Eric Holder To Congress: Bin Laden Has Same Rights As Charles Manson

Attorney General Eric Holder stood up for the Constitution before a House appropriations subcommittee hearing, making the point that all murder defendants get the same treatment.

“These defendants, many of whom are charged with murder, would be treated just like any other murder defendants,” Holder said with evident exasperation. “The comparison….the question is: Are they being treated the way any other murderer would be? They have the same rights Charles Manson would have.”

While Holder thought the Manson comparison would make Americans feel more comfortable with the idea of civilian trials for terrorism suspects, Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) disagreed and sensed an opening.

“Osama bin Laden, in your opinion, has the same rights as Charles Manson?” a dubious Culberson asked.

“In some ways, I think they’re comparable people,” Holder said.

Culbertson railed against the administration for making the comparison.

“That’s incredible,” Culberson replied. “The disconnect—your administration, your mindset is so completely opposite where the majority of the American people are,” the Congressman said, arguing that disagreement with the Obama Administration’s terrorism prosecution policy drove the recent victory of Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.).

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.