[mdittmar]

This will not go over to well,will it.

[Caipirabob]

His life isn't worth a pack of cigarettes, but maybe his derrier will be while it's still around...

Sorry to toss that lovely thought out so early, but like you, I ain't happy about this.

[YaYa123]

It's Thursday am, and as far as I can tell, NBC's Pete Williams is still the only person reporting this story.

Williams was a loyal and long time aide to Dick Cheney, and former spokesman for the State Dept.

His sources have to be impeccable, but I wonder.

If it's a leak to reward Williams, man, it's pretty exciting...I mean, he's still the only one reporting it, after about 10-12 hours? No one else is confirming it, that I can find.

Or is Williams doing the administration a favor by putting this story out as some kind of trial balloon?

CNN is still reporting "no decision made yet".

[boomop1]

This will be a "read my lips" consequence for W, if he allows this scum to skate.

[sadimgnik]

This will not go over to well,will it.

Probably not .. but it's been on the cards since day 1.

There's been a lot of discussion here and elsewhere of the difficulties under the US Constitution of getting a treason charge to stick.

It all comes down to what your Constitution actually says, rather than what you wish it said.

My personal feeling is that your talibunny is, in fact, a traitor .. but it would be nearly impossible to get a conviction.

(I should also say that our tallibunnies could never be charged with treason .. but that there should be a charge of terminal stupidity levied against them.)

None of them were ever likely to be convicted of treason because of the unique nature of this conflict.

Regards

Sadim

[FReethesheeples]

BARF!

[jwalsh07]

Report: Treason charges ruled out

Boooooooo.

[HENRYADAMS]

The man is a potential millionaire. Book deals, talk show circuit, maybe even a movie. Later public office with its graft, drug money and interns. America 2001 AD.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

All I know is if Walker traded information to save his skin it had better be good, not a bunch of vague crap like he's been spouting. We don't know what's been going on behind the scenes on this.

[DKM]

From the US State Department , and pretty sure this info is printed on all US passports. Can't find mine to verify:

ADVICE ABOUT POSSIBLE LOSS OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP
AND DUAL NATIONALITY

The Department of State is responsible for determining the citizenship status of a person located outside the United States or in connection with the application for a U.S. passport while in the United States.

POTENTIALLY EXPATRIATING STATUTES

Section 349 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended, states that U.S. citizens are subject to loss of citizenship if they perform certain acts voluntarily and with the intention to relinquish U.S. citizenship. Briefly stated, these acts include:

(1) obtaining naturalization in a foreign state (Sec. 349 (a) (1) INA);

(2) taking an oath, affirmation or other formal declaration to a foreign state or its political subdivisions (Sec. 349 (a) (2) INA);

(3) entering or serving in the armed forces of a foreign state engaged in hostilities against the U.S. or serving as a commissioned or non-commissioned officer in the armed forces of a foreign state (Sec. 349 (a) (3) INA);

(4) accepting employment with a foreign government if (a) one has the nationality of that foreign state or (b) a declaration of allegiance is required in accepting the position (Sec. 349 (a) (4) INA);

(5) formally renouncing U.S. citizenship before a U.S. consular officer outside the United States (sec. 349 (a) (5) INA);

(6) formally renouncing U.S. citizenship within the U.S. (but only "in time of war") (Sec. 349 (a) (6) INA);

(7) conviction for an act of treason (Sec. 349 (a) (7) INA).

Treason or not, he clearly has revoked his right to US citizenship. I am sure there will be some quibbeling about whether or not the Taliban, or Al-Queida can be classified as a "foriegn state", but it cannot be forgotten that the Taliban was recognized by at least three independent nations prior to the route.

[Moby Grape]

I am thankful that Bush is president over ANY democrat, but this is a serious mistake on the part of this administration. If John Walker is not a traitor, then they will NEVER be able to charge anyone with treason.

[yoe]

The man is a Traitor by any definition of the word. To treat him otherwise is to condemn this War on Terrorism. When will the anti-American crowd wake up and realize this is WAR and John Walker is the enemy!

