I was extremely disappointed when the Philippines capitulated to terrorist demands and pulled its workers out of Iraq to secure the release of a Filipino truck driver.
True to form, six more hostages were taken the same day he was released and I thought that there was blood on the hands of Gloria Arroyo and her feckless administration. I know that's an audacious charge and I stand by it.
The other day, I heard that they had not only backed out of peacekeeping efforts, but also had paid $6 million ransom. I hope that's not true.
Here is how you free Hostages:
BAGHDAD, Iraq - In an extraordinary assault, gunmen in the city of Fallujah stormed a kidnappers' lair and forced the overmatched militants inside to flee, freeing four Jordanian truck drivers held captive, local officials said Wednesday.The raid, in a city that has long been hostile to the U.S. military and supportive of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites), marked the first time local gunmen had broken foreign hostages out of captivity. They called the kidnappers "terrorists" and outsiders.
And who executed the raid? US Marines? Coalition troops? Nope. "Local leaders gathered together armed residents..." In one fell swoop it's a validation of Iraqi liberty, individual self-reliance, individual right to keep and bear arms, and aggressive use of force to defeat crime and terrorism.
Why do conservatives champion these ideas? Because they WORK. It's just that simple.
Posted by: johngalt at August 5, 2004 07:46 AM