Sorry episode needs right apology

David, you might also care to let those calling for an apology know you wouldn't mind getting one yourself.

In case Mike Rann, editorial writers and others have forgotten why, it's worth reminding them of the Howard government's and Bush administration's gross neglect of your rights.

Here we had a former prime minister in John Howard, his attorney-general Philip Ruddock, and foreign minister Alexander Downer, sitting on their hands while they allowed an Australian citizen to languish, without trial, in Guantanamo Bay year in, year out. In fact, you would still be there if Howard hadn't read his polls closely and realised even harder-hearted Australians thought you deserved a fair go.

In fact, so disgraceful was the treatment meted out to detainees at Guantanamo Bay that even the Bush administration's faithful friend, former British prime minister Tony Blair, thought it too much and brought some of his citizens, who were captives there, back to Britain.

David, if you had been given a fair trial in the US or Australian courts and found guilty, an apology from you might be in order - presuming there was no miscarriage of justice. Yet that's not the case here.

In fact, I would be looking at how you might be able to get the Australian government to pay for the intensive psychiatric and other medical help you will no doubt need to try to overcome the impact on your health of living in hell for six years.

David Hicks, your country failed you - and that should never be forgotten.