Unrepentant "American Taliban" John Walker Lindh approaching release from prison

[Note: video below plays automatically, so go pause it below until you get to that part.]
In terms of red meat, this is perhaps the rarest steak I've ever served up:
John Walker Lindh, a former American Taliban militant convicted in 2002 for supporting the terrorist organization, is due to be freed in May.
The former Islamist fighter, dubbed “Detainee 001 in the war on terror,” was arrested in 2001, just months after the Sept. 11 attacks and the start of the war in Afghanistan. Then just 20 years old, he was among a group of Taliban fighters who were captured by U.S. forces.
Within a year, Walker Lindh was convicted of supporting the Taliban and sentenced to 20 years in prison -- even as some hardliners urged authorities to consider treason charges that could have resulted in the death penalty.
Walker Lindh’s release later this year is likely to be met with headaches for security services across the globe, especially since he has since acquired Irish citizenship and plans to move there -- even though he hasn’t denounced radical Islamic ideology and has even made pro-Isis comments to the media.
Before I go into the debate about whether setting him free is just, stupid, appropriate or anything else though, some additional context for what the years since 2001 have done to mellow Lindh. In short, nothing.
In 2016, the National Counterterrorism Center found that Lindh was continuing to 'advocate for global jihad', according to documents obtained by Foreign Policy.
He was also continuing to 'write and translate violent extremist texts', it added.
The document also claims that in 2015 Lindh told a television news producer 'that he would continue to spread violent extremist Islam upon his release'.
During his sentence, Lindh filed two suits against the Bureau of Prisons so that he could continue practicing the tenets of Islam.
In 2013, Lindh won the right for communal prayer. The following year, he argued that he should be allowed to wear his pants above the ankle.
The Foreign Policy article mentioned above has some more specifics:
Now 36 years old, Lindh is set to be released in less than two years. And he’ll leave prison with Irish citizenship and a stubborn refusal to renounce violent ideology, according to the U.S. government. Foreign Policy obtained two government documents that express concerns about Lindh: One details the communications of Lindh and other federal prisoners convicted of terrorism-related charges, and the second, written by the National Counterterrorism Center, addresses the intelligence community’s larger concerns over these inmates, once released.
“As of May 2016, John Walker Lindh (USPER) — who is scheduled to be released in May 2019 after being convicted of supporting the Taliban — continued to advocate for global jihad and to write and translate violent extremist texts,” reads the National Counterterrorism Center document prepared earlier this year.
The document, which cites various Federal Bureau of Prisons intelligence summaries, claims that in March of last year, Lindh “told a television news producer that he would continue to spread violent extremist Islam upon his release.”
Further,
The renowned attorney who represented Lindh in his 2002 trial, James Brosnahan, had “dropped” his client, according to the intelligence summary. (Brosnahan did not respond to a request for comment.)
Frank urged his son “to mend fences with Jim,” referring to his former lawyer, adding that Brosnahan would likely demand that Lindh explicitly reject violence.
“We can discuss this in our next phone call, but one thing I anticipate Jim will absolutely demand is that you be willing to condemn, in all sincerity, publicly if needed, and without any reservation whatsoever, depravity of any kind, whoever commits it,” he wrote...
But John Walker Lindh refused. Replying to his father, he wrote: “I am not interested in renouncing my beliefs or issuing condemnations in order to please Brosnahan or anybody else.”
The Bureau of Prisons document says that “inmate Walker Lindh made pro ISIS statements to various reporters and was subsequently dropped by counsel.” It does not indicate which counsel, nor does it cite any specific statements.
Um, pro ISIS statements is not a great sign of his repentance.
Compare that with his statements at sentencing:
Since returning to the United States, I have learned more about the Taliban, such as reports of the Taliban's repression of women, which I did not see or hear of while I was in Afghanistan, and which I believe is strongly condemned by Islam. I have also become aware of the relationship between the leaders of the Taliban and Osama bin Laden's organization. Bin Laden's terrorist attacks are completely against Islam, completely contrary to the conventions of jihad and without any justification whatsoever. His grievances, whatever they may be, cannot be addressed by acts of injustice and violence against innocent people in America. Terrorism is never justified and has proved extremely damaging to Muslims around the world. I have never supported terrorism in any form and never would. I went to Afghanistan with the intention of fighting against terrorism and oppression, not to support it. Although I thought I knew a good deal about the Taliban when I went to the front line, it's clear to me now that there were many things of which I was not aware. I made a mistake by joining the Taliban. I want the court to know, and I want the American people to know that had I realized then what I know now about the Taliban, I would never have joined them.
Anyway, this is setting off debates all over the place, with even FoxNews people disagreeing over the release.
