Take away:
People can experience a change of mind change, even great presidents.
Trump has never faced a serious consequence for any word or action in his life. He has no concept of connecting actions and potential outcomes together like most of us do many times a day. His id runs the show, having locked his ego and super-ego in a closet long ago, if they ever existed at all. He says/tweets whatever makes him feel good in the moment with no regard for long term fallout or repercussions. America is run by a cranky toddler with nuclear codes and his babysitters, enabled by a base of supporters straight out of Idiocracy - too distracted by Trump’s reality show bellowing to see the knives being slipped into their backs. If we survive Trump it will take a generation to repair all the damage, assuming it’s even possible.
1
One more thing which Trump does not recognize or respect: the presumption of innocence.
3
Immigrants have to pass a test demonstrating knowledge of our Constitutional and legal systems in order to become citizens. Presidents do not have to pass such a test.
In our rush to turn education into a job training program for corporations, we have forgotten that one of the main purposes established as our educational system developed was to educate citizens, to prepare Americans for their role as the ultimate authority in a democracy. Unfortunately, as Donald Trump clearly demonstrates, our educational system has not done a very good job in teaching civics, the nuts and bolts of our American system. Nor has it succeeded in inculcating the understanding that, along with authority, Americans -- and especially a President -- not only have rights and power but responsibility and accountability also.
3
Immigrants have to pass a test demonstrating knowledge of our Constitutional and legal systems in order to become citizens. Presidents do not have to pass such a test.
In our rush to turn education into a job training program for corporations, we have forgotten that one of the main purposes established as our educational system developed was to educate citizens, to prepare Americans for their role as the ultimate authority in a democracy. Unfortunately, as Donald Trump clearly demonstrates, our educational system has not done a very good job in teaching civics, the nuts and bolts of our American system. Nor has it succeeded in inculcating the understanding that, along with authority, Americans -- and especially a President -- not only have rights and power but responsibility and accountability also.
1
"Trump Abandons Idea of Sending Terrorism Suspect to Guantánamo"
How ridiculous this is!
Majority of the presidents know their words carry weight and have far-reaching consequences, So before they pronounce their words, they deliberate, contemplate...to ensure...
With Trump, it is different story. He impulsively says whatever he wants, irresponsibly badmouths and tweets... He doesn't give a dime about the consequences.
Here is just another example: He abandons... But why he needs to abandon... Why he doesn't think thoroughly, think carefully, think ethically,... before he opens his mouth.
It is nobody's but his fault that he is called habitual liar, wth that kind of mouth.
2
Gun violence: too soon to talk about controls
Immigrant violence: spread blame immediately and call for bans
5
It is very sad when the President of the United States forms his opinions about how to run this great country after watching Fox News. Who is in charge here!
3
Few have noted that 5 of the 8 killed were Argentinians, and one more of their cycling group that day was seriously injured. I doubt DJT was aware of the fact that this event affected people from other countries, as well as Americans. Perhaps other governments would like to join the conversation on terrorism in the US, and help define solutions.
3
"Walking back." This has become a mantra. What isn't an absolute lie is, the next day, explained away by what is, in childish vernacular, "Just kidding!"
What once was a bully pulpit has become a pit for a bully.
3
If terrorists are going to carry out unconscionable acts against humanity- then it is befitting we send them to unconscionable places like Guantanamo. As far as I'm concerned, they've forfeited all of their [human] rights as soon as they brought harm to another human.
Death penalty is the best gift he could wish for! You do not want to finish for him a death wish he did not get when he acted like he has a real gun, to be shot in the head! He should be punished by trial of eyes. Let him bear the weight of his crime to the end of his life, he would have to confront his murder scene every day and decide if his God is happy about his barbarism, and if he agrees with his God that day. Ask him to write an essay every day and seek forgiveness. Ask him civility.
1
Donnie poisoned the well of Justice with his stupid blathering. He is like a drunk driver crashing into cars while driving the wrong way on a one way street.
1
Old Trump just cant stop feeding his base. Why do I think he'll figure a way to blame the whole legal system for his not being allowed to send this guy to the gallows? At his next applause rally, he'll blame the system, call to revoke the Constitution, so he can replace it with something tremendous, and biglier better!
Cretin.
2
NYT thinks that considering something is the same as carrying it out?
3 died at a Walmart shooting last night in my home state of Colorado. The victims were Hispanic. 45 hasn't said anything about it.
12
One hopes that, at some point, Trump will figure out the purpose of an independent judiciary and KEEP HIS STUPID MOUTH SHUT.
Gen. Kelly, perhaps a judiciously vigorous application of the butt of an M-1 to the Donald's jaw falls within your purview.
5
Trickle Down Stupid. Thanks, GOP.
10
I get so confused these days. Pres. Trump said he's a law and order guy, but now he appears to want to skirt the legal system and just send this terrorist to the gallows.
It's hard to keep up around here.
10
And then we have our very own P.O.W. John McCain sounding like a parrot to Trump's call to send the "Terrorism Suspect" to Gitmo . Both should just keep their mouth's shut- particularly John McCain who- lately seems to talk (and vote) out of both sides of his mouth.
2
Well Trump, looks like your tweets may stop him from getting convicted of anything. Way to go! Such power--the greatest power anyone has ever seen. Fantastic
11
President Trump, so efficient! If he says something on a Monday that you vehemently disagree with, calm down, be patient. By Wednesday he will say the complete opposite. What's not to like? Something for everyone in this Cirque de OTrump. Yes, this is bitter, dripping sarcasm. I plead the 1st Amendment however. Oh and by the way, has anyone heard from Mayor Khan of London? He will certainly be calling the White House to belittle and berate President Trump and his poor management of terrorist defenses in a major US city.
7
Trump would have recommended the threat of the death penalty to discourage kamikaze pilots during WWII.
6
Aw shucks. I thought this would be a perfect time to suggest that the Department of Justice take over Alcatraz and use it for the Trump Administration hooligans. Trump Tower Alcatraz.
5
If he could just learn to keep his mouth shut ...
3
Does anyone in Trump's inner circle ever say "Shut up Mr. President"?
5
We can get trumps stupid ideas and comments down at the local diner. We expect more from him.
4
He made this mistake on the soldier in Afghanistan who went awol. He really does not have a clue. God help us.
2
Here's an original thought: the New York Times and other media should not report Trump's initial statements on Twitter or elsewhere. We all know he is the Master of Flip-Flop, so wait a day or so and report what he says after he and his aides walk back his first comments.
1
misrepresenting the truth again i.e. a reporter asked the question and trump said he would consider it / please print the whole truth without the anti trump rhetoric
Is it possible to send Trump to Guantanamo Bay? Or has Cuba suffered enough American invasion.
7
I suggest if Trump wishes to see the criminal justice system prevail he keeps his mouth shut and his Twitter fingers in check so as not to risk prejudicing the case. Oh, and where is that adult supervision we keep hearing about in the White House?
4
President Trump obviously do not understand the mind of those terrorists. They want to be martyr, therefore the death penalty is what they hope for.
1
Guantanamo should have been closed. Now it is a tradition.
2
Classic Trump. DEATH PENALTY! What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? Ignores our values. Ignores our judicial system. America where are you?
4
Let's see, Trump belatedly makes a decision that the Left has been arguing for for years---not sending suspects to Gitmo--yet the Left is still in outrage mode? Good luck with the inane bile in 2020.
Perhaps Mr. Trump was told about the Bill of Rights. The 4th, 5th and 6th Amendments are sooo inconvenient for a pseudo-dictator.
6
All you Trump voters: This is what you wanted? You who profess to be worried about the Rule of Law, you got us a president who has no clue how a court case works. Maybe that will be his balm when one by one his cronies, enablers, sycophants and camp followers see their name emblazoned in criminal cases. Maybe he will shudder a bit as the cases get closer to him. Probably not. He will just try to send Mueller to Gitmo or suggest capital punishment. Far-Fetched?
7
Donald J. Trump could stand in the middle of 5th Avenue and shoot somebody and still not get all the attention he craves. Is there no end to his insufferable tweeting?
6
The defence can argue against as much as it can unless the law is changed to negate the fact that there are EYE Witnesses who saw a MAN who drove the vehicle and drove over people in disregard for their life to murder those people.
ALL cases of this kind should be speedily executed and be done with. Not 20 years from now when appeals are exhausted. Trump is right..the USA is the laughing stock of the world when it comes to justice when its so OBVIOUS what has taken case. Our stupid defences comes up with the like when a man is stabbed 30 times by one person but the defence says the Knife holding man says the murdered man backed into his knife 30 times. GET REAL!
This is where DJT's selfishness shows up -- again. To sound the 'tough guy' and know-it-all, his need to be the center of attention might deny the families of those killed and injured the justice they will so desperately need / crave.
