A United States District judge has agreed with government lawyers that Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, otherwise known as the Underwear Bomber posses a threat to the safety of American citizens everywhere and has sentenced him to life imprisonment for his attempt to detonate an explosive while aboard Northwest Flight 253 from Amsterdam to Detroit on Christmas Day of 2009.
The device in the lining of his underwear caught fire, but did not explode.
Sentencing terrorists should be taken on a case by case basis, but given the defendants unrepentant nature about attacking the United States, the judge in this case had very little alternative.
Islamic radicals inspired by Al Qaeda would all too relish death sentences because they been taught that it is noble to die in the service of their Islam.
Further, because of the hit and miss nature of de-radicalization programs, we can’t sentence them to less then life imprisonment and pray that they will be rehabilitated.
Life imprisonment is our best option because it denies the terrorist the instant martyrdom he seeks, and keeps the population at large safe.
Showing posts with label Underwear Bomber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Underwear Bomber. Show all posts
Monday, February 20, 2012
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Underwear Bomber
Perhaps illustrative of my above point about Africa being a potential terrorist recruiting ground of the present and future. The “Underwear Bomber” pleaded guilty in a federal courtroom last week for attempting to blow up a jetliner over Detroit, Christmas Day 2010.
Though, I’m certainly not going to shed a tear for the underwear bomber, I think this case speaks to larger problems that we as a country have yet to meaningfully address.
Despite our best security, he still found a way onto a commercial airliner and could’ve brought down a plane with 250 passengers onboard. This is indicative that even with the world’s greatest security measures, the terrorists can always find a hole.
My larger point, is the terrorist breeding ground that is Africa. Africa is plagued with bad governance, lack of jobs, lack of education, and just a general lack of opportunity. Terrorist groups prey upon the margins of traditional society, exploiting the isolated and giving them something to believe in.
The “Underwear Bomber” may have failed in his ultimate goal, thankfully, but that doesn’t mean that there are not other disaffected souls around the world, under the sway of terrorist ideology seething at the thought of finishing the Underwear Bombers work and creating their own legacy.
Though, I’m certainly not going to shed a tear for the underwear bomber, I think this case speaks to larger problems that we as a country have yet to meaningfully address.
Despite our best security, he still found a way onto a commercial airliner and could’ve brought down a plane with 250 passengers onboard. This is indicative that even with the world’s greatest security measures, the terrorists can always find a hole.
My larger point, is the terrorist breeding ground that is Africa. Africa is plagued with bad governance, lack of jobs, lack of education, and just a general lack of opportunity. Terrorist groups prey upon the margins of traditional society, exploiting the isolated and giving them something to believe in.
The “Underwear Bomber” may have failed in his ultimate goal, thankfully, but that doesn’t mean that there are not other disaffected souls around the world, under the sway of terrorist ideology seething at the thought of finishing the Underwear Bombers work and creating their own legacy.
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