Was He or Not

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by spence

A response to this I heard from a military leader basically dismissed this notion by stating they're trying to snatch Americans all the time already...


Yes, presidents used to "say" that but most of them do it any way.

Bush certainly did it in Iraq and I'd wager it happens a lot more frequently than most people are aware.

-spence

"A response to this I heard from a military leader..." Spence, you can usually find someone out there who will offer a quotethat supports your defense of Ogama. That doesn't make it right. How about telling us what you think.

"dismissed this notion by stating they're trying to snatch Americans all the time already"

OK. So everyone is wrong who says that if you reward people for bad behavior, you will encourage more bad behavior. I want to be clear, that's what you are saying? It's not reasonable to assume that anyone out there will see that the Taliban was handsomely rewarded for kidnapping this American, and be more likely to follow suit?

"Bush certainly did it in Iraq "

He negotiated with terrorists? Please explain...Prisoner exchanges happen all the time, in accordance with the Geneva Convention. That's not what this was, not by a long shot.

"I'd wager it happens a lot more frequently than most people are aware."

Shocker. You'll wager that what your hero did here, wasn't stupid.

[spence]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

Spence, you can usually find someone out there who will offer a quotethat supports your defense of Ogama. That doesn't make it right. How about telling us what you think.

There's policy and there's exception. If it's your policy to always offer ransom then you'll likely see an effect. That's not our policy...

OK. So everyone is wrong who says that if you reward people for bad behavior, you will encourage more bad behavior. I want to be clear, that's what you are saying? It's not reasonable to assume that anyone out there will see that the Taliban was handsomely rewarded for kidnapping this American, and be more likely to follow suit?

Soldier walks off base in full uniform into town and is captured. That's not a kidnapping, it was an opportunity in a theater of war. We would have done the exact same thing...

He negotiated with terrorists? Please explain...Prisoner exchanges happen all the time, in accordance with the Geneva Convention. That's not what this was, not by a long shot.

Bush certainly cut deals with Sunni insurgents in Iraq including those who had targeted/attacked/killed Americans. Before 9/11 Bush helped pay 300 grand to a terror group to free missionaries in the Philippines (Note, it didn't end well). Hell Reagan sent arms to Iran after they were declared a State Sponsor of Terrorism!

-spence

[Fly Rod]

There ya go blaming fox news....my home page MSN had qoutes from two soldiers that were in his outfit....we will C what if anything is done to him.

[spence]

Originally Posted by Fly Rod

There ya go blaming fox news....my home page MSN had qoutes from two soldiers that were in his outfit....we will C what if anything is done to him.

It's all about politicization and money. Back when a swap was discussed 2 years ago consultants were already trying to figure out how to manipulate it.

They'll seek these guys out, then the PR firms coordinate interviews with the most receptive media. Because it's getting attention everybody feels they have to cover it.

Frankly I'd put a lot more faith in what our military leadership is saying about this whole event than the media. The coverage on most outlets has been lame and the coverage on Fox outright reprehensible. Really, really ugly.

-spence

[Jim in CT]

Originally Posted by spence

Frankly I'd put a lot more faith in what our military leadership is saying about this whole event ...
-spence

Me too. So go listen to what they are all saying, not just the ones you happen to agree with.

[RIROCKHOUND]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

Me too. So go listen to what they are all saying, not just the ones you happen to agree with.

And a common theme, was get him back, then sort out details (captured, AWOL, deserter) and deal with him as appropriate.

[spence]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

Me too. So go listen to what they are all saying, not just the ones you happen to agree with.

Do you know of active military leadership condemning the action?

-spence