Defending the parents of Walker-Lindh
Maureen Gottlieb
junior
Ed Fitzpatrick's response to Scott Flipse's letter, which appeared in the Feb. 5 issue of The Observer, was both immature and illogical. Although Mr. Fitzpatrick begins his letter by criticizing Mr. Flipse's opinion, by calling it "liberal garbage," Mr. Fitzpatrick does nothing but discredit himself. Such tactless attacks are not convincing, nor are they productive in engaging in a debate over such a decisive issue as that of Mr. Walker-Lindh. Mr. Flipse makes many excellent points, none of which Mr. Fitzpatrick even attempts to refute or answer.
But because Mr. Fitzpatrick's letter was so ridiculously off base, I feel that it deserves a response to prevent even one person from thinking what was written in that letter makes sense. Mr. Fitzpatrick begins by writing that Mr. Lindh, John Walker Lindh's father, should also be tried for treason and cites the case of "Haupt v. United States," 1947, as supporting evidence of his assertion. The problems with this argument are many.
Firstly, no parent can be tried for their child's actions, especially parents of child who are not minors — i.e. John Walker-Lindh, who is 20 — unless they knowingly and willingly were accomplices, thus violating the laws that punish accomplices.
The Haupt case in no way resembles the Walker-Lindh case. Mr. Lindh did not even know where his son was, let alone assist him in any actions against the United States. Court records have shown, as well as statements by Walker-Lindh's parents, that they had not spoken to their son for many months prior to his capture in Afghanistan. Additionally, a father fighting within the legal means for his son by hiring a lawyer and talking to the press is not only legal, but what almost any parent would do for his or her child.
Finally, Mr. Flipse's arguments continue to hold weight and are strong in their assertion that Mr. Walker-Lindh's right to disagree with the United States must be respected while his illegal actions punished — despite the hysteria of the few in society such as Mr. Fitzpatrick and their call for ridiculous measures.
Maureen Gottlieb
junior
Cavanaugh Hall
February 6, 2002
All Viewpoint Stories for Friday, February 8, 2002
