America, You Lost

Wednesday, May 03, 2006

As anti-death penalty advocates celebrate the verdict for Al-Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui, let us be reminded that the unrepentant terrorist allowed 3,000 Americans to perish on September 11th, 2001. He may not have played a direct role in the attacks, but the fact that he woke up that morning knowing what would soon happen to the thousands of innocent civilians means he deserves the most severe sentence the federal system can bestow.

The rationalization for sparing his life is to deny him martyrdom. So instead, he'll live out the rest of his days in a prison cell that may or may not be furnished with cable television and access to a library.

Moussaoui taunted, "America, you lost. I won," as he was being escorted from the courthouse. And in many respects he is right. He was spared the ultimate sentence even though he took part in the ultimate crime against the United States.

Oh, but maybe supermax prison won't be so peachy. Maybe he will suffer. Maybe the 72 virgins will be spared. Considering the magnitude of this trial, a bitter outcome was unavoidable.