The film "Sofie Scholl", now showing, gives an illustration of military show trials.

Two wrongs don't make a right. Just because the japs mistreated their pows doesn't make it right for us to do it too. That is called the lowest common denominator.

War is tough indeed, the longer it drags on without visible progress the more elected leaders suffer.

Bush, Howard and Blair would not find themselves in their current predicament if they had tried the Guantanamo Bay prisoners immedeately and had gone on to capture bin Laden instead of embarking on regime change in Iraq.

However we are in a confused mess. Instead of trying Osama bin Laden over 9/11 we are trying Sadam Hussein over atrocities committed during his rule. While the 20th hijacker has had a civilian trial over his "act of war" the GB prisoners are stuck in legal limbo.

The "war on terror" is not like a traditional war between countries. Our leaders have not used the right tools for the job and have too many mistakes. They only have themselves to blame for their unpopularity. Mr Flint does not enhance his reputation by acting as an apologist for folly.

This article is a wind-up.

Gusi, you don't actually believe that the US is concerned about catching Bin laden do you? Bin laden isn't going to do anything to help them secure an oil pipeline, and what about the mysterious videos that pop up when the Republican polls are low? If Bin laden is captured there won't be any more, then what are going to do for the mid-term election in November?

Free David Hicks, lock up David Flint! This article just confirms who is the greater danger to society.

What can one say, after a multitude of perceptive comments. Other than, its refreshingly nice there's common ground in seeing the reality of the apologist garbage this elitist is spewing up. Still it's common for straw men to grasp at straws as their credibility descends into the mire.

Carl, I think the US citizens care a lot about bin Ladens capture. I am not so sure about the government. While his freedom gives them an excuse to pursue other targets, his continuous taunts leave the US administration with egg on their face.

Gus