The date forever burned into the American consciousness. The day the homeland was attacked by an outside threat. The day that changed America forever. After the attack America was insecure, worried, scared. Soon we gathered together and in our frightened state of mind we passed the Patriot Act, increasing military and government power, which in some peoples opinion, went beyond the bounds of a democratic society. Wiretapping was often used and was suspected of being used in secret and without warrants, which was now within the limits of law enforcement. Enhanced security was put into place in almost every important site in the US. Airports became high-security places, with the TSA assuming control of affairs. Things went into lockdown. And the American people believed it was for the best, for our safety. We went to war against an enemy that had no concrete form, an enemy across the sea and surrounded by sympathetic people. We were the invaders. After awhile our status as saviors wore off and we became plain invaders, enforcing our rules onto a population that held within it a small minority of enemy soldiers. We could not win this war. But we were in it for closure, to feel like we got back at them for what they did to us. And now, with the military tribunal finally convening on the 9/11 conspirators, we may have closure. Maybe.
Since the 5 conspirators have been detained in Guantanamo Bay, there has been frequent worries about the legality of their imprisonment and allegations of torture have been brought up, such 'enhanced interrogation' techniques including waterboarding, or a simulation of drowning. Our brutal treatment of these men has given us next to nothing except a guarantee of hatred among them and their peers. This was shown earlier when the military tribunal met this week. As the court started the men accused refused to recognize the authority of the court and their lawyers supported this accusation. The men disrupted the court frequently by bursting into prayer, stripping off their shirt to show scars allegedly inflicted by US soldiers, and verbal outburts.All this among worries that they will not recieve a fair trial. The men refused to answer any questions and their lawyers demanded to hear the qualifications of the prosecutors, demanded a reading of the 87-page charges list, and prolonged the hearing any way they could.
To anyone this would be frustrating, but in this case even more so. I personally worry that with these men's reputation and actions that many people with refuse to listen to reason with the trial and instead stick with their gut reaction. There is little doubt in my mind that these men are innocent, and there seems to be no remorse in them at all. However, it is not wise for people to stoop to a lower level by branding them in a certain way. By comparing their actions to their Muslim faith, their geopolitical region, or their cultures. If people view these men as representatives of their entire region and religion (which many people unfortunately do) then we as americans we create a stereotype of stereotyping Muslims and arabs as terrorists. However, I fear this has already happened. AS this trial continues, I wish to see the US strive to be above the antics of those accused, and continue to stand on the higher moral ground. Let us not sink to their level.
FACTS: Guantanamo military trial
- Five suspects in the 9/11 attacks are being tried by a military tribunal
- The five suspects are: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, Waleed bin Attash, Ramzi Binalshibh, Ali Abd al-Aziz Ali and Mustafa Ahmad al-Hawsawi
- Charges include 2,976 counts of murder, hijacking and conspiracy
- The prosecution is seeking the death penalty for all five men
- Defence lawyers criticised the process, saying the men were tortured while in US custody, and are questioning the legitimacy of the process
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