Aussie hostage in Iraq

[bindi]

Just heard this on the news this morning.

http://seven.com.au/news/topstories/78331

We shouldn't have gone to war AT ALL and now look what's happened... PULL THE TROOPS OUT NOW!

[Charliewool]

What was this guys motive for being there? Doesn't sound like humanitarian?... More like the almighty dollar? Regardless though...It'd be terrifying.

[Dodge]

sorry but if u choose to go there put up with the problems, we all have choices

[Dodge]

yer the go and work tax free and expect us to bail them out, meanwhile im back here paying high taxes to keep his family on social sucerity

[ExAreSix]

Originally Posted by bindi

PULL THE TROOPS OUT NOW!

Why? Because of one citizen that chose to travel there, knowing full well the dangers of the region?

Have you asked the troops what they want? I know what they'll tell you...

I agree we should never have joined the US in this campaign. But it's too late to pull out now.
There's a job that now needs to be finished for the good of the Iraqi people.

[bindi]

Originally Posted by ExAreSix

Why? Because of one citizen that chose to travel there, knowing full well the dangers of the region?

Have you asked the troops what they want? I know what they'll tell you...

I agree we should never have joined the US in this campaign. But it's too late to pull out now.
There's a job that now needs to be finished for the good of the Iraqi people.

It's never too late to pull out (oh god, that sounded awful! But you know what I mean!).

Didn't need to be there in the first place - it's friggin insane I tells ya! :

[chelvdog]

Originally Posted by Dodge

yer the go and work tax free and expect us to bail them out, meanwhile im back here paying high taxes to keep his family on social sucerity

Agreed mate, these people go over there and know the risks, ITS A BLOODY WAR ZONE!!! If troops are pulled out, a new, possibly worse dictatorship WILL start again and might actually produce real weapons of distruction!

It's OK to be making some seriously BIG cash (my mate's over there doing "security" work and he gets a shit load) but when they get kidnapped they beg for a complete withdrawl of troops. Why would Howard, Bush and all the other weasels give two hoots about him? The whole, "we don't give in to terrorists" line is actually practiced. Know the risks before you choose your fate.

[Casper]

He went there with every knowledge of the risks. Its a terrible thing for him but he has no right to demand anything.
I for one am glad we were a part of freeing millions from Sadams genocide. I fully support our troops over there and I would fully support any rescue attempt on one of our citizens HOWEVER he went for the dollar and knew the risks. He lost a calculated gamble. Now he must face up to hes own fate brought about by his OWN actions. He went, he took the big money gamble, he lost.

[Dodge]

[QUOTE=bindi]It's never too late to pull out (oh god, that sounded awful! But you know what I mean!).

u sound like my last gf

[rag top]

It was only a matter of time before something like this happened. What about the other Australian Killed working for the British? Didn't hear any calls for OUR troops to be pulled out then.... Same with the sea king helicopeter accident, didn't hear anyone ask for out troops to be pulled out as a result of the tragedy... Also, with the Solomon Islands with the 2 Aussie peacekeepers killed..... Some work is dangerous, but needs to be done.

Now a single contractor is kidnapped in Iraq, people ask for our troops to be pulled out so that terrorists can run the country????? As mentioned above, it's a war zone, contractors get big bucks for the danger element, and they are aware of the risks.

Next people will be asking for the government to ban aussies rom visiting bali in case they are accused of being involved in drug smuggling.....

[rag top]

Also have you seen the legacy left by Sadam?
Desert reveals Saddam savagery

[zetec]

not called danger money for nothing. I feel for him, however as with many people here, I fully support the government. A mate of mine has served over there and I have read stories and hears stories of what goes on, they most certainly aren't helping themselves over there EVEN given the removal of their oppressive dictator...

[Chris]

I have a mate who has recently returned, and some of the stories so far are mind numbing. He is a specialist and wont talk too much about it. One of his missions was involving a US seal party, and all the yanks were killed. These were guys he came to know and respect, and they were investigating "river poisoning" when they were ambushed. I mean, these guys were trying to fix the amenities so families have fresh water for ****s sake.

Its easy to sit here and say we should or shouldn't be there. I suppose sitting in the sunshine of my office with my BA parked in the driveway, i am a million miles away from the pain and torture that is happening to real men women and children.

I stand behind the Australian governments decision to support the US in iraq. People who disagree are free to, but do your homework on the humanitarian violations that require policing, it may change your views. This guy knew the risks, its Iraq not hamilton island.

[rag top]

Have you tried spelling Sadam backwards?

[xceler8shun]

Originally Posted by bindi

Just heard this on the news this morning.

http://seven.com.au/news/topstories/78331

We shouldn't have gone to war AT ALL and now look what's happened... PULL THE TROOPS OUT NOW!

No we should have let Saddam kill more innocent people and continue the genocide.

And now that Saddam has been removed we should pull the troops out and let the Iraqi's run a country with hardly any system of government and any infrastructure and allow the militants to rule.

[/end sarcasm]

[Sourbastard]

Originally Posted by xceler8shun

No we should have let Saddam kill more innocent people and continue the genocide.

