But my cynicism suffered a gentle blow when I read about the Zacarias Moussaoui case. Moussaoui faces the death penalty on the charge that he conspired with al-Qaida to plan the 9/11 attacks. He has pleaded guilty on this charge and has even asserted that he was supposed to fly a plane into the White House. When asked in court whether or not he would kill more Americans, Moussaoui declared: "Any time. Anywhere."
So here is a man pumped full of hatred towards America. When relatives of 9/11 victims testified in court about their hardships and mourning, Moussaoui scoffed at them. "I find it disgusting that some people will come here to share their grief," he said. He has asserted---under oath---that he will try to kill Americans even if he is behind bars.
It is plain to see that Moussaoui is the ultimate enemy of the United States. Yet he still receives a fair trial on our national soil. His appointed lawyer, Gerald T. Zerkin, is a public defender with experience in capital cases. Even family members of 9/11 victims have stepped forward to argue against the death penalty.The Constitutional rights to a fair trial, an impartial jury, and due process are all granted to the defendant, even though he is a French citizen.
Of course our legal system is far from perfect (ahem, Guantanamo), but it still functions rather well. Why? Because it's built upon a solid foundation---rights to a fair trial, rights to an impartial jury of one's peers, rights to proper counsel, rights to a speedy and public trial. The Constitution is a remarkable machine that has worked for over two-hundred years.
So take that, Zacarias Moussaoui and al-Qaida. You can't tear us down with terrorist attacks and scare tactics. You can murder our soldiers and our civilians, but you cannot destroy our America. The America I love is not defined by race, religion, or geography, but by rights, freedoms, and liberties. The America I love is intangible.
This is one of the many reasons (along with Cadbury Mini Eggs) why I love my country.
