NO JOKE

By Regis Murphy, Jr.
AKA: Romeo-47
rhmurphy@tpromo.com

The experience of, not only witnessing an execution by firing squad, But being one of the persons responsible for it is a moment in life that lasts a Lifetime! 'She the person executed that day in 1965 was a 21-year-old, south Vietnamese citizen who decided to spy for her country's enemy! Was her action those of a traitor? I thought so then and I think so now.

Benedict Arnold was and could have remained one of our country's heroes but he decided, as we all know, to become a traitor! He did, however, escape punishment here. Yet for his reward he was notably despised by the English and died a sad and broken man. Too bad, so sad.

John Walker, an American Citizen who decided to take up arms not only once but twice against America, is just a wayward kid who was misled by the religion of Islam and the Talaban, so says his father. Although, his father admits that John was captured with an AK-47 assault rifle in his possession while taking part in a prisoner of war riot! Regardless of the circumstances a loving father will usually forgive his son, vie for mercy, defend him as much as possible and/or try to have others understand why his son did such things. Of course as an American citizen the father of John Walker has the right to present his opinion. Some will say that as a 'Great Nation' we should be merciful with John Walker and try him as one of our citizens. Others are of the opinion that he should be turned over to the 'Northern Alliance' to be treated just as any other captured soldier. Members of the American Civil Liberties Union are concerned over violating the rights of John Walker!

My question this week is, 'What rights does a traitor to our Country have? To be afforded the same legal rights of our loyal citizens, to have unlimited access to media, write a book or screenplay, amass a fortune because of his disloyalty? Hell, doesn't sound like a bad deal to me!

We Americans, it seems have throughout history been taken most often as merciful and easy group of peopleto commit crime against. We have, Ibeleive, also been the most underestimated.

The general consensus of opinion in my neighborhood and I agree with it is that we are in a war with terrorist, and as the leader in this battle and the leader of the free world we should be benevolent with John Walker. To give him life in prison would certainly be cruel and unusual punishment. Therefore, considering my past experience with execution, I believe his, (John Walker's) should be televised to the whole world and hopefully it'll convince non-believers that our call to arms in this war on terrorism is NO JOKE!

That's my opinion, and this is STILL AMERICA!

EDITOR'S NOTE: USVI would like to know what you think about John Walker and whether he should be treated as a young boy who was misled or as a traitor to his country. Please respond at this time by clicking HERE.

Thank you,
Al Colombo,
Admin., USVI