Good to Hate?

Of course it isn't good to hate. But, is it possible to maintain good in an atmosphere of hatred?
Omar Khadr, a convicted 'terrorist', is now home in Canada. He is serving the remainder of his sentence, which was handed down by a Guantanamo military commission tribunal. He is now in Milhaven, one of several federal prisons in the Kingston, Ontario area.

Khadr was 15 when he was captured and sent to Guantanamo Bay interment camp, an American prison/holding tank for suspected terrorists and war criminals. He agreed to a plea bargain there, admitting to the murder of a US soldier Christopher Speer in Afghanistan during a fire fight, in violation the acts of war and providing material support for terrorism. He is the youngest to be convicted of war crimes since World War II.

That was just the beginning. While at Guantanamo, He was subjected to torture and beatings most people don't want to know about. Before a Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) was to interrogate Khadr at Guantanamo, he was deprived sleep for 21 days. CSIS knew it, but proceeded with their interrogation anyway. He faced two inquiries and an impossible web of torture, lies, dismissal of inquiries, changes of many lawyers. Pretty heavy duty stuff and bewildering for a young teen.

Recently, Khadr intimated that he just wants to settle down and be a good citizen and a good person. But how can a then confused and terrified teen who has been indoctrinated by al Qaida, change all he has learned within his family and exposure to terrorist beliefs? Can he not hate his captors and torturers in Guantanamo? Can 10 years of imprisonment change the beliefs of one who has been devoted to a jihad? His family were personal friends of Osama bin Laden and he was given one on one weapons training with a terrorist group. His father, an Egyptian Canadian, was arrested, accused of aiding the conspirators. Later, Ahmed was praised by al Qaida for “Tossing his little boy into the furnace of battle”.

Anyone who heard Khadr's mother, Maha Elsamnah, interviewed on television several years ago will remember well her hatred of Canada and statement that she only came back because another son required medical treatment. Likes the free stuff but hates the country?

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Khadr's upbringing does not give hope that a return to his family now will be conducive to an appreciation of Canada or disinterest in terrorism. The government believes differently. He has been “rehabilitated” they claim. Umm.

What do you think? Is he rehabilitated? Will he reject terrorism? Will he be able to become a 'good Canadian'? Will he be going from good desires to hate with his family? Can he overcome all that has been done in the past 10 years without debilitating resentment?