Vanity Unfair: Khalid Sheikh Mohammed

9/11 Terrorist Planner

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and his scruffy-looking pals go on trial today at the United States' Camp Justice in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He told the court that he wishes to receive the death penalty for his confessed part in the murder of thousands on September 11, 2001.

"Yes, this is what I wish, to be a martyr for a long time," Mohammed told a military judge who warned that he faces execution if convicted of organizing the attacks on America. "I will, God willing, have this, by you."

Christians are taught that to seek martyrdom is a vanity. Vanity is a form of sinful pride. Perhaps we should sentence this creep and his co-defendants to a life of hard labor in an underground mine dressed as women, with no korans, bread-and-water rations and 24/7 loudspeaker sermons from Christian ministers and Jewish rabbis. Nah. That sounds too easy.

Any suggestions?