Hostages Free

[geoffrey]

Canadian's were definitely involved. JTF 2 is a very capable special forces team, and with the SAS, they'd be an unstoppable rebel force. Well, maybe not rebel.

I'm sure some will be upset that we have troops in Iraq, but hey, it worked.

The Jessica Lynch analogy is very interesting Black Dog. I don't know if these people are about to become heroes to a nation though... deservedly or not...

I agree, they are not heroes by any sense of the word, the rescue was a job well done, no matter how they did, they got the out. What is it with conspiracy theoriests and the drive to discredit everything the west does.

Interesting that so far from what I've read, there has been no comdemnation of the kidnappers, in fact,

the founder Doug Pritchard chose to reiterate the organization's political stance: "We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by Multinational Forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping and so much pain and suffering in Iraq." Hmmmm

Suggesting that they staged the kidnapping for publicity?

[Hicksey]

Story.

After almost four months of captivity, Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, were freed along with Briton Norman Kember, 74, during a raid by multinational forces northwest of Baghdad on Thursday morning.

No shots were fired and no kidnappers were captured in the operation.

I smell another Jessica Lynch.

I there's one poster here I wouldn't be surprised to hear that from, it's you.

Can I ask you a question?

As much as war sucks, where would we be without it? If we didn't fight in WWI or WW2?

Freedom isn't free.

[Hicksey]

Story.

After almost four months of captivity, Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32, were freed along with Briton Norman Kember, 74, during a raid by multinational forces northwest of Baghdad on Thursday morning.

No shots were fired and no kidnappers were captured in the operation.

I smell another Jessica Lynch.

I there's one poster here I wouldn't be surprised to hear that from, it's you.

Can I ask you a question?

As much as war sucks, where would we be without it? If we didn't fight in WWI or WW2?

Freedom isn't free.

EDIT

I don't want to hijack this thread so please, BD reply by PM.

Oops. Sorry for the DP.

[Montgomery Burns]

UK's Telegraph:

The three peace activists freed by an SAS-led coalition force after being held hostage in Iraq for four months refused to co-operate fully with an intelligence unit sent to debrief them, a security source claimed yesterday.

The claim has infuriated those searching for other hostages.

Neither the men nor the Canadian group that sent them to Iraq have thanked the people who saved them in any of their public statements.

Why am I not surprised that these activists are acting this way?

[scribblet]

Wow, this is telling it like it is...rock on

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...1b-2284d82b5953

Hostages were 'dupes,' Iraq says

Freed peace activists refusing to co-operate with British

TORONTO - Iraq's embassy to Canada lashed out at the Christian Peacemaker Teams Friday, calling them "phoney pacifists" and "dupes" after the antiwar group responded to the rescue of three of its kidnapped activists by condemning the U.S.-led military intervention in Iraq.

The Iraqi embassy called CPT "willfully ignorant" and "outrageous," and accused the Chicago-based group of being on the side of anti-democratic forces in Iraq.

"The Christian Peacemaker Teams practises the kind of politics that automatically nominate them as dupes for jihadism and fascism," the embassy's statement said.

A British-led special forces team on Thursday rescued three CPT members, who had been kidnapped in Baghdad nearly four months earlier

[I miss Reagan]

Wow, this is telling it like it is...rock on

http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news...1b-2284d82b5953

Hostages were 'dupes,' Iraq says

Freed peace activists refusing to co-operate with British

TORONTO - Iraq's embassy to Canada lashed out at the Christian Peacemaker Teams Friday, calling them "phoney pacifists" and "dupes" after the antiwar group responded to the rescue of three of its kidnapped activists by condemning the U.S.-led military intervention in Iraq.

The Iraqi embassy called CPT "willfully ignorant" and "outrageous," and accused the Chicago-based group of being on the side of anti-democratic forces in Iraq.

"The Christian Peacemaker Teams practises the kind of politics that automatically nominate them as dupes for jihadism and fascism," the embassy's statement said.

A British-led special forces team on Thursday rescued three CPT members, who had been kidnapped in Baghdad nearly four months earlier

Isn't it interesting how willing these activists were to accept the help of the evil "occupiers" that they were there protesting against?

Isn't it also interesting that there are Canadian soldiers.... in Iraq..... with guns...

[scribblet]

In Iraq

With guns

and Ammunition

I am not making this up

[Argus]

UK's Telegraph:

The three peace activists freed by an SAS-led coalition force after being held hostage in Iraq for four months refused to co-operate fully with an intelligence unit sent to debrief them, a security source claimed yesterday.

The claim has infuriated those searching for other hostages.

Neither the men nor the Canadian group that sent them to Iraq have thanked the people who saved them in any of their public statements.

Why am I not surprised that these activists are acting this way?

It's that instinctive anti-military attitude, where anything involving guns and force is evil - well, unless someone ethnic is using the force.

