Six-and-a-half years later, six men who were allegedly part of the Sept. 11 attacks are going to trial.
Actually, they are going before the Military Commissions, to be exact. According to CNN.com, the detainees could face the death penalty if they are found of having been involved in the crime.
Good.
I would have thought, and hoped, this would have been taken care of sooner.
But wait, it isn't that simple.
There are several polls, on various Web sites, asking people if they think the death penalty would be right for these people. About 75 percent say yes. That means a quarter of us believe we should not do that to them … riiiight.
This momentarily made me lose faith in Americans. Isn't this right? How could you say "no" after these people changed the face of America forever?
Well, people who think outside the box more than me had a possible answer. Would that be rewarding them?
In their faith, martyrdom is a goal and a big reason why they carried out Sept. 11 in the first place. Dying for what you believe in is just about the highest honor you can grant them. Maybe the death penalty is exactly what they are hoping for.
Also, what about the burden on the taxpayers? You may not consciously realize it, but sentencing someone to the death penalty makes your pockets a little lighter.
So now, contrary to my previous opinion, we have a formidable debate. Do we sentence them and make them happy, or keep them in Guantanamo Bay and always know they are still alive?
I hope I'm not too blunt in saying this, but I think you give them death.
I know all of the protestors out there will bring up the fact that it may be cruel and unusual punishment and that we shouldn't do this out of fear of retaliation from other countries. Or maybe we shouldn't do it because it does give them what they want. Or what about the right to life? Well, people, look what they did to America.
If you murder someone, you might get life in prison, but in a lot of cases, depending on the state, you'll get the death penalty. Most of America turns their head on that one.
So should these people be an exception to the law? They killed many people. They were supposedly involved in the most infamous day in American history. How can we let these people sit around and relish in the fact that they carried out their orders to perfection?
If you are paying close attention, I am maybe bending the law a little as well. I am basically saying that because the act they committed was so severe, they should automatically get the death penalty. I know, I know, the law doesn't work that way.
But how can you let these people live? Think of how many families, friends and loved ones people lost that day. Think of how much fear, chaos and confusion followed. That day might have brought with it one of the only situations that is bigger than America. So big, it's above the law.
This is about right and wrong. They committed the most horrific crime in American history. So what if they believe they'll be martyrs? If we let them live, they still believe they will be rewarded anyways.
America has done such a good job of moving on and healing after such a deep wound. If these men are proven to have been involved in the Sept. 11 attacks, I think you give them the death penalty, no problem.
Mike Pelton is a broadcast journalism sophomore. He can be reached at: michael.pelton@asu.edu.
