What the Judge said to him:
Now, let me explain this to you. We are not afraid of you or any of your terrorist co-conspirators, Mr. Reid. We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. There is too much war talk here and I say that to everyone with the utmost respect. Here in this court, we deal with individuals as individuals and care for individuals as individuals. As human beings, we reach out for justice.
You are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist. You are not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist. To give you that reference, to call you a soldier, gives you far too much stature. Whether the officers of government do it or your attorney does it, or if you think you are a soldier, you are not----- you are a terrorist. And we do not negotiate with terrorists. We do not meet with terrorists. We do not sign documents with terrorists. We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.
So war talk is way out of line in this court. You are a big fellow. But you are not that big. You're no warrior. I've known warriors. You are a terrorist. A species of criminal that is guilty of multiple attempted murders. In a very real sense, State Trooper Santiago had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and the TV crews were, and he said: 'You're no big deal.'
You are no big deal.
What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific. What was it that led you here to this courtroom today?
I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing? And, I have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you, but as I search this entire record, it comes as close to understanding as I know.
It seems to me you hate the one thing that to us is most precious. You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose. Here, in this society, the very wind carries freedom. It carries it everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom, so that everyone can see, truly see, that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely. It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf, have filed appeals, will go on in their representation of you before other judges.
We Americans are all about freedom. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties. Make no mistake though. It is yet true that we will bear any burden; pay any price, to preserve our freedoms. Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. The day after tomorrow, it will be forgotten, but this, however, will long endure.
Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America , the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done. The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice.
See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of America . That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom. And it always will..
Mr. Custody Officer. Stand him down.
Hi Faybe....my brother just sent it. I think we need more Judges like this one.
Great Work by this Judge. Lets hope some others follow his lead.
Like all terrorists this armpit was a legend in his own lunch time!
The Judge said it well!
Thanks, Tom. Too bad that judge isn't on the U.S. Supreme Court.
Very eloquent speech. One phrase about the world not remembering, is remeniscent of the Gettysburg Address. This also is something that is worth repeating and remembering.
You go Judge William Young!!!
Man, it's been a long time I've heard anything like that. And it's such a surprise when I do.
by John Harper 12 years ago
Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his shoe and tried to light it? Did you know his trial is over?Did you know he was sentenced?Did you see/hear any of thejudge's comments on TV or Radio?Didn't think so.!!!Everyone should hear what the judge had to say.Ruling by Judge...
by nightwork4 12 years ago
Are we giving up our freedom just to be safer?people want laws for bike helmets, life jackets, etc, but is it causing us to give the government more power then it should have?
by onlinearticlespk 13 years ago
Taliban in Afghanistan are fighting for their homeland. is it justified to call them a terrorist when there is no proof of their involvement of 9/11 which is used as a base against them? cabn any country declare them terrorist without proving it in the court of Justice or international court?
by dadibobs 6 years ago
If your country was invaded, would fighting to free your people from occupation make you a terrorist?, therefore being feared, hated and eventually punished, or would you become a public hero, reaping the benefits along the way?What are your thoughts?
by cjhunsinger 14 years ago
Certainly the American flag does not stand for socialism, nor does it stand for the Marxist principles advanced by the United Natiions; principles that this government endorsed by its participation in the creation of the United Nations. The Human Rights of the UN have replaced the Bill of Rights....
by ManlyPoetryMan 14 years ago
I don't get...the P.C. Climate that is so afraid to call an "Ace"; an "Ace" or a "Spade"; a "Spade".Austin kamikaze pilot (yesterday) = TerroristChristmas underwear bomber = TerroristFt. Hood Army Base Shooter = TerroristTimothy McVeigh- OKC Federal Building...
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