WSJ: The New Stockholm Syndrome - "It's the infidel West against the Muslim world."

Wall Street Journal ^ | June 29, 2005 | Editorial (full text)

[OESY]

If a conservative is a liberal who's been mugged, what do you call a Swede who's been kidnapped? Somebody you wouldn't want to cross, that's for sure.

Ulf Hjertstrom has redefined the term Stockholm Syndrome, the bizarre attachment some hostages develop for their captors, first observed during a bank robbery in the Swedish capital more than 30 years ago. No such bonds were forged between Mr. Hjertstrom, a Swedish oil engineer, and the Shura Council of the Mujahedeen of Iraq, which held him captive for 67 days. "I have now put some people to work to find these bastards," Mr. Hjertstrom told reporters after his release. "I invested about $50,000 so far. And we will get them one by one. These scum should be out of business."

It does sound as if Mr. Hjertstrom has seen a few Charles Bronson movies, though it's impossible not to empathize with his reaction. Mr. Hjertstrom was subject to mock executions and forced to witness the murder of several hostages. Contrast his response with that of Guiliana Sgrena, the Italian journalist accidentally shot by U.S. troops, who said coalition soldiers were ultimately responsible for the kidnappings in Iraq.

Likewise, Georges Malbrunot, one of two French hostages released in December, first did not understand why he and his colleague were held captive since their country had opposed the war. Eventually, though, Mr. Malbrunot came to understand. "Little by little, we came to discover we were really on planet bin Laden," he wrote in Le Figaro. "For them [the terrorists], France is the West, it's a global vision, it's the infidel West against the Muslim world."

[SIDENET]

"I have now put some people to work to find these bastards," Mr. Hjertstrom told reporters after his release. "I invested about $50,000 so far. And we will get them one by one. These scum should be out of business."

Well said, Mr Hjertstrom.

[rhombus]

"Little by little, we came to discover we were really on planet bin Laden,"

Large light bulb appears over head.

[DB]

"Little by little, we came to discover we were really on planet bin Laden," he wrote in Le Figaro. "For them [the terrorists], France is the West, it's a global vision, it's the infidel West against the Muslim world."

Boy, those French are right on top of things... Duh...

[Archon of the East]

one of two French hostages released in December, first did not understand why he and his colleague were held captive since their country had opposed the war.

Good Lord it is almost surreal to see how little common sense these people have. Had they not been listening to the Muslim's in their own country? The constant calls for death of the west? Their lack of common sense and feel for knowing whats right and true would be quite hilarious if not so dangerous.

[marktwain]

Good Lord it is almost surreal to see how little common sense these people have. Had they not been listening to the Muslim's in their own country? The constant calls for death of the west? Their lack of common sense and feel for knowing whats right and true would be quite hilarious if not so dangerous.

The ability to perceive reality is not one of the lefts strong points. The whole leftist philosophy, or perhaps religion, is based on the ability to ignore reality.

[WideGlide]

"Little by little, we came to discover we were really on planet bin Laden,"

If only we could get the Mujahedeen of Iraq to snatch a Jim McDermott or a Sean Penn off the streets of Baghdad....hmmm.

[Archon of the East]

The whole leftist philosophy, or perhaps religion, is based on the ability to ignore reality.

Ignore, reshape, subvert....Sounds almost purposeful!

[white trash redneck]

The ability to perceive reality is not one of the lefts strong points. The whole leftist philosophy, or perhaps religion, is based on the ability to ignore reality.

Funny, I thought they called themselves "reality-based."

;-)

[sticker]

The terrorists deserve nothing but a slow and painful death, but isn't wishing mcdermott or penn on them just a little too much?

[Rummyfan]

No such bonds were forged between Mr. Hjertstrom, a Swedish oil engineer, and the Shura Council of the Mujahedeen of Iraq, which held him captive for 67 days. "I have now put some people to work to find these bastards," Mr. Hjertstrom told reporters after his release. "I invested about $50,000 so far. And we will get them one by one. These scum should be out of business."

Good for Hjertstrom! At least he gets it.

[Charles Henrickson]

Ping to the Swedish Ping List.

This is one of a couple new threads on this story today.

[Savage Beast]

"It does sound as if Mr. Hjertstrom has seen a few Charles Bronson movies."

Sounds more like Hjertstrom oughtta be prosecuted for hatespeach!

[pierrem15]

The whole leftist philosophy, or perhaps religion, is based on the ability to ignore reality.

"Ignore, reshape, subvert....Sounds almost purposeful!"

Unintelligent Design.

[Nowhere Man]

Good Lord it is almost surreal to see how little common sense these people have. Had they not been listening to the Muslim's in their own country? The constant calls for death of the west? Their lack of common sense and feel for knowing whats right and true would be quite hilarious if not so dangerous.

I remember a while back, there was an article posted here about one Swedish woman who lives in Malmo (a large concentration of Moslems live there) felt so unsafe that "she misses New York City" because it was much safer there.

[ScaniaBoy]

The Stockholm Syndrome treated by the Baghdad Solution!

I hope Mr Hjertström soon will have a whole new bunch of trophy heads to adorn his walls.

[Eurotwit]

According to Swedish papers, his crew who is "the best money can buy" has already taken care of two of them.

When asked what "taken care of" implied.

Mr. Hjertstrom replied that he didn't ask, but he had some ideas.

Cheers.