Backlash from the left for Obama’s pending decision to move the 9/11 terrorist trials back to military tribunals has begun. The ACLU is first out of the gate with an ad in the New York Times asking Obama if this is change or more of the same. The ACLU’s open letter to Obama is accompanied by the graphic above. Here is what the ad says:
What will it be Mr. President?
Change or more of the Same?
Candidate Barack Obama vowed to change the Bush-Cheney policies and restore America’s values of justice and due process. Many of us are shocked and concerned that right now, President Obama is considering reversing his attorney general’s decision to try the 9/11 defendants in criminal court. Our criminal justice system has successfully handled over 300 terrorism cases compared to only 3 in the military commissions. Our criminal justice system will resolve these cases more quickly and more credibly than the military commissions.
President Obama can vigorously prosecute terrorists and keep us safe without violating our Constitution.
As president, Barack Obama must decide whether he will keep his solemn promise to restore our Constitution and due process, or ignore his vow and continue the Bush-Cheney policies.
Tell President Obama not to back down on his commitment to our justice system, and to try the 9/11 defendants in criminal court.
Remind the world that America stands for due process, justice, and the rule of law.
More information about the ACLU’s call to use civilian trials to try the 9/11 suspects is available online here: www.aclu.org/national-security/obama-administration-verge-reversing-decision-911-prosecutions
In addition to the ad, ACLU Executive Director, Anthony D. Romero wrote a five page letter directly to Obama. In the letter Romero makes the case for why Obama should keep the 9/11 trials in civilian courts. You can view the entire letter here.
The ACLU is a big player in leftwing politics, it will be interesting to see how many more on the left and far left follow the ACLU. What will be even more interesting will be if Obama once again blows off progressives for the sake of political expediency.
The administration has taken heavy fire for its handling of terrorism in general. Even the administration’s recent successes in Pakistan seem unable to provide them enough political cover. If I had to guess, I would say that unless the left goes completely bonkers on this issue, Obama is going to move the 9/11 trials back to military tribunals, because it will take the issue off the front burner and allow him to focus on his true passion, domestic spending.
Via: Memeorandum
Via: The ACLU
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