I agree that a transparent and fair trial which proves guilt beyond reasonable doubt, is the only way to go. We can't have trial by media or by public sentiment - which is what I'm doing, agreed. At the same time, I'm damn well sure he's as guilty as sin, and is not in the same class as that delusional creep Karr. Those photos of him in training camps with rocket launchers, for one thing. He's lucid and in control, IMO.

Still, I've agreed that my own sentiments can't and shouldn't convict the guy. So, I should explain why I posted this in the first place. It was really aimed more at those Australians who are sympathetic to him personally, and not just concerned with legal justice. Over the years of his incarceration, I grew increasingly irritated at their profuse sympathy for "our David", because I knew that a fair few of these people were motivated by a hatred of your country, feel you got your just desserts on 9/11, and may well believe and accept without a problem, Hicks' involvement with the Taliban and Al Qaeda.

I'm not saying all Hicks' Australian sympathizers are of this ilk. Many are simply concerned wtih due process and the proper course of the law, and I respect them and their views, as I do in your case. But I know a bit more what some South Australians and Victorians can be like. And that's just referring to those of 'Anglo' background. I can only wonder at the sympathies of the Moslem Australians - they haven't said much, or else I'm out of their loop. I don't read the media, or forum boards, all that much anyway.

Guess I should be posting such sentiments on an Australian forum in that case - the HZ audience is perhaps "inappropiate" (to use the buzzword) for this kind of broadside. But maybe instead I'll consider my blood pressure and just leave it all to due process.