First, veteran and Fox News personality Pete Hegseth, who, as one might expect, doesn't pull any punches in discussing how Lindh has applied for and received Irish citizenship:
Elsewhere on FoxNews, James Jay Carafano has a different take:
John Walker Lindh, the former “American Taliban” will soon be back on the street. Captured on the battlefield in Afghanistan in 2002, he was convicted of providing material support to terrorism and has been in prison ever since.
He is scheduled for release in May, even though he has never denounced the Islamist cause. This has led many to ask, “Now what?” I’d respond with another question: So what?
America is a nation of laws and the law must guide our treatment of Lindh. He was lawfully incarcerated. Come May, he will have done his time. At that point, he is due all rights consistent with the terms of his release.
That Lindh might someday decide to go back to the battlefield as an illegal combatant really doesn’t enter the calculus of the law. The U.S. doesn’t pre-detain people because think might be a future national security threat. We leave that to paranoid tyrants.
Should we start losing sleep in May, knowing Lindh is out there somewhere? Not really.
For one thing, it’s quite likely that he will move to Ireland, where he claims citizenship. Irish officials have told the media that they’ll let him in if he gets there. All he’ll need is a passport, a ticket and U.S. permission to hop an international flight.
If that happens, he’ll be walking Irish, not American, streets. And that will be the last we see of him.
Well....I suspect he won't be walking the streets of Belfast too long. In fact, anyone want to bet he tries to relocate somewhere else within a year?
I don't know that he poses an actual existential threat from being a soldier wherever he wants to go, but in terms of propaganda, this guy will be a gold mine for whoever he ends up with.
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Comments
Alan Binkerd (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 2:15pm
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Flight to Ireland
Why the flight? let him take a boat. I doubt an airplane full of paying passengers want him on their
plane. And who does he think shot Malala in the head. She is a citizen and doesn't paint the same
picture of her homeland that he does. Put him in the Syrian desert with his brothers in arms. Ridiculous
to let him go free. No redemption or kindness in his heart.
Cory (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 2:18pm
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nation of laws
Repeating because this is so true: "He is scheduled for release in May, even though he has never denounced the Islamist cause. This has led many to ask, “Now what?” I’d respond with another question: So what?
America is a nation of laws and the law must guide our treatment of Lindh. He was lawfully incarcerated. Come May, he will have done his time. At that point, he is due all rights consistent with the terms of his release."
This is exactly right. America is a nation of laws, and the laws have been applied to this guy. If he's done his time he has to be let go. That's what "law and order" means, and it is fitting within the framework of our Constitution and rights we all enjoy.
If you disagree, then I have to wonder why you're a member of the American Legion and its stance on the Constitution and law and order.
Sheila L Holmes (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:42pm
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Denouncement if Religion
Why would he denounce his religion? Why would that even be required? Islam is a religion. An Islamist cause is the same as a Christian cause -to recruit new members to your faith. Your statement makes no sense.
breachplug (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 4:43pm
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Shelia, you are wrong. Islam
Shelia, you are wrong. Islam is NOT a religion, this is a common belief, however, in reality it is a political ideology masquerading as a religion. Religions do not make war on other religions or people, Judaeo/Christian primarily, with the intent to eradicate the "infidels". How quickly we forget, 9/11, the embassy hostages in Iran, the 747 flight over Lockerby, Scotland, the deaths of so many French nationals in a theater, et al. Name one comparable, deliberate act such as these that individual Christians commit! No, Islam isn't a religion in the truest sense. So this idiot served his time according to the law, when in reality he should have been executed. But, the liberals of this country don't believe in cruel an inhuman punishment (only sanctioned abortions which aren't cruel and inhuman) so he is free to practice more of his "religion" to the determent of society. I hope you feel safe on your next plane trip.
Johnny Reyes Jr. (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 8:09pm
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Religious War
If we’re going to slam Muslims and not others, let’s keep it accurate. Protestant and Catholic Irishmen have been killing each other for centuries, as have French Huguenots and Catholics, as have the Spanish Catholics and the Sephardic Jews, and the English Protestants and Catholics. From the first crusade in 1095, European crusaders slaughtered Jews, Eastern Rite Christians and any Christians that didn’t look European as they marched southeast towards the Holy Land. The Muslims had permitted Jews and Christians to visit the holy places in Jerusalem in peace after paying the appropriate tax. When the crusaders first took Jerusalem, they slaughtered everyone in the city, Muslim, Jew, and any dark-skinned Christian, men, women, and children. To state that the Muslims are still angry is an understatement.
