I know it’s old news, but it’s fascinating. Remember this guy?

John Walker Lindh, the “American Taliban.” Caught in Afghanistan after the invasion while fighting on the side of the Taliban against the Northern Alliance; pled guilty to supplying aid to the enemy, and for possessing explosives during the commission of a felony.

Here’s the indictment. Of course, they can indict a ham sandwich, and say the ham sandwich was made by Hitler; they have to prove it. But if you want to return to those merry days of yore and remind yourself of the fellow’s particulars, read on:

     8. In or about late May or June 2001, LINDH agreed to attend an al-Qaeda training camp for additional and extensive military training, knowing that America and its citizens were the enemies of Din Laden and al-Qaeda and that a principal purpose of al-Qaeda was to fight and kill Americans.

 

     9. In or about late May or June 2001, LINDH traveled to a Bin Laden guest house in Kandahar, Afghanistan, where he stayed for several days.

      . . .

13. In or about June or July 2001, LINDH met personally with Bin Laden, who thanked him and other trainees for taking part in jihad.

      . . .

20. After learning about the terrorist attacks against the United States on or about September 11, 2001, LINDH remained with his fighting group. LINDH did so despite having been told that Bin Laden had ordered the attacks, that additional terrorist attacks were planned, and that additional al Qaeda personnel were being sent from the training camps to the front lines to protect Bin Laden and defend against an anticipated military response from the United States.

 . . .

 

     21. From in or about October through early December 2001, LINDH remarried with his fighting group after learning that United States military forces and United States nationals had become directly engaged in support of the Northern Alliance in its military conflict with Taliban and al Qaeda forces.

 

Today I was looking at a WaPo transcript of a live chat with his attorney, C. Anthony West. (He’s identified as defense attorney and co-counsel.) As you might expect, he defends his client. That’s his job, even after the trial is over; can’t expect him to say “the boy got off easy, considering what an ass he was. Personally, I would have put him in the jug until the seventh seal broke, then made him do the rest of his time in Hell.” That’s not what attorneys do. You can judge a lawyer by the cases he takes, of course, and Mr. West has taken on some noble cases, fighting against child pornography. Just makes you wonder why he took this one. Aside from the fact that his firm had been retained and the publicity was bitchin,’ that is. But that’s speculation. It could have been he saw this as an opportunity to make sure our Shining Ideals were upheld even in our Darkest Hours. 

I’ll say this: if I ever defect to the other side and find myself captured with a bunch of guys who want to kill as many Americans and unbelievers as possible, this is the man I want staying my case in an online chat. 

Here’s how the attorney viewed the plea bargain:

“The government’s willingness to dismiss all of the terrorism charges–including the most serious, conspiracy to kill Americans–was for us an acknowledgement of what we have been saying all along: Whatever John is, he is not a terrorist, and he did not go to Afghanistan to kill Americans.” 

Just Afghans. To which someone from Harrisburg,  PA asked:

 Many believe there was a line crossed with John Lindh continued fighting after the United States entered the war. What is your client’s position to having been in a position of being on an opposing army?

Tony West: I understand that perception. John went to Afghanistan long before September 11 ever occurred, and he went for the specific purpose of opposing the Northern Alliance. One of the first things he told Army interrogators when they questioned him on December 3 of last year was that after 9/11 happened, he wanted to leave the front lines but couldn’t for fear of his life. John never wanted to be in a position where he was opposing the United States (and never thought he would be), and in fact he never opposed any American military. He does understand, however, how people can perceive that he was on the “other side.”

Damned broad-minded of him. This I did not know: the details behind the plea bargain. 

“For example, one of the items the government was insisting on was a provision that might have the effect of preventing John from foreign travel for the rest of his life. One of the most remarkable things about John has been his ability to remain committed to his faith throughout this whole things (which I believe has contributed to his lack of bitterness toward anybody). He explained that he couldn’t knowingly sign any agreement that would prevent him from making his Hajj, or trip to Mecca, which the Qu’uran requires every Muslim to do at least once in his or her life. To do so, said John, would be against Islam. So, we explained that to the prosecutors, who agreed to drop the requirement.”

Good lawyer. He notes that Lindh won’t be able to sell a book and profit from it, but some day his tale will be told. As his lawyer said: “it’s a story that needs to be told and his is a unique perspective.” 

I mention this for one reason: Tony West is the President’s nominee to head the Justice Department’s Civil Division. If you want to know how far we are past 9/11, there’s your answer: John Walker Lindh’s defense attorney is going to work for Justice. I’m not saying he wouldn’t do a perfectly competent job.

It just seems like one of those things that might have stuck out, once upon a time.