Free Gary McKinnon

not stressful for the rest of us at all though. we will see you soon here gary. signed, USA

@ hank - claiming that you somehow represent the entire "USA", makes you look silly and unpatriotic.

Just another redneck

Legally - is not all of this taunting and threats - proof in itself that Gary will not be treated in an unbiased manner in USA?

Nations who place profit above Human Rights only value money. Money has more rights than people. This attitude of irresponsibility has become what our leaders show our young men to become.

And that is what you get - guys who have never grown up and have no concept of humanity. Acting like they are in a bar-room brawl.

Greed will be the end. And that governments who promote this profit mentality will not have been the cause. No - it will be our own inaction.

Gary is not a terrorist and he should not be treated as one.

Free Gary!

Elle

when will people find it in there hearts and show the capacity for change instead of being incapacitated and ignorant with fear? not my problem is it? His only crime was to show others the truth about the greed and corruption of others.Having a conscience in this day and age is a crime then I guess im guilty to BASTARDS!!!

Hey Gary just want to say were all still routing for you here. Hope your all ok were keeping everything crossed for you. xx

Just want to say what Gary did was nor right but I think the US should spend their time and money seeking out those hackers who are a real threat.

Hi Lorna, is Ian OK? Please give him & your mum, & your sons & family our love.

Best Wishes

J

The americans are embarrased that their security was so weak, and they misunderstood Gary's messages. He left them (yes in a childish way) to inform them of their security problems. His 'anti-american' messages were not a specific attack against americans, but as a protest of peace. Gary is a pacifist and opposes conflict and would be against any regime that would implement a war for whatever reason.

Neurotypials would stage a protest in the street with banners and loud speakers, Gary did not have the ability to do that with his condition, he is a shy and naive individual, more than likely low self esteem and confidence, obsessed with computers. The outcome was inevitable. At least nowdays the condition is more recognised, kids with the condition recieve intervention and proper guidence to prepare them for society. Myself and Gary are adults who did not have that privilege.

I just wish people could see it from that point of view, yes Gary was silly but nobody got killed, nobody got tortured (apart from Gary psychologically, and not to mention guantanamo bay) nobody was raped, and Gary did not gain anything financially. All you can compare him to is a silly kid who decided to spray paint a police station. By all means punish him, IN THE UK.

Just think it was not long ago when homosexuality was illegal, it was against the law to treat black people equally. Guess what Gary haters? Lawsand punishment that is given to a certain 'crime' can be flawed, it can take exceptional cases like this to realise that and enforce an amendment, isnt it a human thing to learn by your mistakes? On both sides.

To blindly follow what 'officials' tell you is even more naive than what Gary did. What are we, sheep? Or are we actually an intelligent species who can recognise circumstances and offer a reasoned opinion towards them. Maybe it takes a certain IQ level to figure that out. hint hint rednecks.

If Gary does not get extradited I will definately want to meet him and shake his hand. If I am honest we need more people with his level of curiosity and desire for knowledge. I mean isnt that why our society has advanced so far in the first place ever since people started to question their own existence and ponder over those tiny specs of light in the night sky.

As warped as Gary's mindset and antics might seem to alot of people, and he might seem like a criminal mastermind. Criminal mastermind my arse.

At least least in the good old days the difference between a commnist and fascist dictatorship was clear cut. Now it is very difficult to tell. Yes people have the vote, but that is just a token gesture. At the end of the day elected officials have little say at what really goes on behind the scenes. Mark my words.

from the daily mail:

the British taxpayer is being made to foot the bill for doing the Americans' 'dirty work' in extraditing Gary, who hacked into Pentagon and NASA computers while searching for proof of alien life and 'little green men'.

even an uninquiring mind would have to wonder why they are trying to jail him for 60 years if the whole ET thing is just a joke and to be ridiculed, as we're supposed to think. so it seems to me that gary has actually achieved his objective at least in part, to progress disclosure, because now all the readers of the daily mail should be starting to wonder if there is something that the US is trying to hide.

cheers gary!

@ Matt T - please do not feed the internet trolls, they have been given several chances to post comments without insulting or threatening people, but they are now banned from here (that also goes for people insulting "Americans" in general)

To be honest, I was trying to expose them for what they really are, and it worked didnt it? :)

One of my physics professors always used the old acronom, "You can have it cheap and fast - but it won't be good || or you can have good but it won't be cheap or fast!"

There is one thing that is a given in an environment of greed. That is the fatal flaw. Requires fast and cheap. And any time you employ this methodology, quality goes down. Such is the LEAN_AND_MEAN facts of life.

The slack security on the military systems is a perfect example of this process. Makes me laugh. Ironically - the greed that drives people to kill - is the same greed that creates its demise.

Fortunately most people on this planet are good hearted and ethical. Its just a matter of time before they get sick of the environmental destruction and human rights absues that the profit mindset has produced.

Gary McKinnon has been instrumental in increasing awareness of these critical issues to the general public - and for that I commend him. Why are the governments keeping secrets? What is the impact of greed?

Salutations Gary!

Elle

1. That is not an acronym

2. What are you basing your "Fortunately most people on this planet are good hearted and ethical" quote on?

3. I hate to break it to you but most people don't even know about Gary's plight and if they did, they wouldn't care. They've got their own problems.

