Taking up arms against one’s country is not a mild case of betrayal.

It was difficult for most Americans to choke down the absolute unreality of the John Walker Lindh family as it discussed on television the American Taliban’s 20-year sentence for what amounts to treason.

The father dwelled on how John “loves America,” what a “good boy” he really is. The defense attorney focused on what defense attorneys do, trying to project his client as an innocent victim of circumstances most over which he had no control. The mother, the brother, the whole group, tried to sell us the notion that John Walker was just a “pure-hearted dreamer” who never did anything wrong beyond following his dream. They made no mention of the fact he had fought alongside an extremist group that is sworn to demolish America and Americans.

Lindh, 21, faced trial on 10 counts involving his treasonous activities for an Afghan group that was aligned with the al-Qaida terrorists who factored in Sept. 11 tragedies  and are planning more.

The doting family, acting as if it had been in outer space of late, seemed to waste no pity on the family of Johnny Spann, a former CIA agent who was killed in an uprising at an Afghan prison where Lindh and other Taliban soldiers were being held. Spann had been sent to the region last year.

Then suddenly when Lindh was brought to the bar he cleaned up, acted civil and played a victim role to the hilt. It’s understandable that his family would choose to be supportive, but viciously fraudulent?

Truth is, Lindh got off far more cheaply than he deserved. The plea bargain by our government came as a surprise. But prosecutors and the defense were able to reach agreement so that the high-profile defendant faces 17 years of prison time before he’s eligible for parole. He benefited from a court setting; a tribunal which he should have faced doubtless would have gone much harder on him. But if he is confined until he’s at least 38, perhaps Lindh will have time to ponder his treachery and avoid any future acts of that nature.

Among those who believe it was better for Lindh to face a civilian court than a closed military tribunal is the editorial staff of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Said the Inquirer:

” Â the constitutional rights that American citizens enjoy, such as the right to a fair trial, come with some clear responsibilities. One of the most obvious is not to take up arms against your own country or to abet others who do. Lindh chose to fight against the United States even as it responded to the most ghastly outside attack ever within its borders. Twenty years doesn’t seem too harsh for such a betrayal.”

John Walker Lindh is terribly lucky to come off as well as he did, regardless of how much he “loves America.”