Almost a week after the Obama administration announces that Khalid Sheikh Mohommed will be tried in a civilian court, we hear from Sen. Kay Hagan, and she says absolutely nothing:
“I think they definitely need to be brought to justice. These are monsters that have killings in our country and I’m pleased that the administration is bringing them to justice. I think they’ve been sitting for years and years and it’s about time we take them to court,” Hagan said.
“Regardless of what court they’re tried in, they’ve got to be brought to justice,” she said.
I’m not suggesting that Sen. Richard Burr’s statement was earth-shattering, but at least he took a stance. Hagan’s statement ‘regardless of what court they’re tried in’ betrays her chronic fence-sitting.
Compare and contrast Hagan with the man who’s having his portrait unveiled tonight. We’d certainly know where he stood on this issue.
I’ve been thinking about the irony of Rene Dickerson’s admiration for Jesse Helms. Dickerson appears to be apolitical, though it’s not unreasonable to assume that, as an African American. he would oppose many of Helms’ policies. That indeed may be the case. But it looks like the artist admires his subject for his courage to always take a stand, if nothing else.
