[Clive]

In fairness to Loney, once he got back to Canada, and after there was a great deal of public comment on the ingratitude of the rescuees, Loney finally did express his gratitude (sort of).

Here is an extract from this morning's Globe and Mail story:

"I am grateful in a way that can never be adequately expressed in words," Mr. Loney, 41, told reporters at the airport three days after he was rescued, along with fellow hostages Harmeet Singh Sooden and Norman Kember. "It's great to be alive."

Mr. Loney's praise was effusive compared to the more guarded expressions of gratitude uttered by some of his colleagues at Christian Peacemaker Teams, a pacifist aid organization that has been working in Iraq since 2002. Mr. Loney thanked both "the British soldiers who risked their lives to rescue us" and "the government of Canada, who sent a team to Baghdad to help secure our release." He made no mention of the U.S. troops who were also involved.

[TNdandelion]

They are the "Timothy Treadwells" of the peace movement. "Aw....who's a cute little grizzly bear-boo-boo-boo-boo!"

I don't think making the hostages pay a fee for their rescue is the best approach. They will simply raise the funds from their adoring fans and it will make the US govt look like money-grubbers.

However, isn't there some kind of criminal charge we can apply that would be similar to what we use if a citizen intereferes with a police officer? I like treason, but I don't think it would stick.

[DaGman]

I wouldn't even dare be so bold as to say God had no hand in these people's rescue. There is great power in prayer. Its arrogant to conclusively declare, as the author does, that God had no hand in this rescue.

[Zacs Mom]

[BallyBill]

It is possible the CPT knows exactly what they are doing. They are working for the terrorist PR machine that the western media loves so much. Even when Iraqi people take revenge on the terrorists our media spins it as a sign of Civil War.

[libs_kma]

"The CPT philosophy is selective -- and oriented towards anti-Americanism and anti-Western values wherever possible"

Not only are they anti-American, but they are pro-Democrat. Rush had this story last week and pointed out that the CPT website had an expired "action alert" for it's members to write editorials bucking up the Democrat response to a GWB speech.

Nail on the head here. This group is anti-American, but pro-Democrat.

Who would have guessed? /sarc

[SlowBoat407]

They probably would have done more for Christianity if they had died as martyrs. OTOH, their group probably would have capitalized on their deaths to further denounce the U.S., who... wait, remind me again exactly how our soldiers were responsible for anything that happened to them.

[Northern Alliance]

CPT co-director Doug Pritchard's reaction is both idiotic and churlish. "They knew their only protection was in the power of the love of God and of their co-workers," he said.

Then why was their colleague killed? Why didn't his co-workers and God's love protect him?

The thing that really offends me is the reference to the "co-workers". I can respect someone (yes, including Muslims) who put all their faith and trust in God and give Him credit for their salvation,corporeal as well as spiritual. But to add that their only protection included mortal humans - their co-workers, but not the guys that actually did the intelligence and went in there and got them out - that a real slap in the face to the people that saved him - something I would really, really like to do this guy - whop him up beside the head.

[shezza]

Jim Loney's mother calls his rescue "a miracle," while Loney's pastor says, "God saved them."

The miracle is that there are indeed men such as these fine soldiers, men who are willing to risk their lives for God and country and the cause of FREEDOM.

God save these former-hostage ingrates from themselves, because it was their self-important, misguided liberalism that got them in trouble in the first place.

[Publius6961]

Mr. Pritchard added: "We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by multinational forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping, and so much pain and suffering in Iraq."

Well, living in a free country allows Mr. Pritchard to be an idiot in total safety. I hope the irony isn't lost on him...
His son was not so lucky.