'American Taliban' Father Urges Clemency

Yahoo News (AP) ^ | 1/19/06 | MARTHA MENDOZA

[madprof98]

After years of silence, the father of American-born Taliban soldier John Walker Lindh said Thursday he has asked President Bush to grant his son clemency, adding that the then teenager never raised arms against the United States.

"In simple terms, this is the story of a decent and honorable young man embarked on a spiritual quest," said Frank Lindh, swallowing back tears at times during a speech at the Commonwealth Club, a nonprofit organization.

John Walker Lindh, now 24, was captured by American forces on Nov. 21, 2001, alongside the Taliban. Frank Lindh said his son thought he had been rescued by U.S. soldiers until he was taken into custody and tortured.

Charged with conspiring to kill Americans and supporting terrorists, the younger Lindh avoided a potential life sentence in 2002 by pleading guilty to lesser charges of supplying services to the Taliban in violation of U.S. economic sanctions and of carrying weapons against U.S. forces.

Last year John Walker Lindh asked President Bush for a reduction in his 20-year sentence, repeating a September 2004 request the government rejected.

Until now, his parents have mostly maintained a public silence about the case, hoping to avoid a media barrage that could be detrimental to their son. But on Thursday Frank Lindh shared baby pictures and other photos of his son during the presentation and said he is proud of his child.

Lindh said he decided to break his silence because he hoped the story of his boy's journey from bucolic Marin County to harsh Afghanistan battlefields will help gain him a reprieve.

[madprof98]

I wonder what sort of organization this "Commonwealth Club" is.

[mainepatsfan]

He just has to hope Hillary gets elected. We know the Clinton's have no problem pardoning terrorists.

[steveo]

honorable young man embarked on a spiritual quest,

To destroy life as we know it. :p

[samadams2000]

"Im proud my son is a terrorist traitor."

[Bahbah]

his son thought he had been rescued by U.S. soldiers until he was taken into custody and tortured.

Total BS.

[ikka]

Was it ever demonstrated that the boy was engaged in homosexual behavior with his "spiritual Islamic leaders" as well? Thought I saw a story about that...

[Wolfhound777]

After years of silence, the father of American-born Taliban soldier John Walker Lindh said Thursday he has asked President Bush to grant his son clemency, adding that the then teenager never raised arms against the United States. "In simple terms, this is the story of a decent and honorable young man embarked on a spiritual quest," said Frank Lindh.

There is absolutely nothing decent or honorable about Lindh. Let him rot.

[muawiyah]

Why doesn't he wait until this is all over to make such requests?

[Mr. Lucky]

John Lindh should be turned over to the custody of his father...for burial.

[LibWhacker]

Pound sand, Frankie, you flake! If you really cared for your son, you would've raised him right.

[frankjr]

Hang 'em high!

[teenyelliott]

this is the story of a decent and honorable young m

Bullshi*t. Maybe that's what you stupid socialist hippies call it, but out here in fly over country we call it treason.

Your son is a traitor, sir. Personally, I think he should have been hung.

[Joe 6-pack]

"Was it ever demonstrated that the boy was engaged in homosexual behavior with his "spiritual Islamic leaders" as well? "

Cindy Sheehan?

[stumpy]

I agree with your sentiments completely. I hope he slips in the shower and dies in prison. No traitor should ever survive incarceration (actually they should be sentenced to death period.)!!!

[phoenix0468]

"Lindh said he decided to break his silence because he hoped the story of his boy's journey from bucolic Marin County to harsh Afghanistan battlefields will help gain him a reprieve." Or show that he was actively involved in fighting U.S. troops. Either way he was sleeping with the enemy, and in my book that's trason. I thought treason was a capital crime during wartime. 20 years is light in my opinion.

[teenyelliott]

embarked on a spiritual quest

I forgot that part of the quote. Ooops.

[ralice]

Considering that this guy started off as a sixteen-year-old to the ME, not knowing the languages or culture, and managed to get close enough to OBL to shake his hand, when the CIA didn't have a single operative in the area, I say he should do community service work as their consultant....

[phoenix0468]

"...taken into custody and tortured."

Now his father is using that old islamofacist tactic of crying torture at every turn. Send his ass to jail too, he doesn't deserve to be an American.

[phoenix0468]

(sic)treason

[Diana in Wisconsin]

"...adding that the then teenager never raised arms against the United States."

Then WFT was he doing on a battle field dressed as a Muslim? Hiding? Performing undercover work for the CIA? Feh.