Guantanamo: My Journey by David Hicks - Autobiography

[Laura]

Patty wrote: "I've just added this book. I've always wanted to know what makes countries do such things in the face of lack of evidence (scape-goat-ism?)"

Patty, did the book answer your question? I was left not understanding why (and who). Why did the US do it? Why did Australia knowingly put up with it (condone and even praise it)? There might be some weak excuses but nothing like a good reason that I could glean.

[Patty]

I haven't actually read it yet ;-)

[Laura]

Oh, right. I see that now. Let me know what you think when you're done. It's a fascinating (and somewhat disturbing) read.

[Laura]

Oh No! They're trying to take away David's royalties. This is such an absurd attack on a guy who's done virtually nothing (nothing illegal anyway). I can only hope the judges will be more sensible than every other government body has been about this emotive case.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/prosec...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Let's hope common sense will prevail Laura, though it doesn't usually, does it!!

[George]

This comment may or not be read because of the dates; I read some of the book and the numerous comments by Laura. First, allow me to comment on truth....as a Guantanamo guard who had first-hand dealings in a camp, Mr. Hicks was neither abused, mistreated nor anything else negative claimed by him. In fact, he made our lives as guards challenging by some of the antics he pulled. Once, he purposely rammed his head against the door of a transportation vehicle during the commissions to try to make an injury to show abuse.He was unsuccessful of that by the way because of the guards ability to protect him from harming himself. His accounts are by far deceiving to say the least.

[Laura]

George wrote: "This comment may or not be read because of the dates; I read some of the book and the numerous comments by Laura. First, allow me to comment on truth....as a Guantanamo guard who had first-hand dea..."

George, I am still reading comments on this and really appreciate yours. We do get lots of mixed messages about Gitmo, some ex-guards confirm mistreatment and others, like you, deny it. Perhaps if the whole thing weren't so shrouded in secrecy and NGOs kept away for so long, the truth would come to light and any untruths lose their potency. Of course, IMHO the whole Gitmo set up was illegal and should be shut down ASAP but it seems the US govt (and people?) won't allow this to happen.

Thanks for your comment.

[Laura]

Well, it looks like the CIA is going to find it more difficult to get anyone to believe what was already a dubious position of Enhanced Interrogation wasn't torture but was necessary. They tortured, it gained them nothing and they lied about it.

Does anyone believe it's actually stopped?

http://www.smh.com.au/world/cia-tortu...

[Laura]

George wrote: "This comment may or not be read because of the dates; I read some of the book and the numerous comments by Laura. First, allow me to comment on truth....as a Guantanamo guard who had first-hand dea..."
George, are you still there? I note from your profile that it appears you created a profile specifically to leave this comment and have never read or commented about anything else. Really? Who are you and who do you work for?

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Looking at his profile Laura, I'd say he's long gone. As you saw and pointed out to us, he has nothing else on his profile except our group and this comment. Quite possibly a spammer! Thanks for the alert:)

[Cassandra]

He's a troll, for sure.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

:)

[Laura]

I'm a cynic by nature but I can't help but wonder if the CIA has a budget to go around hunting for stuff on the web that they don't like then creating their version of events to counter it. When George posted "his" comments I thought it sounded bogus at the time - now I'm sure it is. Shame on the CIA (or whatever 1984-ish history re-writing group is at work).

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well he won't be back in this group anyway Laura:)