This whole thing is such a load of bollocks. Why the US has such a hard-on for McKinnon I have no idea, but to suggest he caused $800000USD worth of damage is just ludicrous.
The only reason I can think of for the US to be so eager to extradite is out of fear for what he actually did see regarding UFO’s and related issues. However it is my personal opinion that gary didn’t see a damn thing to do with UFOs. I’ve been skeptical of his story from day one.
Although Mckinnon was wrong and daft to do what he did (there was not a chance in hell he could have got away with it); the fact is that for Mckinnon, the punishment does not fit the crime.
Okay, he WAS wrong to do what he did; but he’s no terrorist.
However…I suspect (if he is extradited) that he will have the book thrown at him. It’s clear that the Govt wants a “scapegoat” hacker who they can hammer into the ground and send out a message to others.
It’s ironic that Matthew Bevan - who did something very similar in the 90s - walked totally free from court.
Then there’s the strange story of “Dateline” from 1992, which everyone forgets…
Jun 09 2009 
June 10th, 2009 at 4:55 am
I remember reading that Obama was appointing a new “Cyber-security Czar”. If so, would he be looking into Gary’s case?
June 10th, 2009 at 4:58 am
They should have appointed McKinnon!
June 10th, 2009 at 10:09 am
This whole thing is such a load of bollocks. Why the US has such a hard-on for McKinnon I have no idea, but to suggest he caused $800000USD worth of damage is just ludicrous.
The only reason I can think of for the US to be so eager to extradite is out of fear for what he actually did see regarding UFO’s and related issues. However it is my personal opinion that gary didn’t see a damn thing to do with UFOs. I’ve been skeptical of his story from day one.
Bizarre case.
June 11th, 2009 at 5:11 am
Gareth:
Although Mckinnon was wrong and daft to do what he did (there was not a chance in hell he could have got away with it); the fact is that for Mckinnon, the punishment does not fit the crime.
Okay, he WAS wrong to do what he did; but he’s no terrorist.
However…I suspect (if he is extradited) that he will have the book thrown at him. It’s clear that the Govt wants a “scapegoat” hacker who they can hammer into the ground and send out a message to others.
It’s ironic that Matthew Bevan - who did something very similar in the 90s - walked totally free from court.
Then there’s the strange story of “Dateline” from 1992, which everyone forgets…