Posted on 08/19/2004 10:53:49 AM PDT by Idema
Recently I have plunged into the whole John Idema story, also known as “Jack”. He was featured in the book “The Hunt for Bin Laden”, and he reportedly was a renegade soldier with no ties at all to U.S. military or government. He is a former Green Beret and he ran an organization that consists of him and I believe to be seven others of who I do not know. This organization he says was committed to stopping terrorism and Idema claims that he was close to capturing Bin Laden himself. In the mean time he had caught various expected terrorists and used extreme methods of interrogation, which included hanging his “prisoners” from the ceiling. He has also turned in one of his prisoners over to the Coalition forces, and he claims that he and his organization have direct ties, and contact, to the Defense department. He also says that they were told to do what they were doing and that he was not just doing this on his own will. Friends and former fellow soldiers have constantly backed up his claims and that he would never do something like this. He is being tried for war crimes and will likely serve time; however his lawyer claims they have evidence of contact with the Defense Department about their activities. I have heard from a few veterans and military personnel that they think Idema is just looking for attention and that they disagree with his actions. I just wanted to get a veteran, or any military personas, perspective on this issue. As I don’t have any military experience I think it is inappropriate for me to give my opinion on this issue was I am asking for yours.
You're just a dumba$$!! Now get out of here!!
'Idema' is a well known figure in the anti-terr business. He also carries boat-load of bad karma and past due bills with him. Unfortunately for him, and those who would associate with him, he is a loose cannon with a propensity for publicity and BS.
His main concern is for #1 (himself) and $$$'s. Nothing wrong with making a shekel. But he's pretty much considered a walking press-release. And undue attention is most def counterproductive.
Just my $.02's.
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