US Troops Head to Philippines for Hostage Rescue

CNS News ^ | 1/15/02 | Patrick Goodenough

[jesterhazy]

It's about damn time!

[Chad Fairbanks]

Personally, I think Joint Exercises make more sense against a real enemy, rather than a hypothetical one anyway... Some of our troops may get bloodied, but what they gain in experience (and which they can then use to train green troops) more than makes up for it, IMHO... :0)

[DJ88]

Thanks for this article. Guess McCain and Loserman weren't in on this intelligence. Well, they don't have any, so.....

[DJ88]

PING

[mikhailovich]

Almost makes me think that missionaries should get State Dept approval before going to ANY foreign nation. How many times do they need rescue before this will change? Think about it, in some ways, the action of ONE missionary will place 660 American troops at risk of losing their own lives.

Heather Mercer and friend want to go back to Afghanistan. I say the Govt has some say in this decision, reluctantly, but probably prudent, considering the current state of affairs.

[kassie]

No, they weren't made privy to this information and that's ok. They are such fools.

[Mixer]

Awesome news. I think there will be lots more activity there too. This is only the first mission in the Philippines.

For anyone who hasnt seen the movie Proof of Life...rent it.

[Mixer]

Bump!

[blam]

US Troops Join War On Abu Sayyaf

[blam]

The Burnhams (Hostages)

[codebreaker]

Semper Fi!

Get that couple from Wichita back here pronto!!

[randog]

Heather Mercer and friend want to go back to Afghanistan.

They need to realize that their 15 minutes of fame are up and the public isn't going to be so sympathetic the next time these fools rush in where angels dare tread.

[Drew68]

Think about it, in some ways, the action of ONE missionary will place 660 American troops at risk of losing their own lives.

True, but this "Abu Sayyaf Group" in the Philippines has been a real pain in the ass for some time now. It is nigh time that these thugs are eradicated as a threat.

[codebreaker]

No quarter to any of the Phillipine terrorists with links to Bin Laden.

My guess is 10 days and the missionaries are free.

[Michael Barnes]

No quarter to any of the Phillipine terrorists with links to Bin Laden.

Pardon me sir, while I modify this statement:

No quarter to any of the Phillipine terrorists.

There..that's better.

[homeschool mama]

prayers heavenward <><

[wonders]

I agree that we shouldn't risk our soldiers' lives to rescue missionaries. The missionaries knew perfectly well the dangers and chose to go/remain there.

A couple of years ago, a friend asked me to try to talk his sister out of going to the Philippines as a missionary with her husband and three toddlers. (I had done humanitarian work in SE Asia and knew the health risks for young children.) I explained the risks to the children, but they went anyway. I asked her if they had any plans, anything to offer the people (such as health or nutrition education)besides trying to convert them from the Catholic Church to the Baptist. She was so surprised. No. Just turn them into Baptists.

Sorry, but I just couldn't see risking the lives of young children in order to convert people from one flavour of Christianity to another. Jesus is Jesus. I don't see risking our soldiers' lives either.

[Austin Willard Wright]

Experience is always necessary for a world empire, isn't it? The republic is dead.

[Chad Fairbanks]

Well, if we ARE going to have a World Empire, we might as well do it right. No sense in doing it half-assed... ;0)