You know the first word I had on the release was from CTV. I was surfing and came across a long piece covering it on CTV newsnet. For five minutes, at least, the anchor talked about, and with others, about how they had been "freed" and "released" and went over all the people who had made pleas to the kidnappers, went over the cooperation of Muslim clerics and Muslim groups who called for them to be released, talked about how they, as "peacemakers" were there to help and on and on and on. It said absolutely NOTHING during that time about them being released during a raid. I mean, I thought they'd been 'released' by the kidnappers in response to all of the above.

Because since they weren't - why go on and on about all the clerics and religious people and pleas for release and all that? It was obviously all a big waste of time anyway. But I guess they preferred to talk about that sort of thing rather than (ick!) military stuff.

[August1991]

What about this Canadian citizen being held "hostage" abroad?

Jessica Abney said she contacted both American and Canadian authorities about her father Allen Abney, a 56-year old grandfather residing in Kingsgate, B.C.

"And they were not of any help to us," she said Monday in an interview with CTV Newsnet.

Frustrated that her father has not been allowed to make phone calls, Abney said she and her mother Adrienne contacted the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Consulate General of Canada seeking any information they could provide about Allen.

CTV

But I bet we'll be hearing alot more about this one:

Speaking from Montreal, Lavoie said that shortly after learning of the arrest through text messaging, he lost contact with his brother. So he started making phone calls "to everyone I could contact" including Canadian authorities, the Belarusian government and non-governmental agencies.

CBC

Canadians travel alot more than they did in the past, audiences love drama and some people like to attract attention.

[Black Dog]

Canadian's were definitely involved. JTF 2 is a very capable special forces team, and with the SAS, they'd be an unstoppable rebel force. Well, maybe not rebel.

I'm sure some will be upset that we have troops in Iraq, but hey, it worked.

The Jessica Lynch analogy is very interesting Black Dog. I don't know if these people are about to become heroes to a nation though... deservedly or not...

What I meant was the fake story of a heroic rescue operation. There's no version other than "official sources" claiming a heroic resuce by our fighting men. I'm suspicious because of how well it fits the new CPC narrative.

[geoffrey]

Canadian's were definitely involved. JTF 2 is a very capable special forces team, and with the SAS, they'd be an unstoppable rebel force. Well, maybe not rebel.

I'm sure some will be upset that we have troops in Iraq, but hey, it worked.

The Jessica Lynch analogy is very interesting Black Dog. I don't know if these people are about to become heroes to a nation though... deservedly or not...

What I meant was the fake story of a heroic rescue operation. There's no version other than "official sources" claiming a heroic resuce by our fighting men. I'm suspicious because of how well it fits the new CPC narrative.

It was the British and Americans that announced that our men were involed, not Canadians. There is no top secret Harper agenda about lying about JTF rescuing people.

Why? What is the motive?

[Black Dog]

It was the British and Americans that announced that our men were involed, not Canadians. There is no top secret Harper agenda about lying about JTF rescuing people.

And what the British and Americans don't talk to Harper? Harper wouldn't announce such a thing as it's a reminder of his own position on Canda's involvement in this very unpopular war. But by having the U.S. announce it, they have yet another feather in the cap of their pro-military agenda, one that's being pushed on us in every newspaper and on every television.

Why? What is the motive?

Public support for more military spending.

[mcqueen625]

Any merit to the idea that these kidnappers were paid off? Seems bizarre that there were no shots fired and no captured hostage-takers.

'

Possible but that would go against the policy of not dealing with kidnappers and make every expat in Iraq even more of a target. Could be that they just wanted to get rid of them and let the word get out where they could be found. They have been getting a lot of flack from other Arabs about these kidnappings and perhaps they came to realize it was a no win situation. They are free and unharmed, that's what really counts. Too bad Fox wasn't with them. I don't think the Americans would have let his killers get away if they could help it.

If Luney is so proud of his sexual preferences why is it that he was not waving his EGALE flag when he was a hostage of the Iraqis? His type are so eager to flaunt their sexuality here in Canadaa, why not in Iraq, and in other parts of the Middle East? Could beheading have srossed his mind?

[Wilber]

I can't belive people are bitching and complaining about the cost of thsi operation. I must say I have always felt that you cannot put a value on human life, and today we have saved the life of three humans.

What if those three humans were skiers who choose to ski in out of bounds areas? Should the gov't be expected to shell out an unlimited amount of money to rescue them? The point is valid - these people are at least partially responsible for their own fate because they choose to enter a region where foreigners are regularly kidnapped and murdered. These guys can't even argue that their status a humanitarian workers should have shielded them from such acts since that woman from the red cross was murdered last year.

The comparison with out of bounds skiers is a valid one, though I have never heard a rescued skier dump on the people who rescued him.

[newbie]

UK's Telegraph:

The three peace activists freed by an SAS-led coalition force after being held hostage in Iraq for four months refused to co-operate fully with an intelligence unit sent to debrief them, a security source claimed yesterday.