And as litigation-minded as Trump is, you'd think EVEN he'd know enough not to give defense atty's an ounce of extra ammunition.
~ 9/11 family member
(still waiting, 16 years later, for
someone to get convicted of something
at GITMO. It won't happen in my lifetime.)
5
Slightly off topic but in line with Mr. Trump's more ridiculous statements (a crowded field) but I just read that the H-1 freeway in Honolulu will be closed so he can visit Waikiki on his stopover to Asia. That freeway goes right by Kapiolani Women and Children's Hospital where Mr. Obama was born. Maybe the loudest participant in the Birther Movement should take a moment and go inside, it's possible someone is still there or recently retired that remembers caring for the newborn future president. Mr. Obama's grandmother worked nearby and surely she would be remembered as it was a much smaller community then, people knew each other.
However did this man get elected? How did we foment citizens who think his verbal tirades translate into draining the swamp? Mr. Trump's fact-challenged verbal terrorism is hardly as evil as running down innocent people with a truck but he is doing much damage to our well-being just the same.
9
Trump seems to be connecting with his inner Roman emperor complex. There he is at one of his rallies firing up the spectators. The crowd is roaring and glowing red with rage. Into one end of the stadium is trotted the criminal, into the other end enters a lion....
He could do it. It's not that far fetched.
3
When I feel despair over the current mess we're in, I remember that it was only a few months ago that we had an excellent, dignified, Commander-in-Chief.
We the people elected Obama twice, and that is a source of hope that the American people will not allow Trump and Trumpism to destroy this nation.
8
First (Mr.Saipov) will get a speedy trial, when compared to being shipped to Gitmo, and second we can go thru' the motions here but Mr. Trump assured Mr. Saipov an appeal that is now baked in the cake..ahem assuming Anthony Kennedy and Ruth Ginsburg are still on the court.
1
I was raised when it was taught we should respect the president of the United States. I'm sorry but there is no way I could ever or ever will respect Trump. Mueller we are in your corner.
7
Guantánamo is not an answer to total isolation of terrorists. They should be exiled to an uninhabited island in the ocean, with no contacts whatsoever to the outside world, and made there to live off the sweat of their brow. This solution may be more humane than their annihilation with prejudice.
Almost anyone can be converted to a terrorist, but no terrorist can be reeducated to become a normal human being.
1
I constantly ask myself how you Americans could have voted this wacky individual as your President. Even if you personally did not vote for him, you are responsible, thus must live with this nightmare as long as it lasts.
1
Trump doesn't care what happens in the case. All he cares is to make his constituents happy now.
1
It's trendy these days to bash political correctness. To a large extent it's what got Trump elected. But as much as we seem to disdain political correctness, we will absolutely not tolerate the alternative; saying stupid stuff. Of course one person's idea of what is politically correct is another person's idea an ignorant thing to say. Even so, I think Donald Trump makes a good case for the need for good old fashion, died in the wool, politically correct, career politicians who give careful consideration for the consequences of what they say.
One of the pillars of Democracy that the U.S. is founded upon is the rule of law that is applicable to all peoples upon its soils.
Having said that ( and reprehensible that the act(s) were ) due process of the law is applicable here. It is cut and dry. Furthermore, capital punishment is barbaric and is not a deterrent whatsoever against future acts.
Assign him his court appointed public defender and show the world that one barbaric act does not beget another.
2
This minority President's composure demonstrates his arrested, sophomoric development. Which is what most appeals to his supporters.
2
I’m sure Mr. Trump is the only person in America who feels that way about what would be a just punishment for such a crime witnessed by so many. One more reason why we need a robot as president rather than a human. HAL did such a great job back in 2001 maybe we can bring it back and just call it POTUS. Term limits hopefully can be moot after this.
Immigrants have to pass a test demonstrating knowledge of our Constitutional and legal systems. Presidents do not have to pass such a test.
In our rush to turn education into a job training program for corporations, we have forgotten that one of the main purposes established as our educational system developed was to educate citizens, to prepare Americans for their role as the ultimate authority in a democracy. Unfortunately, as Donald Trump clearly demonstrates, our educational system has not done a very good job in teaching civics, the nuts and bolts of our American system. Nor has it succeeded in inculcating the understanding that, along with authority, Americans -- and especially a President -- not only have rights and power but responsibility and accountability also.
2
One of the pillars of Democracy that the U.S. is founded upon is the rule of law that is applicable to all peoples upon its soils.
Having said that ( and reprehensible that the act(s) were ) due process of the law is applicable here. It is cut and dry. Furthermore, capital punishment is barbaric and is not a deterrent whatsoever against future acts.
Assign him his court appointed public defender and show the world that one barbaric act does not beget another.
6
The system of justice in Gitmo is so misshapen that a Marine Corps general, a lawyer in charge of managing the defense of one of the detainees, has been arrested for a couple of weeks by the judge in charge of the detainee's pretrial hearings. The situation needs to be reported by someone with the combined talents of Kafka and Joseph Heller, although Rachel Maddow managed to do the situation justice.
Executing the terrorist will give him martyrdom, not as good as the martyrdom he sought by waving a couple of fake guns around so the police would shoot him dead. We should not give him what he wants, both for his own sake and because knowing he will rot in jail for the rest of his life will be less likely to inspire imitators. He might even come to see the folly of his ways and revert to being a follower of Allah, the compassionate, the merciful, in which case he would be most useful in dissuading others from following the path to jihadist martyrdom.
4
There is no system of justice at Gitmo. The Constitution and Bill of Rights are suspended. The Bill of Rights was added to our Constitution because England was jailing American colonists without the right to counsel, and without a fair trail which is just what we are doing at Gitmo.
1
Wait! Does this mean that President Thug's plan to serve as jury, judge and executioner is put on hold?
9
A firm grip on reality has to hold off?
Interesting take on a holding influence.
1
Trump will never learn the one thing he needs to know---how to keep his mouth shut.
38
He thinks he is winning. Remember Charlie Sheen's psychotic break that ended his role on "Two and a Half men"? Trump is a guy who is like that all the time. He simply dissociates it when he fails thus in his mind he never fails he is always winning.
It is beyond high time the psychiatric profession intercedes here and insists on examining him or at least speaks openly about the symptoms he displays.
2
No terrorist can ever shake my faith in America. Donald Trump, on the other hand, sorely tests it everyday.
104
I would also like to see the terrorist get the death penalty. Thank you, Mister President, for insuring that will now never happen.
24
The terrorist behind yesterday's massacre is going to be tried in a federal court in NYC where the death penalty is an option. How is Trump preventing the terrorist is question from possible receiving the death penalty?
1
What's he going to do about all those white guys with assault weapons shooting up malls, sports events, workplaces, college campuses, abortion clinics, movie theaters, concert venues, and schools?
Adults and children are just as dead.
2
The defense can claim that the President's comments denied their client a fair trial, that's how.
Could we send the entire Trump Mob to Guantanamo? Give it to them at taxpayer expense? Throw in a byutiful gold course? 5 mil a year for expenses?
Only thing is, they can never come back.
36
that would be good,
Though 'll hate to pay for them but still ,
cheaper than a new war somewhere .....
I would contribute
Trump evidently thinks that being President gives him leave to serve as judge and jury in connection with those cases that interest him - or that he thinks he can leverage with his base. Yet another example of his failure to grasp the concept of an independent judiciary.
One can't help whether this case hasn't been hopelessly compromised by the prejudicial comments of this nation's highest officeholder. Trump, again motivated by his desire to throw red meat to his base, may have just handed this suspect a honey of a defense.
34
And if that defense works and a lesser punishment is dealt Mr. Trump can then blame it on the judiciary, as he called it a laughingstock.
We tend to criticize in others what we know to be true in ourselves.
1
Like Obama repeatedly weighing on racially-tinged cases from the get go and before the facts were in? Like Micheal Brown?
Here is what Obama said about the Michael Brown incident:
"The death of Michael Brown is heartbreaking, and Michelle and I send our deepest condolences to his family and his community at this very difficult time. As Attorney General Holder has indicated, the Department of Justice is investigating the situation along with local officials, and they will continue to direct resources to the case as needed. I know the events of the past few days have prompted strong passions, but as details unfold, I urge everyone in Ferguson, Missouri, and across the country, to remember this young man through reflection and understanding. We should comfort each other and talk with one another in a way that heals, not in a way that wounds. Along with our prayers, that’s what Michael and his family, and our broader American community, deserve."
Here's what Trump said about the NY attack suspect:
"DEATH PENALTY"
Bozicek, are you maybe seeing that these two aren't quite the same?
1
If you have the attention span of a flea, it seems like the wait would be endless. If you have faith in the rule of law then not so endless. This so called president, by spewing his thoughtless rhetoric is just fueling his base and further dividing us. He is a clear and dangerous threat to our way of life as much as those that come here to harm us. 25th amendment can't come soon enough for this present danger.
