Bob CollinsAttorney General Eric Holder went before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee today to explain why the government will try the alleged mastermind of 9/11 in civilian court.
Opponents of the idea are worried the trial will provide a platform for Khalid Sheikh Mohammed. Based on the lack of coverage by news organizations of the hearing today, that doesn’t seem likely. CNN dropped its coverage after Holder’s initial statement. CSPAN was more interested in a ceremony honoring Sen. Robert Byrd. Even Public Radio didn’t carry the hearing.
Besides, in TV, video is king and federal courts don’t allow cameras in the courtroom. Is that a big deal? Go back to South Africa at the height of protests over apartheid. South Africa’s president banished the TV cameras, and the story disappeared from America’s living rooms.
But back to Holder. Here are his “money quotes.”
“I have every confidence that the nation and the world will see him for the coward that he is. ,I’m not scared of what Khalid Sheik Mohammed has to say at trial — and no one else needs to be either.”
“We need not cower in the face of this enemy. Our institutions are strong, our infrastructure is sturdy, our resolve is firm, and our people are ready.”
Here’s a transcript of his entire statement.
Sen. Jeff Sessions disagreed:
Separately, it probably says something — though I’m not sure exactly what — that the best place to get coverage of a significant issue before the country, is YouTube.
