Law Council of Australia: Hicks, Haneef treatment politically motivated

This is why Bush's close friend John Howard needs to be sent packing. It should come as no surprise that Rupert Murdoch overwhelmingly dominates the Australian media when there are willing and able helpers like Howard to fuel the undemocratic, knuckle-dragging media. Much like Bush in the US, Howard is Murdoch media and Murdoch media is Howard. Xenophobia? Yes, a key plank for Howard. Bizarre racist attacks for political posturing? Of course. Strong support of Iraq despite evidence that it is a miserable failure? Naturally. The trend has not been overlooked by the Law Council of Australia. First on the Gitmo detainee, David Hicks:

Presenting a damning report on Hicks' trial, the council said the two cases defied legal norms.

"There's an 'Alice in Wonderland' quality to both these cases. First the sentence, then the verdict. Mr Hicks and Mr Haneef both know what that feels like," said council President Tim Bugg

And more recently on the detained Indian doctor in Australia, despite reports that his ties to the failed Scottish attacks are highly suspect.

Haneef, an Indian Muslim doctor, is technically on bail awaiting trial on a charge of providing "reckless" support to a terrorist organisation by giving a SIM card to members of a group linked to the British car bomb attacks.

A decision earlier this month by a Brisbane court to free him on bail was immediately followed by the cancellation of his visa by the government and he remains in custody.

Just think how exciting it will be as the Murdoch media empire in America trips over itself to prop up more politics like this. Fun days ahead...