Hijabs In Court For American Women?

Civilian lawyer Cheryl Borman, a defense attorney of accused Sept. 11 co-conspirator Walid bin Attash who wears a hajib to court every day, has requested that all women attending the trial of her client wear “more appropriate clothing” in the courtroom out of respect for her client’s religious beliefs. Borman, who is not Muslim herself, says that the women who are not properly covered in the Islamic tradition are a distraction to her client who, by Islamic law, must avert his eyes from said women and has requested the judge order all women attending the trial to respect the religious views of her client.

Let me say that again just to be sure we all understand it. Civilian lawyer Cheryl Borman, a defense attorney of accused Sept. 11 co-conspirator Walid bin Attash who wears a hajib to court every day, has requested that all women attending the trial of her client wear “more appropriate clothing” in the courtroom out of respect for her client’s religious beliefs.

So Walid bin Attash is on trial for killing 3000 people in a deadly attack on America on September 11, 2001, without regard to their religious beliefs, families, culture, etc., and he and his attorney are demanding that his religious beliefs be respected? It seems some lawyers will say or do anything for money and/or fame.

When I first read this news this morning I was so angry and disgusted I wanted to scream. I realize attorneys are supposed to represent their clients to the best of their abilities however, in a court in the United States of America, when a non-Muslim attorney dons a hajib for court, then demands all other women do the same thing to show respect for her client that, in my unimportant book, is going too far. Can you imagine if an American was on trial in Iran, let’s say, and a female, civilian lawyer walked into the courtroom in a business suit with her face and head uncovered, as well as her legs from the knee down, and demanded that all other women dress in the same way out of respect for her American client? She’d be removed from the courtroom and probably executed – all in the name of the “religion of peace.” (Is there such a thing as a female lawyer in Iran?)

Fortunately, in this case, the judge has already ignored Borman’s request even though she has made it twice. In all likelihood, if her client is convicted, this will be come a point of appeal. And if the right liberal judge is in the Appellate Court then Borman just might have a chance. She’ll simply say “Your honor - my client couldn’t successfully assist with his own defense because he was too distracted by the slutty American women.” 

I lived in Denver years ago when the trial of Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols was underway. One evening I was at the airport and happened to see McVeigh’s lawyer, Stephen Jones, returning to Denver for trial after a weekend off with his family. His son was with him. If you’re familiar with Denver International Airport you know they have a train that runs from the terminal to the gates and back. I was standing right next to Mr. Jones on the train and recognized him right away.

Out of respect for the man and his son I chose not to say anything to him. However, if I had spoken to him my words would have been “I don’t like what you’re doing at all, but I do respect you for doing it.” Stephen Jones took a lot of heat from people for defending Timothy McVeigh but he did what he believed was right for his client. He never once, however, asked (or demanded) that anyone attending the trial give up one of their rights as Americans, as Ms. Borman is attempting now.

Non-Muslim, American women are not required to wear traditional Muslim garb for any reason, unless they choose, of their own free will, to enter a mosque. To have a defense attorney demand that American women wear traditional Muslim garb to show respect to her accused client is an outrage. What will be her next request – to try them according to Sharia law? To Ms. Borman I would say “In the spirit of justice I respect what you’re doing but I am completely disgusted by the way you’re doing it.  This is America.”

I’d say America has bowed to Islam enough already. These defendants are accused of attacking the United States, in the name of Allah, and killing 3000 innocent people. They now need to face American justice, be it civilian or military, and deal with the realities of the country they attacked. Women here wear what they want and don’t much care if some men don’t like it. As it should be. And if these pansy terrorists can’t handle looking at real women it’s their problem. Maybe Lady Gaga can attend the trial wearing a costume made out of bacon….

I hope the judge stands his ground and that these five 911 defendants are convicted. I also wish they’d be executed but that’s probably not going to happen. And Ms. Borman should really look at the possibility of a future in the law in the Middle East. It seems that’s what she prefers….