The Problem of Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

I've been thinking about the case of the 9/11 mastermind for a few weeks now, and though I've staked out some of my positions in an earlier essay, I haven't given much substantial justification for them.

When I argued with my friend's mom over the topic, I only quietly cited the Constitution--which is a sufficient reason enough for us to be civil towards Mr Mohammed--but there is a deeper and better rationale behind this treatment.

Some people just want to get it over with, sometimes feeling that whatever we do to him--including possible Geneva Convention violations--would be justified because of how evil his actions were. But the truth is, that isn't America. It's as if he were the biggest insect on the planet, and we have trapped him and are preparing simply to get rid of him.

But wait a minute. He's the 9/11 mastermind. We can't just throw him away! We have an opportunity to juxtapose the very best of America against the horrors of Wahhabi ideology. No, this won't sway Mr Mohammed's faithful militias, but it may turn the tide of popular opinion to our favor where we need it most.

Let the man speak. Loudly. Let him call fire and brimstone from the skies. Let him derail us as decadents and infidels. By giving him the opportunity to voice his opinion we are already taking the higher moral ground. The very point is that they do not allow dissenters to speak where he comes from. So let us show him what it is he is fighting against. We can only win.

It isn't just a formality, it isn't simply due process. We have an opportunity to show a part of the world that often only sees Abu Ghraib our better half. Maybe they can see what others see in us.

How would I try KSM? I want a show. I want a loud conflict of ideologies. I want the trial to be seen across the globe, and especially broadcast on al-Jazeera. My only criticism of a military tribunal is that I don't think it could be as public as we need it to be.

The only question that remains is how we will punish him. I've given a lot of thought to this question, and I have come to the conclusion that we should not give him the death penalty. KSM's only goal in life was to end it and take as many people with him as possible for an ultimate reward. Let's deny him that reward. I feel that if we kill him in expedience, he would win. No, I don't believe in an afterlife or any gods, but I would still playing his game insofar as to prevent him from finding peace with himself.

If we aren't going to kill him, what should we do? Here's where I will admit I get a little nasty. Solitary confinement for the maximum possible allowance: KSM should spend as much time completely alone as possible according to the appropriate guidelines. He should be left alone as much as possible--not even harassment. And parole? I will just say that KSM should be up for parole about the same time as when we terraform Mars.