[SmartEnough]

Steve Hassan is a brilliant dissecter of cults both old and new, he has a real understanding of how these people enslave the minds of the weak and easily led.. You guys can feel free to keep up the ignorance pageant, however, it's entertaining.

This is where we go wrong. I understand Hassan's point regarding the mind-control of the cults and that the Taliban movement uses these techniques very well.
However, Lindh still must be held accountable for his actions.
First, he voluntarily placed himself in the mind-controlled situation with no coercion. He became a Moslem, he traveled to Pakistan, and he joined and pledged allegiance to the Taliban. Nobody made him do it, just as no one made Hassan join the Moonies.
Second, while in the Taliban, Lindh took up arms against the US and fought against the US and our allies. While an argument could be made, as in the case of a mentally ill defense, that he was not capable of making a rational decision at the time, Lindh must be held accountable both personally and as an example for other potential traitors. Because that is what he is, a traitor.
His bad decisions and immaturity are not a reason to overlook his actions. Those are reasons to punish him.

[TigersEye]

I believe that Lindh will eventually realize that he was duped into accepting terrorism and murder, which is condemned by the faith he adopted at age 16. For now, he must accept responsibility for his actions. It is my hope that he will provide valuable information about the activities of the Taliban and Al Qaeda. (He already has, according to reports.) Perhaps more important, he might provide a valuable example for future generations about the workings of mind control techniques.

Yeah, it's really terrible that this author is making excuses for poor Johnnie.

(A mind is a terrible thing to waste in Public Education.)