Two short articles here  - which may at first seem to have no relation.  But they do.  The first is an article from the New York Times bemoaning the "incivility" of the terrorist trials being held at Guantanamo Bay.  The liberal writer goes on at length about what a shame it is that America is not living up to her own civil standards during these trials.  (Although the first defendant was found innocent of the most serious charges against him). 

The second article from the Wall Street Journal detailing how Random House succumbed to pressure and death threats from Islamic groups and decided not to publish a novel about Aisha, Mohammad's favorite wife.  

Please read these two articles back-to-back and ask yourself which is the bigger threat to your civil liberties?  Is it the lawyers participating in the American military trials at Guantanamo Bay or is it the Islamists who intimidate by threat of death, everyday law-abiding citizens?

New York Times
August 7, 2008
Editorial

Guilty as Ordered

Now that was a real nail-biter. The court designed by the White House and its Congressional enablers to guarantee convictions of high-profile detainees in Guantánamo Bay, Cuba — using evidence obtained by torture and secret evidence as desired — has held its first trial. It produced ... a guilty verdict.