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Colombia says rescues Betancourt, 3 U.S. hostages (hurrah for McCain!)
Reuters ^ | 7/02/2008

Posted on 07/02/2008 12:34:40 PM PDT by milwguy

Edited on 07/02/2008 2:36:39 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]

BOGOTA (Reuters) - French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, three Americans and 11 other hostages were rescued from leftist guerrillas by Colombian troops on Wednesday after years in captivity, the government said.


(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Government; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: betancourt; chavez; colombia; democrats; farc; hostages; latinamerica; mccain; mccaindidnothing; rescue; sarkozy; shamelessmccainplug; terror; uribe; wot
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McCain goes to Colombia and is rewarded with our Allies taking out some more of Hugo's FARC buddies and getting our 3 men back after years in captivity. Hope they hold a press event with McCain standing with the hostages and saying it was tough Colombian military who won the day, not peacenik negotiations.
1 posted on 07/02/2008 12:34:41 PM PDT by milwguy
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To: milwguy

McCain was there?


2 posted on 07/02/2008 12:36:00 PM PDT by nikos1121 (The first black president of the US should be a Jackie Robinson, not a Jackie come lately.)
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To: milwguy

Great news!


3 posted on 07/02/2008 12:36:06 PM PDT by livius
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To: milwguy

Wow!

Of course, this will be IGNORED by the MSM on the evening news tonight, and they’ll show us Katie Couric’s legs instead.

*Rolleyes*


4 posted on 07/02/2008 12:38:39 PM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin (Save The Earth. It's The Only Planet With Chocolate.)
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To: milwguy

McCain is RAMBO! NOT. LOL! Chances are that he reached across the aisle to FARC and promised them a trade deal too.


5 posted on 07/02/2008 12:42:01 PM PDT by TADSLOS (The GOP death march to the gravesite is underway.)
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To: milwguy

July surprise? Hugo must be imploding.


6 posted on 07/02/2008 12:42:15 PM PDT by OCC
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

I remember seeing a documentary on the three American contractors being held. They’ve been held hostage for years. I am so glad they are finally free!


7 posted on 07/02/2008 12:43:37 PM PDT by VA_Gentleman (Moshe Plesser - "I think I did what is expected from every soldier and citizen.")
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To: TADSLOS

I really wish you people would just shut up when McCain does something right. You and your cronies never miss a chance to knock him, and I’m really sick of it. He did a good thing. Sit down and shut up.


8 posted on 07/02/2008 12:44:57 PM PDT by ishabibble (ALL-AMERICAN INFIDEL)
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To: milwguy

OK...I’m lost here. What has McCain to do with this? Nothing about McCain in the announcement. I am to presume because he is in Colombia that we associate that with this?

Please help me here.


9 posted on 07/02/2008 12:46:21 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists...call 'em what you will...They ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: ishabibble

BDS has been replaced by McCDS

How tragic for our country.


10 posted on 07/02/2008 12:48:12 PM PDT by Carley
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To: milwguy

Where is the reference to McCain here, I do not see it at the link?


11 posted on 07/02/2008 12:49:33 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: nikos1121
John Rambo, John McCain. Is it only a coincidence?
12 posted on 07/02/2008 12:49:47 PM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie
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To: Carley

Do you believe everything you see without proof?


13 posted on 07/02/2008 12:50:37 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: milwguy
Obama is disappointed in the McCain's meddling into the affairs of another nation, particularly in that sensitive region.

BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA WILL CHANGE THE WORLD

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH ABOUT BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA


14 posted on 07/02/2008 12:52:18 PM PDT by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free...never has been, never will be. (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: Aaron0617
CNN's headline doesn't mention the US soldiers, only Betancourt. So, were the soldiers also released?
15 posted on 07/02/2008 12:52:33 PM PDT by Aaron0617
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To: milwguy

The other thread about this does not mention McCain. It does mention Sarkozy.