The fact is Gary's campaign has been at best moderately successful and the whole "aspergers" thing has caught a little of the public's imagination but nobody is really up in arms about the real issue here which is the 1 sided extradition treaty. Personally I think Gary will stay in the UK and eventually the case will not go to court but we have to wait and see.

I fail to see how your random ramblings are helping his case - what have you actually done to help him or are you just here to provide pearls of wisdom and moral support?

Gary admits he did some foolish things - in fact I think he'd be the first person to admit it - and this is something that can and should be dealt with by the British courts.

Regardless of whether the extradition treaty is one-sided (there seems to be disagreement on this and I'm not a lawyer) - I don't think it's appropriate for a Briton to be extradited to the US without Prima Facie evidence. Equally, I don't think an American should be extradited to Britain without same. The concept of 'fast track' extradition is not necessary and as we've seen with Gary's case, there's nothing fast track about it.

A rethink of this case and others like it is clearly required for the credibility of the system if for no other reason.

All of that said, I wish Gary well and I hope that cooler heads than those we seem to have will prevail.

Not all laws are perfect, and should be constantly amended not to suit individuals, but to benefit common sense and society as a collective whole (without going about it like a deluded leftie). That double jeapordy law that has been around for nearly a millenia, and considering DNA evidence available nowdays, it is so out of touch it should be totally scrapped.

On the flip side we have new laws passing through that are out of touch from the start, implemented on a whim. Laws should be about evolution, not revolution.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/5926783/Most-Britons-extradited-to-US-are-jailed-before-trial.html

Rather worrying.

Stu, very well put. Maybe that will shut her up for a while.

1215 - Magna Carta
http://edsitement.neh.gov/view_lesson_plan.asp?id=737

"(38) In future no official shall place a man on trial upon his own unsupported statement, without producing credible witnesses to the truth of it.

+ (39) No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgement of his equals or by the law of the land.

+ (40) To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice."

Hope this includes Gary McKinnon.......

Elle

GOOD LUCK HOPE IT GOES WELL FOR YOU ALL
Staffordahire Adults Autistic Society (SAAS), along with Sir Bob Geldof, Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Chrissy Hynde, and Nick Hornby, are calling for the extradition of Garry McKinnon to the US to be halted.

Mr McKinnon, who was recently diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome – a form of Autism – is accused of hacking into the US Military and NASA computer servers in 2001 and 2002 causing around $700,000 worth of damage.

Kevin Healey, Chairman of SAAS, and councillor for the National Autistic Society (NAS) said, “We are one of the largest Adult Autism charities in the UK and some of our members with High Functioning Autism may not fully understand the implications of actions they may take and are therefore vulnerable to prosecution. I have known adults with Asperger who have taken their own life. There needs to be some legislation included in the upcoming Autism Bill that protects vulnerable adults with Asperger Syndrome, so if they are accused of committing such crimes they face trial in the UK and not a foreign country. The anxiety alone of going to a different country serving a prison sentence would be too much for a person with a developmental disability like Autism.”

“We join with many other Autism charity’s across the UK in calling for Gary McKinnon to be tried in the United Kingdom”.

Good luck Gary, and well done to your team and family, especially your mum. She has impressive lungs, vocal chords and stamina. She kept the rest of us going on the protests. I'm sure you are proud of her.

Jackie

Good luck Gary , your friends in Canada.

At the end of the day I feel that it is well known if you hack into any secure system (let alone the Pentagon) then you are committing a crime. As Gary has admitted that he broke US law then he should face the consequences....in USA.

@ bill - that is your view, but it not shared by thousands of ordinary people, and many eminent supporters of Gary McKinnon, here in the UK, in the USA, and around the rest of the world.

Justice would be equally served by giving him a fair trial here in the UK under English law, which should take precedence over extradition.

Gary McKinnon should be thoroughly checked over for personality traits. I'd say at a guess if he is anything like me he cannot lie and is not capable of telling lies for doing wrong against humanity. He is also being accused of something he did not do and it is almost one hundred per cent impossible to prove a negative. It is completely disproportionate for him to be extradited to America for what he has done. The simple fact is that the American Government is liable for contributory negligence in this matter insofar that with all their immense wealth and expertise and technical knowledge it should not be at all possible for one mortal such as Gary to gain access to their system with a simple computer that is available to every person in the world. They could ask him nicely and pay him to go and tell them how to run their affairs but that is hardly what one would expect from the American Security Services. I say that America is acting out of malice to hide their shame.
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Beaconsfield CLP 01:51 pm, Wed 29th Jul 2009
Hi Annie, I do agree with you on this.If the press reports are to be believed Gary is on the autistic spectrum and has obsessive behaviours which has led probably to the pentagon breach of security without malicious intentions.He seems to have good lawyers though and I hope it is resolved without extradition.It may be they are using Gary as an example- to prohibit others.That would be unfair and unjust.

AS isn't a mental illness, it is like having blond hair - you just have it full stop. If Gary couldn't hack into the US computer that would make him all the more likely to use his brain to try a different way. They should be using his brain (preferably while he has still got it in his head and not in a jar) to make use of how he has been born. It could be an asset not a liability. If a nasty nation got onto this they could use their own Asperger people for all sorts of nefarious purposes. I can't believe Baron Cohen and our Government are allowing this to happen, it is just so cruel

Good luck today Gary. We hope that you win your case and can remain in the UK

This country is a disgrace! Why on earth are the Government even allowing this to proceed this far? If it was the other way around, the UK would either give up trying to extradite a US citizen, or Obama would step in and tell Brown to bugger off.

