David Hicks
Sometimes you get the publicity you deserve. For David Hicks the decision to pose up with a rocket launcher perched on his shoulder was somewhat regrettable in the PR department.
I’m not saying of course that posing with an RPG of itself justifies being thrown in the clink at Guantanamo Bay for several years and then incarcerated with some of South Australia’s most accomplished scumbags and weirdos at the Yatala Correctional Facility. But, you know, people will draw their own conclusions.
Especially when coupled with the fact that you did it because you were being trained by al-Qaeda. And happened to meet Osama bin Laden four times. Once is an accident, twice a zany coincidence, but three or more suggests you’ve fallen in with a bad crowd.
Continue reading "How Hicks turned stupidity into a revenue stream" »
Just for a minute, imagine if David Hicks was charismatic, brilliant, eloquent, and truly, truly remorseful. He came across as precisely none of those things on ABC TV’s David Hicks special on Australian Story last night. But if he had, would Australia forgive him?
We’ll never know. Because what we saw was an unconvincing charade. And some irrelevant shots of Hicks on a motorbike, his wife in soft focus, and his mate making a cup of tea.
The former Guantanamo Bay detainee, by blaming his childhood and talking about his way forward, seems to be seeking some sort of forgiveness. ‘Closure’, even.
Continue reading "David Hicks is a sinner, sinned against, but no martyr" »
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Qlander says:
@Drunk Guy. that’s the most lazy approach to an immoral situation Ive heard in a while.if he was that vague and fun loving backpacker you believe, he would not have been any where near these supposed militants, they would not wanted a bar of him. other Australians are on death… Read more »
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John Christopehr Sunol says:
David Hicks was wrong but he has had more wrong done to him by the money hungry theifs in the Australian Federal government who want to take his money from his books. This is very wrong as Daivid Hicks has not btoken an australian law. It is not even proven… Read more »
In her excoriating review of David Hicks’ memoir My Journey, ABC reporter and author Leigh Sales begins with the following assessment of the blame-shifting psychology of the former Taliban recruit:
“A sentence near the end of this controversial book encapsulates David Hicks’s attitude to his stay at Guantanamo Bay on terrorism-related charges:‘Any and all inconvenience . . . was brought about due to my incarceration and treatment and that was at the hands of others.’
“In other words, Hicks eschews personal responsibility. Guantanamo: My Journey is a flawed memoir, chiefly because of an astonishing lack of self-reflection.”
Continue reading "Maybe Dave just shouldn’t have joined the Taliban" »
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Late Sunday night it was revealed on Twitter - by a well-known TV presenter whom I assume approved - that David Hicks had just received a standing ovation at the Sydney Writers’ Festival.
I wanted to know what they were cheering and tweeted: “Fact he abandoned wife and kids? Fact he thought OBL terrific bloke?”
There was no answer, but soon after another tweet arrived, from a complete stranger, saying: “God I am so glad you said that… I am no right wing jerk BUT I draw the line.”
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Kristanna says:
Wham bam thank you, ma’am, my questions are answeerd! Read more »
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Jack Thomas says:
Simon you’ve ruined my day by saying I don’t stand a chance of being one of your heroes. Well, I nearly snorted my coffee out my nose laughing when I read your post anyway. For me, a hero has minimum requirements, basic things like maybe courage and bravery, decency, and… Read more »
Just a hunch, but if a mate ever asks you to snap a pic of them with their favourite high-powered weapon, you might want to reassess your friendship - and possibly call the police.
As give aways go, snaps such as this one of Daniel Cowart, who’s just pleaded guilty to plotting to kill Barack Obama, are a bit of a no brainer.
Just in case no-one was alarmed by the enormous great gun he’s holding, Cowart helpfully had a Swastika tattooed on his upper arm and shaved his head.
Continue reading "Generally alarm bells should ring if people pose like this" »
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Dave Sag says:
Wasn’t that that wheat board bloke? Trevor Flugge http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/the-odd-stray-shot/2006/02/02/1138836372830.html Read more »
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The Greek says:
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I keep waiting for the traditional church to launch its campaign against the government’s treatment of boat people.
After all, boats carrying asylum seekers keep entering Australian waters in greater numbers, there are allegations that boats are left to drift and, worst of all, some have perished along the way.
I glance skyward in Melbourne, looking for the immense banner hanging from the spire St Paul’s Cathedral, like there was a few years ago. Instead of “Justice for David Hicks”, it will read “Justice for SIEV 624”.
Continue reading "Churches pray for terrorist and ignore a businessman" »
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icons designs says:
It is a pity, that now I can not express - I hurry up on job. I will return - I will necessarily express the opinion. Read more »
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Evelyn says:
I have been looking into the mifdineld that is church worship and the relation of copyright on songs. At present it is clear that many churches are failing in the copyright laws that govern performancers and writers of music/songs. I am at present puting together a youth chorus book (just… Read more »
He may be known as the Ruddbot, but when it comes to his much vaunted specialist skills on China, it would seem that batteries were not included.
As the Prime Minister plays catch up on being caught flat footed on the Stern Hu case, he needs to demonstrate that his special China skills are not just a party trick, but can genuinely be used in Australia’s interests.
When in Opposition, Kevin Rudd was quick to criticise John Howard, claiming he was “dragging his feet on providing Mr Hicks with a fair trial”. These were his exact words in a door stop he gave almost four years ago on August 2.
Continue reading "Free David Hicks, but fumble on Stern Hu" »
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johnv_au says:
Hicks was cought with the smoking gun I say he got of lucky Hu has be detained without charge so charge him or let him return to his adopted land Geoff, Who cares if he is a lib he has a right to free speech and get Rudd To act… Read more »
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Geoff says:
Scott Scott Scott…......Why don’t you put somewhere that you are a Liberal MP. ( another unknown one ) The only way people can find out is by clicking on your picture. Are you ashamed of which side you are on? Read more »
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