In a couple of years being charged with terrorist activities wont be any worse than a drunk driving or a mob hit. A couple of years in gaol, out and about on the good behavior, a quick run at the "this weeks most important novel" list, a bit more on the news channel, and Bob's your uncle. The transition from nobody to media darling in 15 minutes. Anyone found criticizing such an event will be labeled intolerant, a racist, a bigot, but mostly jealous of such well deserved fame.

Er.... thanks for the advertisement Con (Themistocles) !

Dear Numbat - from the murky depths of your sarcasm on can unearth a bit of truth - the bottom line is we dont know anything about Mr Hicks intention, character, sins of ommission or commission - that is what the fuss is about - we only know what we are told and the process to which he is subjected to is not transparent - and he deserves just like Saddam or Osama if he gets caught a fair trial - in an open court

Alright W/Ted, alanpoi, johncee and sneeky and all other b/hearts Hicks was in Afghanistan/Pakistan (where terrorists hang out) but he was, of course, a member of the Number Seven Troop of the Hairy-legged frilly knickered Afghani brownies and all he was learning was fire lighting, cooking and camping. He did not hold a grenade launcher and the photo of him doing so was a frame-up. He did not train as a terrorist its just as a brownie he was practicing his cooking skills for a group that later turned out to be 'you-know-whats'and honestly hicks really really did not know and he was running away from them when the nasty Americans caught him. These horrible Americans eh! just because some terrorists flew planes into the trade centre and killed some thousands of innocent people that's no reason to be nasty towards them is it? Regards, numbat
PS. At the beginning of W/W2 we had our share of bleeding heart nazi lovers and later we had apologists for communist Russia even when they trampled on Hungary etc. Nothing changes eh? Bye Bye Petals

The childlike insults are not needed in debate, please think about it.
David Hicks? in my view no angel and not some one I think I could like.
But he is Australian and he has been a victim of apparent spite and unfairness by some in the American government.
Lack of concern from Australia's caretaker government Howard's, is inclusive of lack of fairness and willingness to use this bloke for propaganda reasons.
It should surprise no one when Mr Howard finds a way to bring him and our troops in Iraq home before the election,
Election wins always concern Howard more than fair go mate ever will.

We do not know much about David Hicks:

1) Is he is likely to run around crying “God is Great” and a few other verses from the Koran as his brothers in arms do.

2) Is he a regular sort of bloke who wants to live in Australia and start a family, get a job and a mortgage?

3) Is he going to seek reward and reparations as his fellow Afghan tourist Habib is doing.

There are a few things we know about him:

1) He fought against the Serbs in the Balkans.
2) He fought against the Australians and Americans in Afghanistan.
3) He fought against the Indian army in Kashmir.
4) He changed his name to Mohammed Dawood although I believe he has since renounced it?
5) He comes through as rather short of education and common sense.