Try them on U.S. soil
Since the attacks of September 11, 2001, we have called for the capture and prosecution of those responsible. The announcement that the trials will be held in New York should have been greeted as a chance to have justice prevail as well as offer some sense of closure to this event.
Instead of seeing these trials as victories of the American justice system and its fundamental practice of presenting facts and evidence in open court regardless of the heinous nature of the crime, many of those people who reflexively attack anything proposed by President Obama are screaming about how these trials will endanger the country. These are the very same people who like to assert that our justice system is the best in the world and supported proceedings as nearly 200 terrorism cases were successfully prosecuted. As an example of this changing perspective, the ex-mayor of New York City, Rudy Giuliani, has changed his position that the terrorists should be brought to justice here, claiming that the trials will put overwhelming pressure on the city and make it a target.
Giuliani's opinion seems to be the opposite of the one he held in 1994 with regard to the attack on the World Trade Center when he said, "New Yorkers won't meet violence with violence, but with a far greater weapon -- the law."
Anyone who truly desires to have justice prevail regarding the attacks of 9/11 has to agree with the Rudy Giuliani of 1994 and welcome trials on American soil.
JEFFREY A. LITTORNO
Bakersfield
