Open Letter to John Walker Lindh

by Staff Writer

Dear John Walker,

I wasn’t sure what to call you so I just chose the first name that came to my head. My name is Isabel Estrada. I am an 18 year old Youth in the Media intern at POOR Magazine. I’m really upset with mainstream media coverage of your story because all I see is a bunch of unsubstantiated commentary. Some say that you fought with the Taliban because your parents were too liberal, then there are the columnists spouting off that you are a traitor, and yet we haven’t heard anything at all from your perspective. Perhaps it’s because nobody has been allowed to communicate with you? It seems odd that people would talk about too much liberalism when in fact you chose a very orthodox religion for which to follow and fight. I attempted to interview the lawyer that your parents got for you, James J. Brosnahan, but he wasn’t talking to any press. I really want to get your perspective on what’s happening. It seems obvious to me that you are the person most qualified to talk about your own situation, not all the mainstream reporters and columnists. I already wrote one article about you. It basically discussed your general situation and also talked about how the media seems to be putting you on trial. I’ll send you the article if you want. It would be great if you could answer my questions and add anything else that you want.

Isabel Estrada

1.
What attracted you to Islam?

2.
Is it true that you posed as an African-American once on the Internet? Why did you do that?

3.
How have you been treated by the military so far?

4.
Do you even want James J. Brosnahan to be your lawyer?

5.
Do you consider yourself to be a traitor?

6.
How are your civil rights being abused?

7.
How was it to be on the battlefield in Afghanistan?

8.
Were you able to communicate with your fellow fighters?

9.
Is it true that at the school in Yemen you didn’t want women in your religion classes? Why?

10.
Do you think you’ve done anything illegal? If so, what would you consider to be the best punishment?

11.
What’s your impression of Ashcroft?

12.
What’s your impression of Bush?

13.
What is it about the United States that Osama bin Laden objects to?