Can you imagine if it was an MP's son/daughter? There's no way it would have even got this far, and they'd probably used tax payers money (expenses as they call it) to pay for all the court costs too!

Completly disillusioned with this goverment and country.

terrible news, stay strong. Venceremos!

I am heartbroken at this travesty. Totally agree with Chris, the UK is a disgrace. Look at some of the appeals 'passed'. Look at some of the foreign criminals we keep on these shores. Really, words are failing me just now because I am so angry.

Very sad outcome but I'm afraid to say it's not unexpected - another sad example of this country's complete subservience to the United States

Gary's alleged ability to break into secure computer systems as a hobby, should surely qualify him for a job with the US security systems or one of their agencies. Its a little dumb to persecute/prosecute a person who may help you to lock-down an obviously vulnerable and leaking security system.

More iportantly. the current law should be amended immediately to give equal status on extradition across the pond. There is no justification for this imbalance. garys case should be set aside until after a judicial review that measures the equality of human rights in extradition cases such as this between the citizens of the USA and GB.

His arse is going to be so rimmed when he he is put in one of our US jail

The increasing subservience of the UK government to that of the USA makes one ashamed to be British especially following so closely upon the recent expense scandals and blatant expropriation of taxpayers' money by the very politicians who are now turning into craven cowards.

The gifts of this remarkable man should be harnessed positively by those in authority rather than embarking upon this addle headed idea of condemning him to the futile punishment of a living death in prison.

Gary,the truth is coming out now, soon it will become unstoppable. Your Asperger's obsession was getting through what has been concealed from us (limitless free energy and extra-terrestrial visitations) Last weekend, the European Exopolitics Summit freely discussed these things. After all that you and your loved ones have been through, you have the strength to get through this latest betrayal by our government and judiciary.

He hacked into Computers. Thats an criminal offence. So he is being put thorough the correct procedure, he has lawyers, he has support.

I would like to know where was his parent or carer when he doing this ' searching'? He should have had an appropriate adult with him, as he is classed as 'vunerable'.

I have friends with Asperger Syndrome, they are logical and honest and this is the first time I have heard of anyone with Aspergers doing anything so serious as this.

You cant use your condition as an excuse, or blame it on that.

Im afriad he will have to learn right from wrong and his parents should take some of the responsibility here too.

He was diagnosed long after these proceedings began. I can't believe he has lost this case, Asperger's aside, there was no malice in his actions.

I can't understand why there isn't any common sense in the law!

When do the protests begin?

This country is a joke, and not a funny one either.

Gary should be applauded for teaching nasa / the US gov't that passwords are probably a good idea, when terrorists want to blow you up.

The extradition agreement is an utter disgrace, and what's more the US government has proven time and again that it cannot treat people 'suspected' of crimes against the state in a civil, humane manner.

This country should grow some balls and stand up for itself for a change.

Didn't Gary tell Project Camelot that he had evidence he could produce if the situation became too bleak? Best do it soon before disappearing into the dark pit that is today's US justice system.

Anyone want to take bets on how many 'secure' US systems will be trashed in retaliation for this? Or how many .gov or .mil sites will have their front pages replaced with 'Free Gary'?

I suspect there are far more capable and dangerous people out there than a lone aspie.

I'm with the security people on this. What I mean is if this guy is that good, and he knows he has done wrong, give him the chance to turn it around. The US could use this guy as a top network security expert! He could stand to save the US lots of money and help against future hacks and attacks. Give the guy a break and support him instead of putting him on trial. I know other hackers are working for US and UK agencies now, after turning away from hacking and becoming very sought after security analysts. Get this guy to actually work with the people who allowed the breach to happen in the first place! OK, rant over, good luck Gary. Wish you all the best!

My Name is Matt and my Surname has T, ( As do 100's I imagine, Do you have copyright on this? I think not) dont be so paranoid for goodness sake, I can see you have aspergers by the you always being so defensive in reply.

So he didnt hack? He 'accidently' found his way into the US Systems them? Get real.

If Gary had Aspegers, he wouldnt be able to communicate with a total stranger like the bbc

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7533302.stm

He is a criminal, and should be tried as to the laws of the country that he broke.

I rest my case

This is disgusting with a capital 'D'!

Does the punitive single-minded might-is-right American justice system believe this is the best move? We've seen American 'justice' already in places like Guantanamo Bay. American 'Might-is-right' in places like Afghanistan. And a wholly useless 'defence' by our so-called British leaders for this gifted but flawed boy.

I've lost faith in ANY of the western leaders to do ANYTHING right. Economy, war, justice... all are dying the death we used to condemn other nations for now.

OF course there wasnt malice, your case is not the same as his so put your rose tinted glasses away.

Stop portraying him as some sort of evil criminal - he acted naively and may commit suicide and that is not what he deserves. So a vulnerable man's life is worth being used to scare others off? Like f*ck it will. The media is global, there will some America hating IT guy in North Korea who realises how bad American cyber security is and could cause alot more than the alleged $700,000 damage. Think about that 'JAMES' are you capable of abstract thought?

Guess what? Gary didnt not gain anything financially or egotisically. The mental torture the last 7 years is more than anyone would deserve.

