I begin from the proposition that all people are created equal and have unalienable rights. This means that those accused of terrorism and found guilty of terrorism are endowed with the same rights as me because they are human beings. Human rights can be recognized or denied, they can not be given because they are, as defined by unalienable, incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred.
With that being said, military commissions do not fully recognize the accused full rights. The best way to counter the ideology of terrorism is better and more compelling ideas and implementation of those ideas. Interestingly, justice, fairness and equality are important themes when combating al Qaeda’s propaganda. If we believe in our system, we should showcase it. If we believe in it we should trust it. Openness and transparency will show that the U.S. has nothing to hide. I believe we have no reason to fear Mohammed’s spewing of hate unless we fear there is truth in the hate. Mohammed’s words will expose his ideology of death as bankrupt.
Lastly, having the trial in NYC is important for external politics and combating al Qaeda. We are not afraid, we believe in our system, it is strong in the face of Mohammed’s words/al Qaeda’s propaganda and we have nothing to hide. The Obama Administration having to relook its decision to have the trial in New York is about internal politics. In my estimation, those who are pushing for military commissions lack understanding that our greatest offensive and defensive tools to end al Qaeda’s influence are justice, fairness and equality in all we do. It has been claimed that everyone yearns for freedom. I believe this is true. Then we must be an example of how free societies act or we are only mouthing words that we ourselves do not believe in.
About Michael T. McPhearson
Currently Michael is executive director of Veterans For Peace and co-chair of the Don't Shoot Coalition, A Saint Louis based coalition that formed in the aftermath of Michael Brown's police killing death in Ferguson, MO. From August 2010 to September 2013, Michael worked as the National Coordinator with United For Peace and Justice. He is a former board member of Veterans For Peace and as well as Executive Director from 2005 to 2010. He works closely with the Newark based People’s Organization for Progress and the Saint Louis centered Organization for Black Struggle. Michel also publishes the Mcphearsonreport.org expressing his views on war and peace, politics, human rights, race and other things. Michael also launched Reclaimthedream.org website as an effort to change the discourse and ignite a new conversation about Dr. Martin Luther King’s message and what it means to live in just and peaceful communities.
I begin from the proposition that all people are created equal and have unalienable rights. This means that those accused of terrorism and found guilty of terrorism are endowed with the same rights as me because they are human beings. Human rights can be recognized or denied, they can not be given because they are, as defined by unalienable, incapable of being alienated, surrendered, or transferred.
With that being said, military commissions do not fully recognize the accused full rights. The best way to counter the ideology of terrorism is better and more compelling ideas and implementation of those ideas. Interestingly, justice, fairness and equality are important themes when combating al Qaeda’s propaganda. If we believe in our system, we should showcase it. If we believe in it we should trust it. Openness and transparency will show that the U.S. has nothing to hide. I believe we have no reason to fear Mohammed’s spewing of hate unless we fear there is truth in the hate. Mohammed’s words will expose his ideology of death as bankrupt.
Lastly, having the trial in NYC is important for external politics and combating al Qaeda. We are not afraid, we believe in our system, it is strong in the face of Mohammed’s words/al Qaeda’s propaganda and we have nothing to hide. The Obama Administration having to relook its decision to have the trial in New York is about internal politics. In my estimation, those who are pushing for military commissions lack understanding that our greatest offensive and defensive tools to end al Qaeda’s influence are justice, fairness and equality in all we do. It has been claimed that everyone yearns for freedom. I believe this is true. Then we must be an example of how free societies act or we are only mouthing words that we ourselves do not believe in. 
