Re: Judge sentencing Ahmed Ressam Slams US
- From: "TPS" <theron@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 28 Jul 2005 10:52:16 -0700
"Bruce Morgen" <editor@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:5jvhe15hc2denc9ko543n2u78jm00jbeff@xxxxxxxxxx
> Judge sentencing Ahmed Ressam Slams US
>
> U.S. vs. Ressam
>
> (Court's comments.)
>
> THE COURT: Okay. Let me say a few things. First of
> all, it will come as no surprise to anybody that this sentencing
> is one that I have struggled with a great deal, more than any
> other sentencing that I've had in the 24 years I've been on the
> bench.
>
> I've done my very best to arrive at a period of confinement
> that appropriately recognizes the severity of the intended
> offense, but also recognizes the practicalities of the parties'
> positions before trial and the cooperation of Mr. Ressam, even
> though it did terminate prematurely.
>
> The message I would hope to convey in today's sentencing is
> two-fold: First, that we have the resolve in this country to
> deal with the subject of terrorism and people who engage in it
> should be prepared to sacrifice a major portion of their life in
> confinement.
>
> Secondly, though, I would like to convey the message that our
> system works. We did not need to use a secret military tribunal,
> or detain the defendant indefinitely as an enemy combatant, or
> deny him the right to counsel, or invoke any proceedings beyond
> those guaranteed by or contrary to the United States
> Constitution.
>
> I would suggest that the message to the world from today's
> sentencing is that our courts have not abandoned our commitment
> to the ideals that set our nation apart. We can deal with the
> threats to our national security without denying the accused
> fundamental constitutional protections.
>
> Despite the fact that Mr. Ressam is not an American citizen
> and despite the fact that he entered this country intent upon
> killing American citizens, he received an effective, vigorous
> defense, and the opportunity to have his guilt or innocence
> determined by a jury of 12 ordinary citizens.
>
> Most importantly, all of this occurred in the sunlight of a
> public trial. There were no secret proceedings, no indefinite
> detention, no denial of counsel.
>
> The tragedy of September 11th shook our sense of security and
> made us realize that we, too, are vulnerable to acts of
> terrorism. Unfortunately, some believe that this threat renders
> our Constitution obsolete. This is a Constitution for which men
> and women have died and continue to die and which has made us a
> model among nations. If that view is allowed to prevail, the
> terrorists will have won.
>
> It is my sworn duty, and as long as there is breath in my
> body I'll perform it, to support and defend the Constitution of
> the United States.
>
> We will be in recess.
> _____
>
> © 2005
Great stuff.
Why don't they appoint this guy to the SCOTUS?
.
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