B. Pace (not verified)
April 4, 2019 - 3:22pm
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Religious War
The Catholic Irish were Irish Nationalists, the Protestants in a separate geographic area wished to remain in the UK. Wasn't really a religious war. The Spanish got rid of the the Moslems AND the Jews as part of the Reconquista, also not really a religious war. It is extremely common to think that the religion is the cause of conflict simply because each side is generally one religion or the other. The countries or tribes or groups that form are usually a single confession, then they take over other countries with a different religion and now you have a religious war. Actually, it is usually an economic war. The "Northern Irish" Protestants fighting the Irish Catholics are mostly descended from Scottish settlers, they are called Irish for geographic reasons, not genetic.
JC (not verified)
March 22, 2019 - 8:48am
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History Class
Check your history book!....The Crusades were a series of religious wars between Christians and Muslims started primarily to secure control of holy sites considered sacred by both groups. In all, eight major Crusade expeditions occurred between 1096 and 1291.
sample 3 (not verified)
March 22, 2019 - 12:53pm
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summer acting program
All Religions make war, especially the Big 3, read their Holy Books, full of war.
Check history, full of religious war. Your statement is untrue.
Charles Schlom (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:43pm
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American Taliban
While we are a nation of laws, we are also a nation of unfortunate accidents...
Charles Schlom (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:45pm
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American Taliban
While we are a nation of laws, we are also a nation of unfortunate accidents...
Anonymous (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 4:32pm
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A country of laws that are
A country of laws that are not followed. He was a traitor and was not charged with treason, where he would have been put to death.
Andrew Moothart (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 2:29pm
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American Taliban
This traitor should never be let out of prison, he is a disgrace to the United States.
Dave Gorak (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 2:31pm
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Weak immigration policy
Given this country's laughable and weak-kneed immigration policy that the American Legion apparently supports, I'm betting that Lindh ends up back in the U.S.
MOTHAX
March 21, 2019 - 2:53pm
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What?
How is the Legion weak-kneed on immigration policy? How could it be stronger?
Here is our postion:
https://archive.legion.org/bitstream/handle/20.500.12203/5578/2016N024.p...
Robert Innes (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 4:16pm
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AL weak-kneed"
Taking a page from the liberal activists and media campaigns. Why not activate the media blitz concept in favor of the American citizenship, values, pride, civic responsibilities and against the erosion created by the left and socialist tendencies? Snail mail, email all seems good but it is reaching the choir not the masses. Get real, the Legion and other programs VFW, VVA and others are not keeping pace with the changing culture. Drug and alcohol media campaigns far outreach any main campaigns. Why not partner with those public campaigns and get the subtle conservative message imbedded as well?
william (not verified)
April 4, 2019 - 8:45pm
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American legion and Immigraion
RESOLVED, That The American Legion oppose legislation that would result in the
granting of amnesty and legal residency, in any form or by any name, to illegal immigrants
currently in the United States;
Donald I Axelrod (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 2:43pm
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Johnny Walker
Treason should be punished by Death! No mitigating circumstances! End of staement!
Tommy Boy (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 2:51pm
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John Walker Lindh
Anybody who defects from the USA to some third world country, to fight against his own country, for some extremist religious cause has gotta be mentally ill.
C (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:04pm
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Lindh
GPS tracker in him.
James Harris (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:18pm
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jw lindh
is it really too late to try him for TREASON?? since the original charges did not include treason; no double jeopardy.
Sam (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:35pm
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Traitor
Lindh has freely admitted that he is a traitor and terrorist. He should be executed by firing squad, as a traitor.
Sheila (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:46pm
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Traitors
By your logic, so should half the souther states during the civil war.
Ed Karnes (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 7:01pm
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The Southern States weren’t
The Southern States weren’t traitors. Study, study and that’s not what this is about. It’s about someone who doesn’t like America and would rather kill them.
Steven Browning Sr (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:40pm
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American Taliban released
If he is Irish citizen now, on his release from prison, take him directly to the airport and put him on a direct flight to Ireland! No stops in between.
John Donnellan (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:41pm
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American Traitor--
Unrepentant "American Taliban" John Walker Lindh approaching release from prison! I'am sure that the Dem's will want this traitor to go free so that he can carry on all of his un-American Taliban acts, but for me as a good American Republican, I would revoke his citizenship here in America and banish him forever ! We did, in past history, shoot all traitors on sight.
kevin lynch (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:52pm
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Irish Citizenship
What's in the heck is wrong with Ireland ... are you kidding? Irish Citizenship? I love my Irish heritage, but this tarnishes it -- BIG time!
Pete (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:52pm
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John Lindh
This was bound to happen. It is the exact repeat of issues with surviving Nazis. Personally we should have used a scorched earth policy and taken nothing but intelligence... but we took prisoners. They were tried, convicted, served and now regrettably set free. Those are our laws. Laws that separate us from them. Treason was never an option. It is again all about the law. He didn’t commit it based on the criteria that defines Treason. We (I) don’t like the options but I spent my life defending them. I don’t want what I defended to be corroded and defiled to satisfy a personal craving. I have faith - people who know me might laugh but I do. Lindh going to Ireland sounds like he is getting away, but no one wants a snake living in their house. Irish “ire” - I suspect that walking Irish streets may not be the smartest activity. “Accidents happen “...
