So when are Centani and Wiig going to be freed?

[13Sisters76]

Perhaps I am misreading what I have seen on Fox News, or perhaps I am getting too cynical in my old age. Perhaps not.

Is anyone else being struck by the "oddness" of this whole scenario? As I watched the men being rushed into the building and as they met with the head of the Palestinian Authority and as they were dragged out for their "press conference" (Mrs. BBC Wiig's big moment) I couldn't help noticing the dearth of western faces. I also noticed Wiig's reaction to being grabbed by several Palestinian "officials" and his yelling "Get off!".

My immediate reaction is that they are STILL being held by the terrorists and they are ANOTHER terrorist incident of manipulating the western media. At what point, I wonder, will they ACTUALLY be released?

[13Sisters76]

I certainly hope so. Don't expect anything from Wiig's wife, though, except for more America-bashing. She is BBC and they have gone after Fox News many times. It seems odd how her husband was one taken- he is described as a "free lance" cameraman. This whole thing smells a bit. Maybe I am just over-thinking it. I have come to distrust them ALL over there.

I AM glad they didn't have their heads sawn off or that they were cannibalized for the enjoyment of the arab audience.

[cripplecreek]

They're reporters and they want to continue to report. Antagonizing the palis isn't the best way to get back in to report.

I'm sure the keyboard heroes will have all kinds of solutions to what they would do if only they had been so lucky as to be held hostage.

From what I've read, islamic hostage takers use some particularly nasty psychological torture methods. One second they'll treat you like a best friend only to hold a knife to your throat in the next second, then gently hand feed you a second after that.

[Publius6961]

"I want to thank everybody. I am happy to be here. I hope that this never scares a single journalist away from coming to Gaza to cover the story because the Palestinian people are very beautiful and kind hearted," Centanni told reporters.

Stockholm Syndrome notwithstanding, this "reporter" has forfeited all future credibility for me.
It would be well for him to move to Reuters, because any time he appears on the Fox News Channel, I am switching Fox off.

Even reporters, actually, specially reporters, are not immune to the wise counsel of sometimes embracing silence as the best course of action until reason returns after a traumatic experience.

[13Sisters76]

I know...that statement was greeted with a lot of hoots and catcalls at THIS house too. But I am willing to cut him a bit of slack. He STILL wasn't in friendly hands when he made those remarks. Perhaps he will have more to say now that he actually IS free.

[brytlea]

That was forced (guns to their heads) and while I hope I would not do that, I cannot say what I would do with a gun to my head. Having said that, once I was freed I don't think I would find that sort of people to be hospitable or in any way admirable....

[brytlea]

Ditto.
susie

[brytlea]

I'm sure you're correct. I think I'm more bothered by the Foxnews folks this morning. I understand they're glad their friends are freed, but these are JOURNALISTS, and they should be doing a better job of reporting the story.

I don't expect anyone to say anything other than what their captors want when they have a gun to their head (and if they do I don't expect to see it broadcast). We'll see how this plays out. I have almost no respect for journalists as they virtually all seem to have strong biases that they don't bother to hide. More and more I don't understand why they are given any more priviledge than anyone else since they don't seem any more responsible. But that's just me.
susie

[libbylu]

You might try reading what's on the board before starting a new thread just to show your ignorance.

[Publius6961]

They're reporters and they want to continue to report. Antagonizing the palis isn't the best way to get back in to report.
I'm sure the keyboard heroes will have all kinds of solutions to what they would do if only they had been so lucky as to be held hostage.

I have no solutions, but I do know this. I would never, under any circumstances imagine myself returning from such an ordeal and saying,

"I want to thank everybody. I am happy to be here. I hope that this never scares a single journalist away from coming to Gaza to cover the story because the Palestinian people are very beautiful and kind hearted," Centanni told reporters.
"I am happy to be alive" might have been a more appropriate terse statement; I am not suggesting he was obligated to shout "Muck Fohammed!".

As for "wanting to continue to report", no, thank you. We don't need another CNN feeding us selective official terrorist propaganda for years under the guise of news.

I am capable of knowing perfectly what "palestinians" are like from their actions, thankyouverymuch!

[Publius6961]

Ignorance is remediable.
Personality disorders are not.

[mkjessup]

That was forced (guns to their heads) and while I hope I would not do that, I cannot say what I would do with a gun to my head. Having said that, once I was freed I don't think I would find that sort of people to be hospitable or in any way admirable...

I understand and agree, none of us can be sure how we will react at any given moment and under the stress that Centani and Wiig were experiencing.

Having said that, I would very much LIKE to think that if I were told to read a statement announcing my conversion to Islam, that I would first demand that a LIVE audience of media be provided, with lots of witnesses, and if I could convince them that I was about to utter a scathing denunciation of all things Western and infidel (and get that live audience), I would wait until the cameras were rolling, and then say in a clear loud voice:

"I do not know what everyone believes, nor do I know what god everyone chooses to place their faith in. I DO know that Jesus Christ is the King of kings, and Lord of lords, He IS Almighty God manifested in human form, He sits at the right hand side of God the Father, and He will soon return to judge the quick and the dead, and I will not renounce or deny His Name."

Of course I might fail in summoning up the courage to do that (and they might start sawing my head off before I could finish), even the disciple Peter denied Christ three times and I doubt that I have a fraction of his faith, and He knew Jesus personally.

[brytlea]

I agree.
susie

[Publius6961]

I am certain I would not have the strength to do all that, nor do I believe that my God demands that of me. That's just me.
Under those circumstances, I would say whatever I am ordered to say. In my universe, there is no disgrace in that; it was quite common, in a slightly different context, with captured pilots in Korea and Viet Nam.

The mindless commitment you describe is more befitting the world's current serious affliction, the Religion of Death...

[mkjessup]

It far from mindless my FRiend. And unlike the Religion of Death you invoke, my faith does not require me to kill all those who refuse to convert to my beliefs.

[AZLiberty]

To add on to his victimization by the Palestinians, Centanni is now compromised with respect to any reporting on the Middle East. This would be a great opportunity, however, for him to cross over into the editorial world, writing a column -- from an undisclosed location -- on what he really thinks about the ongoing Jihad.

[khnyny]

You're right, the whole dog and pony show is nauseating. I really feel sorry for those two guys. BTW, I think "Palestinian leadership" is an oxymoron.

[PghBaldy]

They weren't quite safe yet, IMO, but that was over the top. The Palestinians and beautiful are not words I would use. He could have been more vague. I hope the best for these men, as it was a horrifying situation I'm sure, but I am disappointed the same.

[13Sisters76]

Go to hell.

[13Sisters76]

As I said, I am willing to wait and see what he says from this point. I'm sure he must have felt as careful with his words while in the PA's hands as he must have in the "care" of the OTHER terrorist group.

Bet there's a book coming...

[Publius6961]

And unlike the Religion of Death you invoke, my faith does not require me to kill all those who refuse to convert to my beliefs.

First of all, I did not invoke anything, simply made a reference to it.
"Invoke" is a carelessly used and emotionally charged word.
Is English your first language?

Further, I never suggested that our common faith requires you or anyone else to to kill others.
Are straw men an essential part of your thought process?

Have a nice day.