Hang him high for all to see and learn from, anything less will be a travesty of justice.

Now is the time for all Americans to come to the aid of their country and demand all traitors pay with their lives!

[mbb bill]

Hang the traitor and sort things out later!!! Good thing we have only a few like him or we would all be killer by his kind...

[Goetz_von_Berlichingen]

“He is being treated as someone who fought against the United States in an armed conflict, and that’s why he is classified properly as a battlefield detainee, and he’s being treated well,” said Fleischer.

That sounds about right. He deserves neither more nor less protection or punishment than any other P.O.W. At some point, he ceased to be an American citizen, which means that he should not be afforded the protection of our laws (i.e., no attorney), but it also means that he should not be held accountable for treason (i.e., no noose, either). Had he stayed in this country and performed acts of terror and sabotage, then by all means string him up. But he did not.

Now, if we wish to construe the entire al Qaeda as a "terrorist organisation," then he could be tried and punished for war crimes. There is not -- as far as I know -- a precedent for this, however. In the run-up to the Nuremberg Tribunal, there was some sentiment to label the entire SS (Waffen- as well as Allgemeine) a criminal organisation, but the allied governments decided against it, preferring to try individuals on enumerated charges.

[WatchOutForSnakes]

I am hearing different things on what the penalty would be under this charge. I heard on CBS this morning that the maximum sentence is 10 years under this charge. Now this is saying life in prison is the maximum. Fox is also saying life is the maximum. It was the 10 year sentence that got me so angry. If it's life without parole I guess I could live with that, but to me he is still a traitor. One more thing...why is there so much different information being reported as fact by the different networks and they almost always disagree? Don't these guys ever check facts anymore before reporting anything??

[BibChr]

Well, I'm very tempted to say that I would go even farther than this. I'm very tempted to say that I would pardon Walker.

And then relocate him in New York City. Absolutely free. Pay for a week's worth of apartment rental; that should about do it.

I'm tempted to say that.

But it would be wrong.

Dan
(c;

[AUgrad]

INSTEAD, WALKER is to be charged with providing material support to a terrorist organization. The maximum penalty for a conviction on that charge is life in prison, under the just-passed USA Patriot Act, “if death resulted from the offense.” By contrast, the maximum penalty for treason is death.

Prison would likely be a quick death sentence anyway. Just not as neat or orderly as a needle. Sort of like Dahmer.

[Colt .45]

This Jihad Jonny Walker is a f**king TRAITOR, and all this trying to smooth over his actions is pure unadulterated gutless crap! He is cut from the same cloth as that other John Walker who sold out to the Commies.

[japaneseghost]

Let me tell you how stupid this is.
What are the chances he'll be sentenced to life? Get real.
He'll have the best lawyers money can buy
(here comes Johnny Cochran or Gerry Spence)
and sooner or later he'll be out on the street, a hero to every Islamist.

I have no pity on him.
I know, if I were a 16 year old boy whose father
left the family to live with another man, yes, I'd be devastated,
and hate the American & Marin County lifestyle.
However, this kid knew the Koron inside and out.
There are very specific rules of engagement listed in the Koron.
Under no circumstances can women and children be killed.
I can understand having a little pity for the illiterate
Pakistanis who can't read the Koron, but not this a**hole.

[bloodmeridian]

This will not go over to well,will it.

At least he wasn't given immunity for any information he could have provided (though I doubt he knows a thimble-full). And this, does, by the way, smack of a "deal."

[thucydides]

The problem with the treason charge is that mobilizes the entire liberal establishment (media, politicians, celebrities, academics, etc.) against any successful prosecution. Hell, the whole left has been more or less treasonous for decades - treasonous in the sense that they were actively hostile to the founding principles, and either sympathetic to or active participants in efforts to hamstring the US. Better to go after Abdul Hamiz (why do they always respect blacks decision to pass by an adopted muslim name, but not the decision of the Marin talib?) under some sedition or conspiracy charge. He probably won't last long in the slammer anyway.