Obama out of step with Americans on NYC trials

The Obama administration's decision to grant constitutional rights and civilian trials in New York to five accused terrorists, including confessed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, has most Americans seeing red.

A poll by Zogby International recently found that only 20 percent of American voters "strongly support" Obama's move, while 53 percent "strongly oppose" it. An additional 11 percent of voters "somewhat support" granting such rights to accused foreign terrorists, and 5 percent say they are "somewhat opposed."

The poll was commissioned by "The O'Leary Report" political newsletter, published by Brad O'Leary. He also is the author of "The Audacity of Deceit" and "Shut Up, America."

The unpopularity of the decision has even sparked the creation of an innovative new website, 911TerrorTrialTest.com. The site allows visitors to answer seven poll questions on the 9/11 terror-trial issue, and then click to automatically submit their answers and opinions to their senators and congressman. The site is free for all users, and, so far, thousands have registered their opinions and sent e-mails to members of Congress.

Some of the questions at 911TerrorTrialTest.com include:

Do you believe your congressman and senators should support or oppose granting American constitutional rights to foreign enemy combatants accused of being involved in the 9/11 attacks so they can be tried in federal court in New York?

Do you agree or disagree that a trial of 9/11 terror suspects in federal court is likely to disclose national intelligence secrets, methods of gathering intelligence, interrogation techniques and expose sources of information?

Do you agree or disagree that having the trials of 9/11 terror suspects in New York City will increase the risk for terrorist attacks in the city?

Sept. 11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

Even House Armed Services Chairman Ike Skelton, D-Mo., has said the Obama administration may be making a big mistake by trying foreign enemy combatants in U.S. civilian courts. Skelton is the highest-ranking Democrat to challenge the decision announced several weeks ago by Attorney General Eric Holder.

Critics contend a civilian trial will give Mohammed and his accomplices a platform for slamming America and bring danger to New York City. Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y., warns that such a trial could move New York City "to the top of al-Qaida's target list."

Supporters, on the other hand, declare it a victory for due process.

"The best thing Obama is doing here is saying these people are not terrorists with superhuman qualities. They need to be brought to justice and tried as criminals," Karen J. Greenberg, a law professor at New York University, recently told the Los Angeles Times.

The American Civil Liberties Union, which has been advocating on behalf of the accused terrorists, believes Mohammed and his allies will be shown "real and reliable justice."

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