This judge just made the case FOR military tribunals. They are less likely to give a light sentence for terrorists like he just did. He can "decry" the U.S. tactcs all he wants as he "legislates from the bench"....but he'd dead wrong. Unfortunatley, probably other innocent civilians will eventually die for his actions. BTW, can't call him a liberal nut.....because he was an appointee of Reagan. But I don't care. He was a bad choice for a judge.....no matter who appointed him. So.......one of the guys who plotted to kill hundreds, maybe thousands of American civilians during the Millineum.....will be out on the streets again in just 17 years!!!!




Ressam judge decries U.S. tactics

By Hal Bernton and Sara Jean Green

Seattle Times staff reporter


U.S. Attorney John McKay, right, accompanied by other federal officials, leads a news conference at the federal courthouse in Seattle after Ahmed Ressam was sentenced to 22 years in prison. McKay, who had sought a 35-year term, said, "I think the court sent an important message to would-be terrorists around the world."

U.S. District Judge John Coughenour sentenced Ahmed Ressam to a 22-year prison term yesterday for attempting to bomb Los Angeles International Airport on the millennium's eve, and used the occasion to unleash a broadside against secret tribunals and other war on terrorism tactics that abandon "the ideals that set our nation apart."

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...ressam27m.html

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"This is a time for a national imperative not to fail in Iraq." Condoleeza Rice, January 11, 2007

Now pot smokers can watch rapists, thieves, and "terrorists" come and go while they complete their sentences!!! Guess it's the only way to be sure there is room for all the medicinal users!!

Buck S. N.

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There are only two things wrong with this great nation of ours, democrats and republicans!

Not necessarily in that order.

So, let's see. The prosecution seeks a 35-year sentence. The defense seeks a sentence of under 20 years.

Further, this guy was apparently a valuable informant for awhile after he was arrested.

Finally, the prosecutor said he was pleased with the sentence.

But so what; you call the judge a "nut" for settling on a 22-year sentence.

Whatever.

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Man up.

So why don't they just continue with possession of bomb making materials, and transporting, that's gotta add another 20 years? Why not attempted murder charges for every individual that entered the airport that day!! Even at 1 year per offense he'll get what 2-300,000 years additional!!

You know the old story, cop get's ya for speeding and ya got an attitude, so he breaks out your tail light and say's alright bright boy now you get three tickets! Three tickets (you say with shock)? Why three tickets? Speeding, broken tail light, and littering!!!

Buck S. N.

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There are only two things wrong with this great nation of ours, democrats and republicans!

Not necessarily in that order.

It's more the judge's comments that I disliked.
Seemed like he had a poltiical axe to grind.

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"This is a time for a national imperative not to fail in Iraq." Condoleeza Rice, January 11, 2007

I fail to see how he was legislating from the bench...

I agree. They should all be sentenced equally. The terrorists, rapists and thieves should get as much time as the pot SELLERS.

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"It aint over, till it's over"

Nobody, please tell me you aren't a judge, police officer, or a lawmaker??? We have enough problems with our prison system, without adding to the problem! The worst thing that can happen to an adult who chooses to smoke cannabis, is being arrested and put in jail!!!

Please read my post on cannabis, and tell me where there is justification to imprison people under false pretense??? About 3/4 of the way down the thread!! It's the long one!!

http://www.politicalforum.com/viewto...t=8237&start=0

Buck S. N.

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There are only two things wrong with this great nation of ours, democrats and republicans!

Not necessarily in that order.

""The tragedy of Sept. 11 shook our sense of security and made us realize that we, too, are vulnerable to acts of terrorism," said Coughenour in a voice edged with emotion. "Unfortunately, some believe that this threat renders our Constitution obsolete. ... If that view is allowed to prevail, the terrorists will have won."

The judge also.. "used the occasion to unleash a broadside against secret tribunals and other war on terrorism tactics that abandon "the ideals that set our nation apart."

He's not a legislator. If he wants to make the laws...and give speeches about it on the Senate floor, then he needs to run for the Senate. All he just did was prove to me that there is good reason for military tribunals.

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"This is a time for a national imperative not to fail in Iraq." Condoleeza Rice, January 11, 2007

He's still not legislating. Last time I checked, the Constitution was ratified before Sept. 11, and he is simply judging by the same standards as he would have before said event. Speeches are speeches, not laws, and you can ignore them. All that judge was doing was using preexisting law to judge a case, and quite rightly in my opinion.