Washington Affairs

1 December 2003


Pro-Consul Garner Admits Errors in Occupied Iraq
Among the hardest things for anyone to do is admit mistakes. When a political leader does it, it makes headlines because it requires such straight forward honesty that it stands out in the grubby half-truth world of running peoples' lives. When the man in charge of ruling an occupied nation admits to errors, the only thing harder is to avoid saying, "Told you so." Click here to read more.

Jury Asks for John Muhammed's Death
As a general rule, the death penalty is an admission by society of defeat. By determining that the defendant must die to atone for his transgressions or to protect the rest of the public from his predations, the collective will is saying, in essence, "all hope in this case is gone." The jury's recommendation of the death penalty in the case of John Allen Muhammed, the DC sniper, is such an admission, but it is also the truth. Click here for more.

US Yields on Guarantees for Australian Citizens Held at Guantanamo
The US government has bent to the wishes of Australia in providing some guarantees to the latter regarding the treatment of its citizens being held at Guantanamo Bay. While Australian law does not permit them to be sent home to face trial for alleged acts taken while in Afghanistan defending the murdering Taliban, there is a chance that they could serve any prison sentences at home, and the trials will be open proceedings. Above all, they won't face the death penalty. The US could have avoided the whole mess by declaring them prisoners of war. Click here to read on.