America Will and Always stand for Freedom

Remember the guy who got on a plane with a bomb built into his she and tried to light it?

Did you know his trial is over?
Did you know he was sentenced?
Did you see/hear any of the judge's comments on TV/Radio?
Didn't think so.
Everyone should hear what the judge had to say.
Prior to sentencing, the Judge asked the defendant if he had anything to say.

His response: After admitting his guilt to the court for the record, Reid also admitted his "allegiance to Osama bin Laden, to Islam,
and to the religion of Allah," defiantly stated "I think I ought not apologize for my actions," and told the court "I am at war with
your country."

Judge Young then delivered the statement quoted below, a stinging condemnation of Reid in particular and terrorists in general:

Ruling by Judge William Young

U.S. District Court Judge William Young made the following statement in sentencing "shoe bomber" Richard Reid to prison. It is noteworthy, and deserves to be remembered far longer than he predicts. I commend it to you and to anyone you might wish to forward it to.

January 30, 2003, United States vs. Reid. Judge Young: Mr. Richard C. Reid, hearken now to the sentence the Court imposes upon you.

On counts 1, 5 and 6 the Court sentences you to life in prison in the custody of the United States Attorney General.

On counts 2, 3, 4 and 7, the Court sentences you to 20 years in prison on each count, the sentence on each count to run consecutive with the other. That's 80 years.

On count 8 the Court sentences you to the mandatory 30 years consecutive to the 80 years just imposed. The Court imposes upon you each of the eight counts a fine of $250,000 for the aggregate fine of $2 million.

The Court accepts the government's recommendation with respect to restitution and orders restitution in the amount of $298.17 to Andre Bousquet and $5,784 to American Airlines.

The Court imposes upon you the $800 special assessment.

The Court imposes upon you five years supervised release simply because the law requires it. But the life sentences are real life sentences so I need go no further.

This is the sentence that is provided for by our statutes. It is a fair and just sentence. It is a righteous sentence. Let me explain this to you.

We are not afraid of any of your terrorist coconspirators, Mr. Reid. We are Americans. We have been through the fire before. There is all too much war talk here and I say that to everyone with the utmost respect.

Here in this court, where we deal with individuals as individuals, and care for individuals as individuals, as human beings we reach out for justice, you are not an enemy combatant. You are a terrorist. You are not a soldier in any war. You are a terrorist. To give you that reference, to call you a soldier gives you far too much stature. Whether it is the officers of government who do it or your attorney who does it, or that happens to be your view, you are a terrorist.

And we do not negotiate with terrorists. We do not treat with terrorists. We do not sign documents with terrorists. We hunt them down one by one and bring them to justice.

So war talk is way out of line in this court. You are a big fellow. But you are not that big. You are no warrior. I know warriors. You are a terrorist. A species of criminal guilty of multiple attempted murders.

In a very real sense Trooper Santigo had it right when you first were taken off that plane and into custody and you wondered where the press and where the TV crews were and he said you're no big deal. You are no big deal.

What your able counsel and what the equally able United States attorneys have grappled with and what I have as honestly as I know how tried to grapple with, is why you did something so horrific. What was it that led you here to this courtroom today? I have listened respectfully to what you have to say. And I ask you to search your heart and ask yourself what sort of unfathomable hate led you to do what you are guilty and admit you are guilty of doing. I have an answer for you. It may not satisfy you, but as I search this entire record it comes as close to understanding as I know.

It seems to me you hate the one thing that is most precious. You hate our freedom. Our individual freedom. Our individual freedom to live as we choose, to come and go as we choose, to believe or not believe as we individually choose.

Here, in this society, the very winds carry freedom. They carry it everywhere from sea to shining sea. It is because we prize individual freedom so much that you are here in this beautiful courtroom. So that everyone can see, truly see that justice is administered fairly, individually, and discretely.

It is for freedom's sake that your lawyers are striving so vigorously on your behalf and have filed appeals, will go on in their, their representation of you before other judges. We are about it. Because we all know that the way we treat you, Mr. Reid, is the measure of our own liberties. Make no mistake though. It is yet true that we will bear any burden, pay any price, to preserve our freedoms.

Look around this courtroom. Mark it well. The world is not going to long remember what you or I say here. Day after tomorrow it will be forgotten. But this, however, will long endure. Here in this courtroom and courtrooms all across America, the American people will gather to see that justice, individual justice, justice, not war, individual justice is in fact being done.

The very President of the United States through his officers will have to come into courtrooms and lay out evidence on which specific matters can be judged, and juries of citizens will gather to sit and judge that evidence democratically, to mold and shape and refine our sense of justice.

See that flag, Mr. Reid? That's the flag of the United States of America. That flag will fly there long after this is all forgotten. That flag stands for freedom. You know it always will.

Mr. Custody Officer. Stand him down.

How much of this Judge's comments did you hear on our TV sets? Please pass this around. Everyone needs to hear what the judge had to say.

நியூயார்க் நகரம் ...

Urangum Neram... well, it doesn't sleep much, or at least around Times Square.

I'm going to New York, I think after about 9 years. I was very restless until I landed at Laguardia. For some weird reasons, 9/11 day was dancing in front of my eyes. Never thought would feel that way. Whew!
Well, I had the pleasure of staying in a hotel in Times Square. It was very cloudy that day, and with tall buildings around, lights and huge huge hoardings around that filled the place didn't know the difference between day or night.
The service at restaurants in Times Square are really fast - faster than many places I have eaten. Well, who would know better than them, that time is $$$!

Me and my friend wanted to see a Broadway musicals. Going to a musicals for the first time, we thought we would pick a story we both can understand very easily, hence decided to go to "Shrek the musicals". Wow! Wow is an understatement. I was totally taken by the production of this show. The stage settings of the castle or the swamp - amazingly well done. The character that won my top vote was Lord Fauquaad. Extraordinary performance. Princess Fiona - was next best. Amazing!! Still wondering if it were 2 different persons for the Ogre Fiona & the Princess or is it same person!! I was completely swept the show.
Broadway musicals should be a MUST SEE item on anyone who goes to NY for vacation :)
Took the downtown tour on the bus - hmm it was OK.

Visited Madam Tussuad's wax museum - was so disappointed not to see RAJINIKANTH or Aishwarya Rai. Also, was disappointed with the way the statues were arranged - didn't have enuf personal space to take good pictures! Would not recommend it for others. If you can, should skip this NY museum, and should go to the original London's.

One thing I missed terribly was going to "Saravana Bhavan" hotel. Did not know about this, may be didn't do my homework thoroughly. Missed it! They have morning breakfasts too - Missed it Missed it.
Well, may be next time :)

So, glad to be back home after 3 full days of roaming, and spending time at NY.