[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2009/images/11/16/9-11.jpg caption= " Lights near Ground Zero to memorialize September 11."]FROM CNN's JACK CAFFERTY:
A heated debate is following the Obama administration's decision to bring some of the 9-11 suspects to trial in New York City.
Democrats are praising the decision to try Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the admitted mastermind of the attacks, and four others in a civil court here in the U.S. They say it shows what a strong justice system we have.
But Republicans are calling it a bad idea and asking why alleged terrorists should get full judicial rights of U.S. citizens. Former New York City Major Rudy Giuliani says these terror suspects should face military tribunals... Giuliani says the trials will put New York City residents at unnecessary risk.
A new CNN-Opinion Research Corporation poll shows 64% of those polled say Khalid Sheikh Mohammed should be tried by a military court, while only 34% say he should be tried by a civilian court. But, the poll shows 60% of those surveyed agree Mohammed should be tried here in the U.S.
Nonetheless, a lot of people here in New York don't think this is such a good idea. Mike Lupica writes in the New York Daily News that a fair trial for Mohammed in New York won't change the worst day the city has ever had:
"This is a trial that will dominate the city and hold it hostage and bring back the day and none of the dead. This bum will get the stage he wants and tell the city it is a target all over again."
Here's the question: How do you feel about trying five of the 9/11 suspects in New York City?
Interested to know which ones made it on air?
Karl writes:
Try them on Peoria, Des Moines, Fresno even Winnemucca, I don’t care and it doesn’t matter, just get the long overdue trials over with. They are a far greater threat to us in Gitmo as poster boys for terrorist recruitment than they will ever be here in the US being processed through our legal system that has worked just fine for over 230 years.
Zach from Washington writes:
Unfortunately, giving them a highly-publicized civilian trial gives them more of a chance to spew their propaganda and anti-American rhetoric. It also gives politicians a platform to attack Bush/Cheney policies. Instead of the focus being on the thousands of murders these people committed against civilians, it will become a political circus. Bad idea. They need to be treated like the war criminals they are. And then taken out back and shot.
Ken from North Carolina writes:
I think it is the thing to do. If a man commits a rape in N.Y. and is captured in New Mexico, he is not tried there. He is brought back to N.Y. to face his accusers and that is what is being done in this case. While many New Yorkers want to demonstrate to those who wish to harm us that we do not fear them, there are many in New York that, after 8 years, are now afraid of their own shadow.
Marie from Hillburn, New York writes:
The victims (the people of New York) should have an opportunity to see those "thugs" tried and convicted. To try them in a military tribunal elevates them to "soldiers". They don't deserve this distinction.
Bruce writes:
Republicans are second guessing the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. military during a time of war? Jack, tell me it isn't so! But of course the Republicans don't want the torture details which they have so vigorously defended to come out. And of course, sadly to say, the Obama administration is probably playing politics and using this as a way to get the torture details out to the public.
Bob from Arkansas writes:
I think it is great. After they are found guilty, hang them from the Empire State Building.