Gary McKinnon and extradition..

malfunkshun · 11 Jul 2007 at 18:33

I am sure most of you know who this guy is and what he has done. My query is more about his current circumstances than he himself.
What are your opinions on someone in his position being extradited to, in this case, the USA for trial? Considering that he was located in the UK at the time of the offence but the act was commited against a foreign government.
Additionally, what do you make of the claims that he will be considered an 'enemy combatant' for his offence against the US government, especially considering that the UK is suposedly one of America's closest allies...

My opinion varied, depending on how I try to consider things, but I generally come back to thinking that there is no way he will receive an entirely fair trial in the US.

MookJong · 11 Jul 2007 at 18:40

I agree, they are going to go to town on him.

As far as I'm concerned the evidence shows his intentions (although illegal) were not to cause any damage or harm.

Good luck to the guy.

malfunkshun · 11 Jul 2007 at 18:45

Indeed, but then I ask myself what would we do to him if he did it against our military. What if he was American and did it to us, would they readily send him over here for trial (based on an extradition treaty that, afaik, the Senate hasnt ratified, or hadnt at the time).
Would it be fair to consider this a terrorist attack?

getting a headache, glad I dont have to decide to be honest.

Zip · 11 Jul 2007 at 18:49

Who is he and what he do? :confused:

malfunkshun · 11 Jul 2007 at 18:54

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Mckinnon
dont know how impartial the info on wiki is tbh.

The $700,000 cost of his snooping is amusing to me. While that amounts to about £25 these days I would say its more likely to be the cost of fixing how he got in.

MookJong · 11 Jul 2007 at 18:55

malfunkshun said:
Indeed, but then I ask myself what would we do to him if he did it against our military. What if he was American and did it to us, would they readily send him over here for trial (based on an extradition treaty that, afaik, the Senate hasnt ratified, or hadnt at the time).
Would it be fair to consider this a terrorist attack?
getting a headache, glad I dont have to decide to be honest.

The problem is I can't give you a fair argument because I kind of support his overall goal. If we were believed to have similar supressed information I would probably feel sympathy for an American attempting the same.

malfunkshun · 11 Jul 2007 at 18:58

MookJong said:
The problem is I can't give you a fair argument because I kind of support his overall goal. If we were believed to have similar supressed information I would probably feel sympathy for an American attempting the same.

If it were a foreigner I would probably be a bit....annoyed tbh, but if it were a Brit he'd be my hero. Its just the way my brain works/fails (you choose).

MookJong · 11 Jul 2007 at 19:00

malfunkshun said:
If it were a foreigner I would probably be a bit....annoyed tbh, but if it were a Brit he'd be my hero. Its just the way my brain works/fails (you choose).

That is maybe because you assume any information we witheld would be with good intention where as the America maybe not.

Azagoth · 11 Jul 2007 at 19:03

Problems he caused cost $700K to correct?

Or in reality, in 'spin free' real World speak "it cost the US government $700K to close the loopholes he discovered"!

MookJong · 11 Jul 2007 at 19:05

Azagoth said:
Problems he caused cost $700K to correct?

Or in reality, in 'spin free' real World speak "it cost the US government $700K to close the loopholes he discovered"!

Yeah it costs a lot to add a VNC password you know

malfunkshun · 11 Jul 2007 at 19:08

well that sum amuses me because he claims he gained entry by snopping for blank passwords (defaults). As such I find it incredible that he could do damage that cost that much without getting caught sooner.

PlacidCasual · 11 Jul 2007 at 19:15

The UK-US Extradition Treaty is a travesty. Tony Blair should have been shot for signing it. If I were Prime Minister my first Act would be to cancel that treaty.