Oh by the way when a prison sentence is 60 years then portraying him as an innocent victim is a result of two things: altruism and rational thought.

He is a criminal, the only difference is that he has 'asperger syndrome'. Nothing else.

Again I said, you cannot use your condition to make excuses, especially for breaking the law.

Just out of interest 'Matt T' where is your appropriate adult when you are putting the world to right on here? Do they know what you are up to? Just like Gary's didnt appear to?

a 70 year tariff is not proportionate - it must be incompatable with Human Rights Legislation. People are tried in this country for paedophilia despite the servers being located elsewhere in the world. It sounds like the UK is acting like a dog again for the americans.

American - the land of freedom - don't make me laugh - has a higher precentage of the population in jail than everwhere else, the highest percentage of people of anti-depressant drugs, the highest percentage of people who think they have seen or been abducted by aliens and more religious nutters than the wholes of the middle east. We might as well call ourselves the 51st state for all the indepence we show!

Apparently the security he hacked through was useless, almost non-exsistent. I think it is so the americans can keep a lid on how useless there defences actually were. Normally companies pay people who can show them how bad there defences are but because this is the amercia military they as sensitive as a Shakespeare sonnet.

'If nothing else works, a total pig-headed unwillingness to look facts in the face will see us through' - General Melchy aka Stephen Fry in Blackadder

Does no-one ever take responsibility for their actions?
If you hack into military systems you will have to face consequences, however well organised your mother`s PR campaign is

Gary McKinnon has broken the law, and been has caught.

He should face the same procedures as everyone else, as I keep saying, the only different is he has Asperger Syndrome, Having Asperger's doesn't make him stupid. In fact it makes him inteligent.
Of course he is distressed and upset. Anybody being extradited would be.

People with disabilties cry out for equatable treatment, yet when they get it they are unhappy.( Asperger Syndrome not a dissability by the way)

He's not a terrorist, hes a cyber terrorist.

The sooner he is extradited the better.

Just another failing of our useless joke of a government.It's about time Brown was moved from office and in to the gutter where he belongs as soon as his head can be surgically removed from from the arsehole that is the USA. As for the paranoid,warmongering yanks,nothing good ever came out of america and nothing ever will.

He deliberately hacked into a computer system, personnel or national makes no difference to me. Hopefully soon, (as is often the case), we will find out more information about his other hacking exploits over the years against ordinary people.
As for him "suffering" from Aspegers, total rubbish.... as a photographer I covered many of his court appearances in London in 2006, he's as normal as anyone! Strangely enough there was no mention of any illness back then.
This episode reminds me of the "Nat West Three" from a few years ago. A group of thieving bankers who thanks to some clever PR managed to become three martyrs against the big bad US government.

Gary's Asperger Syndrome shouldn't have anything to do with it.

Think this one needs to go to an international court, so the Yanks can present their case on neutral ground.

If Gary is to be locked up, it should be on UK soil, end of.

I agree with Tony, if he had aspergers, he wouldnt be able to do the tv interview, he wouldnt be able to mix with strange people.

And he has only 'got' aspergers after he has been arressted.

He may be a british citizen, but he broke another nations law and therefore they have the right, to question him on their soil, and should face the consequences under their law.

Having Aspergers should not excuse him from being subject to the same law as the rest of us.

His mental condition will be taken into account in the US and he will most likey receive a lighter sentance.

But again, you cant use your condition as an excuse.

He deliberately hacked into a computer system, personnel or national makes no difference to me. Hopefully soon, (as is often the case), we will find out more information about his other hacking exploits over the years against ordinary people.
As for him "suffering" from Aspegers, total rubbish.... as a photographer I covered many of his court appearances in London in 2006, he's as normal as anyone! Strangely enough there was no mention of any illness back then.
This episode reminds me of the "Nat West Three" from a few years ago. A group of thieving bankers who thanks to some clever PR managed to become three martyrs against the big bad US government.

You can mix with others even when you have aspengers, as long as it is from a distance with space between but you obviously don't know that. Gary is gentle, with no malice and has obviously been left as the lamb of sacrifice on the altar. He is refusing to tell the US military what they really want to know, which is who else? And yes they feel really dumb for using the word password as a password! What the big issue here is however is the US legal system extending its global boundaries yet refusing to aknowledge the legal systems of other countries as equally valid THINK ABOUT IT. FREE GARY, cos he's just a humble soul with a true desire to find out about UFO's, thats all, not a terrorist. If you do think about it, the USA defence network could have been seriously shut down, but it wasn't. He ain't snitching so they have to get him on US soil to make him inacessable in order to interrogate him. And yes I'm crying inside.

So people with Aspergers do not 'look normal' what a load of toss. Do any of you even know about Aspergers? Many people are diagnoised with AS as adults, you dont 'get' aspergers you have it from birth. Depending on health services and parents etc it may not be diagnosed until late in adulthood.
A condition, physical, learning or mental is not an excuse it's a reason. If you understood disabilities and AS you would know this.
Plain and simple the UK should follow UK not US law. The law was committed here on UK soil so it should be dealt with here. Comparing people who comit crimes here then 'run' and hide in the USA is not fair. Of course they should be returned to the country where they committed the crime.

