[smith288]

Not to say that I want this to happen but whats the point of these terrorists to take hostages only to release them a few days later? Not that I mind they are getting released, thats great but Im faliling to see the motives behind the hostage taking/releasing.

[tdadams]

whats the point of these terrorists to take hostages only to release them a few days later?

I have only my instinct to tell me this, but my guess is that the captors are a probably a bunch of rowdy and unsophisticated local boys who thought they would aid the cause and threaten to kill their hostages, then when their bluff was called, they didn't actually have the guts to follow through.

Now they're pretending to come to a diplomatic end in order to save face.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

They think(erroneously) that by grabing these people they can change the outcome. I think they saw from the Japanese Prime Ministers example that we do not negotiate. We only demand release of the hostage. They tried this tactic in Lebannon with American hostages. Ronald Reagan stated repeatedly that he does not negotiate with hostages. You would think these idiots see how tough President Bush is and that his reaction is the same. Arabs are liars. I won't believe Mr Hamill is okay until he is actually released and is back in American hands. I continue to pray for him and encourage others to do the same.

[mathluv]

I am concerned about this also. I hope the released hostages are checked out medically, and maybe even in quarantine for a period of time.

[sarasota]

It's called harrassment motivated by hatred and anger and the warrior mentality. Appears that's all these animals have learned to do with their lives.

[gracex7]

...but whats the point of these terrorists to take hostages only to release them a few days later?

I think they're playing a game with public opinion in the US, Japan, etc. The peaceniks will use these releases to fuel their fires and the press will play right along with their charade.

I do hope and pray that all of the hostages are released in good condition and that the public will be a little more savvy than I believe they are.

[Travis McGee]

These guys found out what happens when Americans are murdered, burned and mutilated.

800 of their most hard core street fighters are now buried under soccer fields.

They learned a painful lesson about mistreating Americans for political effect, and it was the oppostite of what they planned.

[McGavin999]

These are the same thugs who have been kidnapping Iraqis. The Iraqis have been paying them to release their loved ones. They thought if it worked with the Iraqi people, it would work against the Americans. It didn't. Instead, if they hurt these people we will hunt them to the ends of the earth. They have just figured this out.

[fly_so_free]

"What's the point of these terrorists taking hostages only to release them a few days later"

I don't get what's going on either. Makes no sense. It doesn't help that the press is reporting all this like it's the end of the world

I'm glad President Bush is going to address the nation.We need to have clarity, strengthen our resolve, and clear up the misrepresentations of the press. (there was a spokesman for the Coalition on Rush Limbaugh's show on Friday4/09. He gave a totally different account of what's happening in Iraq, very clear and concise about our mission there i.e. how Alqueda and all the terrorists are investing tremendous resources in trying to cause the coalition to fail. exc.. it was great...I wish the whole country could have heard it.)

I hope someone has explained to the Iraqi's that if people keep getting kidnapped, no one is going to want to help them. They are only hurting themselves. They're going to have to choose between supporting us or going along with those who would return them to the oppression of another Saddam-like dictator.Also tell them, that we can't/won't put up with brutality against our ctitzens or the coaltiton forces. I'd ban protests against us too. (they can protest against us after they have established a democracy and we are out of there. Don't let them get stirred up like a bunch of hornets in the mean time.

I also hope the President addresses the 'Rats and their recent traitorous comments that ended up on Aljeezera (Kennedy "it's Bush's Vietnam") and were repeated by the man responsible for the uprising. I'm fed up with them> What would have happened to the Republicans during WWII if they acted like 'rats act today? Can you imagine if some Republican made a comment that was broadcast to the Nazi's and used to encourage them to attack our troops?

Every time I think they(rats) have reached the lowest point and couldn't possibly out do themselves in treason and treachery against our nation, they never fail to amaze me by sinking even lower under the sewer.

[Jim Noble]

whats the point of these terrorists to take hostages only to release them a few days later?

In those few days, they have discovered the meaning of "Marine sniper"...