muttarsdotcom

A headline in a paper says:

HICKS PERKS FUEL MORE PUBLIC ANGER

The story goes on to describe Hicks's veritable comfort as he was flown from Guantanamo (where he's spent the last 5 1/2 years in virtual solitary confinement - without charge, remember) to Australia (where he'll spend a further 6 months in an Adelaide jail).

The bill of $500,000 is quoted along with the obligatory outrage as the media, (to sell papers) attempt to stir up the masses. The fact that the Americans wouldn't allow Hicks even to 'be' in the States to refuell etc, and that alone is the reason for the Gulfstream, seems to have been conveniently forgotten in this little editorial.

The piece ends with the assertion, "Most will never have the opportunity to travel on a private Lear jet; (n.b the paper used a full colon here - I disagree) many will struggle to access the same educational opportunities as he will be afforded. As the Hicks case proves, crime may not pay (an allusion to the prohibition of Hicks making any money from his 'crime' - a book for example), but it can often provide its own range of privileges".

Most WILL probably not, Mr newspaper, feel the comfort of a private jet, granted, but if you were to offer a flight TO Cuba on such a jet, with the stipulation that 5 years of solitary confinement without charge was the price, methinks you'd not get many volunteers.
As for the 'educational opportunities' and 'privileges'? Well, most crims come out of jail smarter than when they entered, idiot. And privileges? A ride on a private jet after 5 1/2 years of solitary, without charge, which eventuated as the rather weak 'supporter of terrorism' because there was no evidence he actually killed anyone?

And to live the rest of his life under the perpetual scrutiny of the jittery government?

I'd pass on that kind of privilege, thanks!