American Taliban seeks reduced sentence

Monsoon65 · 04-04-2007, 15:53

By PAUL ELIAS, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 1 minute ago

SAN FRANCISCO - The lawyer and parents of American-born Taliban soldier John Walker Lindh asked President Bush on Wednesday to commute his 20-year prison term, citing the case of an Australian man who was sentenced to less than a year for aiding terrorism.

Lindh, 26, was captured in Afghanistan in November 2001 by American forces sent to topple the Taliban after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. He was charged with conspiring to kill Americans and support terrorists but pleaded guilty to lesser offenses, including carrying weapons against U.S. forces.

Lindh's lawyer and father said the lighter sentence given to Australian David Hicks should be reflected in Lindh's case.

"It is a question of proportionality. It is a question of fairness, and it is a question of the religious experience John Walker Lindh had," attorney James Brosnahan said. "And it was not in any way directed at the United States."

Lindh converted to Islam and went to Afghanistan to fight for the Taliban against the Northern Alliance, which received U.S. backing.

On Saturday, Hicks pleaded guilty to supporting terrorism and acknowledged aiding al-Qaida during the U.S.-led invasion of Afghanistan. He was sentenced to nine months in prison. After spending five years at the U.S. naval base in Cuba, the 31-year-old former kangaroo skinner is likely to be transferred to a prison in Australia within weeks.

Brosnahan brokered Lindh's plea deal and said it was the best he could do in the political climate immediately after the 2001 attacks.

"In the atmosphere of the time, the best John could get was a plea bargain and a 20-year sentence," said Lindh's father, Frank Lindh. "We love our son very much. He was wrongly accused when he was found in Afghanistan."

The White House referred telephone calls to the Justice Department, which declined to comment because it had not received Lindh's petition.

"Wrongly accused when he was found in Afghanistan" Yeah, my ass!

echoes · 04-04-2007, 16:50

Bush had better release the two border guards sent to prison recently...this guy's family may have monetary influence, but right is right. my .02

Holly

Gypsy · 04-04-2007, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monsoon65

He was wrongly accused when he was found in Afghanistan."

Incomplete sentence.

....found in Afghanistan, where he took up with the Taliban in fighting Americans. He was part of a prison uprising which began November 25 in northern Afghanistan. During that uprising, CIA operative Mike Spann was killed.

There.

Commute his sentence? I don't think so.

Sionnach · 04-04-2007, 17:32

This attitude of "my kid can do no wrong" is the root cause of JWL's problem.

I can appreciate a father fighting for his kid, but don't make excuses for conduct that is inexcusable. Your son earned his sentence. Mr. Hicks was not an American, JWL is. Australia was not attacked on September 11, 2001, the US was. JWL is a traitor, and deserves a firing squad. I will always hold my countrymen to higher standards than I hold "foreigners" to. If you're from south of the Mason-Dixon line or (ex)military, I'll hold you to even higher standards.

**The Reaper** · 04-04-2007, 17:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Monsoon65

He was wrongly accused when he was found in Afghanistan."

And he was wrongfully parented previously here in the US.

Maybe they should share his cell?

TR

echoes · 04-04-2007, 18:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

And he was wrongfully parented previously here in the US.

Maybe they should share his cell?

TR

ABSOLUTELY!

Holly

Five-O · 04-04-2007, 18:23

Lindh is nothing more than a skid mark in historys underwear. He is lucky to be alive....."F" him and his lawyer.

Beach Bum · 04-04-2007, 20:09

And just what does he think his son will do outside of prison? Be a contributing member of society? No matter where he is (prison or home) I'm sure we, the tax payers, will be supporting him. 7-11 may be hiring, but I doubt they cover medical, dental, and retirement. At least if he is incarcerated he will not be able to reproduce!

**The Reaper** · 04-04-2007, 21:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beach Bum

And just what does he think his son will do outside of prison? Be a contributing member of society? No matter where he is (prison or home) I'm sure we, the tax payers, will be supporting him. 7-11 may be hiring, but I doubt they cover medical, dental, and retirement. At least if he is incarcerated he will not be able to reproduce!

I think that with real justice he would be forced to be an indentured servant to the family of Mike Spann for the remainder of his days. He could slop bedpans at the VA one day per week for a change of pace. Or he could have his head sawed off by the former comrade of his choice.

Unfortunately, if released, he will likely go on the lecture circuit to wild acclaim, followed by a book and movie deal, winding up with either a tenured job at a famed institution of higher learning or a career in politics.

BB, I think that you are correct. There is no pregnancy possible with his current reproductive partners. And that is just fine by me. For the next 20 years.

TR