Meanwhile, back at the war on terror…
Newsflash: This is more important than what Barack Obama is doing with his bony fingers. A US military tribunal has convicted Osama bin Laden’s media hack:
A U.S. military tribunal found Osama bin Laden’s media secretary guilty of conspiring with al Qaeda, soliciting murder and providing material support for terrorism in a verdict announced on Monday.
Yemeni prisoner Ali Hamza al Bahlul is the second man to be convicted by a jury in the war crimes court at the U.S. naval base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He faces life in prison and could learn his sentence on Monday.
The jury of nine U.S. military officers deliberated about four hours before reaching their verdict on Friday after a weeklong trial.
FBI interrogators testified that Bahlul scripted the videotaped wills of two September 11 hijackers and boasted of making a two-hour al Qaeda commercial designed to recruit suicide bombers.
The recruitment video was filled with bloody images of violence against Muslims and portrayed the attack on the USS Cole as part of “The Solution.” It praised the suicide bombers who drove a boat full of explosives into the side of the USS Cole in the Yemeni port of Aden in 2000, killing 17 American sailors.
Unfortunately, there was only one lone America raising his voice in defense of the murdered troops on the USS Cole. Jane at Armies of Liberation notes (statement updated):
Gary Swenchonis, Sr. is the father of Gary Swenchonis, Jr. who was one of 17 sailors murdered in the terror attack on the USS Cole in 2000. Swenchonis Sr. is in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, attending the trial of Ali Hamza Bahlul. The al-Qaeda operative was convicted today on multiple counts on charges of conspiracy, solicitation to commit murder, and providing material to support terrorism.
In a statement, Gary said:
“I was in court today at Guantanamo to testify at a military commission trial of an al Qaeda terrorist who created a recruitment video that exploits the death of our son and his mates who were killed or wounded in the attack on the USS Cole attack.
My wife and I have had the continuous support of the members of the prosecutors office and the military personnel stationed on the base. And for that we are extremely and sincerely grateful.
Its unfortunate and sad that representatives of the media and groups like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch seem to show more solidarity with the accused terrorists than with the actual victims of terrorist attacks.
American sailors died in the sneak terror attack on the USS Cole and none of these groups are demanding justice for these sailors. I would have hoped that the national media would have been interested and present at this trial which effects our whole nation. Their absence at this trial is just not right.”
Mr. Swenchonis, some of us have not forgotten.
See what others have said
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Trackbacks
- Fausta’s Blog » Blog Archive » Gary Swenchonis Sr. reports from Gitmo on the Trial of Bahlul, “Its Just Not Right”
- MishMashZone » Bin Laden’s Publicist Gets Life
- CORRECTED: Gary Swenchonis Sr. reports from Gitmo on the Trial of Bahlul, “We are extremely grateful to the US military” | Armies of Liberation
- Meanwhile, back at the war on terror… « Top Daily Digest Reading
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It actually took them FOUR Hours?
If they went past noon, they got their lunch paid for.
In a statement, Gary said, “I am so disappointed the courtroom is filled with supporters of the terrorists’ rights, but no one is here to support the victims ”
I thought Cuba was off limits? I Gonna show my solidarity first thing in the morning in the booth.
I worked with a woman whose stepson was killed on the Cole. May he and all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice with him Rest In Peace.
Justice served (almost).
How about including the counter on the web page. It would be interesting to see the hits… now and after Tuesday.
I voulenteer for the firing squad.
Nice. Sidebar: I plan to give Barry the finger tomorrow in the voting booth.
I hope he knows that thousands of people’s thoughts are with him. We may not be able to be there physically, but he should rest assured that there are those on the other side (the right side) who are thinking about him and his loss.
As a retired sailor, an american citizen, and a human being I mourn the loss of these sailors and all men and women who have died in the service of their country and ideals. It is an integral part of my life to honor them all. Our fight for freedom will never be over, so we must cherish the memory of those who have given all, as well as the injured and all else who have stood an armed watch or fought an enemy. They are an inspiration for those who care.
Will Mr. O pardon him?
I think it’s a reasonable question.
He can’t if we shoot him before Obama swears in.
“I am so disappointed the courtroom is filled with supporters of the terrorists’ rights, but no one is here to support the victims ”
Mr. Swenchonis, I am so sorry.
In the 12 years I was in the Army I was involved with three Courts Martial and have determined they are the fairest form of Justice in the U.S.
I would rather face a Courts Martial anyday than the civilian system.
I have no doubt he received the most fair trial in the world.
If things go correctly he will receive the most fair firing squad this country can provide.
Sonofdy/Texhoma,
Couldn’t agree more.. Except he can’t have a last cigarette, that would be unhealthy..
He was probably talking about the media
Ugh. At least Clinton’s pardon’s were old-fashioned quid-pro-quo, family scoundrals, hot babes married to rich guys….the usual, but one can imagine Obama’s being ideological – Marxists, terrorists….
