POST POLL: LINDH GOT OFF EASY

New York Post ^ | 7/17/02 | BRIAN BLOMQUIST

[kattracks]

July 17, 2002 -- WASHINGTON - New York Post readers overwhelmingly condemn as too lenient the 20-year prison deal for American Taliban John Walker Lindh, with many saying in an online poll that the traitor should have received the death penalty.

[gunnedah]

This is the way our government treats those who defend her.
The Taliban have more respect for their followers and support them much better.

[cavador]

Maybe they should have sentenced him under SHARIA law.
With a bit of luck he would be HUNG for treason.

[Dante3]

It's outrageous. I'm very disappointed in the Bush administration at the inexcusable leniency shown to John Walker. I am offended also by the offensive claims Lindh's disgusting parents dare to spread and the crazy claims they make. The father had the nerve to say ". . . anyone woh knew John would be proud to have him as a son. He's a really good kid." NOT!

[bimbo]

John Lindh gave up his citizenship by joining a foreign military. (Read page 4 of your passport.) In so doing, he gave up his rights as an American under the Constitution. Why did Bush and Ashcroft so freely re-grant Lindh those rights?

[RedBloodedAmerican]

They didn't. And it was explained over and over in even the liberal news media by Ashcroft and others WHY he was tried as he was. Did you miss it? How is it people who are disappointed, or disgusted, or whatever, with the "Bush Administration" have conveniently missed out on previous info?

[rintense]

I believe they are using Lindh for nothing more than intelligence. In return, he only gets 20 years. Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but if he decides to not cooperate, all deals are off the table and his sentense will be changed.

Sure, I'd like to see the bastard hang, but if he can provide any intelligence that we couldn't get otherwise, then letting him rot in a prison- at the mercy of the scum of society, is fine by me.

[Kenton]

Very good point. He should have been treated the same as the rest of the captured Taliban/Al Quaeda, he should be in a cage in Gitmo. He forfeited his citizenship when he took up arms with people who have sworn that they are our enemies.

Looking at this practically of course, the only way he will serve those full 20 years is if they keep him in solitary confinement, and 20 years in solitary would be a horrific penalty.

No, sooner or later they will have to put him in the General Population, and at that point, I think a little "Jailhouse Justice" will truncate his prison time.