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Published On: Jun 23, 2007 08:38 PM
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A Few Good Men
Is Major Michael Mori the real life
manifestation of Naval lawyer Lt. Daniel Kaffee as portrayed by Tom Cruise in
the 1992 classic "A Few Good Men"? Assigned to defend Adelaide Guantanamo Bay
internee David Hicks , Mori's integrity and sense of justice shines through,
whilst Pilate-like, Howard and Downer turn their backs on his visit, and their
own countrymen.
I'm no great fan of actor Tom Cruise, but when I
viewed recently a 1992 film, 'A Few Good Men' I was impressed. Shown on
commercial television, (territory I rarely venture into) the film is set in
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Cruise plays a Navy lawyer (Lt. Daniel Kaffee) who has to
defend two marines who are accused of murdering a fellow officer during a 'code
red' which is unofficial punishment for marines not doing their duty properly.
The marines are expected to plead guilty, and Kaffee, as their token defender is
expected to go through the motions of pleading their case. The case is
complicated when the marines plead not guilty against his wishes, and taking on
the might of the establishment, Kaffee is forced to defend
them.Cruises's performance is
fantastic, and with Guantanamo Bay in the spotlight, the film and the issues
were very topical. I was very aware of the film being, eventually, a triumph for
integrity and justice, but cynical of the odds of such justice applying to the
Guantanamo Bay of
today.
Enter Major Michael Mori, the marine Corps
lawyer assigned to the defence of David Hicks from Adelaide South Australia.
Hicks was captured while fighting for the Taliban, (the government of
Afghanistan at the time) against the Northern Alliance, and subsequently,
against the U.S when it invaded Afghanistan after 9/11. Hicks has been in a cage
at Guantanamo Bay for more than two years along with around 600 others, and has
not yet been charged with any crime. Guantanamo Bay, being a U.S. base on a long
term lease in Cuba, is conveniently considered by the Bush establishment to be
beyond the normal laws of entitlement and due process which applies to anyone
within the U.S. proper.Mori is
currently in Australia, visiting Hick's father and Adelaide based lawyer Stephen
Kenny, who is also representing the Hicks family. This courageous officer has
been outspoken in his condemnation of the military commissions set up to try
Hicks and others. In impassioned interviews on television, his sincerity and
concerns shine through. He asserts that the procedure lacks the normal checks
and balances accorded the justice systems in normal court procedures, and even
the rights accorded those charged under a court martial. He questions indeed,
whether David Hicks has committed any crime at all, under common or
international law.One fears that such
an outspoken advocate for his client could be removed by those above him.
Meanwhile, the Australians one would normally expect to speak out to ensure a
fair go for its citizens, Prime Minister John Howard, and Foreign Minister
Alexander Downer, have uttered not a word in defence of Hicks, and have refused
to meet Major Mori during his visit. Perhaps if Tom Cruise was defending
Hicks.........
Posted: Thu - September 21, 2006 at 05:01 PM
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