Don't throw Moussaoui in the briar patch

With all due respect to Debra Burlingame, the 9/11 families testifying on behalf of saving Zacarious Moussaoui from the death penalty are not necessarily doing him any favors.

Right now there are two roads lying before him, one leading to a potentially long and boring life at the Supermax in Colorado, the other dying a martyr's death for jihad. Taking the second road might seem more attractive for a person who believes that holy virgins will be his next visual image after the switch is flipped. Besides, the second option might also allow for a few last minute points to be scored for the cause, ala Mel Gibson's freedom moment in Braveheart.

Moussaoui even seemed to cover another by-product of a life sentence, which is that the government could use him as a bargaining chip at some future date. Perhaps he was trying to poison the well, but it's questionable whether AQ would even want him based on what KSM told us. Still, it seems to be an argument against letting him live, in effect 'throw me in the briar patch'.

To be honest, there are far fewer family members speaking in favor of sparing him than those wishing to fry him. But one could make the argument that to forgive is the Christian way, and one could also argue another way:

Asked why she opposed a death penalty, she said, "Moussaoui is the wrong person to be on trial. There are people in the custody of the U.S. government who were central planners." She called Moussaoui's role in 9/11 "marginal."

That's a good question. Both the perpetrators of actual attacks on the World Trade Centers are still breathing air, while a man who was caught in the act of trying to crash a plane also has a life of prison food ahead of him. Why kill Moussaoui?

All factors considered it seems death would be the easiest way for him. If enough 9/11 families manage to sow a seed of forgiveness in the jury's hearts and they reject death, life in lockup might be the most fitting punishment for this man.