The legal status of David Hicks remains doubtful because of a fundamental shift in the politics of war. The term "war on terrorism" was coined by George W. Bush ater 9/11, and lead to the allies invading Afghanistan to fight the Taliban.

This is a new kind of conflict in which almost anybody can be labelled a terrorist simply by being in the wrong place at the wrong time, especially "other" foreigners.

I don't know whether David set out defend the Taliban from the invaders or had for that matter, had any understanding he had otherwise placed himself in harms way or beyond the pale.

Neils's comment that "the plight of former genuine PoW is demeaned by those seeking to free Hicks at all costs and without sufficient thought as to the consequences" seems unfair and possibly suggests that international law should now be properly amended to deal with Mr Hicks unique status. Otherwise POW's in future conflicts may fall victim to some de-facto precedent which is now being established.

If the absence of legal status cannot be determined here as is strongly implied by Neil's article then it would be hard to find a better reason and justification for the writ of habeous corpus to be applied

Wendy,

You make me laugh.

"Lest we forget" (I assume that's what you meant anyway).

Yes. The soldiers fought for our freedom. They did this by fighting fascism, and fascism is akin to the behaviour that you‘re supporting i.e. locking people up without a trial. You’ve just contradicted yourself entirely.

BTW – What’s with your virulent Anti-Marilyn campaign anyway? She may be a “Do-gooder”, but I’d rather be a “Do-gooder” than a “Do-bader”.

Sniggid,

If you think this is all about protecting us then good for you. But you sound like a typical product of the dangers of excessive patriotism (and I stress the word “excessive”) i.e. the tendency to believe anything you’re told by the government.

MrMann
There are some people who dont seem to be able to read at all.
For the third and final time I said yes give the little prick a trail.

Also I do not run an anti M attitude. In fact the opposite. I like M and have spoken with her in person and think shes a dag.
[ A good Dag]. However we dont always agree especially when it comes to supporting some useless little trouble maker. I keep raising welfare to express that we need people who understand what this costs us. That results in less sercives for our own.

Hicks got what he went in search of> Trouble.

Sometimes the Federal Government get it right like today overturning same sex Marraige which is just another attempt to break down this country and our standards.

If he .> Hick the Dick wanted to fight he could have fought for his country not against it.

Anyway dont worry so much Mr Mann he has his Islam and his one hundred wives to look forward to.
Gee kind of makes you wonder just whom is telling porkies doesnt it.

I mean they keep saying he is depressed. Wonder how he would of handled the POW camps ?

Yes send him to court the public should know all of the facts and not just what his dad has told the press.

I dont really care much what happens to him and i know many who feel the same way.
What that comes down to is you can care about him if you like but many dont give a dam.
I hope that is clear.
There is no need to chuck a tantrum because you cant make everybody agree with you. Its called life.
Get over it.
I will probably be there fighting to save my country well before you.
Pity there is no way to just protect the ones who are deserving.

Yeah, OK. Settle down. It was hardly a tantrum.

Phew...!

Dee and Wendy, what a blood thirsty pair you are. Hicks did not commit any crime anywhere, anytime - is that clear yet?

He was kidnapped, illegally detained in Gitmo Bay, put into isolation for 244 days and by all the reports from that hell hole he has been tortured to such an extent he will never recover.

Trevor Flugge helped to give $300 million to the butcher of Baghdad and so far all he has had to do is step down from a company directorship.

There are thousands of mercenaries in Iraq, one Australian one was killed last week, they are paid a small fortune to help the US kill Iraqis by the tens of thousands. Why aren't they receiving the same vitriol and hatred? I think they are the scum of the earth but they are allowed to have a job.

Now again girls - Wendy, the people of Livecorp are more criminal than Hicks and Dee - refugees are not David Hicks although he has become a refugee from our own government and in Australia there is no such creature as an illegal immigrant.

4.5 years, torture and torment, losing his mind - one hell of a price to pay for guarding a tank but we have locked children up in the desert for as long as 5 years 5 months and 20 days just for being born in Australia to Chinese parents.

Again this post was about David Hicks not having a trail and again I say of course he should have one.

M I am not blood thirsty Hicks is.
I did not travel to fight, he did.

Yes Livecourpe are an evil lot all right and few know that when these ships come into Australia to carry our poor innocent animals on trips up to three months in the stiffling heat all the ships captain has to do is fax livecourpe.

Thats right> EG? Fax from middle east. Ship Lieaves middle eat with 40 Mohamedads onboard. Fax Ship leaves Australia with 40 Mohamedas on board. Should read have drugs guns illeagels and suffering animals.
Hows that for sercurity! Compliments of the Government and all the people out there who cant get off their bums to stop this barbaric trade.
May they all reap what they have sewn.