South Korean Hostages Held by Taliban Orts - "they do not pay attention!"

Of the 22 remaining South Korean hostages taken by the Taliban in Afghanistan Taliban spokesman Qari Mohammad Yousuf said:

“They are safe and alive,” and that the Afghanistan government, “has given us hope for a peaceful settlement of the issue.”

The “hope” he spoke of is a positive turn as 23 people had initially been taken hostage while on a 10 day relief mission and unfortunately one had to be shot dead yesterday because the Afghan government “had not responded positively to its demands,” which was to a demand of the release “of eight Taliban prisoners in exchange for eight Koreans.”

Another Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi, complained of the government in Kabul:

“They do not pay attention and did not give a positive response, so that’s why we killed one Korean hostage.”

Chief Presidential Secretary for Security Policy Baek Jong-chun of South Korea furthered what will likely be observed as “non positive response,” by the “spokesman heavy” Taliban when he said:

"The Korean government clearly states that the organization responsible for the abduction will be held accountable for taking the life of a Korean citizen. The killing of an innocent citizen cannot be justified under any circumstance or for any reason, and any such inhumane act can not be tolerated"

Sadly, the Taliban lost its short hold on power that it had in the mid to late nineties, which has forced it to abuse, quash and make miserable fewer lives; wo is them.

The prospect of the possibility of snuffing the lives of the 22 remaining infidels must be of some solace to the Taliban members. Of comfort early on in the kidnapping episode to the Taliban members, internet users had “criticisms on the Christian community for aggressive proselytizing activities in Islamic countries,” also “local protestant churches were urged to think again about their aggressive evangelism after the news of hostages broke out last week.”

Following the slaying, in cold blood, pointless murder of one of the hostages, Pastor Bae Hyung-kyu yesterday, other internet users began saying (one anyway):

"This is not the time to keep up criticisms when a person has been shot dead. Although these people could have been more careful, they were there with good intentions, and none of them deserves to be victimized this way."

It’s interesting to read of the pathetic stupidity of those that will put their own safety and life on the line in an effort to convince the “believers” that it isn’t so bad to be an “infidel.” Those that criticized the Christian missionaries do have a point that the hostages put themselves in harms way, “for endangering their safety, ignoring government warnings and not reporting to the local police while traveling from Kabul to Kandahar, the former stronghold of the Taliban.” Surely it isn’t safe for Muslims in South Korea or the U.S. either to practice according to their beliefs.

So, I guess they had it coming.

Regardless of how the “negotiations” go, it would probably be a good idea to continue and/or increase a steady stream of 500 pound and larger “negotiators” into the mountainous regions where these once proud stiflers of life now reside.

Of "Hostage Games" Global Guerrillas asks and answers:

"The recent series of hostage dramas in Afghanistan poses the following question: what's the value of a hostage in 21st century warfare? Answer: an order of magnitude more than it was a decade ago (in contrast, the Iranian hostage drama and the Lebanon hostage crisis were outliers to the trend line driven by more by domestic US politics than any inherent system effects).

Here's why:

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Lugar and the New Highway of Death

"It may even be that the United States military would be subjected to the reverse of the notorious “Highway of Death” of Desert Storm, albeit on a smaller scale."


According to the NY Times:

"After offering a bleak assessment of the Bush administration’s strategy in Iraq, Senator Richard G. Lugar of Indiana, the ranking Republican on the Foreign Relations Committee, said today that he was urging lawmakers and President Bush to change course quickly to protect a further erosion of America’s standing in the world."

Forget about all the details no one seems to want to deal with, like what exactly leaving Iraq means, Frank Gaffney had an interesting essay this morning at NRO.

From Frank Gaffney, Jr. at NRO; "Dunkirk in the Desert"

"It has become fashionable for politicians of both parties — mostly Democrats, but a few Republicans, as well — to promise the rapid removal of U.S. forces from Iraq. In fact, a sort of bidding war has broken out with would-be presidential candidates outdoing each other to come up with ever-shorter timelines for the abandonment of our positions there."

Democratic presidential candidate and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson: “I would withdraw all of our forces, without any residual troops, by the end of this calendar year.”

Democratic presidential candidate and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards: “I would continue to draw combat troops out of Iraq over the course of about the next 10 months.”

Democratic presidential candidate and New York Senator Hillary Clinton, speaking on the recently defeated Iraq withdrawal bill: “I support the underlying bill [to cut off funding after March 2008]…This is consistent with what I’ve been saying for several years.”

Republican presidential candidate and Texas Congressman Ron Paul: “I’d come home. I’d just get out of there.”

For the rest of the story....

Let's face it, no one is really going to continue to give this subject enough thought to do the right thing. Suggesting politicians get a clue to consider the result of acting on their rhetoric is like asking them to not take themselves too seriously.

