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Do you agree with the new U.S. policy that allows families of hostages to negotiate with terrorists?

 

 

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It's what the people want and feel that they have the right to do everything in their power to free their loved ones. Fair? Life's not fair - Get over it. If you have big bucks you can get the treatment.

Submitted by Al herrle (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 2:49pm

It has nothing to do with fairness! If you put other peoples lives in danger how in hell can that be fair? Just because you have money you think that makes you better than someone who doesn't. you cannot deal with these animals, period. So you rich cats pay the ransom and they kill your loved one anyway by beheading them or cutting their throat and put it on you tube so you can witness their last moments of life......now what. Oh that's right life's not fair.....I forgot. If they had my loved one I would not want them to suffer anymore than they already have. My plea would be for the
Gov't to use a small nuclear device and remove them from the earth to prevent them from suffering any more. Al, if the next hostage has no money would you loan the family the money so they could be freed since you have it? You need to get real!

Submitted by Reb 1 (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 3:13pm

Right on, Reb 1

Submitted by The Yank (not verified) : Jun 27, 2015 3:47pm

Tough issue here. Paying off terrorists will lead to more kidnapping. So the U. S. should discourage families from negotiating, but not prosecute them if they do.
Hostages are heroes! Heroism is born out of situation. Most of us would not wish to be heroes, but become one when faced with necessity. If I'd been snatched and my family bought my freedom. I'd have to live with the knowledge that my freedom was bought at the cost of another's freedom - that my release put many others at risk. This is not a burden I would want to carry. Let Hostages be Heroes but don't punish families for their misguided but very understandable efforts. The families are already faced with a tragedy. If they don't pay, they are cold and calloused. If they do pay they are undermining America's efforts and putting their neighbors at risk. We shouldn't complicate their grief with judgement or prosecution. We need to support the families and help them see that they have also become, unexpectedly, heroes, as they choose, but are not forced, to do the right thing. Hostages also make Heroes.

Submitted by David Feagles (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 3:47pm

I agree with you David! You make a very convincing, logical, and emotional argument. Indeed, this issue presents a very precarious situation that requires close scrutiny to act upon on all those involved in such a dilemma involving life threatening situations, that presents potential and actual calamitous consequences; this, affecting our "brothers [and sisters] in Arms," their families, close friends, and other loved ones. You showed good insight and analyzed the above question well. Excellent comment.

Submitted by John P. Grillo (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 5:41pm

No sure.

Submitted by MartinS (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 3:47pm

If u pay for their release they will just go get more I say no don't negociate with them

Submitted by Ronald Dupre (L... (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 5:12pm

This is a very difficult situation for all of us to resolve. The number 1 thing that should be enforced is not allow American citizens to travel into areas that are deemed dangerous. Some of these folks are there on humanitarian missions or are reporters. Again, perhaps we should not allow these folks to go into these dangerous areas. If the corporations send their journalists into these areas then they should try to get them out by any means. The government should not be held responsible to pay the ransom. However, I have mixed feelings about paying the ransom because it would encourage the terrorists to kidnap more hostages. My solution is STAY OUT OF THE AREAS DEEMED DANGEROUS.

Submitted by Anthony B (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 6:22pm

I say we pay them off in lead. My question is, why doesn't the world - NATO countries - join in one common cause to finally rid the planet of this plague, rather than try to placate anger or their threats.

The world did this during WWII and it worked back then, so not now - or do we just maintain the status-quo and continue on our present course of talking nice to the bad men.

Submitted by Dennis Adams (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 7:08pm

We cannot bend to the terrorist who take our family members. We were taught that ransom only increases more hostage taking and constant inflicted pain on those captured. I know that most people held hostage are over in that particular country because of their faith, church, or belief that they can do something good for the people there. I admire that, but we need to look at the big picture and when our state department says travel is not safe. They are saying if you go, you are on your own because we may not be able to help you. If your mind says you need to go, think again and then you are in God's hands if you go. We wish you the best, but we(state department and embassy.) can't be everywhere. All we ask, maybe postpone trip until things calm down and you have safe passage. You then would be able to do more for those who so desperately need it.

