Colombia: Betancourt, US hostages freed (hurrah for McCain!)

breitbart ^ | 7/02/2008 | breitbart

[milwguy]

BOGOTA (Reuters) - French-Colombian politician Ingrid Betancourt, three Americans and 11 other hostages were rescued from leftist guerrillas by Colombian troops on Wednesday after years in captivity, the government said.

[1035rep]

It is disrespectful. No different than how lefties act.

We have several lefty's here.  It's a shame to see them stinkin up the place. 

[RDTF]

awesome news

[1035rep]

Obama,pinkies,moonbats...launched their little soldiers on the web to spread doubts and confusion among conservatives and republicans or other sensible independents

BTTT  

[af_vet_rr]

As regards this story, what did McCain do at all? Not knocking him, just wondering what ‘good thing’ he did. You seem to know something hidden from the rest of us.

He did nothing. I'm kind of embarassed that some Republicans are giving him any credit for this, because the Colombians have been planning this specific raid weeks before McCain swung through the area (technically they've been working on it since Betancourt was kidnapped but they just recently got the location).

I literally laughed out loud reading this thread - McCain didn't infiltrate FARC, he didn't plan this out a few weeks ago, he's not a Green Beret that has been running around in that part of Colombia, he hasn't been trying to track Betancourt since 2002, etc.

In fact it's disgusting that McCain is given any credit while the Green Berets or Navy Seals (or the NSA/CIA) are not given any credit.

McCain was in Colombia to let the Colombians know that he and others are supporting the Colombia Free Trade Agreement (although it's not going to pass in Congress). If he was there in relation to the raid, it was simply to put him in a position to pressure Democrats in Congress to support the Colombia Free Trade Agreement.

[TornadoAlley3]

http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/07/mccain.html

[shield]

bfl

[1035rep]

Thanks for the link.

In a statement, the McCain campaign avoided making any overtly political points. It didn’t even mention McCain’s own history as a prisoner of war.

It merely expressed the senator’s happiness and the fact of the presidential level briefings. The presidential politics of the situation was left for others to highlight.

[bruinbirdman]

"Some of the elite Colombian soldiers who took part in the operation had disguised themselves as rebels, even wearing T-shirts bearing the picture of legendary reolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara, she said."/I>

yitbos

[cookcounty]

"McCain was there?"

Yes, while Obama the Townhall Chicken was at closed-door meetings in Colorado Springs promising $40/hour jobs to all citizens who would like to get some college (honestly!).

[Santino Sonny Corleone]

“Hugo must be imploding.”

Having his buddies let the hostages write a letter was his only way of getting some good news. All that’s gone now.

[Grunthor]

“I really wish you people would just shut up when McCain does something right.”

Did he lead the mission? Did he plan the mission? Did he fund the mission? What did McCain do?

[Octar]

I really wish you people would just shut up when McCain does something right. You and your cronies never miss a chance to knock him, and I’m really sick of it. He did a good thing. Sit down and shut up.

You are right. This McCain bashing isn't cute anymore. It's gotten old and tired.

[Grunthor]

“The release of these people is wonderful news, so why does some spoiler have to wreck it?”

Because some McCainiac felt the need to try to tie in a little hero worship for their idol. McCain isn’t Bush, people will not stand for it this time.

[Nextrush]

Its a great day for Uribe and Colombia.

A lousy day for Hugo Chavez, FARC and other terrorist drug-trafficking types.

Something to celebrate, freedom for July 4th, 2008.

Three Americans coming home from captivity.

Reminds me of the Israelis rescuing the hostages at Entebbe in July of 1976.

That was a more violent rescue, this was more like “Mission Impossible” stuff.

[STARWISE]

It is a bonafide spectacular special ops rescue! God bless the hostages and the Columbian military ... trained by the finest in the world: The US Armed Forces .. likely our Special Ops, Deltas, etc.

There's no doubt in my mind, while all the public kudos are going out to Uribe and the Columbian troops .. and rightfully so, for their fight for freedom, perseverence and skill .. the US Special Ops and CIA communities, etc. were integral to this stunning feat .. totally .. in training, intelligence and support.

Bet it will be a movie .. it's just too wonderfully clever and awesome.

I love the US military. God bless and protect them.

Special Forces Creed

I am an American Special Forces Soldier. A Professional!

I will do all that my nation I requires of me.

I am a volunteer, knowing well the hazards of my profession.

I serve with the memory of those who have gone before me: Roger's Rangers, Francis Marion, Mosby's Rangers, the First Special Service Forces and Ranger Battalions of World War II, The Airborne Ranger Companies of Korea..

I pledge to uphold the honor and integrity of all I am - in all I do.

I am a professional soldier.

I will teach and fight wherever my nation requires.

I will strive always, to excel in every art and artifice of war.

I know that I will be called upon to perform tasks in isolation, far from familiar faces and voices, with the help and guidance of my God.

I will keep my mind and body clean, alert and strong, for this is my debt to those who depend on me.

I will not fail those with whom I serve.

I will not bring shame upon myself or the forces.

I will maintain myself, my arms, and my equipment in an immaculate state as befits a Special Forces soldier.

I will never surrender though I be the last.

If I am taken, I pray that I may have the strength to spit upon my enemy.

My goal is to succeed in any mission – and live to succeed again.

I am a member of my nation's chosen soldiery. God grant that I may not be found wanting, that I will not fail this sacred trust.

[eleni121]

I can’t believe how easily so called conservatives fall for McCain — no backbone at all.

This is President Uribe’s and his military’s victory NOT Juan McCain’s.

[SecAmndmt]

“McCain also singlehandedly kept the moon in its proper orbit last night.”

And he was responsible for keeping my acid reflux in check last night, too.

[antiunion person]

Is this your definition of free speech?? Even here on FR, people voice their opinions, comments and political views even though you don’t like it.
As a matter of fact, if I had my way McCain wouldn’t be the candidate for president. The only reason he is is due to the MSM telling idiot American people who to vote for. Then the liberals cried when Rush did the ‘Operation Chaos’ and helped Hilary stay in as long as she did to screw up the Democrat voters, which is very easy to do.
I’m sick and tired of always having to vote for the lesser of two evils. This country and our party, the GOP, need someone like Reagan to run again. Unfortunately, when a good man runs for office, the MSM and people like you find something wrong, no matter how small, and blow it out of proportion. I don’t blame good people for not running for office. By the way, read my byline and cough on it.

[STARWISE]

Praise God .. our men are home.

[af_vet_rr]

I can’t believe how easily so called conservatives fall for McCain — no backbone at all.

This is President Uribe’s and his military’s victory NOT Juan McCain’s.

Definitely it is the Colombian military's victory, although some credit should be given to whatever US troops were involved in locating them (be they Green Berets on the ground or other military personnel finding them with a satellite). McCain definitely deserves no credit - Uribe gave him the photo op simply because Uribe prefers McCain over Obama (and more importantly, McCain's support of the Colombia Free Trade Agreement). This operation was going to happen regardless of whether McCain was around or not.