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Father Hopes U.S. Has Mercy on Taliban Fighter Son
Tuesday, December 4, 2001
(2:34 AM ET) (7:34 AM GMT)
Larry King Live
The Cable News Network

“We want to give him a big hug. I also want to maybe give him a little kick in the butt for not telling me what he was up to, and for not getting my permission, because I would not have given him permission to go to Afghanistan.”
-- Mr. Frank Lindh

In his first television interview since his son made headlines, the father of an American who fought with the Taliban hopes that the United States will show mercy to his son.

The wounded 20-year-old John Walker was in the custody of U.S. Special Forces somewhere in Afghanistan, U.S. military officials at Central Command in Tampa, Florida, said Monday.

Frank Lindh described how his son's devotion to Islam drew him to the Middle East. But during his appearance on CN N's "Larry King Live," Lindh said he had no idea the young man was in Afghanistan.

Also appearing on the show was "CBS News" anchor Dan Rather, who posed his own question to Lindh.
(More: CNN.com News Source)
2001 © Cable News Network LP, LLLP.

”We want to give him a big hug. I also want to maybe give him a little kick in the butt for not telling me what he was up to, and for not getting my permission, because I would not have given him permission to go to Afghanistan.”

Dad can keep that swift kick to himself. After the U.S. officials are done with him, and after his prison term as a gust of that same government (in a federal pen), all he’ll require is all the patience and love his family can give him.

Just another dumb kid. War is a lot of things, but it is not a game.

Dan