He seems a decent sort of a person, although very damaged from his time in Gitmo
A colourful and interesting life, made a few mistakes along the way, but then who hasnt. Naive would be another apt description.
Certainly whatever mistakes he made were made in the stupidity and rashness of youth.
The same cannot be said of the politicians both here and in the USA who condoned, supported and encouraged the atrocities in Iraq, Afghanistan, Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo etc ---- and still do, irrespective of political affiliation.
It is interesting how the press and much of the public believe and support the bureaucracy.
Doesnt seem to make any difference, be it Politics, Religion, Sport or whatever.
I have no knowledge of David Hicks personally and understand what he writes is his view of the situation.
I still think the book is well worth reading though.
It would appear he at no time took up arms against Australian or USA forces. If he had done so they would have had something to charge him with.
He was in Afghanistan at a time when the Taliban was the recognized Govt of that country.
As soon as the USA invaded it was run for your life time.
He was, at worst, a troubled, mixed up kid, or a least that is how it would appear to me and the likes of Major Mori and some other US military officials.
Anyway I do feel sorry for the poor bugger.
Another issue of course is the right to a fair trial, innocent until proven guilty and so on.
Maybe the main issue in this sad and sorry story is the use of torture by the very countries who rightly or wrongly claim the high moral ground.