We will one day soon leave Iraq and that day will be too soon. We will spend the next decades paying for that shortsighted decision with more battlegrounds around the planet. In perhaps what is the first time this nation took a pro-active stance or entered into battle early in a preemptive manner so as to address an issue head on; we will fall back and write off all those that have sacrificed to the point at which we do leave.

We will do this; the time is coming. We will have to go back too, but the circumstances and the battlefields will be that much more difficult to enter into. They will be in the deserts, in the cities of Europe and the U.S. and elsewhere. It will be an ugly inferno and I told you so will have no meaning or satisfaction.

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Democrat Senate, Iraq, Iran, Russia, the Middle East and Other Stuff

President Bush “predicted that after more than three months of stalemate, a deal was within reach to pay for the war through Sept. 30.” Adding this:

‘“We will work through something we can all live with and enable us to get the job done.”’

One side wants to win the Iraq Theater; the other has already lost: 2+2=3 ok…

Unconscionable mathematics aside, all is not lost. “The US can count on Iranian help to get out of the current stalemate in Iraq.”

Secretary of Supreme National Security Council Ali “Larry” Larijani, hot off the “peaceful nuke” negotiations it is assumed said:

‘"This method, diplomatic shuttle on the warship, is not helpful. It is somewhat desperate roaring and is far away from logic. Of course, I do not have objection to diplomatic tours, but, they will get nowhere. There is some countries which cherish the dream of establishing great civilization through unilateral action. Iran cannot help in this case.”’

‘"But, if they change their method in a bid to get out of the current stalemate, they can count on Iranian help.”’

Perhaps the Mullahs and Democrats can work on that one; leave it to the Majority “leadership,” they’re real fighters when it comes to a wet paper bag.

Jonah Goldberg, that silly little man is confused and wonders in writing, if not aloud; “why is it obvious that intervening in a civil war is not only wrong, but so self-evidently wrong that merely calling the Iraqi conflict a civil war closes off discussion?”

Why indeed…

The EU and Russia meet regarding economic issues and ties, yet not much in the way of results is expected. There is concern from many EU countries:

“about rising energy dependence on Russia, which supplies a quarter of Europe's oil and more than two-fifths of its gas. Those worries increased after Moscow briefly halted gas supplies to Ukraine and Belarus in 2006 and 2007, resulting in supply shortfalls to EU countries.”

Concerns or worries are unfounded as earlier this week, “U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said ‘“there were no grounds for talk of a new Cold War.”’

Certainly not the Cold War we consider when the terminology is used and that the definition of war is evolving; no two snowflakes are alike.

Chairman of the Expediency Council Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani meeting with Moroccan Parliament Speaker Abdelwahed Radhi said on Tuesday regarding Israel:

"The Zionist regime's policy is based on more control and domination over Beit-ul-Moqaddas. Now, the world of Islam is duty-bound to confront such policies."

Rafsanjani spoke of the importance of fostering solidarity among Arab states and Iran in an attempt to empower Iran uh Iranian led Islamic extremism er Islamic extremism eh, the Islamic world.

Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry, Mohammad-Ali Hosseini condemned Israel's latest attacks on Palestinians in Gaza strip as “savage and terrorist”:

‘"Targeting residential areas and slaughtering innocent children, women and men in Palestine as well as demolishing their houses through bombardments indicate the depth of the hostility and hatred of the Zionist regime and its ally, the US which has hidden itself behind the mask of loving peace and democracy, towards Palestinians and people of the region."’

He stressed the need, “for further strengthening of unity among different Palestinian groups to safeguard their national interests and maintain values of their Islamic resistance.”

The assumption made that the continuation or maintenance of Palestinian Islamic resistance is illustrated thusly:

16 rockets landed on Wednesday (5/16) seriously injuring a 70-year-old woman plus 18 others.

On Tuesday (5/15), 24 rockets hit Israel and wounded 30 people.

47 rockets have landed in Israel this week.

Since Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005, Palestinian terrorists have fired more than 1,300 rockets into Israel.

Setting aside reality; Keep up the good work kiddies!

Charles Krauthammer believes the 40^th anniversary of the Six Day War should be celebrated beginning May 16, 1967…he has a good point.

What would a Friday be without a Friday Sermon from Iran? Aside from the fact that it would probably be better; Tehran's substitute Friday Prayers Leader Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani spoke of the Islamic Republic’s and Iran’s in general, past glories:

‘"We should not allow anyone to destroy our past glories and nobody should dare to take these honors from the nation. We should also defend our far past history"’

Also, let us not forget the “Great Satan:”

‘"If the US lays aside its arrogance aims in Iraq and follows the United Nations regulations concerning occupation, the establishment of security in the country will be possible."’

