
Is it really a case of 'if you can't do the time... '?
By silicon.com
Published: 7 July 2006 17:00 GMT
When did we all get so caring and liberal? Twelve months ago the majority of people who responded to articles on silicon.com about the punishments which should be meted out to hackers were of the 'hang 'em and flog 'em' mindset.
Now that the extradition of Gary McKinnon, who it should not be forgotten hacked into several US military systems, has been granted by the Home Office there is uproar and a serious division in people's opinions.
The majority of us, it would seem, are of the opinion McKinnon should not be handed over to the government he so wronged. Research from antivirus company Sophos today found that 52 per cent of respondents oppose his extradition.
Perhaps this is because we realise the US is unlikely to give him a fair trial, given his actions trampled over the highly sensitive line marked 'Homeland Security' - but can we really say, hand on heart, that this man, who rather idiotically claims he was looking for proof of UFOs, posed a serious threat to world peace, or even the sanctity of the US?
We suspect McKinnon's concerns about being sent to Guantanamo Bay may be a case of playing to the crowd and trying to find some heart strings to pull on in UK legal circles. But irrespective of how far wide of the mark that proves, there are still very real concerns the US will make an example of McKinnon, above and beyond the punishment - and he should certainly be punished - warrant.
When it is faceless individuals committing these crimes it's very easy to say lock 'em up and throw away the key but McKinnon's plight has been publicised to a degree where he has been humanised to all of us.
The genuine fear we've seen in his face while attending his court hearings certainly make it difficult to condone the UK government's decision to hand this man over to the US.
But if you commit a crime against a country it stands to reason you should be tried in that country. Doesn't it?
It's just a shame that UK government has probably made its decision based not on that common sense approach (or at least it would be common sense if we could be sure the US will try McKinnon accordingly) but on the basis that the US has asked for something and the Home Office has dutifully rolled over and given them what they want.
The law is the law. I do not think we can arbitra...
Anonymous
throw his im guantonemo as a terrorist. get him ov...
Frank Rizzo
I think you underestimate us (US citizens). We're...
Anonymous
It's a shame that the apparent "altar boy" nature ...
Kevin Soss
Let me ask you this? If someone came waltzing int...
Ben McCargo
UK Country Manager ? d in India is looking for a Country Head for their new Greenfield project here in London, UK.The organisation boasts a turnover ...
Information sharing is at the heart of all that we do. With over 130 sites across the country ranging from urban hubs equipped with modern technology ...
TEST MANAGER - ISEB - INVESTMENT BANKING - LONDON A leading Investment Bank located in the heart of the city require an experienced Programme Test ...
Agenda Setters 2009
Welcome to the ninth annual Agenda Setters poll – silicon.com's list of the top 50 most influential individuals in the technology and IT industries, from techies and CIOs to entrepreneurs and business leaders. Find out more in our latest special report.
Dell PowerVault DL2100 Powered by CommVault - Spec Sheet
Data Protection Strategies: Deduplication for More Efficient Backups
True Convergence Demands a Communication Service Provider that Embraces a Customer-Centric...
Learn how Performance Metrics for Telcomm Expense Management Drive new ROIs and SLAs
Stories from the web...
Copyright © 2008 CBS Interactive Limited. All rights reserved. Top of page
Mark Crichard Doing business with citizen developers: Beware the legal pitfalls Legal Eye: Make sure your business is protected from potential hazards
Tim Ferguson How CIOs can achieve post-recession success Q&A: McKinsey & Company on living in the 'new normal' business world