
Whether you agree with their verdict or not, I think those 12 jurors made a pretty good case against the charge of America being bloodthirsty.
Which makes Moussaoui's cry of "I have defeated America" all the more silly, since the restraint of our judicial system was not bulldozed by emotion, unlike his zealotry. It would be just like his ilk to see that kind of restraint, a triumph of the Enlightenment, as a weakness. There is no cultural relativism to be found between these two world views, and I pity the academics who insist on finding one.
Nate, you're right. I am only saddened that the news media found it so easy to find those who would rail against the verdict. Thus proving that while some of us are capable of restraint, and may be somewhat enlightened, we are surrounded by those who reject both. Perhaps there is the "relativism" between the two cultures(although I don't think I really understand what you were trying to say.)
No, you're fine. It was not my clearest post, that's for sure. The "you" in "Whether you agree with their verdict or not" was not you, Robin, but was meant for a generic audience. I was making a separate point, no rebuttal of any kind to you or Brandon. I agree with you both.
I completely expected the blowhards to come out of the woodwork to rail against the verdict, as you say, and that's what I find depressing, since the verdict is what makes it clear that we can be a rational society. In the "war for hearts and minds," as it is called, it's a pretty good shot. We need more of that, less of Abu Gharib. That's what the blowhards don't understand: it's in our best interest.
As far as the cultural relativist comment, I just get rankled by those who indulge in zealotry and blind intolerance, no matter what compassion is being shown to them.
It's funny because I'm usually the one extending the olive branch. We spared the life of someone who confessed to being a perpetrator of 9/11, who wanted to be found guilty, this during a time when many people still won't go see United 93 because of the traumatic experience.
Why did we refuse to kill him? Because our own judicial system found reasonable doubt. In the face of something like that, I want to see some random extremist such as Moussaoui come to his senses about what a jackass he is. It's a lot to ask for, I know, but still, it rankles me to hear him shout the same 'ol nonsense with wich he has been brainwashed, when his own culture would have beheaded him and his entire family for some equivalent crime. That's all. On to the next outrage.
Hey, he's coming to your part of the country Brandon! Cool!
Heard it on NPR.
"Supermax" sounds like a kind of cleaning product.
Actually, Nate, "his own culture" doesn't have the death penalty. He's French. ;-)
But yeah, I totally agree.
And, as soon as they said SuperMax, I knew he was headed our direction.
Spend some time tonight, before falling asleep, pondering the conversations he and Ted Kuzinsky can share.
Peace!
Oh, come on now Robin. You can't mean that culture only means where you were born or the citizenship on your passport. Do you really see Moussaoui as a product of what we consider "French" culture, with all the stereotypes that are brought to mind, or is he a product of an intolerant, extremist-religious, beheading crazed culture? You get three guesses.
Unless he likes Jerry Lewis.
This is fun. I'm enjoying sitting back and listening to you both. Keep going...
Sorry. There was never a real disagreement to begin with. We're too busy nodding our heads at each other.
In the words of Jon Stewart: "I am not going to be your monkey!"
Oh, I didn't say you were fighting. I was enjoying being dazzled by your staggering intellects.
Ok, sorry to break up the love fest, but I disagree with the verdict. First, the reasons the jury gave are pathetic, and they're not the reasons you guys gave. The jury said that he had a bad childhood, so, he shouldn't be killed. Nonsense, he knew of the impending attack and purposely said nothing. If any of us did that same act we would regard ourselves as a reprobate being, which is what he has allowed himself to become. We as a nation should have made a statement that we will not tolerate such people to live. It is not about revenge, it is about what we value, and executing a person is a statement about where we draw the line. But drawing lines of justice against crimes is something we are becoming rather weak at. There, maybe that'll spice up the conversation a bit...
Andy
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