The claim has infuriated those searching for other hostages.

Neither the men nor the Canadian group that sent them to Iraq have thanked the people who saved them in any of their public statements.

Why am I not surprised that these activists are acting this way?

Not so Monty. Is that egg on your face?

http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national...8342eac&k=97385

[Black Dog]

Neither the men nor the Canadian group that sent them to Iraq have thanked the people who saved them in any of their public statements.

This is a lie. The London Times reported a local security official noting Dr. Norman Kember’s thanks. Pat Kember thanked all involved. Family friend and fellow activist Bruce Kent relayed CPT’s “unqualified gratitude” on BBC Radio 4. James Loney has issued his own statement of thanks. Christian Peacemaker Teams in Chicago and Toronto put out two statements on the same day as the release of their three colleagues. The one in the evening was specifically about their gratitude and regretted any impression to the contrary due to misinformed comments from some quarters.

If Luney is so proud of his sexual preferences why is it that he was not waving his EGALE flag when he was a hostage of the Iraqis? His type are so eager to flaunt their sexuality here in Canadaa, why not in Iraq, and in other parts of the Middle East? Could beheading have srossed his mind?

What's your point?

[Argus]

If Luney is so proud of his sexual preferences why is it that he was not waving his EGALE flag when he was a hostage of the Iraqis? His type are so eager to flaunt their sexuality here in Canadaa, why not in Iraq, and in other parts of the Middle East? Could beheading have srossed his mind?

What's your point?

I dunno what his point is but I continue to find it amusing how the left is so shrill in its defence of Muslims even though Muslims spit at almost every sacred leftist cow. Loney had no trouble going over there and spewing vitriol at the US and the west in defence of the poor, downtrodden Muslims but if he'd told his hosts he liked boys they'd have hanged him before the terrorists ever got to him. I bet none of the Muslims who spoke out on his behalf would have said a thing if they'd known what he likes to wrap his lips around at night.

[BubberMiley]

I bet none of the Muslims who spoke out on his behalf would have said a thing if they'd known what he likes to wrap his lips around at night.

Do you dwell on this graphic imagery while you write your posts? Geez, if I wanted to read Penthouse Forum, I would.

[Black Dog]

dunno what his point is but I continue to find it amusing how the left is so shrill in its defence of Muslims even though Muslims spit at almost every sacred leftist cow.

Just once I'd love to see something- a quote, an essay, an article, anything-whereby any leftist of any significance defends the anti-humanist, anti-equality tendancies of Islam or anyother religious herirarachy. Because you sure get a lot of mileage out of this slur without any supporrting evidence. And spare me the faulty logic of "opppossing the war=supporting the terrorists" that your kind usually loves indulging in. That don't cut no ice with me.

Loney had no trouble going over there and spewing vitriol at the US and the west in defence of the poor, downtrodden Muslims but if he'd told his hosts he liked boys they'd have hanged him before the terrorists ever got to him. I bet none of the Muslims who spoke out on his behalf would have said a thing if they'd known what he likes to wrap his lips around at night.

I see, so because Islamic society has a broad streak of homophobia, no homosexual in his right mind should concern him or herself with Muslims getting bombed, tortured etc. Oooookay. Really, I can't think of a more Christian thing to do than to stand up for the rigths of those who may hate you.

[BubberMiley]

Why is the Right so down on Christianity anyway?

[Black Dog]

Well, well, well...

Rescued hostage Sooden believes ransom was paid

Canadian Harmeet Singh Sooden, who was held hostage in Iraq for close to four months, says he believes it's "highly likely" that his rescue last week was the result of a ransom being paid.

In his first interview since his release, the 33-year-old told Reuters that it was "highly unusual" for his captors to be absent, especially on the day of the rescue.

To be fair, it also says:

Sooden did say that he had no evidence to back up his claim except for his "instinct."

Still, though, I'm going with my original gut instinct on this.

[Biblio Bibuli]

To be fair, it also says:

Sooden did say that he had no evidence to back up his claim except for his "instinct."

Still, though, I'm going with my original gut instinct on this.

MY gut instinct on this is that he said it just to encourage the other would-be kidnappers.

And I don't need to rely on my gut instinct to know that he has succeeded.

What an ugly thing to do.

[Black Dog]

MY gut instinct on this is that he said it just to encourage the other would-be kidnappers.

And I don't need to rely on my gut instinct to know that he has succeeded.

What an ugly thing to do.

Why do righties always think that the first thing the terr'ists do is check the latest news headlines from Canada? If ransom was paid, I'll bet the word has already got around to the criminal element. The rescue story was purely domestic cover.

[Michael Hardner]

Despite assurances that governments don't deal with terrorists and kidnappers, they indeed do deal with them.

Some of this came to light during the Iran-Contra discussions, and it was suspected that some arrangement freed the American hostages in Iran on the day Reagan was inaugurated.