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Daily Mail backs McKinnon
In a move that will not be a massive surprise to many, middle England's favourite tabloid hate-peddler the Daily Mail has decided to back Nasa hacker Gary McKinnon's bid to avoid extradition to the US.
In a front page lead yesterday, the holier-than-thou Mail dispensed with its usual immigrant-bashing and Princess Di fascination, instead focussing all of its not insignificant vitriol on the American administration and the "craven politicians" of the UK who have allowed this "affront to British justice".
McKinnon, as we all know, hacked into pentagon and Nasa computer systems with surprising ease, back in 2001, allegedly looking for evidence of little green men. And ever since his arrest, the US authorities have been after him. The arguments against McKinnon's extradition are well-versed and focus mainly around his suffering from Asperger's Syndrome, a type of autism, which would render him wholly incapable of coping with prison life. Another argument in the "no way USA" camp is that the authorities there are planning to use his case as an example to others, and so if tried there any sentence handed out could be harsher than the crime deserves.
So far the McKinnon case has garnered much publicity and he has even won public backing from influential figures such as London mayor Boris Johnson. Whether the Daily Mail will succeed where the others have so far failed remains to be seen.
Do we elect these people to represent us and to protect us or not. This collection of fools is lon past its use by date and stinks.
Posted by Bill Simpson | July 17, 2009 11:45 AM
As an Aspergers sufferer I can immagine the severe trauma Gary would experience if he were ripped from his home. America needs some humanity.
Posted by Nina Mega | July 7, 2009 4:10 PM
Is this country going mad! this young man needs help not locking up .
Posted by audrey warburton | July 7, 2009 10:38 AM
Back Gary all the way .The USA turned a blind eye to IRA activity in N Ireland for 30 years and only when ( freedom fighters ) did 9/11 did they realise they were terrorists and try to put a stop to fundraising for the organisation!. More power to the Mail's elbow!
Posted by r.irvine | July 6, 2009 3:13 PM
I wish Gary and his family all the best luck in the world. I Have a son with Asperger's and it can be very hard on the family more so than the child at times. They need lots of support and I do hope that they get it. Gary should not be sent and this should be delt with in England. I agree it should be looked into but at the end of the day they know he ment no harm,they know this but just wish to make a show of it.
Good luck.
Posted by Katie | July 5, 2009 9:08 AM
Extradite him. Every computer user knows the havoc these 'nerds in dirty bedrooms' cause.
If he is genuinely innocent the Americans will send him back. We should not be seen as protecting these people, if he had gone immediately chances are he would be back home by now.
Posted by Neil M | July 5, 2009 1:31 AM
Gary embarrased the Yanks and they are very cross about their total lack of security.he even told them to tighten up their sytems as it was so appaling. No doubt this Brown government will as usual kowtow to the yanks and Gary will be sent to trial .from the tone of the above article you seem to approve of this move.
Posted by john | July 4, 2009 11:21 PM
I most strongly support the Mail's action to stop the extradition of Gary McKinnon to the States. Although I have a very high regard for all those guy's who fought here in the last war, and have a great respect for the guy's out there fighting today, I feel that issues like this are alway's leaning toward the US, I mean, when thier Warthogs bombed two of our armoured vehicles in the Gulf war, we couldn't get near the b****rd's that did the bombing, you might say that anyone can make a mistake, well,I suppose they can, if they fly around like a bunch of trigger happy bloody cowboy's! I feel that our answer to the US authorities should be the same as thier's to us over that issue which was 'Sorry Buddy, No can do!' And so: 'No can blooy do here either Pal!'
Mo Gordon, ex marine engineer officer, Royal Naval Auxiliary Service.
Posted by Maurice Gordon | July 4, 2009 11:03 PM
Wow a prefect example of liberal bigotry you go, you middle class cretin.
Posted by Paul | July 4, 2009 5:41 PM
I am the mother of a 16 year old boy with Aspergers Syndrome. The last 16 years have been a nightmare fight for his most basic human rights. Initially trying to pursuade the medical and educational professions that there was a problem. Much of that under the cloud of fear as I tried to persuade people that it was not my poor parenting, or worse, that was at the root of the problem. Last week was a bitter sweet week for me. My son attended his Prom and we went to speech day at the wonderful specialist school we finally managed to get him placed in at the age of 10. I can only liken it to reaching Everest Base camp -the euphoria of getting there accompanied by the sickening realisation that that was the easy part. There is precious little support for adults with autistic spectrum disorders in this country and our politicians should be abosolutely ashamed of their behaviour in Gary's case. Anyone with an ounce of compassion who has taken the trouble to read just one simple article on Aspergers would know that extradition and jail would be an abolsulte travesty of justice in this case. My heart goes out to Gary's mother who is an inspiration to me. Thank you for taking up this fight on behalf of Gary, his family and all those families battling on a daily basis to get recognition, understanding, support and justice for their children.
Posted by Melissa Chapman | July 4, 2009 2:54 PM
Do not let it happen, just get him home.
Posted by d mccullough | July 4, 2009 2:53 PM