32
Putin got exactly what he wanted, plus some. America has been ruinously attacked from within. And just think, Putin and his oligarchs did so much damage without having to spend much in blood or money.
Someone should talk to the "President" and explain due process. Does Trump think this is Saudi Arabia?
21
Does Trump think is the more accurate question.
3
No Saudi Arabia is where Jared is getting funding for 666 Fifth Ave.
1
Like someone should have explained "due process" to "President" Obama when he weighed in on racially-tinged cases before the facts were in?
Even a broken clock is correct twice a day. GITMO is a stain on American values and interests. Kidnapping, torture and indefinite detention are now acceptable. If we adopt the values of our supposed enemies and their practices then there is nothing left to fight for or against. Using drone fired missiles inside of sovereign states without declaring or authorizing war and paying for it is not much better.
13
Don't blame him he's always been like this and most "adults" (baby boomers) knew this already. Blame the people that voted for him.
21
Absolutely. He told everyone who and what he was 2 years ago.
Gitmo wasn't Trump's idea. A reporter yelled out asking him whether he thought the terrorist should go to Gitmo. Trump, uninformed as usual, just echoed that idea. It was obvious to anyone watching that he hadn't given it a thought before the reporter's question.
8
Perhaps it wasn't his idea, but he clearly knew too little to say no right away.
1
So why didn't he keep his big mouth shut, or say "No Comment."?
1
"...it was merely notional." Everything about this president is merely notional.
14
Actually, everything about this "president" is mere.
1
Trump's lack of respect for the rule of law is no different than I would expect of Al Capone. Also, calling for quick tough justice and the death penalty is exactly what I would expect of the Grand Dragon at a midnight gathering, not the President.
14
Obama spoke about cases involving blacks before he knew the facts much more than Trump's done. Remember Micheal Brown and Trayvon Martin, the Left's heroes? Is Obama Al Capone to you too?
Dear Congress,
If not now, then when?
20
"Trump Abandons Idea of Sending Terrorism Suspect to Guantánamo"
What? He flip-flopped? What a surprise.
7
A closed mouth gathers no foot.
28
Omigosh, the best comment EVER. Gazbo, you made my day.
1
Brilliant!
1
Love your comment!!! Should have been a NY Times pick.
1
The 25th amendment cries out to us to remove this disabled (head case) president before he does lethal damage to our nation and our liberties.
46
I should have written: "head case, sociopath subdivision."
2
It may already be too late.
Reality check: Those familiar with the "Dead Cat Strategy" will recognize it's implementation by Trump as cover for the subversive actions by the GOP (coordinated or not, it happens). It appears that almost every time the GOP congress announces a drastic policy (e.g. tax code change, EPA, Consumer Protection, financial regulations) that upon examination benefits the few at the expense of the many, Trump heaves another 'dead cat' onto the public discussion table.
Sadly, the Democrats are also rising to the 'dead cat' bait instead of articulating the flaws in proposed GOP actions and alternatives.
Too many amongst us lack any level intellectual curiosity that would compel them to look beyond the 'dead cat'; instead those with limited intellectual curiosity simple view the politics as a gladiatorial event. And with such approach, the USA will continue to devolve into an autocratic sham republic.
27
I had no idea that Trump University had a law school.
39
At Trump University you can arrange any degree you want, if you have enough money.
15
Provided your "tuition" is laundered through a real estate scheme.
1
I think we should explore this collusion between trump and ISIS. First, he sabotages this terrorist's prosecution with his preemptive suggestions about Guantanamo and the death penalty. Then, ISIS is implementing trump's policy of not backing losers, preferring to support only those "who don't get caught."
20
We know that Trump, the RNC, nonprofit conservative organizations, and Putin use disinformation to achieve their goals. They also collude and spend inordinate amounts of money to achieve their goals. It is not beyond the realm of probability that Trump and his criminal network somehow got this guy (a Russian) to commit this atrocity in order to distract, and once again mislead Americans as well as dominate the news cycle immediately after his former campaign manager was charged with crimes against the U.S. of A.
Republicans hard at work increasing the misery of most Americans.
8
I'm not a conspiracry theorist, but that did cross my mind. Shows how untrustworthy I think Trump is. He did, after all, say he could shoot someone on 5th Avenue and get away with it.
Next, Huckabee-Sanders will claim Trump was "just joking", and reporters need to develop a sense of humor.
29
And Melania will claim it was just "boy-talk".
15
Or baby talk.
It doesn't matter what Trump says, it can't have any effect on the prosecution of this terrorist. It is no secret who got out of the van after running down many people. He admitted that it was on purpose. If a jury can't come to the conclusion that this man is guilty then they have not done their duty.
As I said after the Vegas shooting, the media should not be continually printing or saying his name. These people are proud that they will be remembered and talked about, their names should never be used. I also think that they should be taken out to the middle of a desert, dead or alive, stripped naked, given no food and water and left to be eaten by animals. I am tired of the hearing about no cruel and unusual punishments. These sub-humans do not deserve any rights. The guy is guilty, with video to prove it. Let a judge pass the sentence, there is no defense.
5
No defense?
He said he knew what he was doing, and was proud of it.
But what if it is shown he was not in control of himself - mentally ill - on drugs?
Good ideas if this were Russia or Saudi Arabia, but we live in the USA, where there's a silly ol' rag called the Constitution, a Jefferson-deal that you clearly believe has already been superseded by Trump's tweets.
Nobodies disputing it.
Saipov has no defense except insanity. His crimes were witnessed by too many. He was apprehended at the scene of the crime. Expect a quick plea or a long trial that his attorneys telling the world that the defendant was insane.
3
Insanity defense doesn't apply to people who know what they are doing is wrong when they commit the act, and this guy knew it. Clearly premeditated intentional, and internationally inspired, terrorism and capital murder.
Here is a boilerplate for reporting on Trump's reaction to all public events:
Today in (INSERT LOCATION) there was an (INSERT EVENT) that affected the lives of (NUMBER) people. In reacting to this even Trump took to twitter and wrote (PASTE TWEETS). His comments have inflamed the situation and show a concerning lack of compassion for those affected. An expert on (INSERT TOPIC) has pointed out that Trump's actions may also make it more difficult to resolve the situation because (INSERT RELEVANT LAW OR SECTION OF CONSTITUTION).
The White House spokes person has defended his remarks, even though the best evidence shows them to be patently false. She also denies that there was any (INSERT: RACIST/MISOGYNIST/CRUEL) intentions to the President's remarks and claims that he has a deep understanding and concern for the topic. Trump later claimed that the fake news had attacked him by questioning his response and instead asserted that he was incredibly smart and had the best and biggest (INSERT: MEMORY/WORDS/EDUCATION/PLAN) of anyone in the world.
32
This is hilarious.
In fact, it's the GREATEST funny thing in the world.
Trump may have just tweeted this terrorist’s reprieve from a likely death sentence due to his illegal meddling in the affairs of the judicial process.
14
Sort of like Obama getting involved with Michael Brown and Trayvon Martin before he knew the facts?
Anyone who was listening to Morning Joe this morning heard a discussion of how sending a case to Gitmo assures it will take years, if ever, to resolve. Magically, within minutes, there is a tweet from Trump saying he won't do it.
Despite his denials, he's listening to Joe and Mika.......
10
Once was a regular viewer .. can't watch anymore. ..... like a bad soap opera.
I should think that our courts would be flooded with appeals for convictions in a system that is a "joke" and the "laughingstock" of the world; this was declared by the nation's leader no less. Justice department prosecutors, government investigators, FBI directors, attorneys general, all have been called liars, corrupt, untrustworthy, biased, by the nation's elected leader. Any good lawyer should look at these characterizations and demand a retrial for their clients.
We're quickly reaching a point where our elected representatives are going to have to do something to stop the trajectory toward Bannon's and the Russian's desire for chaos and dismantling of our system, or we get what we deserve.
8
trump wants to spout as though he thinks he was elected judge and jury rather than (or in addition to) President. He just loves the power of it all, especially when directing all his bluster at his base. The only thing he missed hitting was that he wants it done by Christmas---yes, that's right, Christmas, everyone!
10
So this fellow should be treated as a prisoner of war? An honorable soldier of the caliphate, rather than as a common criminal? What in the world was the President thinking? I only hope that when DT gets indicted, a la Manafort, for using NYC real estate to launder foreign earned money, he will be accorded the swift justice and strong justice for which he advocates.
8
This is far from the first time that Trump has done a 180/U-turn on a policy? idea? a random thought? in 24 hours. And I have no doubt this one won't be the last.
