We do not afford criminals due process because we think the criminals are morally worthy of much of anything. They demonstrably are not. Rather, we afford criminals due process because we hold ourselves and our government to a moral standard that is different than that of a criminal.
We rely on due process and respect human rights because we're better than them. If we don't do it, we're not better than them. It's not a question of what rights they would afford us. It's a question of what kind of a people we are. It's a question of not allowing ourselves to become like them.
We do it because we are a people who wish to live under a society of laws. Therefore, we will not conduct ourselves lawlessly. What our enemies do, what outlaws have done, is irrelevant. Maybe I haven't been clear.
We are not outlaws and "they" are not our teachers.
Which is why Nidal Malik Hasan gets to have an arraignment, a proper investigation, an attorney, a trial by jury, a presumption of innocence so strong that the government must prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, and appellate review of the process. Even if Wolf Blitzer doesn't like it.
Posts
3 comments:
Still no comment on the terrorist act.
I don't know what you're looking for. Nor will I promise that I'll write what you'd like to read.
... I'll write what you'd like to read
That means
A. He's a common criminal like Tookie
B. He's Insane. Why else would he do it?
C. He's a victim.
D. He's a religious fanatic.
Post a Comment