While Republicans, including House Minority Leader John Boehner, are freaking out because the 9/11 plotters are being transferred to New York City for trial, the Congressman who represents Lower Manhattan isn't afraid. Rep. Jerry Nadler issued a statement today that speaks for the toughness of New Yorkers, the need for justice and the debunks the fears of Republicans. Via Nadler's press release:
“I thank the Department of Justice and Attorney General Eric Holder for their diligent efforts to bring to justice those who have committed acts of terrorism against the United States. In particular, I applaud the decision to bring those individuals responsible for the attack on the World Trade Center to New York to face trial in our federal courts. New York is not afraid of terrorists, we want to confront them, we want to bring them to justice, and we want to hold them accountable for their despicable actions.The Bush administration used every scare tactic conceivable to win re-election in 2004. The specter of terror attacks loomed over the campaign. But, George Bush didn't win in the places that actually were attacked: New York City or Washington D.C. and its suburbs. Not even close. Many other parts of the country (Red States) cowered, but New Yorkers didn't. And, they won't now. It's astonishing how weak-kneed Republicans get over this. And, could these GOP members of Congress be more disrespectful to America's law enforcement community. The Republicans are acting like scaredy cats.
“It is fitting that they be tried in New York, where the attack took place. On that day almost 3,000 innocent men, women, and children were murdered, and New York has waited far too long for the opportunity to hold these terrorists responsible. We have handled terrorist trials before, and we welcome this opportunity to do so again. Any suggestion that our prosecutors and our law enforcement personnel are not up to the task of safely holding and successfully prosecuting terrorists on American soil is insulting and untrue. I invite any of my colleagues who say that they are afraid to bring detainees into the United States to face trial to come to New York and see how we handle them.
