Monday 23rd of December 2024

Echo News takes in NHJ! + The President Vs. David Hicks ()

Byron Bay's Echo News features a review this week of NHJ and Andrew Wilkie's Axis of Deceit.

One correction, however, with this paragraph:

'Her [MK's] lengthy book includes website contributions, an examination of the Zionist lobby's influence (being Jewish, Kingston is on safer ground than many) and a full-frontal on the Tony Abbott-led 'Australians for Honest Politicians' that led to Hanson's jailing.'

Margo isn't Jewish. At all. I am Jewish, however and I presume that the reviewer is referring to my Hanan Ashrawi chapter.

In other news, the movie, The President Vs. David Hicks opens this Thursday around Australia.

Season commences in Sydney, this Thursday, 12th of August 2004, at the Valhalla Cinema, 166 Glebe Point Rd, Glebe Ph 9660 8050.

One of the directors, Curtis Levy or Bentley Dean will be present at every Sydney screening for a discussion after the film.

Melbourne: The Lumiere, 108 Lonsdale St, Melbourne. Ph 03 9639 1055

Brisbane: The Schonel Twin, Union Building, Queensland University. Ph 07 3377 2200

Special Sydney Amnesty International Fundraiser with Terry Hicks and filmmaker Curtis Levy in person.

Date: Thursday 12 August 2004

Time: 8pm

Place: Valhalla Cinemas, 166 Glebe Point Road, Glebe

Cost: $15

RSVP: Valhalla Cinemas Ph 9660 8050

The film follows the journey of Terry Hicks, father of 28-year old Australian Guantanamo Bay detainee David Hicks, as he traces his son's footsteps in an attempt to understand what happened to him.

Having never before left Australia, Terry travels to Pakistan, then deep into Taliban country in Afghanistan to meet a former detainee who was in a cell next to David at Guantanamo Bay. Later he comes face to face with the man who captured his son.

'I found it very moving... Dad, it was amazing to see you travelling through those regions. I've been thinking about the film for days. I don't think I will forget about it in a hurry. I'd like to explain more about how it makes me feel, but I'm just lost for words....I can't wait to be home with you and the rest of the family' David Hicks - Guantanamo Bay

Hicks is not painted as much as an idealist as a passionate, anti-Semitic, strongly pro-fundamentalist Islamist. The film focuses on the profound lack of justice in his case. After all, his politics are not what makes his case so disturbing.

In today's Australian, the Liberal MP for Wentworth (recently unseated by Malcolm Turnbull) expresses strong concerns about the Howard Government's attitude to Guantanemo Bay.