4
Sadly, once you've pressed the nuclear button, you cant do that
5
Trump's death penalty comment serves three purposes: 1) His pro-violence base will relate to its call for vengeance; 2) It'll force Democrats into defending the life of a terrorist, which Trump will exploit for political gain; 3) It taints the possibility of a fair trial, and thus raises the possibility of leniency on the terrorist, which Trump will exploit to attack judges. Trump would reinstate Hammurabi's Code if it wasn't named after someone else.
10
I'd agree completely if after the impeachment he would join him.
5
The Justice system is a joke, a laughingstock
The press is the enemy of the people
I like soldiers who weren't captured.
Just a few of the outlandish statements, bordering on treasonous, made by Donald J Trump President of the United States of America. Can you imagine how Republicans would have responded to a President Hillary Clinton making those statements? They would have been apoplectic! I impeachment proceedings in a Republican controlled house would have begun immediately.
11
Let's hope Donnie is as honorable as Nixon was and admit his mistakes and OTT statements.
I'm not holding my breath. Hard to imagine Nixon cast in a positive light
1
And now the Guardian tells us that some experts feel that trump's blurting about executions will make it more difficult to assure a fair trial.
Will this man never learn to shut up, or to trust the justice system? His irresponsible behavior is a daily threat to out country.
9
Trump should not have commented. But the precedent in trying terrorists who attack civilian targets as a act of war, even undeclared war was clearly set when Robert Cobb Kennedy was tried and hanged by military authorities for the first terrorist attack on NYC. He was a natural born American citizen, and his attacks failed to take a life. It is offensive, disgusting and disappointing that non-citizen attackers now get more consideration.
3
Robert Cobb Kennedy attacked civilian targets during the Civil War ... more than 150 years ago. That is hardly a sensible precedent. Current law and process is quite capable of dealing with current offenders.
1
Trump throwing red meat to his base.
I assume the Democrats will defend the "diversity immigration" plan.
More red meat for Trump's base.
Result: Trump again wins in 2020.
1
Democrats were already opposing that particular statute.
1
Joe Six-pack ties one on and the country gets the DTs. pathetic outcome of the foxocracy
Fair trial on Tweeter? Rejoice and all hail the Chief, 45 just made it happen.
Not content enough to drag the country into a nuclear conflict, POTUS is bullying his way through the Government, a special prosecutor's investigation, a Congress which looks more like a bunch of scared-y puppets than legislators, the Judicial system, the Constitution of the USA, most female citizens, and a good part of the male ones who are not lucky enough to be wealthy, white, Christian or his supporters.
Let's keep going strong, 45, I am sure you can do even worse, though it looks difficult. Not even a year on the job, and the majority of the country is fed up with the Trump Circus Show. Unfortunately, there is no early cancellation for this one.
3
This is what happens when someone puts a microphone in front of Trump. The man cannot even complete a sentence, ever. Completely unable to form a coherent thought, he just rambles impulsively, most of the time he has no idea what he's talking about.
Unfortunately he's headed to Asia, certainly he will embarrass the United States repeatedly on this trip. Unless his staff is able to keep him away from the microphone like they did on his Middle East trip.
14
wonder who trump will push out of the way for a photo opportunity in Asia?
And the president saw something on television afterward and changed his mind. My friends, we and our country are hanging off the cliff by our fingernails.
13
or by his remotes.
2
The debate should be re-opened as to whether Trump cannot read.
Let's take the opportunity to reshape the entire paradigm. Make a radical change to events of the day and their stereotypical connotations.
Prosecutors, yes prosecutors should petition the Court for change of venue and try Saipov in the country of his birth, Uzbekistan. Have him tried, repudiated by and convicted by his own countrymen.
Put the ball and shame squarely in "their" court, disarm all those attacking us. Perhaps this would yield earth shattering results where none have come before and the beginning of a solution !
Fight radicals with radical thinking !
The Red Queen in Alice roared “Off with their pates!”
In Washington Trump calls for similar fates
For ev’ry transgressor that he does assess
As causing Americans heavy distress.
To him judge and jury are useless at best.
He wants the bad guys to be guillotine’s guest.
He’s hoping and hopping for kangaroo courts,
Reviving old Rome’s bitter savage blood sports.
And when innocents get caught up in the mix,
He’ll send his regrets down the cold River Styx.
The right of due process, in his estimation,
No longer applies in our murderous nation.
2
There isn't a jury that could be convened anywhere in this country that would not convict Saipov - and that would include a jury of 12 American Muslims.
Saipov was caught red-handed committing a gruesome, and totally anti-social, crime. And he has bragged about it. And there is a video showing him at the scene. No amount of liberal sentiment can change the facts in this case.
As always, the Times twisted the situation into an opportunity to criticize Trump. The only real significance of Trump's comment, is that it tells us why he won the election, and his opponent did not.
2
If the evidence is exact, like a video, showing no doubt to the terrorist's guilt, a special court could be be set up to imprison a terrorist for life. Execution may make him a martyr. Why not build a special prison for terrorists?
1
ISIS terrorists are happy to be a "martyr." It would be more humiliating for one to have to sit in prison the rest of their life, if Trump's speaking out compromises legal strategy. The families impacted by this tragedy may appreciate Trump's saying something loud and on their side, even though not proper, etc.
1
His baby sitters really have to put a tighter lid on him.
8
Now if he would just drop the idea of being president.
8
Recall the artful way President Obama spoke out on the loss of Trayvon Martin, while declining to show even the appearance of getting prosecutorial about the pending case.
5
Real leaders refuse to comment on pending cases. Military commanders are simply prohibited from doing so.
Putin likes to talk about pending cases, and 45cm can't resist.
5
This man has three children born in the US and a wife. I wonder what he did will impact on their lives now and in the future.
1
What about due process for American citizens, such as this man. It also sounds like the fellow has mental health issues that could be at the root of his violence. Think before you speak, Mr. Trump.
18
The NY terrorist has a green card (as do I) and is not a citizen. These days, I do feel that I am getting mental health issues from watching Trump, though. So, yes, I understand what you are saying. However, Trump tends to agree with the last person that speaks to him, such as the reporter who asked the question about Saipov and where he should end up. I bet Trump hadn't even considered this before he replied, and as usual, he messed it up. He has now walked this comment back, as per his usual modum.
Due process is not just for Americans.
Mary, you ask the impossible.
Trump doesn't respect the basic important processes of government,
and thinks this makes hm some sort of 'rebel'. Hilarious, considering that he was born to riches and access beyond most people's imagination.
He is a tiny, ignorant person who approaches every issue the same.
It's always personal and never includes respect for facts. From the size of his inaugural crowd to today's issue involving the punishment of a terrorist. Phony machismo ... phony machismo ... phony machismo ..
5
And the world thought Bush/Cheney was bad!
8
Dear Leader should really learn to zip it. But he won't. Is it possible he thinks he's just playing a President on TV?
6
My God...We now have "Off with their heads," 'justice.' Where do we go from here?
7
This "know-nothing" president thought that Gitmo was created to punish the alleged terrorists. His ignorance is shocking.
7
This 70 year old can be duly ponderous and fairly slow on the uptake.
Once again we are reminded that we have a tragically unprepared and dangerously unprincipled ‘fake’ president who is an unabashed leech and an unrepentant liar.
12
Trump's lack of respect for the rule of law is no different than I would expect of Al Capone. Also, calling for quick tough justice and the death penalty is exactly what I would expect of the leader of lynch mob.
6
‘Proudly politically incorrect.’
To this toddler, his freedom to impulsively ‘say what he feels’ in the moment is far more important to him than the consequences of his words. The few who remain as his ‘support base’ talk and act the same entitled, hateful, and aggressive way making life miserable for every body else.
4
"Trickle down ignorance." credit Saffer at the washpo.
1
Well, he's doubled down since this article first appeared, carrying on a very irresponsible and unnecessary dialogue (with himself) re: death penalty, Guantanamo, etc. His dumb tweets will end up in the Supreme Court one day soon, and a terrorist could very well get off the hook.
Anyone still waiting for an intelligent comment to come out of the mouth (or Tweeter) of this president will be disappointed. Donald J. Trump is absolutely the least intelligent, least knowledgeable, least thoughtful man ever to have been elected POTUS. He is the most flagrant example of America's decline.
5
"Doofus" doesn't get it. His "tweets" attacking Muslims have been cited in court cases and you can bet this latest one will hamper jury selection for a trial at best and could endanger any trial at all at worst case. When in doubt, say nothing. Trump should have a lot of doubts and should be saying a lot of nothing, but alas "LMS" (Loose Mouth Syndrome) continues unabated.
5
Just demonstrating once again how deeply unfit he is for this office. Stupid, stupid, stupid man.
5
So much for the constitution.
Why is there not a law on the books that requires the resignation of any sitting president who encourages, conspires to, or actually violates the constitution? Eight years of listening to idiotic, racist Republicans claiming that Obama was violating the constitution when he did no such thing. Trump specifically calls for violations of the very thing he swore to protect and not a peep. Go figure.
