Ludwig,

I find it strange that you can remain neutral about Hicks's admitted association with a terrorist group, but sympathise with his current predicament. He is not a victim. He brought it all on himself. Sure, by our lights, he should be put on trial as soon as possible. But I think we need to make some allowances for the fact that he is not accused of ordinary crimes, and there is very little precedent to use as a guide on how to handle his case.

Perhaps if you knew the things we in SA know about his early life and his attitude to his fellow human beings in his younger days, and when he was at school,you might not sympathise with him. He is not a nice person, Ludwig.

If you have sympathy to spare, aim it at his father. It must be pretty awful for him. He understandably still sees the rat as his son, and the little creep has certainly put him through the wringer.

I'll reserve my feelings for the victims of people like Hicks (even if he never got around to committing atrocities, he was certainly training for them).

Cheers.

Leigh

I’ve learnt not to trust a lot of things I hear at face value. And doubly so in times of extreme outrage and some level hysteria, such as that following 9/11. We know how things can get twisted, exaggerated and blown out of all proportion.

I will believe that Hicks had grave ill-intent after and only after a court has found it to be so. In the meantime I will remain neutral.

“Perhaps if you knew the things we in SA know…..you might not sympathise with him.”

I don’t sympathise with him. I am neutral.

As I expressed in my last post, it is the antidemocratic carry-on that I am so strongly opposed to – the lack of trial and eternal incarceration.

You agree that he should get his day in court ASAP, and should have had it a long time ago. But the nature of the crimes or the nature of the person should not have anything to do with the right to a fair trial…. and reasonably quickly after the event of his capture.

Leigh I doubt you have any inside knowledge about David Hicks that 'we in sa' have..not.

The fact is NOONE deserves to be locked up for years without his case being heard or at least being sent back to his own country..

The charges allegded against him are just that 'allegded' ..that means innocent until proven guilty..

Ill bet if it were yourself in his shoes youd be hoping like hell that pple on the outside had enough faith and belief in the justice system that you might at least get a measure of justice for yourself and that they might just put their hand up for you..

As for Hicks so called crimes..I believe nothing of what I hear and even less of what I read and a fraction of what I see..only Hicks knows the truth and it would be a damning day for humanity if like you, we were devoid of compassion and justice for our fellow human..
Because thats what he is.