Did you guys see this? (I feel sick now.)

[foreigncorrespondent]

Chained, gagged man dragged onto jet
By Andra Jackson
January 28, 2005

An airline passenger who witnessed a shackled and gagged asylum seeker being deported to Pakistan from Australia has spoken out against the man's treatment.

<snip>

She said she and another passenger were disturbed by the amount of restraint used on the man, "in particular the gaffer tape around his mouth. It was wound around his head three times and wound so tight it distorted the shape of his face," she said.

"He appeared to be in a state of terror. Our eyes met briefly. He was looking desperately for assistance, for people to see him."

The man was handcuffed. A chain ran from the handcuffs to a harness around his waist. Another chain linked to the shackles around his legs, Ms Chirgwin said.

More... http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Chained-gagged-man-dragged-onto-jet/2005/01/27/1106415738283.html

My God!!! Is this how we are treating asylum seekers now? I think it is time to write some letters.

[Kikosexy2]

1. I feel...

sooo free...isn't freedom and liberty wonderful in Bushland?

[swimmernsecretsea]

2. God it hurts me to read this

I'm starting to understand how DoublePlusGood our language and actions are becoming--in particular, how our country purports to seed freedom but occupies land instead, how it says it will will offer freedoms but instead limits them and imprisons.

[pacalo]

4. And how all foreign countries discount his sincerity...

Let me put this as bluntly as I can: There is nothing that the Europeans want to hear from George Bush, there is nothing that they will listen to from George Bush that will change their minds about him or the Iraq war or U.S. foreign policy. Mr. Bush is more widely and deeply disliked in Europe than any U.S. president in history. Some people here must have a good thing to say about him, but I haven't met them yet. -- Thomas Friedman, NYTimes

[EC]

3. No words.........................................................n/t

[Matilda]

5. Waiting .....

for a statement from Stephen Smith deploring this treatment of a
foreign national whose only crime appears to be that he sought
protection (from whatever) in this country.

Waiting .... for the ALP to show a bit of backbone for once.

[foreigncorrespondent]

6. Oh mate...

...I am waiting for that too, but I think we will be waiting for a cold day in hell for that to happen. :(

Sad times indeed!

[no safe haven]

7. After the appaling treatment of the Bakhtiari family

nothing surprises me any more. There are no words to express my contempt for HoWard's gang. Am sending letters off to Smith and Bob Brown. Bob MAY at least get a 5-second sound bite on the late news, maybe even raise something about it in the Senate. This is yet another blight on this country's integrity. Thanks Johnny.