Homeland Security Watch

Comment by William R. Cumming

October 20, 2010 @ 9:41 pm

Strangely I did not comment on the earlier post. So perhaps this is partly a makeup for that oversight. The criminal justice system is one of the great engines of society and allows it to keep operating and on track. Unfortunately, it is a crude instrument in many ways that involves elements of prevention, protection, revenge, rehabilitation and simple justice. The question of being fully accountable for your actions is often postponed in our society but clearly Zach has reached that accounting. Assuming the guilty pleas avoided a full trial, that system has both merits and demerits. Personally not enough is known about this case to me to allow a judgement as to whether he could have been reached and redirected to a different path. My hope is always that the attempt is made and successful but clearly some are beyond reach. From the facts presented I consider that equation in Zach’s case as unknown. What I do know is that the nation’s penal system is full of those that I would consider radical in their religious beliefs, including Islam among others. So like the criminals who gain knowledge in prison it is possible that ZACH will be more radical over time and if ever paroled more of a threat. Perhaps not. I am curious about the quality of his representation? Would that quality have made a difference or should it have made a difference it is one of the “ifs” which now don’t count.