Moussaoui Gets Life

After nearly seven days of deliberations, a jury sentenced Al Qaeda operative Zacarias Moussaoui to live without the possibility of release today for his albeit small role in the events of September 11, 2001. Before leaving court, Moussaoui clapped his hands and shouted, "America, you lost....I won!"

Family members of those lost their lives that day seemed split on whether the decision was the right one. Some even speculated that the jury showed what Moussaoui did not: mercy. Mercy is a concept most Americans understand and so is the concept of justice. The jury has spoken and now, barring appeals, the verdict is final. One more chapter closed.

But what are the ramifications of this verdict on the war on the terrorism? The failure to execute Moussaoui will only be viewed as weakness by our enemies and those that wish us ill. How can we stop these people if we are not willing to impose the most severe penalty possible when they murder 3,000 of our citizens? There is no mercy for people like that...only extermination.

As for Moussaoui, let's hope he lives to a ripe old age in a prison full of men without mercy.