In his opening remarks to the Senate Judiciary Committee this morning, Attorney General Eric Holder responded to criticisms about his decision to bring five terror suspects, including 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh Mohammed.
Opponents of the decision have said a civilian trial will give Mohammed a platform to spew jihadist rhetoric.
"I'm not scared of what Khalid Sheikh Mohammed has to say at trial," Holder said. "And no one else needs to be afraid either."
"I have every confidence that the nation and the world will see him for the coward that he is," Holder said.
"We need not cower in the face of this enemy. Our institutions are strong, our infrastructure is sturdy, our resolve is firm and our people are ready," Holder said. "It is past time to finally act by bringing prosecutions."
Holder also responded to criticism (from people such as Liz Cheney) that the decision shows a "pre-9/11" mentality, or that the government doesn't understand this is war time.
"I know we are at war," Holder said, noting his trip to Dover Air Force Base a few weeks ago with President Obama to participate in the dignified transfer of troops killed overseas.
"Those who suggest otherwise are simply wrong," he said.

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CT Voter
November 18, 2009 10:43 AM
I really hope Democrats and the Administration keep hammering away at the "Republicans are a bunch of cry-baby scaredy pants" theme at every possible opportunity.
Someone needs to point out that the emperor has no clothes, and hasn't had any, for years.
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mk3872
November 18, 2009 11:04 AM in reply to CT Voter
It is fearful bullies that worry about symbolism like bows and civil trials for criminals.
Is is the brave that will confront the enemy 1:1 in this way.
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de TOQUEville
November 18, 2009 10:56 AM
FDR, after Pearl Harbour: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself."
Repukes, after 9/11: "BOO!"
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DrBB
November 18, 2009 1:02 PM in reply to de TOQUEville
Common mistake: that was actually said in reference to the Great Depression. But the basic point still holds.
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The Commenter Formerly Known as NCSteve
November 18, 2009 1:30 PM in reply to de TOQUEville
A President once said,
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"
Now it seems like we’re supposed to be afraid
It’s patriotic in fact and color coded
And what are we supposed to be afraid of?
Why, of being afraid
That’s what terror means, doesn’t it?
That’s what it used to mean.
Randy Newman. 2007. "A Few Words in Defense of Our Country."
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Cal Soldier
November 18, 2009 11:07 AM
Ladies and Gentlemen, this is what an adult looks like.
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frankenheimer
November 18, 2009 11:10 AM
This is the problem: when you bet on one number in a game of roulette, sometimes you win, but most of the time you lose. Therefore, we normally see a broad range of strategies and approaches over the course of the game, sometimes hedging bets with other picks (colors, etc) to mitigate the losses. Now imagine playing a game of roulette where there is no penalty for picking the wrong number, only a reward for picking the right one. What would happen? Well, you would bet everything on one number and just wait until it turns up.
That's what's happening right now, the right wing is betting everything on fail, and unless democrats wise-up and start levying penalties for constantly betting on the same number, the Republicans are going to eventually hit the jackpot...
All it's going to take is for them to be right, once.
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agio
November 18, 2009 12:50 PM in reply to frankenheimer
That's what they say about terrorists as well, though I'm sure you know that and wrote it that way on purpose.
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leoklein
November 18, 2009 11:33 AM
On the bright side, at least we don't have Alberto Gonzales to kick around any more.
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Clavis
November 18, 2009 11:44 AM
We must never miss an opportunity to point out that the Republicans consistently argue in bad faith. When someone keeps saying "I know you are but what am I?", you don't answer them; you just exclude them from the adult conversation.
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agio
November 18, 2009 12:50 PM
I like Holder. I don't expect to agree with everything the AG does, but it sure is nice to have one with intelligence you can respect.
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EricR11
November 18, 2009 1:16 PM
Geez, I just can't argue with this guy. I'm speechless. Can't we get AGon back for a while, just for old times' sake?
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traitorjoe
November 18, 2009 1:21 PM
If Bush and Gonzo did this, great strategy. If Obama and Holder do it, great failure. Repubs can only say NO and Watch Out!
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par4
November 18, 2009 1:59 PM
Holder is a fucking coward. The most dangerous thing to the republic is NOT starting trials of the Bush administration for ALL their crimes. No outside force will defeat us,we will lose our democracy by failing to enforce the rule of law for everyone.
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The Old Grouch
November 18, 2009 5:56 PM in reply to par4
The proper venue for that is the ICC.
Think about that for a second before the knee jerks. What would go farther toward rebuilding America's respect for law and justice worldwide than our agreeing to this?
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happycozy
November 18, 2009 5:53 PM
I'm a huge supporter of Obama, but sometimes I wish Holder were prez. He doesn't back down from a fight, and he calls the repugs out on their stupidity immediately instead of letting it fester for an entire friggin summer. Obama should've slammed Palin immediately when she came up with that "death panels" nonsense. As you can see, I'm still pissed at the Admin for letting this health care reform debate spiral out of control.
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JohnW1141
November 18, 2009 6:05 PM
Well, I don't know about you people, but as for me, I'm pulling the covers over my head during the trial, the terrorists are not going to get me!
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