Moussaoui not to receive death penalty

In the news yesterday, and some today, is the jury's verdict in the sentencing phase of Moussaoui's trial -- life in prison. From everything I've heard, this is probably the right decision from a merely legal viewpoint. But, of course, this trial was about more than the law, it was also about politics, and so some commentators have been commenting on how this reflects on the "war on terror". (Rant about the "war on terror" is forthcoming.) My thoughts, not having really followed the trial, is that to the extent this reflects badly on any aspect of the war on terror, it reflects badly on how Bush has chosen to prosecute this 'war'. (Sorry about the pun.) But Crime and Federalism has a post arguing that this is a victory in the war as such, because it is a victory of the rule of law against fear and hatred. Here's the link.