Submitted by Charlie Seifert (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 7:29pm

WHAT OUR PRESIDENT HAS DONE IS DO WHAT SEEMS RIGHT TO THE FAMILY BACK HERE IN THE USA BUT I NEW WHEN I BECAME A US SOLDIER IF I WAS TO BE CAPTURED OR TAKEN PRISONER THAT MY COUNTRY WOULD TRY TO GET ME FREED BUT MY JOB WAS TO JUST GIVE MY NAME RANK AND SERIAL NUMBER! SO MY ANSWER IS NO!!!!!

Submitted by MIKE CATES (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 9:09pm

Good comment Mike. I remember that we were to also resist as much as we could, even in captivity. When you serve you are put in harms way, not a job for all but those who serve understand.

Submitted by Doug Fox (not verified) : Jun 26, 2015 8:38pm

I agree that family members should be able to spend whatever money they are able to spend to retrieve their family member, but they must understand that - to borrow words from Thomas Jefferson: Millions for defense, but not one public dollar for tribute.

Submitted by Cornelius Seon (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 9:47pm

There's a reason we have a policy of no negotiating. These people can't be trusted, and paying them will lead to more hostage taking.
This should never be approved!

Submitted by Jim Egyud (not verified) : Jun 25, 2015 10:11pm

We should never negotiate with these animals, period. We should never pay them for their crimes of brutality and barbarism. We should go after them, hunt them down, and wipe them out to a man, wherever they are. You can not give them anything!!! What are we waiting for? Let's get em!!!

Submitted by Larry Morrison (not verified) : Jun 26, 2015 6:37am

We should never negotiate with these animals, period. We should never pay them for their crimes of brutality and barbarism. We should go after them, hunt them down, and wipe them out to a man, wherever they are. You can not give them anything!!! What are we waiting for? Let's get em!!!

Submitted by Larry Morrison (not verified) : Jun 26, 2015 6:37am

No, they should not negotiate with them, but they should be involved in the background to be able to give their opinions and input.

Submitted by Stanley E. Daugherty (not verified) : Jun 26, 2015 1:51pm

All United States of America citizens have the right to make beneficial decisions for themselves and their family, this is the essence of fairness. Betrayal is always a possibility when negotiating with radicalism on domestic or foreign territory. American citizens who desires/wish to pay for the opportunity should be able to exercise that right without federal law penalties or interference. Besides, those same affluent citizens have the financial means and organizational infrastructure to repay betrayal, thus, promoting the American ability to resolve conflict(s).

Submitted by Retired Veteran (not verified) : Jun 26, 2015 5:28pm

So let me get this straight. The USA with all of its political influence in the State Department and all of its military power to include some of the best trained special operators in the world can't find these terrorist groups or rescue the hostage, but some random psudeo-millionaire can whistle up a rescue team of mercenaries who will get the job done right?

Real life is not Hollywood and this is not a bad plot for another "Expendables" movie.

No negotiations with terrorists, ever. Find them and kill them and anyone who funds them or gives them logistical support. That is the ONLY way you stop them.

Submitted by Michael Saint (not verified) : Jun 27, 2015 6:35pm

No because the families are not trained in negotiating with terrorists. It puts their lives and the life of the hostage in jeoprady. The terrorists are only going to want a ransom during a time when the family is dealing with emotional stress. I recommend the families communicating their concerns to a trained professional, who in turn, can effectively negotiate with the terrorists on the family's behalf.

Submitted by Andrew Klimkowski (not verified) : Jul 1, 2015 12:35am

No, don't pay a ransom. This was the policy before Jefferson and it did not work then. Look up why marines are nicknamed "leathernecks". Would you give up a job or things if kept bring in more money than you would have gotten from an honest job?

Submitted by Carl Moon (not verified) : Jul 2, 2015 1:11am

I don't believe in negotiating with terrorists but that being said, Families already suffering that nothing is being done would obtain a sort of relief that all avenues were covered. I don't think it would come to much but it would save the families the eternity of hopelessness of asking themselves "What if..." for the rest of their lives.

Submitted by WC Ralston (not verified) : Jul 3, 2015 12:07pm

If were only a simple answer it would be yes. Americans should be free to do what ever they want with their money but they must also realize that paying for hostages will also encourage more to be taken. If the federal government would use all means necessary to apprehend the criminals involved, including foreign politicians, return the ransum money and punish those convicted via the world court (currently also a joke), maybe there would be less of it. The death penality is too easy an out especially with the 72 virgins waiting for them. Let them rot in prison for the rest of their life and make them work for their subsistance and survival! That's a deterent!

Submitted by Don P (not verified) : Jul 5, 2015 8:24am