Should HICKS (Terrorist?) Come Home?
By jennybianca
@jennybianca (12912)
Australia
February 18, 2007 1:31am CST
Hicks is an Australian, from Adelaide (my home, South Australia.
He was caught by US forces in Afganistan actively fighting for the Taliban, before and after Sept 11.
This may not be familiar news to My Lot users, who are WorldWide, but we hear about the situation all the time. All My Lot people though would be familiar with the terrorists caught & jailed by the US.Mostly relating to Sept 11 and it's aftermath.
As Hicks has been in jail for 5 years, and only charged last week with his crimes, they has been a lot of support to either free him, or bring home to Australia to be charged.Apparently his conditions have not been that good, and mentally he is deteriorating.
My comments are NOT to be construed as support for the Taliban or Terrorists.As I come from Hicks home city, where his Father actively campaigns for his release, I hear about the situation a lot. It's just that I was interested in the views of others who are familiar with the situation.
His charges relate to training with AlQuaedo, and fighting for the Taliban before and after Sept 11.
2 people like this
4 responses
@Thomas73 (1467)
• Switzerland
18 Feb 07
As we're discussing actions that have a world-wide impact, the above suggestion to try him before an international court of justice makes sense. If convicted, he could then serve his sentence in his home country.
You said that he's mentally deteriorating? Fighting for the Taliban already shows that his mental state was flawed from the start...
2 people like this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
18 Feb 07
They say, "the media" that his mental state is due to the conditions he has been living in, 5 years in almost isolation.
But I would have to agree that Hicks most likely had "personality issues" from the start.
1 person likes this
@western_valleygirl (1363)
• United States
18 Feb 07
I believe that he should be tried in a world court (like The Hague), if they do not want to let him be tried in Australia. Being American, I don't understand why Bush thinks that he is the master over the entire world, it just upsets me the way he controls things that have nothing to do with him. The more rotten things he does, the more of a terrorist he is himself. He said he was going after AlQaeda, but we have seen no results, and then he jumps us into Iraq and there aren't any results. If Hicks is a POW, well he should be released to be dealt with in his own country, just like we would want our POWs released. Apparently, Bush has a one-track mind.
@MrNiceGuy (4139)
• United States
18 Feb 07
Terrorists tried in the world court? Why? Thats a waste of time and resources... The Hague is for big figures, leaders that are responsible for mass murders or world wars.
No results with Al-Queda? They are crippled and on the run. Their leadership and support is being knocked out and many of them have been killed or captured.
A POW? We aren't fighting Australia though, so that analogy doesn't quite fit. They aren't POWs for one, since they aren't technically part of any sovereign government. This man is Australian, but he was fighting against the US and by fighting with terrorists, against the world. He should be turned over to Australia, but what are the penalties for fighting America or helping terrorists against the US in Australia?
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
18 Feb 07
I have heard similar comments from my American friends, the disappointment in Bush's actions.
Unfortunately our Prime Minister 100% supports Bush.
So even though it's great that our two countries are such great allies, where does that leave these homegrown terrorists?
Thanks for your comments.
@MrNiceGuy (4139)
• United States
19 Feb 07
I'm having trouble sympathizing for the cause of a "homegrown terrorist"....
@Marie2473 (8512)
• Sweden
20 Feb 07
I am not familiar with this case, but there is also a swedish terrorist beeing held in waiting for a trial and he has also been held for about 5 years. he is fighting to get home, but in this case I belive that he is getting exactly what he deserves. He shows no regrets and all he fights about is to come back here, JUSt because he knows that he will probably get lighter punishment here since we do not have that harsh punishments. BUSH is stopping it though and THAt i do not understand - What does he think he is. he thinks that he can rule the whole world just because he is president.. but i think he has forgotten that he is president of the states, not of the world.. no way would he win if we were to vote worldwide!
@Willowlady (10657)
• United States
18 Feb 07
It is a terrible thing when we make a choice and unfortunately this lad has chosen his path. Is he redeemable? I am not sure. This Taliban seems to be cultish and that would indicate difficulty in rehabilitation. Am sorry that the family is also paying for the sons actions. Would dare say if it was my son, I would have to let him stay in custody. I would not want him free to do such a thing again.
1 person likes this
@jennybianca (12912)
• Australia
18 Feb 07
Yes, I suspect that he has chosen his path. If found guilty of his crimes, which jail will he be imprisoned in?
His Family would badly like him back in Adelaide, to serve his sentence, whatever it is, in our state jail.
Ironically, my brother is one of the Prison managers, and Hicks would certainly be in his division.
