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American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his release

Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

I say no, no one forced him to go there, it was his choice
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

Negotiate? No. However, this is a prime example of why I think pressure needs to be placed on Pakistan to either do something about this or we shut off all foreign aid to them.

If they are indeed an ally, then they should do something about it. Otherwise, we are wasting our time with them.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

Negotiate? No. However, this is a prime example of why I think pressure needs to be placed on Pakistan to either do something about this or we shut off all foreign aid to them.

If they are indeed an ally, then they should do something about it. Otherwise, we are wasting our time with them.

Cutting ties with Pakistan would be dumb.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

Cutting ties with Pakistan would be dumb.

No, pouring money into a country that is obviously NOT an ally is dumb.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

Cutting ties with Pakistan would be dumb.

Yeah, we're kinda stuck with them at the moment
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

No, pouring money into a country that is obviously NOT an ally is dumb.

The problem is that the govt isn't exactly a centralized united force, and you have these various interests working against each other and promoting opposing agendas. And as unfortunate as it is, if we have any agenda in the region, it needs to include the Paks
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

No, pouring money into a country that is obviously NOT an ally is dumb.

Having influence or at least some exchange with a nuclear country is to our benefit. Isolating the people there would be creating another nK. It's a rogue semi autonomous terrorist region that even the Pakistani military does not want to play with. It's not like in the US where it would be, 'well, there he is'.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

Having influence or at least some exchange with a nuclear country is to our benefit. Isolating the people there would be creating another nK. It's a rogue semi autonomous terrorist region that even the Pakistani military does not want to play with. It's not like in the US where it would be, 'well, there he is'.

well even within the govt you have the civilian authority, the military, and the ISI seemingly all working against each other and pursuing often contradictory goals. Which gives the place it's rather schizophrenic character
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

So negotiate or not? I say no.

No. There can be no trade with bandits. But there must be a military operation to free the prisoner.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

He's an American citizen and it's a life at stake. We should do whatever we reasonably can to get him out alive. We've paid ransoms before we can do it again.

NO. HELL NO. This individual made the ludicrous decision to travel into this region, and they should be willing to accept the fate that decision leads to. I do not believe we should EVER pay a ransom or place a single US Military member in harms way to rescue a US citizen who has traveled into a region that is known to be hostile to the USA. Doesn't matter whether it's Pakistan, Somalia, or London.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

The problem is that the govt isn't exactly a centralized united force, and you have these various interests working against each other and promoting opposing agendas. And as unfortunate as it is, if we have any agenda in the region, it needs to include the Paks

Bribing people is not making allies and instead only makes the U.S. look more stupid. What's next, paying Al-Qaeda not to attack U.S. interests?
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

Bribing people is not making allies and instead only makes the U.S. look more stupid. What's next, paying Al-Qaeda not to attack U.S. interests?

probably be cheaper than the current situation
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

Having influence or at least some exchange with a nuclear country is to our benefit. Isolating the people there would be creating another nK. It's a rogue semi autonomous terrorist region that even the Pakistani military does not want to play with. It's not like in the US where it would be, 'well, there he is'.

You can have influence without bribing. It's a simple thing, if they want U.S. money, then they need to do something about this. If they can't, they aren't worth pouring money into. You used NK as an example, how has internationally aid worked to help the country?
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

NO. HELL NO. This individual made the ludicrous decision to travel into this region, and they should be willing to accept the fate that decision leads to. I do not believe we should EVER pay a ransom or place a single US Military member in harms way to rescue a US citizen who has traveled into a region that is known to be hostile to the USA. Doesn't matter whether it's Pakistan, Somalia, or London.