3
Poor, misguided terrorist murderer. He's really the one we need to feel sorry for, right? Gitmo is too good for him, if you asked me. Someone like this evil person who shows not even an ounce of remorse for his murder spree deserves worse than Gitmo; the death penalty as soon as the trial is over.
Good gosh. If this response isn't an example of an unhinged, twisted, sick man what is?
4
As Keith Olbermann pointed out, by tweeting comments that might influence a jury, Trump may have through his complete lack of self control and inappropriate behavior may have made it impossible to convict this twisted sod. Republicans: Are you OK with this? I'm sure not.
4
So trump has overturned another Obama legacy, that of there being no successful Islamic terrorist attacks on US soil since 9-11. And he is leaving Obama in the dust on the domestic terror body count too. All this winning is tiring. SAD!
1
He is the fastest thinker in the whole world!
Add this to his #1’s greatests...
1
Can someone please get this guy to stop running his mouth? He knows absolutely nothing about anything.
5
Trump wants to show Duterte that he is a macho guy too.
5
Trump slurring "diversery" instead of diversity, like a late night parody of self----Recursive Parody?
3
How long Congress? Trump is incompetent, incoherent, incomprehensible--you are given reported, televised, twittered evidence everyday and exponentially......
For God's Sake-what are you waiting for?
1
Another tweet the White House has to clean up for the President. He said the world is laughing at us and he is right. They are laughing at him and our stupidity for electing him.
3
Trump needs to keep his mouth shut. Get some advice from the army of lawyers he's employed.
3
On has to realize, this Muslim will get into the morass of our judicial system.Then of course we all lose track of what transpires if anything. I favor military tribunals for Terrorist.
Trump abandons idea of even appearing intelligent.
There, fixed it for you.
5
Now can he just shut up about the suspect, so an untainted jury can be assembled from somewhere in the US? Sheesh.
4
Trump is too ignorant, stupid, and impulsive to keep his mouth closed in these cases. He should just remain silent and let justice run its course. His outbursts only taint the jury pool and court proceedings, but he's too ignorant to understand this.
4
Even the vile bigots in his administration know that doing that would cause an international blow up, as well as fueling isis recruiting. Suppose they talked him down once his antipsychotic meds kicked in
There is a reason isis was literally rooting for trump in the election, and why they feature him in their recruiting materials.
2
Trump throws a tantrum-----ISIS wins
Trump attacks US judicial system---ISIS wins
Trump wants to cut off immigration-----ISIS wins
Trump is president---ISIS wins
6
Trump is a creation of Sinclair Lewis, if Lewis were overdosing on LSD.
3
Execution would be too kind to this ignorant jerk. He should be put in solitary confinement for the rest of his life where he could contemplate what he did until the day he meets Allah. Perhaps there should be cameras in his cell that monitor all his moves, 24hr/day. His life in prison should be shown to the world so other would-be terrorists can learn how they might end their days.
Sending him to Guantanamo is even stupider than most of Trump's stupid ideas.
1
Close Gitmo. Send the worst ones to a maximum sec.prison and the rest to appropiate prisons or even home if they have no charges on them. We are spending millions keeping Gitmo going. The military courts are slow. We need to treat the murdering thugs like the scum they are.
1
How could Trump act so stupidly? Are there no limits to his stupidity. Kelly is obviously failing miserably at his job. Any prosecution is now going to be hobbled by Trump's idiotic rambling.
9
Trump is an idiot, period. He doesn't realize that the U.S. government making a "martyr" out of the perp will allow ISIR to claim him as one of their own and appeal to the sicko "sacrifice your life in the name of our glorious cause and win Seventy Virgins in Heaven" sweeptstakes. Funny how Trump hasn't claimed that the Las Vegas massacre perp deserved to die for killing more than 7 times as many people as Saipov did and wounding many more times others as well - the majority of whom WERE Americans, not foreign visitors to New York who happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time. Doubtful that potential future martyrs are greatly impressed when six of the eight people Saipov killed in the name of Allah were foreign tourists.
4
Is there a single moment when Trump doesn't care only about Trump? The death of 8 people becomes an opportunity for him to babble stuff out to his appreciative base, and that's it.
60
Funny, but that didn't stop the Left from coming out against guns immediately after the terrorist attack in Las Vegas. BTW- there were no real guns involved in this attack. Should we ban trucks next?
He will claim that no other president ever responded to a crisis as he did. And he's absolutely correct. But not in the way he thinks.
3
Can the Right publish a chart detailing how long we should wait before it's no longer "too soon" to talk about changing policy to address a terrorist attack?
Based on recent events: white man gunning down hundreds = indefinitely; Muslim man using a truck = immediately.
61
Of course. That would be one of his normally stupid decisions.
13
Trump has decided to send Jared Kushner to Guantanamo instead.
1
Brian--This is a proposal I cam really get behind, but sending him to the local Best Western might be torture enough.
Nothing elevates American ideals of jurisprudence like a president howling for the execution of a person who has yet to be indicted.
At least when a pack of coyotes, jackals or hyenas starts howling, important information is being conveyed among the participants. Here, all we get is the repeated message we're already familiar with: the speaker is an unhinged, unprincipled, uneducated, immoral fool.
Stop howling, Trump. We've all heard enough from you.
67
It's not like it's an anomaly. Andrew Jackson not only called for the execution of criminals but had it carried out.
A monumental idiot. Mean, ignorant and amoral to boot.
82
Yeah, good thing the cops nailed him.
Not to mention that in spite of all his bluster (and our alarm and pain) the guy has not realized yet of his position in the government .
Besides the useless stupid comments on twitter, he still reacts like when Obama was president and he could blame others for the current events.
2
And nothing will change until we have Democrat majorities in House, Senate,
Supreme Court, and of course a Democrat President. It's up to we the people in the 99% to exercise the vote.
1
1. Constitution, shmonstitution.
2. Donald, shaddap.
30
Loose lips sink ships you idiot....#25for45
51
Not to worry, Donald will probably change his position again with a later tweet. He rarely recalls his earlier tweets anyway.
21
Calling for the death penalty for a suicide-pack terrorist is just gratuitous demagoguery of the lowest most opportunistic sort. Oh yeah, that will teach them a deterring lesson. Bet this guy never thought of dying himself when he set out in his truck with a pellet gun. The only punishment for their type is to keep them alive as the "glory" of their act is ground down by mundane long life in a prison cell.
116
You are perfectly free to "call" for the death penalty for anyone! You are a private citizen and no one cares what you think. Trump is president of the United States and when he speaks he, as commander-in-chief, his words could influence a juror. Of course, in the present case, probably not.
The attacker most likely was hoping to die as a martyr for his "cause" which would explain his erratic behavior after the attack.
2
It's being reported that ISIS will not claim credit for an attack if the attacker is taken prisoner.
Guess that not dying is considered bad for their image. What else would you expect from a death cult?
You don't call the Mayor and the Governor of New York until you are embarrassed into to it by a news reporter's questioning is there any decency or heart there at all. No taking an hour plane ride to comfort the families and the people of New York. Guess if you don't win a state this is payback. What a disgrace.
42
That's right out of the Trump playbook. Trump had to be nationally/internationally embarrassed by the press into fulfilling his promise to a Gold Star family to send them $25,000 from his personal funds and to contact the grieving Gold Star family members of recently killed Americans in service to their country.
1
the answer is no.
Trump shows his fundamental ignorance of the law and our system of justice by his tweets. His comments about the death penalty were particularly jaw dropping. He is (unfortunately) the president of the United States, not some loony old guy (and I'm an old gal) ranting at a diner over his coffee, eggs and toast. I can't imagine trying to get an untainted jury pool after another ridiculous example of sheer idiocy from this man. I know he is playing to his base, but his base instincts about just about everything have debased the United States of America to a point not really imaginable one long year ago. I didn't support him but I hoped he wouldn't be as bad as I thought he might be. I was wrong. He is far worse than anything I could have ever imagined. I guess it is time to read about the fall of the Roman Empire for insights on how to survive the next few years of his presidency.
34
When I heard that Trump had called for the death penalty, I thought to myself, even he can't be that stupid. Guess I was wrong. It seems there is no limit to his ignorance.
3
On Trump’s calling for Gitmo, then evidently seeing something on TV to make him change his mind, then calling for the death penalty: it’s man-walks-into-a-bar and three-beers-later talk. Except this is a U.S. president holding court. At least he’s not slurring his words (though he does misspell). It’s beyond disgraceful.
25
Al one can say is, Covfefe.
1
Does this mental and moral dwarf ever say the same thing two days on a row? He wanders through the woods like a small dog, barking at everything that moves and chasing small things in every direction. But a real plan, real thought...? Real LEADERSHIP? Not hardly.
