Jon Stewart Peels the Skin From Newt Gingrich’s Bones

OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a little. Republican former House Speaker Newt Gingrich appeared on Jon Stewart’s Daily Show last night, and did little to advance his party’s attempts to politicize terrorism trials. While most are focusing on his self-inflicted “Richard Reid was a US citizen” wound, as well as Stewart’s “don’t let reality get in the way” zing, I found myself audibly cheering for Stewart as he described his attitude toward terrorism trials in New York.

I can’t really say it any better than Stewart did, except perhaps to point out that this is nothing new. Conservatives have been exploiting 9/11 for years, while simultaneously demonizing New Yorkers (and their widows and families), so this sudden concern over their well-being is comical. To Gingrich’s credit, at least he remembered that 9/11 happened at all.

There may be fair arguments to be made on both sides of the issue of terrorism trials, but for the people who watched all those people die that day, fear is an argument that will never gain any traction.

This is an opinion piece. The views expressed in this article are those of just the author.

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