[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.

[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.

[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.

[angkor]

Almost makes me think that missionaries should get State Dept approval before going to ANY foreign nation.

You mean, like exit visas? Like Vietnam, Indonesia, Bosnia, Syria, and Mongolia?

That certainly would be a departure from the freedoms which Americans enjoy.

[Gargantua]

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

Two quick points, which you miss with your screed:

1.) Actually, there are thousands of Christians being kidnapped, bludgeoned, tortured and killed in the Phillipine and area islands by militant Islamic terrorists, and I'm sure that part of the objective is to stop all of these horrors.

2.) These Islamic killer scum are trained by Bin Laden and Al Q'aeda, and our country has vowed to wipe them out wherever their vile, rancid heads pop up. Including in the Phillipines, which we never should have abandoned militarily in the first place. It is vital to our strategic national security as a forward base in the Pacific Theatre.

Many will use this sort of situation to advance their Liberal Hate Speak against missionaries and Christians... but do so to their ultimate shame. Assuming, that is, that they still have any.