[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 1]
[House]
[Page 498]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




               NO SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR JOHN WALKER LINDH

  (Mr. COBLE asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. COBLE. Mr. Speaker, much has been said about John Walker Lindh, 
the 20-year-old Californian who joined forces with the Taliban. Some 
observers have suggested that we cut him some slack since he is only 20 
years of age.
  There were 20-year-olds who showed up for work on 9/11 at the World 
Trade Center. Who cut them slack? There are 20-year-olds fighting in 
Afghanistan today, 20-year-old firefighters, 20-year-old policemen, 20-
year-old EMS personnel who responded on 9/11. Who cut them slack? No. 
This young man should be prosecuted, and if convicted, appropriate 
punishment should be forthcoming.
  Our Attorney General said it more eloquently than I, but I 
paraphrase: Simply because an accused is of tender years, Mr. Speaker, 
he is worthy of no special defense when he has committed criminal acts. 
No special treatment should be available to this young man or to others 
like him.

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