Execution in Six Easy Steps

[Sheila Samples]

Zacarias Moussaoui is dead meat.

A lot of folks thought John Ashcroft got what was coming to him when U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema barred the government from seeking the death penalty this week. In effect, she threw the case out of court because the feds wouldn't let Moussaoui have access to witnesses who might help his case.

Yeah. In effect. Problem is, although she ruled that prosecutors couldn't present any evidence or argument that Moussaoui was either involved in, or had knowledge of, planning the 9-11 attacks -- she then turned around and postponed her ruling taking effect until the federalies could appeal. The good judge maintains she is simply protecting Moussaoui's constitutional rights with all these squirrely rulings. And the really really neat thing is she doesn't have to think for herself -- because John Ashcroft himself furnished her a "ruling" script.

As luck would have it, I have an advance copy of that very script...

1. Bar the government from seeking the death penalty.
2. Delay effects of ruling so government can appeal.
3. Bush intervenes, declares Moussaoui an "enemy combatant," which will remove him from the judicial system.
4. Moussaoui is tried before a military tribunal.
5. Moussaoui is found guilty, has no right of appeal.
6. Moussaoui is executed.

Hmmmmmm. Let's see now. STEP ONE...CHECK. Five steps to go...

Hey, did ya'll know it takes only 218 votes to impeach?