OK... I'm not politically savvy at ALL... but looking at things simplistically, this is what I've noticed.
Obviously, Iraq and the nearby areas are not safe places for Americans to be. It has not been safe for years. I would have to assume that most Americans know this.
I also know that we have large numbers of civilians over there working. Again, I have to assume that these civilians not only realize the risk of simply being over there; I also must assume they are there by choice. i.e., no one is forcing them to work there. If they know of the danger, they don't have to go. Simple.
So, it seems like every week or every month there's more new hostages. I understand that given the circumstance they are in, they've every right to be terrified. But I don't understand how they can beg the government to give in to the terrorists. As far as I can tell, the hostages are not hapless victims. They knew the dangers of going to the region; they went anyway; they didn't have to. This tells me they accepted the risks. I mean, it's like running into a dangerous situation on your own free will; then expecting to be rescued when you're in over your head.
I guess I just dont understand why this happens. I can only guess that when someone actually gets taken hostage like this, they suddenly realize that it CAN happen to them. The entire world changes in an instant. But how much responsibility does a nation have to rescue a hostage who put himself/herself into harms way? A little? A lot? Are relatives of the hostage justified in demanding the gov't withdraw troops / release prisoners / whatever, in order to save their loved ones? Is this a reaction out of fear and emotion?
I don't really know what to think of the whole situation, except that I see these circumstances and it gets me thinking. I don't know... it just doesn't sit right. Should we make every effort to rescue them? Should we give in? Should we say "sorry dude, you knew this might happen?"
What are your thoughts?
Obviously, Iraq and the nearby areas are not safe places for Americans to be. It has not been safe for years. I would have to assume that most Americans know this.
I also know that we have large numbers of civilians over there working. Again, I have to assume that these civilians not only realize the risk of simply being over there; I also must assume they are there by choice. i.e., no one is forcing them to work there. If they know of the danger, they don't have to go. Simple.
So, it seems like every week or every month there's more new hostages. I understand that given the circumstance they are in, they've every right to be terrified. But I don't understand how they can beg the government to give in to the terrorists. As far as I can tell, the hostages are not hapless victims. They knew the dangers of going to the region; they went anyway; they didn't have to. This tells me they accepted the risks. I mean, it's like running into a dangerous situation on your own free will; then expecting to be rescued when you're in over your head.
I guess I just dont understand why this happens. I can only guess that when someone actually gets taken hostage like this, they suddenly realize that it CAN happen to them. The entire world changes in an instant. But how much responsibility does a nation have to rescue a hostage who put himself/herself into harms way? A little? A lot? Are relatives of the hostage justified in demanding the gov't withdraw troops / release prisoners / whatever, in order to save their loved ones? Is this a reaction out of fear and emotion?
I don't really know what to think of the whole situation, except that I see these circumstances and it gets me thinking. I don't know... it just doesn't sit right. Should we make every effort to rescue them? Should we give in? Should we say "sorry dude, you knew this might happen?"
What are your thoughts?
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