Lets face it… the only reason that the US is “gun ho” on Gary is embarrassment at an inadequate security system that probably cost the American tax payer billions. So to vindicate themselves, they want to paint Gary as the new axis of evil and not the autistic Aspergers sufferer that he is. Sadly the point that they are trying to make will most probably cost Gary his life! Remember that someone clever enough to do what has been done is also smart enough to know what 60 years in jail means – game over!

If you were to look into Microsoft and many government R&D labs, you will find many extremely smart Aspergers sufferers who are deemed to be eccentric, quirky, socially unaware / inadequate, etc and that wouldn’t last one day in prison. So instead of trying to destroy Gary find a smarter way to utilise his obvious talent with a PC.

I know this sounds daft but here goes….

The American Govt. has a history of offering safe shores to those of use to it, think about the Nazi scientists rehomed in the USA after project “paperclip” following the second world war.

Given Gary’s obvious technical prowess with computers, could an offer not be made that he educates them (The US Military) on the flaws of their system, rather than try and fight them over an act he has said himself he is guilty.

Obviously you would have to be careful of the wording, as “educate” would no doubt offend top US brass, however, I really think a pleas bargain could be considered if he helped strengthen what was once weak.

Kind regards,

Fellow computer geek.

Simon Dodd

Whilst I do not condone hacking if a crime has been committed then it must have been perpetrated in the UK. Accordingly Gary should be tried in a UK court.

Gary's case clearly demonstrates that the current extradition treaty just is not working and should be repealled in favour of a system that does work.

Similarly both the UK's and USA's governments and judiciares should hang their heads in shame in respect of demonstrating a complete lack of humanity here.

I love you Gary and don't want you to be extradited but at least you'll be closer to me....

Got a sneaky feeling our courts will be seeing allot more defendants "suffering" from Asperger's syndrome in the future.

I'll come visit you every day...

Just who are these traitors that would sign away their own to a foreign government? It's a disgrace, and something now to be considered as an enemy of the people, than loyal servant. They're a humiliation to the British people. I feel humiliated.

These people who are to sit and feel entitled to make decisions like this against their own are the ones who should be thrown into jail, by their very people, to be treated as enemies that they have demonstrated themselves to be.

As a disabled American I HAVE to say I am SO ashamed of SO many policies and actions that my "supposed" leaders have inflicted on other countries and peoples since it's creation. The VERY same tactics of misinformation, disinformation, actual SUPPRESSION of freedoms, claiming to have good intentions, while in reality they are placing military bases and spies in EVERY country in hopes of eventually "RULING the Earth". The USA has always been rife with corruption, but sticks it's nose in everyone else's business to misdirect people from it's OWN shortcomings. Bless you Gary, and the trillions of others who have suffered at the hands of a Military Dictatorship claiming to be a democracy. PEACE !!!

Hi,
I've not heard of Asperger's Syndrome before, is it very common in the UK then ?

As an American who took a degree in Politics, I agree with ILoveallofyal with regards to problems with the US.

However unpopular for this site. I have to say that although it's his families job to protect and shelter their Son.

Gary has to stand up and be accountable for his Actions. He does not come across to me as some feeble man with the mind of a child?

If some guy in the US did this to the UK... would you be saying

" No, try him in the US where we know they won't think it's as big of a deal as we do ; I think there would be huge petition to bring the guy over her to face the Nation he thought it was clever, fun & funny to cause disruption to "

Anyway, I probably know only enough to be dangerous... but after all the news of late, I Thought a bit of a different view could be healthy??

Or is this where I open myself up for abuse?

Hi Valerne, Michelle,

the sites you're showing me suggest as many as half a million people in the uk suffer from an autism spectrum disorder - that's around 1 in 100. Surely there can't be that many, is this a valid figure ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asperger_syndrome

I am 26 and I was diagnosed with it after I attempted suicide after I lost my driving license for medical reason because I could not mentally deal with the change. The fact I am still here is all down to my mum. sounds rather trivial compared to what Gary is facing.

Yes I may be brilliant at music and know everything there needs to be known about trees, but that doesnt mean I can function very well emotionally or practically day to day without help from my family. To face the random hustle and bustle of day to day noise, random secnario's and not being able to do things on my own terms is fightening.

A normal custodial punishment for a neurotypical is magnified when it is given to someone with Aspergers. And to think I, someone with aspergers appears to show more empathy than alot of NT's. Ironic isnt it? the comments that say 'aspergers aside' scream of ignorance, because when it comes to human rights you cannot just ignore the condition on a whim, especially when in reality this guy has not murdered anyone or tortured anyone. In reality he wants a better world for humanity. He had the right motive, but took the wrong action. That is aspergers for you, not to say we are all potential hackers, but at least nowdays it is spotted early and young kids with the condition are given the correct guidence.

Einstein, Bill Gates, Issac Newton are examples of potential aspies. Obsessive in their ways, brilliant in narrow fields but lacking in alot of ways. Life experience for an aspie determines whether they get into trouble or not. This experience will determine their special interest, being prone to bullying at school makes us potentially paranoid, excessively anxious about people, situations and any ambigious event or train of thought. We find it very difficult to lie even when the stakes are high. Our sense of self is very poor, we struggle to know even who we are let alone other people hence why we get obsessive.

The big unpredictable world can become so unbearable that many of us withdraw into our own made up little world on our own terms. Gary's version of right and wrong was on his level. He thought that trying to find out and expose supressed technology that humanity would benefit. The fact of the social consequences of his actions (ie how people would react to him snooping around in those files) were oblivious to him.

