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Al Qaeda captures American, then makes outrageous demands.

Quad4_72

AI-EE-YAH!
Joined
Nov 7, 2006
Messages
6,354
Apparently Al Qaeda captured an American citizen over in Pakistan. Here is a list of their demands:
Al Qaeda's demands include the lifting of the blockade on movement of people and trade between Egypt and Gaza; an end to bombing by the United States and its allies in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia and Gaza; the release of anyone arrested on charges of belonging to al Qaeda and the Taliban.
It also calls for the release of all prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and American secret prisons and the closure of Guantanamo and the other prisons.
The group also wants the release of terrorists convicted in the 1993 bombing of the World Trade Center and the release of relatives of Osama bin Laden, the founder of al Qaeda who was killed last year in Pakistan.
http://www.cnn.com/2012/05/07/world/asia/pakistan-captured-american/index.html?hpt=wo_c2

Al Qaeda isn't too bright these days are they?
 
It could be cover to distract attention from their elaborate bearer bonds heist. The CIA should parachute a barefoot wisecracking off duty cop into Pakistan immediately.
 
I wouldn't rule out a ransom demand "on the side".
 
The Taliban also demands that from this day forward, everyone must wear their underwear on the outside of their clothes!!
 
The Taliban also demands that from this day forward, everyone must wear their underwear on the outside of their clothes!!

Good thing I don't wear underwear - I will not be a hostage to terrorist demands! USA USA!
 
All jokes aside, this poor fella will probably end up with his throat cut.
 
"My life is in your hands, Mr. President," said the American captured in August from his home in the Pakistani city of Lahore. "If you accept the demands, I live. If you don't accept the demands, then I die."

I hate this line of reasoning. I understand that Mr. Weinstein is being forced to say this but I must reject the premise. Al Qaeda has him and they have the knife to his throat. No one is responsible for his death but Al Qaeda. Whenever I hear something like this it just makes me mad. You simply cannot make others responsible for your actions.
 
It is a pity due process interferes with the only just response: executing one AQ detainee every hour, until this man is freed. Ah well, I hope they rescue him alive and unharmed, although these hopes are slim indeed.

McHrozni
 
This line of reasoning fits perfectly within the goals of terrorism. It's not about causing enough destruction to make the other side bend to your will. Its about making the other side fear you enough or destroying their morale enough to bend to your will. Everybody "knows" who is responsible for what happens to this man but thats not always the same as how it feels. Terrorism isn't about sound logic or well reasoned arguments. Its about destroying your enemy's morale.

Also, it seems pretty likely that they are making demands this outrageous on purpose. That way they are certain that they dont get met and they can have another victim.
 
Terrorism isn't about sound logic or well reasoned arguments. Its about destroying your enemy's morale.
I agree, which to me makes it all the more paramount that we remain rational in our policy making, and not allow fear to guide our legal system nor foreign policy., The erosion of personal rights is a direct result of emotional reactions to terrorism.
 
Remember that recently Israel traded thousands of Palestinian prisoners for just one captured Israeli soldier.

I don't think the USA will give up anything close to that in this case because the prisoner does not have a very high profile in the USA, but by putting video of him out there they are trying to raise his profile and value as a bargaining chip.
 

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