Lastly, Rafsanjani:

“commemorated "Communication Week" and spoke about its importance in the current world.”

Unfortunately, there appears to be nothing communicating just what “Communication Week,” is in the Islamic Republic News Agency. Go figure…

Ekmeleddin Ihsanoglu, Secretary General of the Organization of Islamic Conference or OIC, “urged Muslim intellectuals to help improve the atmosphere of tolerance and dialogue among Muslim and the Western worlds.”

The unfair treatment of Islam has created a lopsided fear or Islamophobia, key points made:

“Increasing discrimination and intolerance against Muslims, particularly in Europe and the North America, is a serious issue.”

“The distortion of Islam and attempts to defame it as an extremist faith would have negative effects on world peace.”

“Confronting the concept of Islamophobia, rectifying the increasing negative discourse of the Western politicians and media and disseminating the true message and tenets of Islam could not be possible only by relying on the efforts of the 57-member OIC. “

‘"Active support of the member states is essential for countering negative propaganda against Islam and Muslims."’

The Secretary-General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon, in a departure from the uneven handedness of his predecessor said recently of the OIC:

‘“I look forward to strengthening these ties even further in the months and years to come.”’

Ki-moon also spoke of:

‘“The OIC, as a leading multilateral institution, is well placed to play a leading role in addressing all these challenges (Islamic States instability…). I would especially like to commend the excellent cooperation between the Untied Nations and the OIC.”’

As a follow up to this “peace in the offing,” an article by Anne Bayefsky at National Review Online regarding the replacement to the UN’s Commission on Human Rights; the new and improved (as oxymoronic as the name UN implies), the “UN Human Rights Council.”

Everything is going to be alright…

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Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Soldier Was Suggested By Echo9er

Hospitalman Luis E. Fonseca Jr.


On August 11, 2004, Naval Hospitalman Luis E. Fonseca, Jr. was awarded the Navy's second highest decoration. The Navy Cross, which is awarded for extraordinary heroism while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States and must be performed in the presence of great danger or at great personal risk, was awarded for his actions while serving with Amphibious Assault Vehicle Platoon, Company C, 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, Task Force Tarawa, II Marine Expeditionary Force.

On March 23, 2004, Fonseca, Jr.'s unit were trying to take the Saddam Canal Bridge. Five Marines were injured when their vehicle was hit by an RPG. Fonseca, while still being fired upon by machine guns and RPG's, pulled the Marines to safety and established a casualty collection unit inside his own medical evacuation vehicle. After his vehicle was hit once again, Fonseca organized litter teams and directed the movement of four of the Marines, while personally carrying one wounded Marine over open ground to another vehicle. On November 15, 2004, Seaman Fonseca was awarded the "Grateful Nation Award" from the Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs for his actions.

"I was doing my job," said Fonseca. "I wish I could have done more."
These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

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Wednesday Hero

Maj. William D. Chesarek, Jr.
Royal Air Force's 847th Naval Air Squadron, Commando Helicopter Force


Maj. William D. Chesarek, Jr. has done something no other U.S. service member has done since WWII. On March 21 of this year, Maj. Chesarek was awarded the British Distinguished Flying Cross, by Queen Elizabeth, for saving lives and in recognition for his bravery during combat operations in Iraq. Maj. Chesark was assigned as an exchange officer with the Royal Air Force's 847th Naval Air Squadron, Commando Helicopter Force in 2005 and was the pilot of the RAF’s Lynx Mk7 helicopter.

On the evening of June 10, 2006, Chesarek was providing radio communication relay for British ground troops conducting a company-sized search operation near Amarah, Iraq. Listening to radio transmissions, he overheard that a vehicle involved in the operation had became disabled and a crowd of insurgents was firing small arms and rocket-propelled grenades at the company.

According to his award citation, "Chesarek elected to fly low over the area in an attempt to distract the crowd and if possible, to engage the insurgents." Because the crowd was so close to the ground troops, instead of engaging his machine gun, he "opted instead to provide bold, harassing, very low level flight over the area in an attempt to disperse the crowd."

You can read Maj. Chesarek's story in it's entirety here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

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Wednesday Hero

This Weeks Post Was Suggested By Kathi

Billy Hodges, kneeling center.


Billy Hodges, who served in the U.S. Army and Texas National Guard between 1971-1979, is not only being profiled for his service, but also for what he's done since then. Mr. Hodges runs an organization based in El Campo, Tx called Hunts For Heroes. They also have chapter in South Carolina , Arkansas , Mississippi , and California and what they do is take soldiers who've been wounded in battle on hunting and fishing trips and other outdoor related activities. All free of charge.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. If you would like to participate in honoring the brave men and women who serve this great country, you can find out how by going here.

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