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In the Crossfire

Hosts have Walker Lindh in the 'Crossfire'

Defense attorneys say this photo proves Lindh was tortured before making incriminating statements to U.S. interrogators in Afghanistan.

(CNN) -- "Crossfire" hosts Tucker Carlson and Paul Begala square off on the allegations from American Taliban fighter John Walker Lindh's lawyers, who say he was abused by his U.S. captors.

CARLSON: It's that time. No guests, no gloves, and this means you, Paul Begala, no whimpering. It's around 6. "Crossfire" distilled to its essence, pure debate. Here we go.

BEGALA: Take a look at this picture. John Walker Lindh, the American Taliban, alleged -- his defense team now alleges -- that he was tortured. We see that picture. He apparently seems to be restrained there. But my own view is now I don't believe...

CARLSON: Wait, you said this wasn't going to be as much fun as Ben & Jerry's. But I look at that, and I say actually, that's pretty amusing.

BEGALA: I have a different view of fun maybe, but that's for the weekend. I don't believe the reports, the allegations that he was tortured. But we wouldn't even have to worry about it if the Bush administration had played by the rules, treated him like what he is, an American.

When the right-wing FBI spy, Robert Hanssen came up, the Clinton administration prosecuted him successfully by guaranteeing his rights. Walker Lindh was not allowed to see his attorney.

CARLSON: Really? Paul, I'm sorry, if you just wake up, my son. That was in northern Virginia. This took place in Afghanistan.

BEGALA: They should've brought his lawyer over there.

CARLSON: On the other side -- it was the matter of a battle. You've got to be kidding. They couldn't prove for over a week that he in fact was an American. He spoke English with an Arabic accent. It wasn't clear who he was.

BEGALA: Arabic accent he picked up in Marin County. Just give him his lawyer, read him his rights.

CARLSON: You've seen the tape. The guy spoke with an accent. But look, with a lawyer in the middle of a war zone, why is it the Democrats, whenever anything happens, that you need a lawyer in the middle of this? It's a very telling instinct you have.

BEGALA: Because we are a nation of laws.

CARLSON: Yes, right. Give me a break.