And now that Saddam has been removed we should pull the troops out and let the Iraqi's run a country with hardly any system of government and any infrastructure and allow the militants to rule.

[/end sarcasm]

slippery slope mate, there are hundreds of tinpot dictators out there killing their own people hand over fist, but they dont have oil do they. What makes one person comitting genocide a more attractive target then another? Money.

War is rarely conducted over such lofty ideals as humanitarianism.

[Casper]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

slippery slope mate, there are hundreds of tinpot dictators out there killing their own people hand over fist, but they dont have oil do they. What makes one person comitting genocide a more attractive target then another? Money.

War is rarely conducted over such lofty ideals as humanitarianism.

And hence we get back to the hostage. He went for the money, he knew the risks, he lost.

Sorry, sad as it is he is not a humanitarian, he is a "risk for reward" taker and he is now paying the penalty.

Does anyone think that if Australian troops pull out that any onther Australians would be LESS of an attractive target? Dont think so. Troops or not we as westerners are targets all over the world.

[Chris]

exactly, look at the bombing in spain.................

[ferris01]

How about this....

Are we not giving these low life scum exactly wot they want?

They take a hostage then parade him in front of a video pleading for his life. This tape ends up being shown on every form of media across the world. This form of terrorism will keep on happening as long as we allow these images to be shown. They know there demands will not be met but they are getting their five minutes of fame across the world.

In my view do not allow these mother#%%#ers their spotlight...

[XA-Coupe]

Guys, this is a very emotive topic. Please don't let it get into a "Should We Be in the War" thread or it will get closed. I will let what has gone before stay.. but let's play nice from here on in.

[Kingsley]

I feel for the family of this individual, as they are the ones who ultimately suffer. But this guy made the choice to involve himself, knowing full well the risks involved and the fate of previous hostages and he still elected to go. Even if we did pull out the troops, no amount of money and no amount of pleading will save this persons life.

[Psycho Chicken]

He knew the risks when he went over there. No sympathy from me. The majority of these people go over for a quick buck, screw up then beg for the prime ministers/presidents/governators to bail them out.

[rag top]

I wonder what the americans think. Isn't he married to an american, lives in america, but was born in Australia? I thought I read that somewhere.

[XplosiveR6]

he was basically dead as soon as they captured him, i know id rather die at least trying to get away,

[Captain Stubing]

Originally Posted by '67

I wonder what the americans think. Isn't he married to an american, lives in america, but was born in Australia? I thought I read that somewhere.

His wife is from California, apparently. They got to double-dip, they made him appeal to John Howard, and Arnie.

[bindi]

Originally Posted by sourbastard

slippery slope mate, there are hundreds of tinpot dictators out there killing their own people hand over fist, but they dont have oil do they. What makes one person comitting genocide a more attractive target then another? Money.

War is rarely conducted over such lofty ideals as humanitarianism.

Agreed, hence my original statement...

But back on track with the fella who has been captured.

If it was the case and lets say everyone pulled out and left there country alone, you seriously think that thos sand people would let him go!

You get told before you go, never to go anywhere alone, there is a personal guard with you at all times, and he went out with out the guard. Hmmm STUPID!!!

and going to such a hostile place to work, yeah there is a lot of money there, but the risks present them selves and he knew the risks, no body was hiding them.

unfortunatly its a sad event and makes me feel even strongly against thos people, but it happens all the time and he chose to work there. That is his Freedom to make that decision.

Just my 2c!

[bindi]

I suppose what influences me is that I saw the Nick Berg beheading from last year/year before (?). My husband got it sent and he and I thought it was what we were shown on tv... but this was the WHOLE THING. I almost vomited and passed out.

He was alive for around 15-20 seconds, screaming then gurgling as they got a large KNIFE and hacked into his skin, then into his veins, then he finally died. And the head was finally cut from his body and it was held up as the f*ckheads were screaming about Allah and all that load of crap.

It is one of the most harrowing things I have ever seen... we deleted it straight away but it is etched into my memory.

And that's why anyone who is threatened with this to me needs to be rescued. I don't care how the guy got there, GET HIM OUT OF THERE NOW.

[Charliewool]

Originally Posted by bindi

I suppose what influences me is that I saw the Nick Berg beheading from last year/year before (?). My husband got it sent and he and I thought it was what we were shown on tv... but this was the WHOLE THING. I almost vomited and passed out.

He was alive for around 15-20 seconds, screaming then gurgling as they got a large KNIFE and hacked into his skin, then into his veins, then he finally died. And the head was finally cut from his body and it was held up as the f*ckheads were screaming about Allah and all that load of crap.

It is one of the most harrowing things I have ever seen... we deleted it straight away but it is etched into my memory.

And that's why anyone who is threatened with this to me needs to be rescued. I don't care how the guy got there, GET HIM OUT OF THERE NOW.

Yes Bindi, it was a terrifying piece of video...... However there is HEAPS of doubt that it was real!... I hope this isn't getting off track too much, but check the 42 reasons on this link that seem to confirm it was all staged.

http://www.resist.com.au/comments/c152.asp

[ferris01]

Bindi

I saw that exact same footage...not good...(had trouble gettin to sleep for days)...