By The Kansas City Star Editorial Board

A message to the doubters of our justice system: The United States was founded on freedoms and based on the rule of law. It has worked for two centuries and been admired worldwide.

The new GOP talking points — expressing fear of justice working in an open courtroom, from a party that likes to wrap itself in the flag — are quite stunning.

The latest example is the reaction to the Obama administration’s decision to put mass murderer (OK, alleged but self-described) Khalid Sheik Mohammed on trial for planning the Sept. 11 attacks.

Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama called the idea of trying the most vile criminal in U.S. history in a U.S. criminal court where he would face the death sentence “dangerous,” “misguided” and “unnecessary.”

Since when is seeking justice misguided? Since when is exposing the worst of humanity to the bright light of the American judicial system dangerous?

We should note, it’s not entirely a GOP affliction. President Obama has tried to deflect the decision, saying it was up to Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., who noted, “We need not cower in the face of this enemy.”

Sessions hardly went rogue among his teeth-chattering party brethren. Kansas Sens. Sam Brownback and Pat Roberts are near the front of this chicken coop. Their opposition to the relocation of Guantanamo prisoners (even putting a hold on all presidential appointments this summer) was based on an unreasonable terror of terrorists.

Enough. The terrorists are real and they are nasty. They killed 3,000 innocents on our soil.

But they didn’t win and they’re not going to. They took down two towers and we invaded two countries. There’s a massive power imbalance, and it doesn’t swing to their side. Unless, of course, we ignore what makes us such a strong nation: Our unwavering commitment to freedom and justice.

Turn our back on those founding principles and the terrorists win. Maybe these newly timid Republicans can review the records and see how successful U.S. prosecutors have been in courtroom face-offs with terrorists. We prefer America-the-strong and American values. And America faces down evil, in public, without fear.

Crimes on American soil are best handled openly, in a U.S. courtroom. An open military tribunal could accomplish the same thing — as Nuremberg proved. But Guantanamo tribunals would be closed, preventing the world from witnessing how justice is accomplished in a free society.

So, what about the fears that the trial will provide Al Qaida a pulpit, expose sensitive American intelligence, open us to terror attacks?

First, this is a pulpit for American justice and it will diminish Al Qaida.

Plus, the intelligence needed to convict a man of an eight-year old crime is eight years old.

Finally, we’re already a terror target, and returning to the rule of law, proving ourselves to be a beacon of freedom, is our best defense.

So, buck up, we will prevail. And for those fearful, here are a few words of comfort from Franklin Delano Roosevelt:

“This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself — nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory.”