Hatrack River Forum: Yet another stupidly reactionary policy. Or Something.

This is topic Yet another stupidly reactionary policy. Or Something. in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.

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Posted by Troubadour (Member # 83) on :

I'm not going to be particularly coherent today, I'm tired and have a migrane, but I just read something I'd like to make a comment on:

From the Sydney Morning Herald, this link outlines a case about to go to trial of a 21 year old Pakistani who's lived in Australia since high school. In late 2002 while studying medicine his apparent frustration with living here got the better of him. He decided he didn't really enjoy living in a western country and went back to Pakistan to train with a militant organisation there. He didn't stay long, completed their version of basic training and then left.

Now the government wants to throw him in jail for 25 years for training with an organisation banned in Australia for supporting terrorism.

He claims he only went there with the intention of fighting to protect his homeland from India, never intending to fight against the west.

He's a model student, his lecturers, ex-principal and fellow students like him. His family did not support his decision to train in Pakistan, to the point of going there to convince him to come home.

Now, because of a bit of youthful zeal for his homeland, he's faced with losing the best part of his life behind jail.

He hasn't commited a terrorist act, he hasn't fought against western soldiers, he hasn't declared jihad on the west.

Now;

Could he be lying? Could he simply be hiding his hatred of the west, attempting to re-integrate into Australia to perform acts of terrorism?

Absolutely, that's entirely possible. It doesn't seem likely, given the statements made by him, his family and associates, but it *is* unfortunately possible.

I know this has been quoted on this board before, but more than ever I believe in Benjamin Franklin's declaration:

quote:
They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve neither liberty or security.

I would rather risk my security than live in a world where a kid like this can be put away for 25 years for a decision about which even he has changed his mind.

Posted by Richard Berg (Member # 133) on :

Joining a foreign military is usually grounds for losing citizenship, but at least in this country the bar for criminal prosecution is intentionally high: Treason against the United States, shall consist only in levying war against them, or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open court.

At least, that's what the Constitution says. Ashcroft has other ideas.

Posted by Polio (Member # 6479) on :

I think someone should tell the government how many people out there MAY become terrorists or MAY become murderers or MAY steal chocolate bars from the store. They can discipline past offenses but not future ones. [No No]

Posted by Megachirops (Member # 4325) on :

Yeah. And we keep forgetting that in trying to stamp out all vulnerability, we tend to become what we are fighting against. That is why I do not support the idea of preemptive war.

Posted by Storm Saxon (Member # 3101) on :

Australia is one up on the US. We have a person or two like the one you are describing and their lawyers are having to fight for their right to have a trial at all. [Roll Eyes]

Posted by Troubadour (Member # 83) on :

Oh I'm well aware of that - we have at least one Australian, David Hicks, who admittedly *did* fight with the Taliban, incarcerated at Guantanamo Bay. Our government can't even be bothered to demand that he be given a real trial.

Posted by jeniwren (Member # 2002) on :

Troubs, I don't have any comment except: for your migraine, have you tried Zomig? It works wonderfully well for my migraines and the only side effect I suffer from is the compulsive need to gush about how wonderful Zomig is.

((( Troubs )))

Posted by Troubadour (Member # 83) on :

Jeniwren, thanks - it's a rare day when I get a migrane. I don't think wehave zomig in Australia.

Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :

How about doobies?

Posted by WheatPuppet (Member # 5142) on :

I wonder if I'd loose my citizenship if I joined the French Foreign Legion.

They're not really an army. They're funded by the French, but aren't made up of frenchmen (hence 'foreign'). Hmmm...

Posted by Beren One Hand (Member # 3403) on :

"They're funded by the French, but aren't made up of frenchmen..."

Therefore making them the most effective of all French fighting forces. (kidding....)