Darren Wertz (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:55pm
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John Walker Lindh
He has paid his "debt to society" for not abiding by the social rules. But his crime is beyond social, it is mortal. He has crossed the line to become the enemy of every American and in jihad condemned the life of each American and vowed to take those lives as his right.
To be my unrepentant enemy, to put my family and nation in intentional mortal peril is to be deserving of my full immediate and continuing efforts to remove that threat. To do less is to hate those I love.
Robert (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 3:56pm
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Lindh
The Irish citizenship (Form 8) asks if the applicant has ever been associated with a terrorist orgnaization, and says the applicant must be of good character. Lindh is a convicted terrorist and a felon to boot.
Arnold Cabral (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 4:06pm
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Legislative:
Veterans and People bug your Senators or Representative contract the Veteran Affairs Committee your belief how to improve Veterans Health Care and tell your friends
George W Gentile Sr. (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 4:11pm
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Release from prison.
We have him, let's keep him.
J.N. Myroniuk (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 4:43pm
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Another Wake Up Call
Good intentions resulting in poor decisions. When are people going to really see what is going on in this Country as well as the World around us. "If we continue to do what we always have done. Then we will continue to get what we always got."
"Lest We Forget" !!!!
Anonymous (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 4:50pm
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No reason that he should be
No reason that he should be set free anywhere. As a traitor he deserves the death penalty.
Donald Leeth, Jr (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 4:55pm
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traitor Lindh
Set him free at the main gates of Ft. Campbell or Ft. Bragg
tom (not verified)
March 22, 2019 - 6:01pm
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Traitor Lindh
NO set him free inside the front gates of either Camp Lejune NC or Camp Pendleton CA the fighting USMC
Avenger10 (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 4:55pm
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Lindh
He deserves the death penalty at the very least, if not kept in a federal pen for the rest of his life.
Matt panks (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 5:02pm
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Get rid of him
Why in the hell are even dealing with him cant we just put a bullet in his head and be done with it?
Tim Flynn (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 5:04pm
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WAlker
Should never be Released
Matt panks (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 5:07pm
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Traitor
Why in the hell are even dealing with him cant we just put a bullet in his head and be done with it?
John Adams (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 5:46pm
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Va Rating
I wouldn’t be surprised if this terrorist gets authorized a 100% VA disability rating! He should have been charged with treason! In the long run, this will come back to haunt and hurt the U.S. This will cost more American children’s lives!
Bill (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 6:05pm
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John Walker Lindh
If the Bureau of Prisons had put him in the "right" prison he wouldn't have survived incarceration!!
Don Bahr (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 6:06pm
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Your comment on release of Walker Lindt
Sheila, please check your history. At the time the southern states seceded and formed the Confederate States of America, it was LEGAL for them to secede. Remember, we are the United States of America and if you are not "in" you are "out".
pedro rivera (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 7:06pm
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POW
even if I dont like it this A..... is a POW with rights. and every POW wants to go home wherever may be. next time if there is a next time for him. DO NOT MISS.....
Tom Gruver (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 7:06pm
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Taliban traitor
Maybe just air drop him with or without a chute
Tom Gruver (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 7:12pm
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American Taliban release
When is ix Colonel Ollie North going to do his jail time for selling weapons to Iran a country that was and is an enemy of the US? No instead we will pay this f---ing traitor to be the president of the NRA. But I guess anyone stupid enough to join this Russian sponsored Communist organization of the National Retreaded Association weren't known for their brightness to start with.
S. S. Swarts (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 7:22pm
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John Walker Lindh
Keep this man incarcerated, for people like him will only come back to do harm to the people of the USA.
MM USA Retired (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 7:42pm
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Article
It’s a shame. This article and the American Legiond stance on immigration are a few of the reasons I have not renewed my membership
Bill Treon (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 7:44pm
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Ireland
Belfast is in Northern Ireland/UK, not in what commonly is called Ireland (the Republic of Ireland). So he would not be walking the streets of Belfast.
MOTHAX
March 22, 2019 - 7:01pm
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Hey Bill
An excellent point Bill. I lose majoe Irish cred on that one. Frankly, I'm not even sure what I was thinking.
I won't edit it out, but you definitely get the star today.
tom (not verified)
March 21, 2019 - 8:28pm
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taliban agent
an American military person in the same circumstance would be shot as traitor. when I went to high school I learned all felons lost their rights. as a non citizen and enemy he has no rights. Wake up
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