The fact is the awareness of Aspergers is only just arising, the attitude of modern society and the thinking style of aspies do not mix, and we spend our lives trying to fit in, ending up feeling depressed when we fail.

Anyone who fails to empathise with these hard facts are either ignorant intentionally hence do not have much of a heart, or they lack the cognitive ability the reason.

to reason should i say

I actually would say try him in the US IF that is where the offence was carried out. In this case it was not, it was carried out here in the UK.

No doubt he needs to take his punishment I am not saying that he should not be punished. Only that it should happen here in the UK. People with AS are more prone to BiPolar disorder amongst other psychological problems. One small way to try and stop that is to keep the familiar. Visits from family, which can not happen if he is in the US, Psych care we get that free in the UK not in the US, familiar accents, people and routines.

Those figures are correct. AS is relatively 'new' in it's acceptance by much of the med community. As with any 'new' illness it's dismissed, ignored and vilified for a long time before acceptance that it is real. When he was young it was only vaguly known about by boffins who were trying to understand it. GP's nurses etc on the ground knew nothing of it or were sceptical hence the mass diagnosis now of adults.

I can bet all the people who have left negative comments on here have never lived with someone who has A.S. nor have they had to go through the painful process of getting a loved one diagnosed.

As for his diagnosis being "convenient". You cant just order the label of aspergers or buy it on ebay. They dont just give you the label if you ask for it.

The fact that this young man already has a life sentance of Autism is bad enough but to then be let down and unsupported by two great nations is a far worse crime.

People with Aspergers appear normal, it's not until you look deeper that you begin to see what a crippling disability this is. I call it an invisible wheelchair. This young man wont even know what he's done wrong, he is already being punished every day. We need to walk a mile in someone elses shoes before we judge and criticise and ridicule, one day it might be your loved one who is born with Aspergers.

If Gary was a US citizen and the evidence we have seen was presented by the UK to the US, then Gary would never be extradited. Gary is not fit to stand trial in the US. FULL STOP. Try Gary in the UK.

I have just taken time to read through quite a bit of the comments on this page.

I agree to and commend his mom for generating sucha PR campaign around an issue so close to her heart. It is obvious that there are some bright people in this family.

I also commend the moderator for allowing a range of views here. Very honest and honorable.

Potentially unfortunate for Gary is the fact that even on a site that should be 100% pro-"Get Gary out of Trouble" we can see there is a real balance of views.

I think this very much points to at least a 50/50 split in the publics eyes at best.

If Obama gives in to the PR... he will have political hell to deal with. Republicans are nipping at his heals daily.

I think, potentially unfortunately. Gary will be on his way to the US and will face a court of Law for his misdeeds.

Good luck you on your journey, Gary.

Actually take A Yank off of here... I'm american and find him counter-productive to anything an too abusive for anything good to come out of his contribution.

sorry dude,, but you've got a real bone to pick, it appears

Yank, you sound like a racist to me,against the British, you forget, without us, you are nothing.

Maybe without you yank we would have avoid a global economic crisis? subprime mortgage *cough* credit crunc *cough*. Oh yeah I know where we would be! Think I will watch that timeless movie easy rider this evening...

'They're not scared of you. They're scared of what you represent to 'em.'

'You know, this used to be a helluva good country. I can't understand what's gone wrong with it.'

'That was a UFO, beamin' back at ya. Me and Eric Heisman was down in Mexico two weeks ago - we seen forty of 'em flying in formation. They-they-they've got bases all over the world now, you know. They've been coming here ever since nineteen forty-six - when the scientists first started bouncin' radar beams off of the moon. And they have been livin' and workin' among us in vast quantities ever since. The government knows all about 'em.'

I say: he gets what he deserves. I'm sorry but I'm quite fed up with your British whining. He knew full well hacking into such sites was a serious criminal offence - however AS may manifest itself, I don't think removes a person's ability to know right from wrong. If he truly didn't harbor ill intent, it will come out in trial and he'll be cleared of charges.

I daresay if one of us Yanks hacked into the UK defense establishments' websites and then went on to claim some sort of mental problem or plea insanity, the Brits would be crying foul, and rightly so.

If people are so concerned with his health while he's in the US, then they'd jolly well get their act together to accompany him there to support him. Myself I think it's all a sham to try to slink out of taking responsibility for what he did on line.

gary mckinnon whom i have seen on euronews is accountable for his actions, unless his PR rep is good at making him look responsable.

To 'A Yank': Well, your arguments are so powerful. It's wonderful to see an American use something other than aggression when trying to make a point. It's good that you've taken time off eating burgers and contributing to your own fat arse (sorry 'ass') to bring such erudite considerations to the debate. The whole of England owes you.

Oh bow down to these internet trolls, I dont think we can beat the witty knack of Yank A.

Glenn B the very statement 'however AS may manifest itself' hints at not taking it into account when actually the 'manifestations' mean alot in this case. Ignorance is bliss when it comes to reasoning, makes life easier I guess. It is not some condition you catch and lose like a common cold. It involves differences in brain structure. Right and wrong yes of course we can tell the difference, but in what sense? In the eyes of the law? If we stuck with the very same flawed laws since the civilised world began, without any sort of amendments then society wouldn't exactly progress. As a civlilisation we learn new things all the time, we discover new things all the time and we hopefully move on for the better. Surely it is time to see that this 'law' needs amending, it was implemented through blind panic with no real thought to the implications beyond the tunnel vision-esque efforts to enforce it.

