I HopeThis Is An Example Of The Real American People

In a showing of compassion rather than revenge, family members of those killed on 9/11 testified in defense of Zacarias Moussaoui.

In a trial where role reversals have been commonplace, family members of 9/11 victims testified in support of the man who has taken glee in their relatives' death and sounded a common theme: We don't want to succumb to feelings of revenge.

Six family members took the witness stand in Zacarias Moussaoui's defense on Wednesday, and more were expected to testify Thursday. Moussaoui's lawyers hope the testimony will counter the emotional impact of nearly four dozen witnesses who gave heartbreaking testimony for prosecutors about the impact of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people.

Court rules prohibited witnesses on either side from opining on the choice jurors will face when deliberations begin next week — whether Moussaoui should get the death penalty or life in prison.

But the defense witnesses left an unmistakable message about their view.

Not all Americans believe in an eye for an eye. Unfortunately, I've no doubt these people are going to be hounded by others who see them as terrorist sympathizers. Because their names have been published, they may even have to uproot their families to escape attack.

Most likely the winger blogs and talk radio will get great mileage out of this.

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