Mirko, Mirko, Mirko.

What would you say after 5 years of torture and hell? Still claim innocence or just say anything to get out? Pathetic, Mirko.

What is he guilty of? Being caught in a war that shouldn't have ever happened. War is war, not terrorism. The US thought it was a war and so did the opponents. The US has set new lows for how to treat prisoners. Matching and raising what the real terorists do. Well done Bush and Cheney. And a big hand for Howard and Downer and Ruddock who sat back and led the noose gang. Until now that is, pre election.

Just goes to prove, again, that the US will do anything when they want to. Remember the Atomic bomb anyone? Only 1 country has ever used force like that and they will be the first to use the nukes too. Who on is to be decided yet.

These are the "mates" Howard clings to like an old teddy bear. They have never helped Australia out, in anything. And never will. We are the poor little country who joins any fight in the hope of defence it attacked. Won't happen, either situation. No attack or help.

Bring all our troops home and look after the fantasy terrorists we have here. Those who reject Australia and want to harm us. They are openly stating their goals. Go get them.

It was said last night that Hicks just wants to get home.

Question. Where is home for him? Afganistan?

Seems he gave Aus the flick long ago when he left his wife and a couple of kids here to go and join a military force of another country.

Funny how, when things go bad, people claim their Aus citizenship.

Hicks symbolises a whole lot of stuff, but if he is a hero figure it's not because of anything he personally did. It's because he symbolises the cringing, crawling, sycophantic, pathetic, forelock-tugging attitude our public officials have towards the U.S.

As others here have pointed out America (or more precisely Bush's America) is widely loathed around the world. Hicks is very strongly symbolic of the same loathing in Australia.

This is why it's so important to people that other countries could get their people out but our guy had to stay.

This is why it's so important to people that Hicks had to face a farcical legal process American citizens wouldn't be expected to face.

Because David Hicks symbolises what the current Australian government is prepared to put Australian citizens through if it so pleases the current American administration.

Whether he's a terrorist or not has very little to do with it, mainly because we don't really know and probably never will.

HOW WOULD HICKS RATE UNDER AUSTRALIA'S LAWS?

A man who fails to guard a tank well in Afghanistan and fails to become involved in a specific and active terrorist operation hardly rates the death penalty that some advocate.

With Hicks pleading guilty to supporting terrorism I think this may be (now) equivalent to undergoing some terrorist training and being a member of a terrorist organisation under Australia's terrorism laws. Any other views on that? Perhaps we should see Hicks in that perspective.

With 5 years hard labour already Hicks has probably paid his dues.

Its important that we see through Howard taking political credit for finally negotiating with an ally to get a countryman back. Howard should have brought Hicks back 3 or 4 years ago like the UK, France and Germany did with their inmates at Guantanamo.

But watch the media crow for Howard in the next few days. What’s the bet Howard won’t say "Yeah it was tough. But as a firm ally (read dutiful cheerleader) Bush listened to ME".

Naturally I'm not a "loony leftie" - just experienced in law and other matters.

Pete
http://spyingbadthings.blogspot.com

The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator Johnston yesterday claimed that Hick's guilty plea was a legitimate outcome, of a legitimate legal process.

Does he, Johnston, and the Government behind him; accept this?

And more importantly, should we?

Chris Shaw,

What universe are you from? David Hicks an Aussie Hero?? How can you be so deluded? David Hicks is an aussie traitor! That the Americans' treatment of Hicks has been so tainted does not assuage his guilt. He is guilty by his own admission - his own admission long before his guilty plea.

If he comes back to Australia I hope he still has a long jail term to serve, and I further hope that the ODCs (ordinary decent criminals) get the opportunity from time to time to further his education.

David Hicks is a detestable slime, and ought to be treated as such!