And anyway,

It is pretty naive of you to think that he will recieve a fair trial in the US.

And anyway it wont even get to that stage, he will be lying in a pool of blood before he even appears in court. Experts do not say that he will develop psychosis and commit suicide just for something to say. It is Simon Baron Cohen and his team, and the national autistic society who are highly respected organisations with the highest quality experts in this field making the call here, not some youtube whino claiming to have AS because he or she is just a bit shy.

i worked with americans in south america and you just let their mouths linch them.

If it does go to court in America it would be a nice gesture by the Americans to wave the charge.
Then give him a medal and a job in the Pentagon as a computer security advisor
Chuck Chow

Yank A: Come on man, you can't put the blame for paedophillia solely on English monsters? But I agree, it's a more serious problem than one man's liberty at stake, particularly when you consider that if GM does go to prison in the U.S, there are a lot worse places he could end up in. To be honest, my opinion on this (for what it's worth - not much): yes, he did a bad thing; yes he should be tried for it. Where? I don't know - I'm not a lawyer and all I know about it is what I read in the media (which is biased/unreliable etc). In defense of the U.S, I do think that you guys have the right idea when it comes to sentencing. I mean, over here, there're too many people getting let off for too many serious crimes. At least in the U.S the sentences seem to be a deterent. Over here you can stab someone to death and be free again in 5 years. Wrong.

It's gone quiet in here. Rather like solitary confinement, no doubt.

Remember that the UK courts may not be your last recourse.

The EU has direct responsibility for ensuring adequate protection of human rights in cases of extradition of terrorist suspects to third countries -- the US is a glaring example of a country that doesn't respect human rights. Also look into minimum standards on certain procedural rights for suspects and defendants, specifically with respect to statements produced by a disabled person in the absence of legal counsel. You might want to get in touch with Amnesty International's EU Office. Not to mention the "ne bis in idem", or "double jeopardy", principle...

Best of luck, Gary. Stick to your guns!

Please sign the petition for Obama;

Obama, Please don't extradite Gary McKinnon!

If the Yanks had any sense at all about Garys IT knowledge and computer experience you would think they would put him on their payrole!I would think that the Chinese or Russians would welcom him.Good luck Gary, its not over yet!Did some yank call you a "Limey Geek,"!!! Leave us alone America, you have enough problems of your own.

I doubt Obama will do anything, he is not much different from Bush and the other world leaders.

The whole case is very odd. The guy isn't a brilliant hacker - he just downloaded a kit from the Internet. As far as I can understand the sites he 'hacked' into were so wide open a ten year old kid could have walked in. So the Pentagon has egg all over their face. When embarrassed, hit someone - always works for some people. The British home secretary could easily have him tried here but he didn't. What influence is being brought to bear here, who by, and why?

sorry but all this smokescreen cannot hide the fact, you have a case to answer, and if the ball was on the other foor and we wanted an american for alleged criminal damage on a grand scale??.
as for mum....you are very good at manipulation especially of the press...sorry send him now

Read the Comments Policy on the left of this page.

Some of you are wasting your time by replying to abusive comments from internet trolls, which will be unpublished.

Some of the email comments and threats are technically criminal offences under the Protection from Harassment Act 1997 which attracts a penalty of up to 2 years in prison i.e. serious enough for the UK authorities to apply for an extradition warrant, in theory.

So sorry about the verdict. We must all keep up the pressure as it is plainly a case of scapegoating and the typical behaviour of such governments who pick on who they believe to be vulnerable just because they can.

Its as if the British government has sold its own citizen for political favours.

The government is supposed to work for the people. I don't see much evidence of that - generally.

Good luck Gary. Many, many people are thinking of you and will lobby on your behalf.

Betrayed by a supine UK Government whilst uncloaking the IT incompetence of the World's only Superpower. You should form a crack team of programmers with Aspergers. Maybe that's why the US wants you.
Good luck mate.
R

Please visit this website to help support Gary and spread the word:

http://www.garymckinnon.tk/

Matt

Don't know if you read all this about Gary but he wasn't diagnosed with Aspergers till after he hacked into the computers so there was no reason to think he needed an appropriate adult. I have an 8 year old that has aspergers and as a "vulnerable person" with a condition that has a high suicide rate I would be horrified if this was my son and he got all this "support". Show a bit of compassion. No one is saying he shouldn't be prosecuted or that he is hiding behind his condition just that he should be tried in this country.

What is this crap, anyways? Who wrote it - HiTler?

------------------snip------------------

http://74.125.155.132/search?q=cache:c-aTA_ianPEJ:www.navy.mil/navco/pages/2002/defendamerica.txt+site:*.mil+%2B+top+secret+%2B+filetype:txt&cd=39&hl=en&ct=clnk

"SECURITY AND ECONOMY GO HAND IN HAND

Our national security depends on our success. And that isn't all. Our
economic security does too.

That brings me to my third point -- and one I know you already understand: The
defeat of terrorism is an economic imperative as well as a military one.
...
In addition to preventing similar losses, winning the war on terror will
create the stable environment in which investment, innovation and prosperity can
flourish around the world.
...
CONCLUSION

And there's something else you can do to support the war on terror: Keep an
open mind."
------------------snip------------------

So what does this mean? Someone who embarasses your it security or causes a us company to loose profit is a terrorist? Everyone knows that you probably blew up the building yourself to get public support and money. Everyone knows, also, that your wars are all about oil prices, too.

