wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

I listened to this show, and to several of the family members who called in. They were very positive in their reactions. I was not. In my opinion Mr. Lehrer needs to gain some distance from the whole 9/11 topic, both for his listens, and I suspect for himself.

During the segments I listened to he was completely adverse to bringing the suspects to New York City, claiming they are "special." In his mind they are clearly special because he has already convicted them; in fact he advocated the death penalty for them "when they are convicted." So much for presumption of innocence. Let's go straight to the execution: is that what the host of a program like this should be advocating?

I don't know if anyone else either noticed or cares, but it is obvious Mr. Lehrer has not reached a catharsis over these events, more than eight years later. He, and the rest of those who hold onto these emotions, need to move on. All they do by continuing to act from grief and anger is give the terrorists yet one more victory, each and every time.

Perhaps a vaction is in order, or a longer leave of absence, but I sense from listening to Mr. Lehrer for many years that he is not at heart a blood-thirsty person, far from the man who calls for the death penalty before guilt it proven. On this subject his judgment is clouded with palpable rage and bitterness. Please don't let this pass without some introspection.

I can see it now: not guilty, not guilty, not guilty. It will show what a joke the American system can be. All those people saying this is the best system in the world are dreaming. Look at those 2 Bear Stern guys; one of them was basically laughing all the way out of the court upon being acquitted.

"Giving up a civilian trial in lieu of a military tribunal would be liberty admitting defeat." This is pure rhetoric with no rational basis. As another poster asked, if he is convicted, will he be sent to an ordinary prison? Be allowed to appeal for the next 14 years? Nice.

A trial should be about proving
innocence or establishing guilt.

It seems that some people have already
condemned these men, prior to trial.

It is during the trial that the prosecutor
will present the evidence that the government
hopes will produce a guilty verdict and
the defense attorney(s) will try to prove
their client is innocent.

We don't know anything, except what
the government has told us with respect
as to how the government reached the conclusion
that KSM and the others are guilty of 9/11.

The Government doesn't always tell the truth,
that much we do know.

Let's wait for the trial, and what that
process brings out, before we decide
if the Government did indeed get the right
people.

If we are too SCARED to operate a normal legal procedure then the terrorists have won. The risk is higher perhaps but isn't it exactly the risk our founding fathers would endorse? Being AFRAID ALL THE TIME is very Bush/Guilianni and that era is over.

Let's have a backbone and some faith, people. Some call that PATRIOTISM.

The “lie” that this decision is Eric Holder's and not Barry Hussein Obama is the joke of the day. Nothing gets done in this admin without the approval of the axis of evil, i.e., Obama, Emanual and Axlerod. They are constantly triangulating the political considerations, implications and consequences.

With their poll ratings down and health care socialization and the rest of their evil plans for destroying America stalled, the Obama boys need a big distraction and fast, hence a show trial in Manhattan, where the guilty get a worldwide “soapbox” (something WNYC took away from it’s listeners and contributors) and a chance to go free and also get the opportunity to denounce America (giving Obama a rest on that front) and reveal security secrets. “Heck of a job, Barry.”

This is of course the same Eric Holder who was responsible for murdering dozens of American children at Waco, TX. He should have been disbarred, arrested, tried, convicted and imprisoned for life for manslaughter or negligent homicide. What a wonderful man to have in this administration. What a shining example for today’s youth. What B---S---!

Please note that this trial is being brought to you by the same group of incompetent and mischievous Bolsheviks, Maoists and fanatic Muslim apologists in the Obama administration who despite their promises to the contrary, have not closed Gitmo, because after the election they realized it is necessary; have not pulled out of Iraq because they are afraid of the country’s collapse and have not reinforced US and NATO troops in Afghanistan which is causing our troops to be killed and wounded on a daily basis. Again, “heck of a job, Barry.”

14-I'm just relieved he didn't turn out to be the new, 40th anniversary Sesame Street character...

And for God's sake, can you take down the hideous picture of that moron. I am so sick of seeing his ugly face and hairy disgusting body. Yeah, we know who he is, do we have to SEE him every day now until the stupid trial?!

11 and 12, agree...on that note why not try him in NYC court on murder 1, conspiracy, passport fraud, and other ordinary charges?

then send him to DC for the same? if convicted, he gets sent to regular prison.

Lee.. I totally agree with you... what they did was a crime against civillians. Why build them up so much.. a criminal act ..treat them as criminals.

If Al Quaeda is the organization behind the attack and Al Quaeda is NOT a state how can Al Quaeda operatives be tried in a military tribunal? I don't understand why those opposed to trying the case in a civilian court would want to further legitimize Al Quaeda by giving them the status of a government.

If we are too scared to operate a normal legal procedure then the terrorists have won. The risk is higher perhaps but isn't it exactly the risk our founding fathers would endorse? Being afraid all the time is very Bush/Guilianni and that era is over.

Let's have some backbone and some faith, people. Some call that patriotism.

After 911 our city suffered huge emotional & financial burdens and we are currently facing extreme shortages of personnel in NYPD, a situation that is exacerbated by the resources already devoted to anti-terrorism. NY is still suffering hugely from the economic down turn. How can Com. Kelly & the Mayor say we can handle this increased burden on NYPD when we don't even have enough police to patrol our streets, when we ask for more cops to keep our communities safe and we are told that they don't have the money for overtime or the manpower to patrol. NYC is bigger than just Manhattan.

Our judicial system, which provides for equal protection under the law and a fair trail before one's peers is one of the greatest weapons we have in fighting this ideological war. Keeping with it, even in these extraordinary circumstances, shows that our system really is the best. Giving up a civilian trial in lieu of a military tribunal would be liberty admitting defeat. This trial in NYC is a good thing.

Let's NOT call him KSM - it makes him sound like he's a rapper or some other entertainment personality (like SJP or Brangelina), which he certainly is not...

Giuliani is a fear mongerer. He's a horrible person.

The crime was here, try them here.

Unlike the arrogant christening of the replacement"freedom towers" , a successful and legal processing of this jihadist, right inside this zone, would feel to me like a balm.
as though another symbolic level has been finally, and logically, been reached and the terrorist act has been salved in a way. This process highlights the difference between their terrorist culture and our own in a way that is meaningful to our higher ideals.

The best way for New Yorkers to combat terrorism is to move beyond the fear engendered by bringing KSM to New York and interviewees like Commissioner Kelly. Attacks by extremists--whether it's al Qaeda or Timothy McVeigh types--are the price we pay for freedom. New York has enjoyed eight years of peace since 2001 ... indeed, it's one of the safest cities in the United States. It's time to put the 9/11 mentality behind us.

The motivation for selecting a non-military tribunal is to show the fairness and justice of the American judicial system. Under this reasoning, the fairest site for the trial would be far from the scene of the crime, say like in the mid-West somewhere, so that there is no risk of local bias getting in to the juror's minds.

i have faith in our justice system

I think this is a lot of pressure for a jury comprised of citizens but in general, as a new yorker, i can't wait to get down to the courts with my camera!