A message to doubters of our justice system: The United States was founded on freedoms and based on the rule of law. It has worked for two centuries and been admired worldwide.
The new GOP talking points — expressing fear of justice working in an open courtroom, from a party that likes to wrap itself in the flag — are quite stunning.
The latest example is the reaction to the Obama administration's decision to put mass murderer (OK, alleged but self-described) Khalid Shaikh Mohammed on trial for planning the Sept. 11 attacks. Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama called the idea of trying the most vile criminal in U.S. history in a U.S. criminal court where he would face the death sentence "dangerous," "misguided" and "unnecessary."
Since when is seeking justice misguided? Since when is exposing the worst of humanity to the bright light of the American judicial system dangerous?
We should note, it's not entirely a GOP affliction. President Barack Obama tried to deflect the decision, saying it was up to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., who noted, "We need not cower in the face of this enemy."
Sessions hardly went rogue among his teeth-chattering party brethren. Kansas Sens. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts are near the front of this chicken coop. Their opposition to the relocation of Guantanamo prisoners (even putting a hold on all presidential appointments this summer) was based on an unreasonable terror of terrorists.
Enough. The terrorists are real and they are nasty. They killed 3,000 innocents on our soil.
To read the complete editorial, visit The Kansas City Star.