Originally published November 18, 2009

The media is ablaze with debate over the trial of Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, accused mastermind of 9/11. On one hand, we are hearing that since this crime took place in New York City, the Big Apple is the best venue for a trial. Others point out that  Khalid is not an American citizen, does not have the rights of an American citizen, and therefore should not be tried in our civilian courts. They also question the motives of the Obama administration: Are they attempting to put a terrorist on trial or George Bush and Vice-President Chaney on trial? How much will we hear about 3000 innocent people being murdered and how much will we instead hear about water boarding?  Will this not be a circus that goes on for years? And then, there is the platform we are giving to Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, as he’s granted a golden opportunity to spew forth venom about the United States, inspiring new terrorist recruits all over the world. Finally, there is the question of discovery: How many top secret documents will have to be declassified at the request of Khalid’s defense?  How many lawyers are just salivating at the chance to make a name for themselves with this mockery of a trial?

These are all important points, to be sure. But one little fact seems to go unmentioned in almost every passionate conversation: Khalid Shaikh Mohammed already confessed to the crime, proudly and without remorse. He even insisted that he wanted to be executed.Why are we wasting the tax payer’s money on a trial that is unnecessary, either in a civilian or military court? How many billions of  dollars could we save, and how much emotion from the families of the victims could be spared, and how much wasted energy from media talking heads could be redirected toward something constructive if we merely take this guy at his word and execute him as he requested?

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