America should free John Lindh, or atleast reduce his sentence from 20 to like 4 years, if at all.
He actually did nothing wrong! He DID NOT kill any American, he did not act against the US Govt or threaten US security, and his intention of being in Afghanistan was NOT to harm the US, indeed he was only there to try and furfil his own personal desire for “jihad”.
He was simply a young man, not much older then me, who fell into the wrong type of muslim circle who, with him not knowing any better, took advantage of his thirst for Islamic knowledge.
He has done nothing wrong. He is guilty of trying to practice an aspect of his faith, irrespective of wether his understanding was right or wrong, which is not a crime!
I was feeling very strongly abt this recently, surfed the net and found this site relating to the issue.
I'm sure the immense pressure he was under, plus the almost certain torture he endured, plus the threats to his family-all well documented on a brilliant BBc documentary, plus the atmosphere in the US at the time had no impact on his "confession".
From his own mouth:
“I provided services as a soldier to the Taliban last year. I carried a rifle and two grenades,” he said, adding that he knew doing so was illegal.
“I plead guilty,” he said. "
In exchange for the guilty plea, prosecutors agreed to drop other charges, including conspiracy to murder U.S. citizens, that could have kept him in prison for life.
What you mention in your first post involve reasons and motives for doing what he did. A crime does not become a non-crime because of motive. A lot of Israelis seem to think Jonathon Pollard ought to get a reduced sentence for spying against America because he had a “pure” motive. It’s rubbish as to Pollard and rubbish as to Lindh.
You know I feel strongly about the Pakistanis, or anyone, who is unjustly locked up-like an animal. But his case really moved me-I mean I have a friend who is a convert to Islam, and he could just as easily fallen into the wrong circle-the fanatics and been in JWL situation.
I just feel Lindh was a decent guy who was led astray, he hasnt killed any one, he hasnt jepordized US security, he never intended to harm the US-he was just trying to find his feet in a new faith.
Plus the Pakistani prisoners, they have a whole Govt to support them, Lindh-his govt have been adamant about punishing him, I saw a show where his family were all upset and stuff, and I just felt sorry for him I geuss. Its muslim compassion for a brother.
My opinion: Firstly america went after the guy for no reason. if america is a country of freedom, why cant an "american" fight for what he sees fit.
America had no right to arrest this guy in the firtst place. If i was Johnny o Boy i would of said "you can take my god dam american passport and leave me alone"
If they took his passport, he wouldnt be able to travel to the Hajj once he's out-which is why he converted to Islam in the first place, that and brother Malcolm X's autobiography.
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*Originally posted by hskhan: *
My opinion: Firstly america went after the guy for no reason. if america is a country of freedom, why cant an "american" fight for what he sees fit.
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You have some perverse reasoning here. "Country of freedom" does not mean the right to violate law. The law says when the country is at war, a citizen in the army of the opposing group is committing treason. If he is not a citizen but is caught, he is a prisoner of war.
I just feel Lindh was a decent guy who was led astray, he hasnt killed any one, he hasnt jepordized US security, he never intended to harm the US-he was just trying to find his feet in a new faith.
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Mo_Best: I got to tell you that if finding one's feet in a new faith means providing services to an army as a soldier and carrying around rifles and grenades, something is terribly wrong. The perception among many in the US that Islam is a religion of violence stems from this kind of thinking. I'd prefer to see someone find their feet in a faith by going on some kind of a mission to feed, clothe and medicate the poor and destitute in some god forsaken country. Now, Afghanistan certainly qualifies as a god forsaken country but attending Al Qaeda terrorist training schools and playing Taliban foot soldier hardly earn you brownie points for participating in a humanitarian mission.
There's an old saying in the US close to the following: Don't do the crime if you're not willing to pay the time. Whatever his motive, Lindh placed his misguided service to Islam superior to his adherence to US criminal law. His misfortune is that he was not martyrd in combat and got caught instead.
I write more favourably on America then half the Americans here, but with your selective reading of my posts, my view isnt well represented.
I disticntly say he was a misguided guy, they (the fanatics) took advatage of his innocents and exploited him. America should take pity on him, and let him go-finding one's feet does not mean "war"-I certainly am not one who thinks war is the answer to muslim issues, read my threads in the religion forums. However, it was the way he was led and unfortunately is now being punished for his ignorance, and not a crime commited.
Surely, that we never fought or harmed US personaeel should mean something, he is an innocent man. I pray to Allah that he sees the folly in his extremist ways, and that the US frees him.
The law does not require that he shoot. Oh but wait, you think American laws are rubbish (despite that half the world is waiting with baited breath to get into America). Interesting logic.
