Reply #76: Understood.

[JackRiddler]

So now we'll see (assuming the guilty plea goes through to a conviction prior to Jan. 20) whether they appeal, which would tend to support your guess as to why they are trying to plea guilty (although no outcome necessarily proves any of our speculations, at this distance). And remind me, doesn't the process include an automatic appeal on death penalty?

Anyway, one thing I don't see happening, if they are convicted or also sentenced on the basis of this guilty plea prior to Jan. 20th, is Obama doing anything other than letting the process take the rest of its course (i.e., to execution) before moving to shut down Gitmo and military tribunals on behalf of the other prisoners. Maybe I'm cynical? No way will he commute death sentences if they have already been handed down, or move this into civilian courts if a verdict was already reached. He will not be known as the guy who "let off the 9/11 perpetrators."