Patty Hearst got off because she was rich.
- in a similar sort of 'unfortunate companions' - 'course they DID kidnap her, etc.
Little argument from me, that we have created for ourselves a personal responsibility crisis, commencing with the post-Billy bizness climate as has culminated in Enron. (Tip of iceberg) Crisis is across all scales and into the Institutions.
To cut to chase: I 'offered him' one version of a possibly.. sustainable out - how might he 'prove' (being forced) ?? I said it was slim.
And if there be any admissible evidence of his killing.. Which? Anyone? A Northern Alliance disposable local? Just an infinitely more valuable American life*? How - eye witness/ =copping a plea? Etc. Gonna be ugly both sides.
*see that line noted on news? re the Somalia war flic: about the relative value of One Murican life vs. 'all Somalis' - great int'l propaganda there, Hollywood mogul!
Once above is decided: I suspect that if he can be shown to have participated in a firefight with (any) American at other end: he shall become responsible. ie. Life prolly, as a sop to the majority of civilized countries [and allies] who have seen the death penalty for what it is: ineffective at deterrence; heavily stacked against anyone who can't fund a Dream Team. Merely - feelgood for vengeance.
Finally - the troglodytes he (originally) threw his lot in with, I deem no more hypocritical and vile than our home-grown equivalents:
Same disdain for half the species (female) and unwillingness to understand the separation of theology and state - and ready to kill those who believe differently. Taliban == Murican Taliban. But we won't be consistent enough to acknowledge the interchangeability - now will we? (here at home)
And we damn sure won't face the consequences [oil] of Pax Americana [control] - upon the credibility of our own putative 'principles' as we see those ourselves and - in the rest of the world's responses to our use of military and economic power. - all along.
So much for er National responsibility then - while we're discussing the principle.
Ashton
Difficult to get all joyful about Might Makes Right - no matter whether the local bully happens to be one's son - or larger fish.
