Ex-Iraq hostages forgive captors (BBC News)

[Yrys]

I think the thread about them (RESCUE IN IRAQ, http://forums.army.ca/forums/threads/41336.135.html )
is to old for me to add to it (but feel free to deplace it).

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6161125.stm

...
Briton Norman Kember and Canadians James Loney and Harmeet Singh
Sooden said they opposed the death penalty for the hostage-takers.

The three added they had yet to decide whether to give evidence at the men's
trial, which is set for next year.

...

 

[R933ex]

"We unconditionally forgive our captors for abducting and holding us. We have no desire to punish them. Punishment can never restore what was taken from us."

Its not their choice forgiveness is great, however by not testifying what message they are trying to send. Maybe these specific individuals have found a better way <Some how doubt it but devils advocate here> but the next group will take the lesson away that if they do it and kill a hostage there are no ramifications.

On the issue of capital punishment,  If they truly value all life they will testify, tell the full story and plead for leniency in court. Having said that, I am guessing that the locals authorities have enough evidence to prosecute whether these guys testify or not. So if they really want to preserve the lives of the guys who kidnapped them, then the only opportunity to do so will be at court. My $0.2

I don't post on political issues but this just burns my *ss

 

[dynaglide]

Not to mention the troops who put themselves at risk to save these tree-huggers.  Also correct me if I'm wrong (and I very well could be) but wouldn't there be legal ramifications if these people were supoened and refused to give testimony.  Just a thought...

 

[Rey]

According to an interview I just heard with the three survivors, they are primarily against the death penalty. According to them this is the current penalty for kidnapping. They are individually deciding how to respond to the trial.

Ultimately, these people are living according to their beliefs, and they have that right.

The murder of Fox is a separate charge and trial.

I missed a lot of the interview, so I don't have a lot of details. Sorry

My $.02

Rey

 

[vonGarvin]

I believe that these guys were/are Roman Catholic.  If so, then forgiveness is what they MUST do, according to their faith.  Jesus Christ asked for forgiveness for his executions as he died on the cross, and Roman Catholics are taught to emulate Christ, so it follows that they would seek forgiveness, rather than vengeance.  Their aim wouldn't be to absolve these guys outright, as it were, but rather to try to provide an example for the hostage takers to follow.  In other words, have these guys "see the light" and take a path of peace rather than one of violence.

Just my opinion, worth every penny you paid to read it

 

[KevinB]

You really have to admire NGO's in Iraq (and Afghanistan).  However I dont let my admiration of their attempts to bring a safe and secure environment by peaceful means color the fact I think a lot of them are utterly bollocked in their methodology.


The how and why's of their personal issues dont take away from the fact that IMHO all the kidnappers and attempted kidnappers here need to get justice at the end of a gun.

 

[043]

Can we please ban all of this panty waste's (Loney) articles from this forum??? It's really quite a waste of bandwidth!

 

[career_radio-checker]

What I find interesting is how they have apperently abbandoned their American friend Fox who obviously didn't share their (Loony and the other guys) convictions because he tried to escape and was killed in the process. I haven't heard them mention him once when ever they address the media. What would Fox be saying if he was still alive?

 

[vonGarvin]

You really have to admire NGO's in Iraq (and Afghanistan).  However I dont let my admiration of their attempts to bring a safe and secure environment by peaceful means color the fact I think a lot of them are utterly bollocked in their methodology.


The how and why's of their personal issues dont take away from the fact that IMHO all the kidnappers and attempted kidnappers here need to get justice at the end of a gun.

I agree with you, I-6.
But, if nothing else, some of those NGO's are nothing, if not constant in their bollocked methods.  Here.  Iraq.  Some tree farm.  Where ever.