I refer to Tony Kevin’s piece in Crikey.com.au on Friday 19 August 2005 – following my Sydney Morning Herald column of last Tuesday re David Hicks.

Mr
Kevin is heavily into hyperbole (along with conspiracy theories). So,
it came as no surprise to read his comment: “Henderson condemns Hicks’
political and religious views as privately communicated by letter to
his father. Isn’t Henderson here accusing Hicks of Thoughtcrimes (cf.
‘1984′)? Hicks was not on a public platform; he was trying to explain
his ideas to his close family.”

This is completely disingenuous.
The quotes in my column – from David Hicks’ letters to Terry Hicks –
were in no sense private. The fact is that Terry Hicks provided David
Hicks’ correspondence to the director of the (sympathetic) documentary The President Versus David Hicks
– with the specific intention that it be placed in the public domain.
David Hicks approved of this move – as is made clear in the film’s
credits, where the following statement appears: “We are grateful to
David Hicks for allowing us to include his letters in this film.”

In
other words, David Hicks wants it known (i) that he was a “Taliban
member”, (ii) that he regarded the Taliban regime as “the best in the
world”, (iii) that he favours the implementation of “strict Islamic
law” including “the death sentence … and all Islamic punishments” along
with “off with your head” decapitations and (iv) that he advocates the
destruction of what he terms “Western – Jewish domination” in addition
to “so-called Muslim countries” which are not “true Islam.”

The
fact is that – if David Hicks has his way – women will be uneducated
behind Taliban approved burquas, men will grow beards, homosexuals will
be executed, there will be beheadings/ amputations aplenty and so on.

Despite
Tony Kevin’s claim, it is in the public interest that Australians – and
others – know David Hicks’ position. I am surprised that, so far, no
one in the Commonwealth Government has prepared and distributed a
transcript of The President Versus David Hicks. It’s not too late.