16 posted on 07/02/2008 12:53:27 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: milwguy
I'm sure Senator Dodd is outraged that the Colombian military showed up his FARC buddies.
17 posted on 07/02/2008 12:54:31 PM PDT by colorado tanker (Number nine, number nine, number nine . . .)
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To: rockinqsranch

There is another thread on this. It mentions nothing about McCain. It does mention Sarkozy.


18 posted on 07/02/2008 12:55:45 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: Aaron0617
So, were the soldiers also released?

CNN just changed it, i see it now. All released.

19 posted on 07/02/2008 12:56:59 PM PDT by Aaron0617
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

Count on this being Brian Williams’ lead story tonight on Nightly. NOT.


20 posted on 07/02/2008 12:59:04 PM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: indylindy

“It does mention Sarkozy.”

The account of Sarkozy I read simply stated he had no comment at this time. Looking forward to more updated information.

Regardless this is excellent news. What about the others though? Apparently up to 40 were being held, or did I misread that?


21 posted on 07/02/2008 12:59:19 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists...call 'em what you will...They ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: rockinqsranch

McCain was here in Indy yesterday. I doubt he went down there and secured a release in a few hours. This addition to the headline has not been proven to be true.

Is Hillary runing Mccain’s campaign now?


22 posted on 07/02/2008 1:01:36 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: ishabibble

I really wish you people would just shut up when McCain does something right. You and your cronies never miss a chance to knock him, and I’m really sick of it. He did a good thing. Sit down and shut up.
_________

As regards this story, what did McCain do at all? Not knocking him, just wondering what ‘good thing’ he did. You seem to know something hidden from the rest of us.


23 posted on 07/02/2008 1:04:17 PM PDT by dmz
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To: dmz

“As regards this story, what did McCain do at all? Not knocking him, just wondering what ‘good thing’ he did. You seem to know something hidden from the rest of us.”

Even the rumor of a good thing is enough to excite them. They can’t push his on and off record. What are they to do?


24 posted on 07/02/2008 1:08:01 PM PDT by AuntB (Vote Obama! ..........Because ya can't blame 'the man' when you are the 'man'.... Wanda Sikes)
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To: indylindy

“Is Hillary runing Mccain’s campaign now?”

LOL, beginning to wonder.


25 posted on 07/02/2008 1:08:14 PM PDT by rockinqsranch (Dems, Libs, Socialists...call 'em what you will...They ALL have fairies livin' in their trees.)
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To: milwguy

Doesn’t this sorta look like the Columbian government could have done this any time they wanted to?

Rather than look good, this is rather troubling to me.

I’m glad for the rescue, and wondering how long they held off for the right time to execute it.


26 posted on 07/02/2008 1:08:27 PM PDT by DoughtyOne ( I say no to the Hillary Clinton wing of the Republican party. Not now or ever, John McCain...)
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To: ishabibble
I really wish you people would just shut up when McCain does something right.

Oh, please, McCain had just as much to do with this as the blind guy selling pencils down on the corner.

This is a great victory for our friend President Uribe and his wonderful country and a blow against FARC, Hugo, et al.

27 posted on 07/02/2008 1:11:01 PM PDT by King of Florida (A little government and a little luck are necessary in life, but only a fool trusts either of them.)
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To: dmz

McCain was not involved in the operation, but he had a press conference from Colombia this morning and was in public full support of Uribe. This is a plus for him and plan Colombia.

Latest information here, in Spanish;
http://www.noticias24.com/actualidad/?p=15649

There are videos of the press conference the minister of defense (Colombian) gave explaining operation “Jaque” (As in ‘check’ from checkmate).

15 hostages were rescued, Betancourt one of them, the 3 American contractors, and the others were Colombian police and military members.

The Americans were found by the river “Abacoris”(sp) taking a bath, and with 2 Colombians on two (possibly their captors).

No word on casualties, it sounded like the FARC members were captured alive.

They had 2 helicopters, one picked everybody the other was backup. The 2 hostage takers, one of them was the “leader”. Surprised it was only 2, maybe the rest were killed ...


