What's the big deal about moving the trial of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed from

[gateley]

NYC to elsewhere? If it really does impact the daily lives of the people (and how could it not?) and if with all the NYC security and other expenses it runs close to $1 bil (taxpayer) dollars, it just seems to make sense to move it to a different venue.

I don't understand why Bid Ed is making this such an issue.

I'm sure, faced with the desires of the citizens of NYC, Obama is a big enough person to change the plans.

[BrklynLiberal]

1. Must be some vested interests that are being rattled...

Personally, I think Governors Island could be OK..but LOWER MANHATTAN??? Totally insane.

[virgogal]

2. Ditto!

[customerserviceguy]

3. It's beyond goofy to try him in NYC

Frankly, I'd applaud a firing squad at Gitmo for this POS, myself.

[Dennis Donovan]

6. Yeah! Screw due-process! How 9/10!!

:crazy:

[customerserviceguy]

7. I know you're waiting for a Bush-Cheney trial

but the President clearly signalled last night that he is not into prosecuting the past.

This asshat is at least partially responsible not only for the deaths of about 3,000 Americans, he's also responsible for a second Bush the Younger term, and the so-called Patriot Act. Isn't that enough reason to shoot his ass?

[secondwind]

4. we tried the blind cleric in NYC in 1995, without a problem.....I don't understand

why the Republicans are so against our trying a Nigerian national in a court of law. They never said a peep when Bush tried Zacharias Moussaoui in federal court in VA, or when Bush tried Richard Reid, the shoe bomber.

There is simply NOTHING that Obama does that they are going to agree with. Period.

[gateley]

5. I think Bloomberg is primarily citing the cost and the disruption to the New Yorkers --

and (sounds like the Republican's input - but may be valid) NYC would become a target for terrorists to try to make a 'statement'.

They seem to be making this a much larger story than the trials you mention, so maybe that's why they feel it's not the best place at this time.

I'd say if it disrupts the people, that alone would be justification in my mind to move the trial elsewhere. They mention a military base and again, I think that makes sense.

But as usual, no one is asking for my sage advice. :7

[Imajika]

8. Having to reverse a decision...

...like this is never politically good for a President.

Honestly, the entire debate is nothing but a GOP PR stunt (sadly, combined with Bloomberg wanting some free cash) designed to force GITMO to stay open and use military tribunals instead of civilian trials.

Still, this is one Obama can't win. Too many Democrats will side with the Republicans on this one because they fear it as a campaign issue.

Going to have to reverse course on this some Friday afternoon when the public is distracted and hold the trials somewhere else. It sucks because holding these trials in NYC would be great and true poetic justice, but Obama has to pick his fights carefully and this isn't a winning issue.

[kiranon]

9. Agree. Needs to pick his battles better and lower cost of the trial

in terms of cost to NYC and to the people/businesses around the court. An alternative site would be a good idea and would probably be more secure.