Subject:  John Walker Lindh pleads guilty |
Author:
Rebel
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Date Posted: 15:25:14 07/15/02 Mon
John Walker Lindh, the American who fought for the Taliban, has plead guilty to two charges. He will serve two ten year sentences. So lets discuss this for awhile, I still have to ring in about the Pledge case and will do so soon.
As far as this case, I am satisfied with the outcome. The boy was only 19 or 20 when he went to help the Taliban Gov't. He believed that they were trying to set up the ideal government (according to the strictest interpetation of Islamic Law), and while I do not think that this was the ideal government or one that benefitted that society I will not fault him for trying. The fact that the Taliban got caught up with Osama Bin Laden is unfortunate for him. I wonder how much, if any he knew about the terrorist organization before he went there and while he was there. The Media has said that he met Osama Bin Laden a few times, and he might have known who he was at the time (Although I couldn't remember hearing of him before Sept.) From the stuff I read he was a small fry, so he probably did not know about the 11th before hand. If he did, then the charges would not be sufficient. Also of importance would be wether or not he helped with the prison riot that killed a CIA agent. But since the government dropped those charges, and Bush approved the plea bargain. I doubt that he a hand in the revolt. I know that I have gone places that I thought would be one way and they turned out to be somthing different. It was difficult for me to get out of those situations, much less if I was in an extremist Islamic country. However, I also remember the media saying that he was fighting with and for the taliban when it was destroyed by the US. His actions here are the most seriuos, for if he would have walked away at that point- I think all would have been forgiven. Given that he fought is native country I think that 20 years, 17 yrs. for good behavior, and no personal wealth coming from the telling of his story, to be a reasonable punishment. While some may have wanted the death penalty for treason, I don't think that this merrits the charge of treason. From what I have read he didn't want to destroy the American way of life/gov't but instead wanted to be part of a new nation that would follow one interrpetation of Islamic Law. His life will not be ruined and taken away, but he will be significantly inconvienced for supporting the terroritst network and helping with their activites.
So Check out the site, and lets get some good debate kinds. Have a Great Day.
http://www.cnn.com/2002/LAW/07/15/walker.lindh.hearing/index.html
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