28 posted on 07/02/2008 1:13:06 PM PDT by ElCapitanAmericaLives
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To: rockinqsranch

Next thing we will here is that McCain had to run to safety after undergoing a barrage of sniper fire.

If McCain was behind it, fine. I do not see any proof of that yet. It isn’t honest to lead people to a conclusion that is false or not proven.

But....it is great news indeed.


29 posted on 07/02/2008 1:13:15 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: indylindy

here=hear caught it too late!


30 posted on 07/02/2008 1:13:59 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: TADSLOS
"Chances are that he reached across the aisle to FARC and promised them a trade deal too."

Weaselly and pathetic statement by you. Crawl under a rock and stay there.
31 posted on 07/02/2008 1:24:09 PM PDT by jrooney (Obama's mentor says God Da*n America. That explains Obama's refusal to put his hand over his heart.)
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To: ElCapitanAmericaLives

If McCain was not involved in the negotiations, then why is he given the credit?

When I hear how he negotiated the release, I will give him credit. A press conference at a convenient time....geesh


32 posted on 07/02/2008 1:24:18 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: indylindy

True, let’s not try to turn this into a “Hillary under sniper fire” kind of episode by giving McCain unwarranted credit.

I assume that it MIGHT be possible that the Colombian govt. and/or military made a sudden renewed effort to find hostages, camps, etc. in honor of McCain’s visit...... but we would hope that they had not knowingly held back from rescuing anyone whose location they knew about just to time this with McCain’s visit!! Now THAT would become a scandal for the loony left. Just watch, that will be the new talking point on lefty websites......


33 posted on 07/02/2008 1:24:55 PM PDT by Enchante (OBAMA: "That's not the Wesley Clark I knew!")
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To: DoughtyOne

I am sure the Colombian gov’t waited years to rescue the Americans. They figured they would wait until a guy with a middle name Hussein had a chance to win the White House before they would rescue them.

FARC is being decimated. The computers recovered a couple months ago have been a treasure trove of info on FARC’s structure and their relationship with HUGO and his buddies. 3 of their top leaders have been killed or died in the last few months. URIBE has them on the run, and is the most popular President in South America. MCCain happened to be there when the raid was launched. Good for him, because if anyone knows what the hell of being held captive by marxist animals is, it is Sen McCain.

I hope tonight we see pictures of our men with Sen McCain standing next to them.


34 posted on 07/02/2008 1:25:09 PM PDT by milwguy (........)
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To: King of Florida

True enough, but I was reacting to the millionth McCain slam I’ve seen here on FR in the past few days. The release of these people is wonderful news, so why does some spoiler have to wreck it?


35 posted on 07/02/2008 1:25:41 PM PDT by ishabibble (ALL-AMERICAN INFIDEL)
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To: ishabibble

“He did a good thing. Sit down and shut up.”

What did he do now?


36 posted on 07/02/2008 1:25:45 PM PDT by tumblindice (McCain or Obama? Calf brains in walnut sauce or boiled liver with Brussels sprouts?)
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To: AuntB

McCain was in Indianapolis for money yesterday. How convenient. I will apologize when I hear that he negotiated the release.

Shame conservatives are becoming fabricators like dummies.

Nothing is this Breitbart piece even mentions Juan.


37 posted on 07/02/2008 1:27:11 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: indylindy

Look smart ass, many of us don’t agree with many of McCain’s views but he at least he knows who the enemy is and why we are at war and his youngest son getting ready for his second tour in Iraq.

The choice is Marxist Obama or McCain. IF you want the Marxist, you would feel mor comfortable at DU.

Bobby Barr, anti war, pro gay marriage, pro leagal drugs,
and on the ACLU payroll. You can have him.