May Justice always be served.
May God be with us tomorrow and always.
Hey AlohaGuy, Bill Clinton pardoned F.A.L.N. members. They claimed responsibility for several bombings and deaths including the January 24th, 1975 bombing at Fraunces Tavern killing four and injuring 50.
Ali,
AMF
What a class act you are.
Dude…
It was a joke.
So, I wasn’t the only one who noticed that bush-league use of this tragedy as a springboard to a lame attempt at a humorus comment.
Pathetic and disgusting.
Waiting for the word-wizard’s you-failed-to-see-it-in-the-appropriate-context defense in 5,…4,…3,….
The tragedy of the Cole was a springboard for nothing. BobonStatenIsland’s tongue in cheek comment was.
If you do not wish to read my comments, there is a handy scroll button found on most mouses nowadays. Feel free to use it as liberally as I do with many of you.
A lot of ‘firing squad rifles’ are old and rusty because we quit using them when they should’ve been constantly smoking from all of the executions of Americans who have traded national security secrets to foreigners. It’s despicable.
These days the worst crime is to be better off than your neighbors.
I’ll volunteer to be the firing squad.
What do you think, hatfield…has our case been made for us?
Excellent news!
Now, can we find anyone else guilty of conspiring with al Qaeda, soliciting murder and providing material support for terrorism?
Indeed, granite. The fact that he read your comment as he scrolled past to look at his own…
chapoutier Said “The tragedy of the Cole was a springboard for nothing. BobonStatenIsland’s tongue in cheek comment was.”
What was tongue in cheek about commenting that it actually took four hours to convict this monster. Or was my comment about pardoning the F.A.L.N. somehow humorous? If Clinton pardoned monsters, why do think it won’t happen under a President Obama?
I didn’t ever say I skipped granite’s comments, now did I?
Whenever I need to get the crazy-eyed-Obama-as-Manchirian-candidate perspective from this board, granite is invaluable. But actually, now that RedPill serves that same function, I guess reading both is a bit redundant.
I am sorry if I misinterpreted your comment, but were you ACTUALLY upset it took 4 hours? That is not that long and at least in civilian courts actually going through the motions even when the verdict is clear, leaves less room for silly appeals.
Meanwhile, back at the War on our Southern Border:
Lou Dobbs reports new Mexican military incursion.
BP: 42 such incursions between Oct. 2007 and August 2008.
One a week!!!
Mr President, secure our borders, dammit!!
I imagine the lawyers are trying to figure out how to delay the punishment phase until the new Administration is sworn in.
If BHO gets in, this guy will be free as a bird!
If Mac gets in, he will burn like a three-day old hot dog at a 7-11!
Folks, regarding the tired accusation
…:
You may or not remember, that several months ago, I brought up points that, subsequently, Daniel Pipes and Robert Spencer, and I believe other writers have discussed, regarding the facts that:
BHO’s father was Muslim:
his stepfather was Muslim:
he attended a Muslim school:
he attended a Mosque:
he had Koranic instruction;
he has recited the verse or verses that, as far as I know, once recited, are enough to have the reciter be considered a Muslim;
that, in Muslim tradition, religion is passed from father, not from mother, to child;
and that, whatever BHO may say he is, some (?how many?) Muslims around the world may consider him a Muslim – and, if they believe that he actually renounced Islam for Christianity, and thus consider him an apostate, BHO would be walking around with a target on his back.
Regarding the last point…it does not matter what BHO considers himself to be;
nor does it matter what we Americans consider him to be;
what matters is what Muslims around the world consider him to be.
I never used the term “Manchurian Candidate” months ago, nor since.
That is revealing projection on the part of socialist/statist/opposite worldview posters on this blog.
But, now that the term has been brought up, it does not seem inappropriate.
And, it is an honor, albeit an annoyance, to suffer scornful, dismissive personal slurs from certain posters; who have nothing substantive nor mature with which to refute facts which they do not like.
It makes one want to say to them, “Is that all you got?!”
Also DO NOT Forget tomorrow is 29th anniversary (4 Nov 1979) of Iran hostage crisis. That is were the first shot of this war on terror was fired. IMHO
I second that.
Jarhead,
This might be of interest to you. The Avenue of (444) Flags, located in Hermitage, PA, is a permanent memorial to that event. A flag was erected each day during the hostage crisis. It is breathtaking to see in person. I still remember the first time I saw it.
A new War on Terror Monument has been erected at the end of the Avenue of Flags. More Info here and here.
From one of the links:
“The first name — Paul Shaffer — dates to 1975, when
the Air Force colonel was shot in Tehran.
“If you’re doing the war on terror, you can’t just start
with 9/11,” said Flynn, who knows of no other
memorial like it.”
I visited it last Memorial Day, unfortunately, they may run out of room for the names.
Mr. Flynn is a great patriot.