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When is a Ransom Not a Ransom? When it's Inconvenient to Call it That
townhall.com ^ | 8/5/2016 | Jonah Goldberg

Posted on 08/05/2016 6:54:19 AM PDT by rktman

The White House concedes that it all looks very bad. But it insists this was in no way a ransom payment; the trout got in the milk for perfectly normal reasons. You see, the Iranians were suing for funds deposited with the Pentagon in 1979 for a weapons purchase that was later blocked when the ayatollahs deposed the Shah. The $400 million wasn't a ransom; it was simply the first installment of a $1.7 billion dollar settlement of that dispute. "We would not, we have not, we will not pay ransom to secure the release of U.S. citizens," top White House flack Josh Earnest insisted. That the money was delivered to coincide with the release of our hostages is little more than a funny coincidence.

(Excerpt) Read more at townhall.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: coincidence; iran; iransom; movealong; obama; ransom; rop
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Hmmmm. Well, the lyin' king and john f'n kohn-heinz-kerry(VN war hero extrodinaire) have weighed in and said "Nuh uh." I suppose all we need to seal the lie, uh, I mean deny the ransom lie, is for hildabama to put her two cents in. Then I'll believe it was all a huge coincidence. Oh, wait. No I won't.
1 posted on 08/05/2016 6:54:19 AM PDT by rktman
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To: rktman

If the DNC tells the media it’s not a ransom, it isn’t. Done.

Most Americans couldn’t find their hind parts with both hands and a flashlight, so the media is their source.


2 posted on 08/05/2016 6:56:52 AM PDT by brownsfan (Behold, the power of government cheese.)
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To: rktman

Where is the document showing the ‘debt’ is now paid in full? THAT is the real question.


3 posted on 08/05/2016 6:56:56 AM PDT by RideForever
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To: rktman

When paying one is a crime.


4 posted on 08/05/2016 6:57:15 AM PDT by E. Pluribus Unum (If you are not prepared to use force to defend civilization, then be prepared to accept barbarism.)
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To: rktman

As much as a concern as it is being ransom, of equal concern is that it was literally paid in paper currency. Only one reason you’d do that in today’s digital world - because it’s untraceable. Why would Iran want untraceable assets? - So they can fund terrorist activities without it being traced back to them. This is incontrovertible proof that Obama is facilitating global terrorism. Breathtaking.


5 posted on 08/05/2016 6:58:41 AM PDT by circlecity
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To: rktman

Who are you going to believe? Me or your lying eyes?


6 posted on 08/05/2016 7:00:21 AM PDT by Hoffer Rand (Bear His image. Bring His message. Be the Church.)
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To: rktman

Folks.....it’s how Obama and Hillary do business.

Where do you think that $6,000,000,000 that Hillary “misplaced” as Secretary of State went?

Ransom to our enemies.

After the attack on us at Benghazi, Obama sends weapons, night vision equipment and armored vehicles to Libya, then leaves it all unguarded so that it gets “stolen”. Where do you think that stuff went to?

Ransom to our enemies.

And Hillary and Obama aren’t paying it to help Americans.

Hillary and Obama are using US Taxpayer money to pay ransom/blackmail to keep themselves out of trouble.


7 posted on 08/05/2016 7:02:01 AM PDT by blueunicorn6 ("A crack shot and a good dancer")
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To: RideForever
The one thing NO ONE is discussing. Obozo claims this is money owed to the Iranians from the 1979 hostage crisis and the freezing of their assets.

The Iranians took our embassy and held our personnel hostage for over a year. That embassy was sovereign U.S. territory and we were invaded. They forfeited any claims via their aggression.

This money should have been paid to those Americans who endured the harassment, mistreatment at the hands of the Iranians.

8 posted on 08/05/2016 7:07:26 AM PDT by servantboy777
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To: rktman

Why are we even paying it in the first place? We did that in response to their actions...it was meant to be punitive. Now were saying: “Just kidding! Here’s you money, with interest.” Worst President ever...including Carter.


9 posted on 08/05/2016 7:08:28 AM PDT by econjack
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To: rktman

I don’t believe the cash was for ransom. The ransom angle is just a misdirection. I think the cash given to Iran is simply a gift from barry and valerie, paid for by the American people, to those who share their faith and values.


10 posted on 08/05/2016 7:09:11 AM PDT by lakecumberlandvet (APPEASEMENT NEVER WORKS.)
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To: rktman
What everyone is missing.....The hostage release should have been a pre-condition of sitting down with Iran.

Everyone is forgetting that being said by many Repubs.

I believe Trump said it also early on...and the press kinda ignored him on the issue.

11 posted on 08/05/2016 7:09:28 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: circlecity

Your post is absolutely right on, every point, and these activities would result in the impeachment of any other president, and criminal charges for any and all of his minions.

The Clintobama’s are untouchably above the law now. Things like this are proof.


12 posted on 08/05/2016 7:13:08 AM PDT by Husker8877
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To: rktman

Another side note: various US courts have found iran guilty of the deaths/injuries of many US Citizens since 79 and have awarded > $40Billion in damages. Why was that not paid over first?


13 posted on 08/05/2016 7:22:15 AM PDT by Riflema
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To: Riflema

That was the Shah’s money. Like paying back Hitler for money the Werhmacht Republic put up as a deposit. Yeah, they NAZI’s might build Death Camps with some of the money.


14 posted on 08/05/2016 7:27:26 AM PDT by MGG
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To: rktman

Because governments routinely reconcile their trading accounts with pallets of Euros and Swiss Francs.


15 posted on 08/05/2016 7:28:49 AM PDT by Yo-Yo (Is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
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To: RideForever

“”Where is the document showing the ‘debt’ is now paid in full? THAT is the real question.””

It’s not paid in full. It was only a “good faith” installment as I understand it tho’ no one in DC has called it that. They say “installment”. It’s PART of $1.7 billion which includes interest that came about from a decision at the Hague over the dispute.

How many in DC believe had the tables been turned that we would NOW be on the receiving end of a deal made 40 years ago?

If we had told them to go pound sand, what then? If we didn’t give up the dough, they’d go ahead with their nuclear program? HA! Why was it necessary to honor the decision at all at the Hague? Circumstances changed PERIOD! The deal was made with a “friend” - it was broken by an “enemy”. DONE!


16 posted on 08/05/2016 7:31:20 AM PDT by Thank You Rush
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To: blueunicorn6

Hillary and Obummer sent cash to the country who developed and supplied the IED’s used in Iraq to kill and maim US troops.
Think about that for a moment.


17 posted on 08/05/2016 7:38:51 AM PDT by 9422WMR (Look, we are led by a man that either is not tough, not smart, or hes got something else in mind!)
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To: rktman

For general knowledge purposes a $400,000 debt paid in 37 years at $1.7 Billion is a shade less then 4% calculated annually.


18 posted on 08/05/2016 7:52:20 AM PDT by PhillyPhreeper
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To: rktman

“Words...Just words!...’ -BO


19 posted on 08/05/2016 7:56:21 AM PDT by griswold3 (Just another unlicensed nonconformist in am dangerous Liberal world.)
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To: rktman

This is on our US Congress. They continue to allow Obama to do whatever he wants to do without any threat of discord.


20 posted on 08/05/2016 8:07:16 AM PDT by TennTuxedo
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