33
What will the headline read when Blonde Bombshell opens his mouth and causes the ICBMs to start flying? I truly cannot fathom that my elected officials are allowing this election — proven to be influenced by an enemy government — to stand.
23
No one can doubt the threat of ISIS abroad but Trump seems to relish inciting them to act by antagonizing Muslim's and by alienating Muslim's here in the U.S will only incite his base to act on his words -creating an atmosphere of hostility toward those living in the U.S who are Muslims driving some toward homegrown jihad out of sheer hatred. I think that would fall right into Trump's agenda. Just like this maniacs actions in NY.
9
We shouldn't be bringing terrorists into this country to begin with. We have no way to vet 50K a year, plus their chain migration 'families' into this country. It's not only an impossible task but it's also expensive. Why should American taxpayers have to pay for that?
Trump will never understand his professional boundaries because he fancies himself caesar with the ability to give the thumbs up on anyone or anything anywhere.
20
There's no doubt this guy is going to prison forever.
The big question is did our "Great Leader," the President, take the Federal death penalty off the table because of his "hang him from the nearest tree" comments?
Sadly, and for those of us that subscribe to the use of the death penalty in certain limited and specific situations, I suspect he did. When will this guy (Trump) ever shut up?
13
What? Sing Sing isn't good enough for him?
5
Judge people by the company they keep. Trump thinks the President of the Philippines, Duterte, is a fine leader. The same Duterte who has boasted of murdering drug dealers, and who encourages his own police and military to execute anyone in the drug trade including users. Whereas when it comes to Angela Merkel, arguably now the de facto leader of the free world in light of the actions and views of the current POTUS, Trump declines to even shake her hand.
What a travesty.
32
Trump's business career demonstrates disrespect for the law, his presidency a rejection of the rule of law, and his comments on the Las Vegas and New York tragedies a rejection of the principle of "innocent until proven guilty", a juridical rather than a political matter. The ancient Greeks recognized the type: a tyrannt & the rising of such a person to head a polity is the standard definition of tyranny. In contrast, the lying, cheating and treason of Trump's associates are small potatoes, political misdemeanors.
16
He just doesn't understand this U.S.A. concept does he?
30
By far, we all know Trump is a shallow guy.
Whatever is said on his tweeter are all for his daily reality show, not for America, but for his political gains and for his pathetic ego.
Does he have any deep thoughts for any issue?
Does he have any well-thought policy positions?
No.
All is nonsense.
For such a vulgar guy who can have so much powerful, it is mind-boggling. We must thank God-fearing Christians (isn't ironic?) and Faux propaganda machine (without propaganda machine dictator cannot last) and other right-wing cables and radios.
13
Ya' have to wonder who is doing more to undermine American democracy, Trump or Putin?
20
Exactly the point!! We need to understand this!
Putin's motto is "Make Russia Great Again"!
1
Trump is showing the same dim-bulb legal opining he first shared with the world with the the Central Park 5. He has evolved not one bit since.
20
Once again, The Donald steps in it, then stomps around the room in his muck-covered shoes while his handlers race to clean up after him.
If I were a relative of one of the victims, I would be infuriated that the president's shoot-from-the-hip Twitter remark might bungle the legal prosecution of and course of justice as it related to the maniac who murdered my loved one in cold blood. As this article details, it is inappropriate for presidents to weigh in on criminal cases: it didn't work for Nixon, George W. Bush, or Obama and at least two of them got skewered for their attempts, and this latest inappropriate pronouncement from Teflon Don should receive the same treatment. I'm tired of this loudmouth saying whatever he feels like whenever he feels like it, with no regard for the consequences or how his asinine stream of consciousness impacts other people.
19
Well said Lindsay K. Thank you... " I'm tired of this loudmouth saying whatever he feels like whenever he feels like it, with no regard for the consequences or how his asinine stream of consciousness impacts other people."
1
How absolutely tragic for the families and those who have been injured. We rarely hear about the injured and what their lives look like today. A huge amount of them are not getting the care they need due to insurance companies dragging their feet, or refusing to pay out period. We cannot forget those who saw it happen and the aftermath, seeing dead and mangled bodies. Their lives are changed forever also.
13
Brigid, no one has cared about victims, dead or alive, since the Boston Bombings. Then Boston raised millions of dollars to help those victims, whether insured or not. Now? Medical care is a privilege, not a right. So, when is a group going to start a fund for those in NYC?
But will Trump advocate for waterboarding the suspect? His embrace of "enhanced interrogation" techniques was a plank in the campaign. I abhor the thought, but want to keep track of the walk backs and broken promises.
4
Trump's call for death penalty also complicate the trial of Bowe Bergdahl, the soldier kidnapped in Afghanistan. He does not learn from his past mistake.
11
Not kidnapped...AWOL.
1
Can't believe I actually agree with Trump, though better to keep his trap shut and not mess with the system. Unfortunately, the police didn't shoot this man enough times, or he would have gotten "the death penalty."
1
What if they had shot him enough times, then the video showed it wasn’t him, but, another man? Say ‘OOPS’ & go shoot the other guy?
That is the main reason we have trials. Anyone on the scene can misinterprete what they see. Which is why trials were invented. Before that the ‘King’ could just say ‘off with his head’, or hand or whatever will really ruin the peasants day/life. Since you, like most of us qualify as peasants to *him*, I don’t think you want to go back to those days.
This was not an "idea" the president had. He merely, and clearly, simply said he'd "consider it".
4
It came from his own head, not someone else's. That's what we call an "idea."
2
Not a day goes by that this President doesn't add yet more evidence that he is spectacularly unqualified for America's highest office.
It's not like America's law- and policymakers don't have anything else to do than play "clean up" after the President, particularly now when the full extent of Russia's meddling into the 2016 election is only starting to come into clearer focus. Under normal circumstances, any sitting President regardless of their political stripe would be focusing on Russian aggression - yes, let's call it that - during the last election. Instead, America's public discourse is focused on the clownish lassitude of the President.
11
Sadly, once again Trump fails to employ wisdom: thinking before speaking.
His behaviors, which will never change, are dangerous to the safety of our country.
9
President Trump didn't lose is constitutional right to free speech when he won the election. He has as much right as anyone else to say what he feels. Actually, a lot of people feel the same way. It's unfortunate the police officer didn't aim higher. He would have saved the taxpayers a bundle.
"Mr. Trump is not one for cautious detachment, and he has disregarded such advice before."
Mr. Trump is not one for thinking or taking the higher path. Ever.
13
He is not prepared for or capable of being a good President. He does not understand history or the law. His compassion for people is directly tied to its political gain for himself. That is why he appears more upset about these eight victims than the hundreds who were shot in Los Vegas. Here he can pretend he was right about immigration and there he would have had to accept the fact that gun laws need improving. Sad.
8
Sure Trump called for the perpetrator to be executed before charges are even determined, much less convictions or extent of guilt established. That's what his peers Putin, Erdogan and Duarte do, after all. We obviously don't need the rule of law in the US anymore.
12
"Mr. Trump is not one for cautious detachment, and he has disregarded such advice before"
Pretty much says it all about our President on any topic.
"Get advice? Who me? I'm always the most intelligent one around (I went to an Ivy League school, don't ya know). I'm my own best advice".
Sigh. Heaven help us.
7
The president's thirst for blood and immediate retribution reminds one of his outburst years ago concerning the Central Park Five. These men were eventually found innocent of the heinous crime that sent them to prison for years. The Central Park crime and the truck massacre are different of course in the amount of direct evidence available, but, still, the president's knee-jerk reactions, particularly when people of color are involved are notable for their ferocity. Not so in the case of the Las Vegas shooter and the Charlottesville killer. Wonder why?
6
So we know he watches CNN, as he changed his mind within minutes of Chris Cuomo and crew pointing out the differences in the number of terrorism convictions gotten by the GITMO system and the plain old court system.
Note that he did not make this decision by consulting with top experts, having a discussion with the DOJ, BOP, Joint Chiefs, NYS and NYC leaders, etc. He just watched the station he hates and changed his mind. All this the morning after he called a reporter for the "failing NYT" to make sure they knew what a happy fellow he was.
4
What a surreal and theatrical spectacle !
I am somehow convinced that the reason this man does not release his tax returns is because his business holdings are in really bad shape. Imagine this clown running his real estate empire over the last few decades in the manner he is leading the country. It is a miracle that he even has a business to speak of. Maybe that is why he migrated to reality TV and eventually the presidency. He needs a cover while pursuing his addiction to reality TV and Cable TV talk shows and somebody to pay for them.
7
As awful as the terrorist attack was, the suspect needs a fair trial. President Trump just erased that possibility. It’s a sad day for justice and democracy.
