Fair Trial For Hicks?

[Mr Q]

If you class Hicks as a terrorist then every Australian who marched against the War and those of us who have crititised the recent US actions are to. Are we? I suspect to some we probably are.

As far as I can remember, Jane used to pull that one out fairly regularly.

 

[Mead]

Don't get me wrong re the Taliban, I was no fans of thiers, nor I am a fan of the Warlords who currently run the place. After twenty five years of war though the Taliban at least brought some stability, unless you were female or liked music and T.V.

Rather sounds as though you are a fan of theirs, actually...

But the thing which I find silly about this is there is absolutely no logical premise for him being held in America. If there is a reason for him to be held it would have to be one of-
a.) a prisoner of war, which he clearly isn't given the US's refusal to apply the geneva convention to Guantanamo.
b.) he's a traitor against Australia, in which case its obvious that he should be tried here.
alas, the truth is that he is
c.) Someone who associated with a group who the current US administration justifiably disapproves of, and thus apparently a terrorist.

The thing which is utterly ridiculous and indefensible about that argument is that if associating with the Taliban makes someone a terrorist, then around half of the current US administration should be packed off to Guantanamo- forget associating with the Taliban, they armed, trained and actively supported them during their guerrilla war against the Soviet Union.
Of course, the US only supported the Taliban prior to S11.. rather like David Hicks.

Hicks should be extradited to Australia and tried here, and unless there is any evidence to suggest he actually planned, or trained to take part in terrorist acts, I'm struggling to see any reason why he should be convicted. Its not against the law to support a rather repugnant government.

 

[CharlieG]

I had this long reply last night and somehow lost it..oh well

To sum up my feelings ..I am a fence sitter on this..David Hicks is a big boy and knew that what he was doing was possibly not politically the right thing to do...if he ''escaped'' what would he be doing now? Would he have renounced his ties? Or would he be a cell leader for whoever wanted him?

Did he know though? On September 10th, 2001, could you have foreseen that America would be at war with the Taliban by the end of the year?

As for what he would be doing if he wasn't captured, that's a dangerous view to take. Punishing possible crimes before they are committed? Opens a lot of possibilities for over-zealous governments.

 

[- PC -]

Did he know though? On September 10th, 2001, could you have foreseen that America would be at war with the Taliban by the end of the year?

As for what he would be doing if he wasn't captured, that's a dangerous view to take. Punishing possible crimes before they are committed? Opens a lot of possibilities for over-zealous governments.

Just responding to the comments of those who say his innocence is dictated by his ''escaping''. I just questioned that analogy.

 

[demon_dave]

He's guilty, and he will be found guilty.

look everyone the self-righteous toerag says he's guilty, surprise surprise. Whats he guilty of, being in wrong place at the wrong time, standing up for his beliefs, you stand up for your fascist beliefs but we don't throw you in the can, although it would be a pleasure