He was an employee of the United States working for the United States who sent him to Pakistan as an employee. What sets us apart from those we are fighting is our love of life and our overwhelming desire to protect our citizens. If we could have freed Daniel Pearle for a few thousand dollars we'd have done it and we'd kill them another day.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

Nope...we shouldnt negotiate. We should just let them know that if he isnt released immediately, those drone attacks they want stopped will effective immediately be doubled. And then should be doubled.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

He was an employee of the United States working for the United States who sent him to Pakistan as an employee. What sets us apart from those we are fighting is our love of life and our overwhelming desire to protect our citizens. If we could have freed Daniel Pearle for a few thousand dollars we'd have done it and we'd kill them another day.

Anyone stupid enough to work for the US Government outside the borders of the United States (other than US Military personnel) is a fool at best. The US Government has shown that we will take extraordinary measures to ensure the security of people too ****ing stupid to even understand what personal security is.

The three Americans in Iran last year should have been left to ROT. Yes, even the woman. DON'T ****ING VACATION ON THE IRAN-IRAQ BORDER!!!!!! IF you do, and the Iranians cross the totally undefinable border and grab you, you're on your own. How difficult is that to understand? Maybe seeing a half dozen dead Americans on television will get some of these people to comprehend that there are certain places you just don't go.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

No. There can be no trade with bandits. But there must be a military operation to free the prisoner.

No military operation. One guy, not even a government official. Too much could go wrong.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

Anyone stupid enough to work for the US Government outside the borders of the United States (other than US Military personnel) is a fool at best. The US Government has shown that we will take extraordinary measures to ensure the security of people too ****ing stupid to even understand what personal security is.

The three Americans in Iran last year should have been left to ROT. Yes, even the woman. DON'T ****ING VACATION ON THE IRAN-IRAQ BORDER!!!!!! IF you do, and the Iranians cross the totally undefinable border and grab you, you're on your own. How difficult is that to understand? Maybe seeing a half dozen dead Americans on television will get some of these people to comprehend that there are certain places you just don't go.

Sorry you are wrong and morally misguided. Luckily I believe we will probably work through third party intermediaries to secure his release if it is possible, as we have done in the past.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

This is one of those issues where it is too easy for people to puff out their chests and act tough. I don't want this man to die for some nebulous gain in credibility. Kidnappings and hostage taking will continue without a shift in tempo whether a ransom is paid or not. If we can save a mans life it's worth some cash. Nor will it materially affect the capability of these groups and gangs to wage violence. When given the choice we usually and correctly err on saving someones life.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

No military operation. One guy, not even a government official. Too much could go wrong.
No military operation, no respect. No respect, to be more hostages.
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

Sorry you are wrong and morally misguided. Luckily I believe we will probably work through third party intermediaries to secure his release if it is possible, as we have done in the past.

Which will further weaken the view these people have of us and destroy our credibility. I sympathize with this individual and their family, but at some point we actaully have to put a foot down.

This is one of those issues where it is too easy for people to puff out their chests and act tough. I don't want this man to die for some nebulous gain in credibility. Kidnappings and hostage taking will continue without a shift in tempo whether a ransom is paid or not. If we can save a mans life it's worth some cash. Nor will it materially affect the capability of these groups and gangs to wage violence. When given the choice we usually and correctly err on saving someones life.

Then how many more? How many more times will we spend US Taxpayer money or put US troops in danger to save someone who shouldn't have been where they were in the first place?
 
Re: American kidnapped in Pakistan begs Obama to negotiate with al Qaeda for his rele

Which will further weaken the view these people have of us and destroy our credibility. I sympathize with this individual and their family, but at some point we actaully have to put a foot down.



Then how many more? How many more times will we spend US Taxpayer money or put US troops in danger to save someone who shouldn't have been where they were in the first place?

I'd spend taxpayer money a hundred times and put US troops in danger a hundred times over to save an American life. That is what they are there for. Pretending that doing nothing will result in decreased attacks and kidnappings or that a ransom will encourage them is without foundation. This will occur regardless of what we do. However this mans life could possibly be saved depending on how we approach the situation. In these instances we almost always err on the side of life.
 
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