The real terror is from your fears that someone will access your secrets and expose them.

Gary McKinnon is not a terrorist.

World - Britan - wake up - we have another HiTler on our hands.

Elle

I am appalled at the way in which Mr McKinnon has been treated, but not surprised by the supine acts of the British legal and political system.

Gary has been persecuted for inadvertently pointing out that the Emperor's new clothes were less than threadbare. Caught out and embarrassed, the United States, has gone from being the 'world's policeman' to the playground bully. Again.

The legal machinations may be near to a close in Britain, so I have been concentrating on writing to Mr Obama and the Department of Justice to voice my protest and my disquiet at their ill-considered course of action.

I would probably have done the same as Gary if only my paranoia did not exceed my considerable technical security know-how; how many more people might be in a similar position?

this cannot happen , a person with aspergers will probably be unaware or the consequences of looking for specific information on this computer. The communication, understanding of other peoples feelings and consequences of their own actions makes them a special case.

To be moved to another place, let alone country without adequate warning and explaination can be very distressing, I know somebody who would be totally unable to cope with this, he would become depressed, withdrawn and mentally disturbed, in fact would probably end up curled rocking in a corner - also as he is unable to either talk to or make eye contact with strangers nor able to cope with physical contact- would be extreemly vulnerable.
This young man was so distressed on a school holiday that he didn't communicate with teachers or peers, didn't eat and ended up wheelchair bound for the duration of the trip.

I hope that the plight of asperger's sufferers is taken note of in order to save this man.

I went to the URL that Ellie provided and was reminded that part of the US government's problem is that it bends the truth in order to make its case. Terrorists, no matter who they work for are criminals and dispicable. But, they're not cowards. I can't understand why governments continue to refer to their violent crimes as acts of cowardice.

The criminals don't take seriously what governments say about them, but the citizens of governments do and therefore we're not being given the intellectual tools to combat these horrendous acts of terror (crime).

I think that in Gary's case, because he's not going before a military tribunal and his case is just about possible hacking, the government feels good about lying about him because they tell worse lies about others. They can think about all of the horrible inhumane things that they've done to other and then pat themselves on the back because they not being as horrid with Gary.

The statement on Gary's music site that is linked to on this free gary site is awesome, dud:

"Gary McKinnon and every other British
Citizen has the right to a trial by his
peers - Gary has no peers in America."

It reminds me of Abbie Hoffman (STEAL THIS BOOK). I think that Gary's American supporters are providing some smashing support. His legal team shouldn't reject this line of argument as frivilous.

ABBIE LIVES!!

Thanks fg for giving us a little back-ground on yourself, especially in the field of computers. BUT, right now in S.W. N.M. it's about 5:45 p.m.(17:45) and it must be around midnight in London. So, tell us, what happened in Gary's court proceedings. Please.

Latest update on Sky News. President Obama is leaving his work on major World issues to come over and meet Gary`s mum.
There is some justice in the world!

Just read the headlines about the extradition going ahead.

Gary's situation grabbed my attention some time ago when I saw alleged damages quoted in monetary terms. I can't recall the amount but it struck me as being complete bullshit spouted from a typically over zealous prosecutor looking to get reelected.

I am an IT professional with a lot of experience in security compliance. Computer systems don't scare me, I eat 'em for breakfast.
I'd be willing to offer my services for free to help Gary's defense.

No one can deny the truth!

Gary has 28 days to get used to the fact hes going to America. No sudden changes, plenty of time.

Hes has support, he can take his appropriate adult with him.

And I have heard of Asperger Syndrome. I have it.

AB, as a computer person do you dislike what Gary is accused of? It suprises me that you would be willing to support someone who has snubbed their nose at your field of expertise?

Its unbelievable that the UK justice system can agree to the extradition of Gary Mckinnon so easily whilst illegal immigrants and non- british undesirables, who do not contribute one iota to this country, can not be deported because of various legal arguments, Gary is a British citizen and is surely entitled to the same justice as them, this is all about cosying up to the USA and saving them embarrassment, a shame on the british legal system which is supposed to fair minded.

J.L. Court

We've supported Gary in several articles - He's almost a hero to us in the UFO community. If you're interested in reading more and supporting him on our site too, please visit us at:

http://paranormaldailynews.com

Still fighting the good fight i see gary!!!....you did the crime...so go do the time lad!...
your a disgrace to scotland....a wee cry-baby!....
sgnd a fellow scot

ps...if i break the law....guess what happens...?

and dont give us that mental bull-shit!

If a British home secretary would do this, then this guy Alan Johnson does not deserve his post! His job is to protect the rights of UK citzens!
A foreigner who 'threatens' US security, sitting in front of 12 random American Jurors and some highly conserative Judge from George W. Bushes party would not stand a hope in hell! This is a country that tortures people behind their own peoples back, going through highly secret missions just to get into a position to do this. These tortured people never even saw a judge, and this all in the name of national security
If Johnson allows this, then one of the follow up actions should be a campaign against this man in his own constituency during the general election! This is not something which he or his boss should be allowed to forget!
I hope this madness does not got that far!