Jason,

Don't be stunned by the comments. you did something that needed to be done, telling the real facts.
This reaction was to be expected when you view in detail the media coverage promoted by Howard and his Attorney-General, with a point to make as they grovelled day and night to the US asking them to make a case against David Hicks for their political ends.

The 'man of steel' was certainly found wanting in his own electorate and by the country.

David is safe and one hopes that time will allow his treatment to be forgotten and that he moves on to a better life surrounded by friends.

What others say is not important.

When you realise that 911 was lie and Muslims had nothing to do with it,a lot more compassion will be shown towards David Hicks. http://www.ae911truth.org/ http://patriotsquestion911.com/

All that is needed for evil to prevail,is a few good men/women to do nothing.

I formed my opinion of Jason’s complete lack of veracity simply by reading this disgraceful article.

Apparently there are others who have formed a similar view of this serial plagiarist, fabricator, fake document producer and general culprit.

“We wonder if the folks over at Truthout.org are rethinking their affiliation with reporter and serial fabulist Jason Leopold. Leopold, you may recall, is the freelance reporter who was caught making stuff up in a 2002 Salon.com article, self-admittedly “getting it completely wrong” in pieces for Dow Jones, and had his own memoir cancelled because of concerns over the accuracy of quotations.”

http://www.cjr.org/politics/jason_leopold_caught_sourceles.php

Jason uses a euphemism for outright lying in his words “getting it completely wrong”.

“If there is one common theme that emerges from all of Leopold’s journalistic snafus, it’s that none of it seems to be his fault.”, that is according to Leopold. Objective observers take a different view.

Let us hope it all grinds him to a halt sooner rather than later, and he stops producing more odious trash like this article.

Leo, thank you for turning ME into the story by citing a five year old report. You remind me of Karl Rove, George Bush's former political adviser. Well done, Leo. You are a great human being. Also, congratulations on learning how to use Google.

Perhaps some reading comprehension for you is in order, Leo. You seemed to have missed this from the article you cite in hopes of discrediting me:

"Editor’s Note: Initially this post mistakenly attributed certain statements made by Mark Ash, Jason Leopold’s editor, to Leopold himself. The attribution has since been corrected."

Those misstatements led to a defamation and libel lawsuit against the magazine, details of which are posted in the comments section of said article.

But aside from your attempt to change the conversation, Leo, what exactly does this have to do with torture?

Oh Gawd, another "progressive" left wing journo crying over a person who's own father called him a " terrorist" and who many Australians consider a traitor.

I don't know if then Yanks tortured Hicks but I sure hope they did.

It reminds me of that old Aussie poem.....

I always thought "how bloody strange, to have an attitude,
of awe for those who would knock you dowm, then look for gratitude."

Dear Lego,

I think it is wrong to torture anyone even terrorists and traitors. It is also illegal under US law. I was a soldier in the US army. We took an oath to defend and protect the Constitution of the United States. Officials including presidents take a similar oath.

Amendment VIII of the US Constitution:

"Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted."

Those public officials who authorised torture violated their oath of office and should be removed from office along with receiving suitable punishment for such violations.

David Hicks was neither a traitor nor a terrorist. He owed no loyalty to the US so could not be a traitor. There is no evidence to show that he was a terrorist.