7
We need to make it very clear that the reason, the only reason, anyone needs a trial, like this suspect, is so if you or I, or anyone is near a crime, WE will get a fair trial, not just a ‘lop of his/her head!’ Reaction. It’s pure save ourselves that fair trials were invented. Before that, the ‘leader’ got to say what was a crime, who were criminals, & what should be done to them. Could be ok, if you had a fair & just leader, but, there were too many like Trump. So, someone, a genius, came up with trials, evidence, appeals, & sentences. Not perfect. But, better than before. Now *he* wants to do away with that. I say let him, then once we are rid of *HIM* we can go back to the much fairer system. After we take everything *he*, *his* family, *his* cabinet, & *his* toadies own, leaving them destitute forever.
1
Actually, he was already arraigned in court, so that pushes him towards the judicial system rather than the military tribunal system.
The government having the ultimate authority to take the life of a citizen is the end all of authority. The process of carrying out and executing that authority should be handled with absolute gravity. It should not be a routine no matter how heinous the crime or how unrepentant the accused appears. When the person holding the highest office has no comprehension of this idea, capital punishment must be difficult to carry out, even when it is deserved.
74
Move over William Lynch, there's a new guy in town.
No more Lynch tribunals and Lynch Law justice.
Now we have Trump Law, and shooting from the lip!
On daytime TV, somewhere near you!
20
If you start each day with "Trump abandons idea of......"
you'll never run out of material.
Everything idea this knee-jerk has is either
eventually walked back by someone,
or is allowed to damage our democracy
in some fundamnetal way.
43
Evidently, 45 is doing everything in his power to let the terrorist off the hook by his unrestrained comments. He simply has no grasp of the Constitution, legal system, or reality.
When will Congress act to get rid of him before he destroys our whole country?
140
Civil suits are what he knows best about the legal system.
Hopefully he will soon have a good chance of learning first-hand about the criminal justice system.
4
When indeed!
2
You would think a guy who was always suing someone would have a better grasp of our legal system.
1
"Trump Abandons Ability to Reason; Reckless POTUS" is a more apt headline.
33
"Abandons" ability to reason implies that he was ever able to do so. I think a more accurate headline would be "Trump never had ability to reason..."
6
Too bad we cannot cancel this season of the Accidental President.
Maybe next season, eh?
It's the worst tv show I have ever seen.
The lead actor is the most ignorant buffoon ever seen on tv.
174
Trump has said a lot about the terrorist but I've yet to read that he's expressed his sympathies to the families of the ones that were killed.
It's important that we don't forget about the survivors who witness the attack.
Our justice system will in the end dole out the punishment that this person deserves just like it did to the Oklahoma City bombers but we can't allow him to make us live in fear.
28
He telephoned them and said, "Still, a thing like this, it must hurt a little."
Whether a suspect shouts ‘Allahu akbar’ after running people down in NYC or walks without a word into a Walmart in Colorado and starts shooting, it’s the same, sad result... Lives lost or broken. One is labeled terrorism, the other, for some reason, is not. Again, the result is the same. Just call these acts and all the acts before them what they are... Premeditated murder.
63
Yes, I agree. These attackers can be considered human predators, inspired by some factor: self-hate, ignorance, whatever.
Wonder if anyone else has realized that anyone can yell ‘Allahu Akbar’ when committing any crime? No matter what their religion is. You don’t have to believe in any religion to yell it’s slogans. Just have a need to point fingers a certain way.
Some seemingly white person is going to walk into a big box store sometime, start shooting, & screaming, ‘glory glory alleluia’! Does that mean they are Christian? I don’t think so. If an American born Muslim yells ‘God is Great’! While shooting people, does that mean he/she is NOT a radical Muslim? Just because they spoke in English. Both mean the same. Only difference is language. Oh, Alleluia, however it’s spelled, is Arabic. But, is used in many Christian hymns. The English language has many stolen words. Will steal many more. It’s what English speakers do. Have done. Will always do. Not just religious words, but, anytime we find a word that fits for something we are trying to say, we take that word into the English language & use it. Other languages stagnate & die by not doing that. Check French.
Well I can think of one glaring reason why the Walmart shooter, the Vegas shooter, the Sandy Hook shooter, the Charleston church shooter, and Timothy Mcveigh are not called "terrorists": RACE. They are all terrorists. Not "home grown" terrorists, which makes them sound like baggies of organic pot, but cold-blooded, ignorant, barbaric terrorists. All of them.
I'm sure there are many grumpy old men who impulsively yell crazy things at the TV while constantly watching Fox news. Donald is one of them, and that's why they love him so much.
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I'm sure there are too, Rick. The difference is that those grumpy old men impulsively yelling crazy things at the TV while watching Fox News weren't elected president. It's one thing to act like a nut in your living room, with only the TV to hear you, but it's quite another to act the crazy armchair jurist while you occupy a position of extreme influence as the president of the United States.
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The difference is that the President of the United States is telling the world that our Constitution and the right to a fair trail mean nothing to him. he did, after all swear to uphold and defend the Constitution of the United States. I guess Trump had his fingers crossed when he took the oath of office,
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He wasn't listening, instead counting the "huge" numbers in the crowd.
Brilliant!
Execute a man who aspires to martyrdom!. That ought to deter others aspiring to martyrdom.
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Besides declaring war somewhere, the best thing Trump can do to appeal to his supporters is to advocate broad and frequent application of the death penalty.
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Well, the War on Terror means we have already declared war basically everywhere.
So we're good to go. On to Nambia!
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Indeed that half of their id is, well, more than half shall we say?
A true leader would declare that the solution to terrorism lies in addressing its roots in ignorance and intolerance - not just creating more martyrs.
But that would take someone capable of that kind of thinking, and of a belief that all Americans are capable of acting like civilized, responsible adults.
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Donald Trump should be a private citizen where he can rant all he wants without regard to how it affects the judicial system.
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Three days after Bergdahl's judge says he'll consider Trump's comments in that case a mitigating factor Trump's making similar comments about another defendant. A mind is a terrible thing.
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Right. He wants that too. Steaks, golf, ice-cream ( 2 scoops) and stiffing suppliers and customers at will and getting away with it. Those were the days. Who'd have thought being President was so complicated? Look at him – stressed, exhausted, perpetually angry and spewing bile on friend and foe.
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To be fair, stressed, angry, spewing bile etc. .... i think he was like that before he was president, too.
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We are neither Russia, nor N. Korea. The decision about this guy will be made by the judiciary system.
By now, Trump should have learned how the system works here. I guess he is too dumb to understand.
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No guessing needed. trump confirms it every time he opens his mouth.
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In other words. . . if the reporter hadn't asked the question the other day asking about if Trump wanted to send the terrorist to Gitmo that he stupidly answered and creating yesterday's headline, then by not asking would have eliminated two "big" stories entirely. Reporters are like giant forest fires . . . they create their own weather systems. The subjects of the stories are really irrelevant to what's being created in the newsroom.
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Iver Thompson reasons that this latest kerfuffle wouldn't have happened "if the reporter hadn't asked the question the other day,' going on to say that reporters habitually create news.
Yet DT could have made this a non-issue had he merely possessed common sense. Too much to ask of the current US President, I suppose.
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Yes, it's them no-good reporters!
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Your comment has all the sense of a 8 year old saying "Billy made me do it." I had hope that Trump was more mature than an 8 year old. An intelligent person can always say either "No comment" or "I uphold the Constitution and laws of this country."
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Trump's big mouth -if he only knew when to shut it and when to open it and say something intelligent-he'd end up saying so few words and he'd have no twitter account to speak of.
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Only after he realized how hard it would be to water a golf course.
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Interesting. After gun massacres Demos soon, rightfully so, call for gun legislation. Right-wingers scream "politics." Will any Reps stand-up and criticize Trump for immediately playing real politics with a terrorist attack? I doubt it.
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President Trump has also called for the Uzbeki terrorist to receive the death penalty. However, I am disappointed that he has walked back from his statement to send Saipov to Gitmo. Personally, I believe when Saipov is discharged from the hospital he should be whisked away to Gitmo. That's he belongs. Thank you.
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The fate of this man belongs to the people of the City of New York
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It is always interesting to hear from someone who either hasn't read the US Constitution or should rather that we did not have it. The United States Constitution requires, and demands that every one accused of a crime get a fair trial. I'm sure you consider yourself a loyal American but how can one be a loyal American when one advocates ignoring our Constitution?
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So, send him to a Caribbean island where odds are he will never even get a trial? How does that solve any part of the problem as you understand it?
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Just as I figured. "String 'im up"! I knew that's what 45 would say. Let's just bring out the lynch mobs again. Easier than those old pesky courts. Whites in the South knew that long ago. Heck, who needs the rule of law anyway. Yep, that's our 45!
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He should get the death penalty.
