01-01-2010, 03:58 PM
Dennis Ruhl Wrote:Roosevelt, the great liberal, knew how to handle criminals of war. Give them a military trial and execute them. I believe he claimed sole jurisdiction based on being commander-in-chief of a country at war and told the Supreme Court to butt out.
http://cryptome.org/prez-killer.htm
Quote:In twenty-six days it was over. All eight were sentenced to death. The generals sent their verdict to the President. Roosevelt, acting, in effect, as the court of last resort, confirmed six of the death sentences, but commuted Burger's sentence to life and Dasch's to thirty years for their willingness to betray their comrades. August 8 was set for the executions, which would take place in the electric chair on the third floor of the District of Columbia jail. Eight weeks had elapsed from the night the first saboteurs had landed on Long Island.
8 weeks from landing to execution and they didn't attempt one act of violence.
Some years ago I heard this on the radio from a prominent American criminologist – “Well, they tell me that capital punishment is not a deterrent, but I reckon it’s an excellent deterrent for those getting executed!”