38 posted on 07/02/2008 1:28:30 PM PDT by SoCalPol (Don't Blame Me - I Supported Duncan Hunter)
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To: milwguy

WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME HOME Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes Welcome Home. Oh and welcome back to the world Ingrid Betancourt. I am celebrating


39 posted on 07/02/2008 1:28:43 PM PDT by Cripplehawk
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To: indylindy

He is not taking the credit, but nobody should ignore the importance of him being there today in Colombia supporting the Uribe government, who gets a lot of criticism from the Democrats. That, has a lot of significance, plus we shouldn’t keep ignoring South America like we have for so long. The thread of Chavez still looms in the region, and Uribe is our ally. McCain meeting with him, is a good sign.

More on the operation, from the noticas24 article;

Seems like the Colombian military has infiltrated the FARC “secretariat” and somehow fooled them into ordering moving the hostages.

They followed them into boarding a helicopter which turned out to be from the Colombian military. At that point they were “neutralized”.

They are currently flying the hostages to San Jose del Guaviare, then they will be moved to the Tolemaida aerial base 190km from Bogota. Hope we see some video tonight.

CIA was involved in locating hostages.


40 posted on 07/02/2008 1:31:46 PM PDT by ElCapitanAmericaLives
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To: SoCalPol

Oh be quiet, you know the truth here, McCain didn’t have a damn thing to do with it. He has been too busy campaigning.

Don’t be a liar. McCain hasn’t been popular around here as far as I know. If you want to bend over for the liberal backstabber, be my guest.


41 posted on 07/02/2008 1:32:07 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: indylindy
"Shame conservatives are becoming fabricators like dummies."

Shame when conservatives call John, Juan when that is not his name. It is disrespectful. No different than how lefties act.
42 posted on 07/02/2008 1:32:46 PM PDT by jrooney (Obama's mentor says God Da*n America. That explains Obama's refusal to put his hand over his heart.)
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To: Diana in Wisconsin

BBC sure is not ignoring it.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/default.htm


43 posted on 07/02/2008 1:33:01 PM PDT by aculeus
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To: SoCalPol

You are nuts. Show me where I said I was voting for Barr, Obama or Nadar?

I am going to take a nap. You will have a very long search.


44 posted on 07/02/2008 1:33:51 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: jrooney

Now you are just damn funny. McCain IS a lefty. Sad thing is that you know it.

Bwhahahaaa!


45 posted on 07/02/2008 1:36:33 PM PDT by indylindy (I had almost forgotten that McCain is the nominee. Too bad I was reminded.)
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To: Cripplehawk
WOOHOOO!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME HOME Keith Stansell, Marc Gonsalves and Thomas Howes

THATS WHAT WE'RE THINKING AROUND HERE!! These men are co-workers at another division with Northrop Grumman and we are ECSTATIC they've been released!

Here is the communique we got from corporate:

We have great news to report. At long last, our 3 colleagues have been rescued from captivity in the Colombian jungles. Three Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems employees, Marc Gonsalves, Thomas Howes, and Keith Stansell, kidnapped five years ago by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC), were freed by the Colombian military a short time ago. Watch the Colombian Hostage website on the ES Intranet for further details.

46 posted on 07/02/2008 1:36:41 PM PDT by subterfuge (BUILD MORE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS NOW!!!)
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To: ishabibble
McCain also singlehandedly kept the moon in its proper orbit last night.

“Hancock,” beware!

47 posted on 07/02/2008 1:37:07 PM PDT by ConservativeMind
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To: indylindy

I don’t care if he had a part in it or being down there at the time that the release happend which he was.

The extra Wesley Clark type remarks arn’t necessary.


48 posted on 07/02/2008 1:37:14 PM PDT by SoCalPol (Don't Blame Me - I Supported Duncan Hunter)
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To: milwguy

I still see it as very oportune timing.

I will be glad to see those men free, no matter who they stand beside.


49 posted on 07/02/2008 1:37:49 PM PDT by DoughtyOne ( I say no to the Hillary Clinton wing of the Republican party. Not now or ever, John McCain...)
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To: ElCapitanAmericaLives

“Neutralized”, I like the sound of that.

Welcome home Marc, Thomas and Keith!!


50 posted on 07/02/2008 1:39:17 PM PDT by subterfuge (BUILD MORE NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS NOW!!!)
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