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He will. It isn’t instant justice. If we had that; Trump would burst into flames.
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Well, it has been several hours...
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What a horrible leader in Trump. He knows nothing of law and still rushes to play Judge, Jury and Executioner. The words of a sitting president should be considered and carry weight, but Trump is impetuous as ever with his.
It was remarkable that the killer was captured alive and can face justice. One can only hope that Trump's impulsiveness won't preclude a credible trial.
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The headline might better simply be, "Trump Abandons Thoughts".
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No, that assumes he has thoughts.
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.... or just "Trump's Abandon"
That headline would imply that he used to think. He never has, never will. Whatever random idea flits across his tiny little mind always pops out of his mouth. No self control. Zero. Zilch.
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If he really wanted him executed, he'd keep his big trap shut, but all he really cares about is scoring some cheap political points. I hope Mueller truly intends to handle the people's business, and quickly. We can't move on to 46 quickly enough.
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Assuming that he gets a jury trial, Trump has now insured that many potential jurors will have to be disqualified because of his comments. And you thought seating a jury in the OJ trial was hard.
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Unfortunately Trump has yet to realize that his words can have consequences. First with the North Korean crisis, now blindly commenting on an active investigation. As President of the United States, there is a higher standard that you must meet and you can't blindly comment and push for the death penalty.
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Every. Single. Day. We are tired. But not defeated.
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If Trump gets one thing right, it is the insidious and pervasive nature of the Islamic threat. They employ every stratagem as it suits the needs of the particular country they fight in. This includes subterfuge, Quranic beheadings, lying and dissembling, to mask their true intentions of Jihad against non-believers. In western democracies, they are the most vocal voice of civil liberties, because they use our own institutions to infiltrate us, expand their population, and to harm us in every way they can. Barring them is the only solution. Let them fester in their own destroyed lands.
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There's been a significant amount of discussion about Donald Trump's mental stability in recent months. Some of it unfair, some of it sincere concern. But let's all agree that the tweets concerning this attack are sick. Very sick. The justice system will take care of this attacker. The penalties will undoubtedly be severe. As they should be. But no sane person - no sane president - would feel the urge to tweet - in upper case, no less - DEATH PENALTY! over and over. Apparently, this man's determination to embarrass the nation knows no bounds. Grotesque.
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I wouldn't rush to execute him. I do think life in prison or the death penalty may be justified in this case, however I think he should be given time to think about and perhaps regret his decision and affiliation with ISIS.
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I want due process as well. This man needs to sit and concentrate on what he’s done and quite frankly, the hell he’s brought to the lives of his family. His wife and children will never know another day of peace because of what their father did.
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Don't make the guy a martyr by executing him. He is not worth it.
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Please...how many times did Obama open his pie hole in local police matters and needlessly escalate them into national issues?
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Please tell us. I recall a handful of times perhaps (the Skip Gates affair, police shootings of unarmed citizens), but always with moderation and respect for the rule of law. And that's over 8 years. not 8 months. President Obama was presidential and rational. DT is neither and he goes on proving it every day. By the way, when is he going to release his tax returns?
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Just because a past president opened his "pie hole" (please!), doesn't mean that this current one should be doing so, and we shouldn't give him a pass for it, either. Screaming about what Obama did, didn't do, or should have done - which will always be damnably wrong to some people - doesn't negate the fact that the man currently occupying the Oval Office is a bumbling fool with the attention span of a gnat and a total lack of empathy, eloquence, or the ability to rationally approach a difficult problem. Couldn't Trump just have said something along the lines of "To my fellow New Yorkers: I'm so sorry for your loss. We will continue to do all we can to keep citizens safe, and this terror suspect is now in the hands of our justice system. We will continue to move forward and not let people who wish us harm sow terror and division among us." It's not that hard to come out with a sympathetic yet firm statement. But calm eloquence doesn't get as much attention as the loudmouth blather that Trump has spewed all his life, and that's really all he's about: all the attention, all the time.
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Kimbo-why don't you answer that question yourself and provide credible sources?
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Drunk Uncle strikes again. I guess he really doesn't want the death penalty.
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That is today. He may change tomorrow. The man is a pathological liar.
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Highly inappropriate for the President to call for the death penalty or any other specific form of punishment for a case that is just taking shape. He should let the judiciary do their job.
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Apropos of the civil war, and those who ignore its lessons, see Ex Parte Milligan.
Trump is not the judge and jury and is not the deciding factor in this legal process. But he represents and angry and reactionary tone felt by many.
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Maybe Trump got his expertise in the law from all of the bankruptcies and lawsuits that he went through.
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Duh... yeah! That would set a precedent of sending citizens/visa holders to an illegal concentration camp ! Good thing he has some people around him with at least half a brain. As he has lost 99% of his.
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Perhaps the President approves the incarceration in violation of the US Constitution in an "Internment" camp of my American citizen, 4 year old brother in law and his entire family merely because of his Japanese ancestor.
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The Con Don didn't "back down". He was shouted down.
Keep up the Good Work, Good People of America, until we get him and his Robber Baron brethren OUT of OUR government.
OUR lives depend on it.
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Trump makes an "ill-advised" tweet and has to be talked into backing down.
This everyday event is news?
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[[Hooj London 10 minutes ago
Trump makes an "ill-advised" tweet and has to be talked into backing down. This everyday event is news?]]
Yes.
Think of it as collecting evidence at a crimes scene.
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Yes, but by this point it should be on page A34, below the fold. Or the electronic equivalent thereof.
1
Trump postures and politicizes using Twitter as his sword. His latest dive into his fragile stream of consciousness got me to thinking “Why Twitter?”. I think I know. The short, staccato, arrangement of words that infuse the world of Twitter is the perfect platform for our President. No need putting together a complete, cohesive, fact-filled, argument when a few choice words will generate far more attention. And don’t think for a second that it’s not all about the attention. Twitter can be fun but it is not a proper podium to express serious thought or statements of policy. Anyone can tweet about anything. It’s easy and it’s lazy, which is fine when you don’t have much to say. But when you are in a position to affect the lives of hundreds of millions of people, your prose needs to be more Churchill like and less Moe, Larry, and Curly. Benjamin Franklin wrote “We are all born ignorant but one must work hard to remain stupid”. Who said President Trump is a slacker?
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Trump actually considers Twitter to be essay-form.
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King Trump screaming "off with their heads" forgets he's president.
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Fits in more closely with ISIS.
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Give Trump a break. His questionable knowledge of history has been frequently cited but here he was just going on history.
The Lincoln assassination conspirators were tried by a military court although the Civil War was over and the courts in Washington where they were tried (it wasn't yet Federal crime to kill a president) had never been shut during the war. But the government wanted to make sure of a conviction.
Of course, I doubt Trump knows any of this.
2
I don't doubt. I'm sure Trump knows none of this.
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Trump in no way resembles a president. To him, it is simply an embezzlement opportunity and an ego trip.
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Did you see that Forbes estimated that Trump has lost about $800,000,000 since the last estimate? It is just not fair or true to say that Trump is in this for the money. The economy has boomed, he has done poorly. He may often be wrong, but he's not in it for the money. He does plenty wrong. Stick to that.
1
I will be so happy to have a smart president again.
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How long must we wait, oh Lord, before that happy event happens?!?!
3
It's possible we may NEVER. have a smart president again. Maybe a Kardashian next, another actor, maybe Snooki. Terrifying.
2
I hope Americans learn from this, although sadly, I am unsure they have. He plays a businessman on TV. From what I see, he isn't even a good businessman in real life.
2
The constitution was not written to be mocked at any opportunity by a trashy TV star. If Trump were consistent he would have to resign because he supposedly does not like it when the US and its institutions are mocked.
Trump, as head of the US executive, blatantly intervenes in the country's judiciary, which is a clear violation of the constitutional separation of powers, making a trial of the assassin for the judiciary an obstacle course that has washed itself away. In any case, he can forget the death penalty.
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Trump´s aides said that rash statement "was merely notional". What on earth does that mean, anyway. Is not a statement by the would-be tin-pot US dictator important --
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Remember, we were told to consider Trump's tweets as official business and record of his presidency. That includes his mindless ones too, oh wait, they are all....
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"Notional" means existing only in theory or as a suggestion or idea. A rather impressive word for him, it must be a mistake.
This guy ran around with a pellet gun because he WANTED to be killed. When he set out on his terrorist rampage he was hoping to become a martyr. Trump is just too stupid to understand that he wants the death penalty and therefore, the death penalty is not much of a threat to him. Better he should live a long life as a prisoner kept in solitary in a small cell at the Super Max prison, where he can ponder his miserable existence and rot away in silence.
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My thoughts exactly. Let him realize what his wife and 3 children are going to go through due to his decision.
2
While Americans pay for it.
Solitary confinement with the 700 Club on an endless loop.
13