Families of beheaded US reporters warned not to pay ransoms

MSN News ^ | September 14, 2014 | MSN News

[CorporateStepsister]

The families of two journalists beheaded by Islamic State jihadists were both warned by US government officials they could face prosecution if they raised a ransom for their release.

The recent executions of James Foley and Steven Sotloff by Islamic State (IS) extremists triggered worldwide revulsion and Washington has since declared it is at war with the radicals.

The United States has a policy of never paying ransoms, contending that doing so would endanger Americans all over the world.

Late Friday, a spokesman for Sotloff's family said the murdered journalist's parents were told by a White House counterterrorism official last May that they could face prosecution if they paid a ransom in an attempt to secure the release of their son.

[CorporateStepsister]

I support this policy.

[naturalman1975]

It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation
To call upon a neighbour and to say: -
"We invaded you last night - we are quite prepared to fight,
Unless you pay us cash to go away."

And that is called asking for Dane-geld,
And the people who ask it explain
That you've only to pay 'em the Dane-geld
And then you'll get rid of the Dane!

It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,
To puff and look important and to say: -
"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.
We will therefore pay you cash to go away."

And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we've proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.

It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,
For fear they should succumb and go astray;
So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,
You will find it better policy to say: -

"We never pay any-one Dane-geld,
No matter how trifling the cost;
For the end of that game is oppression and shame,
And the nation that pays it is lost!"

[jocon307]

I would not have let the fear of prosecution deter me from trying to rescue my family member. I’m pretty sure the jury would see it my way.

[Darksheare]

On the other hand, Obama had no intention of rescuing anyone.

[DeaconRed]

But it is OK to swap a deserter for 5 really bad terrorist. . .

[Joe Boucher]

Though seriously downplayed,
Obammy paid millions as well as traded 5 murderers for this Berghdahls release.

[sickoflibs]

Wouldnt paying the ransom be funding terrism?

[Drago]

More government hypocrisy...Guantanamo? Bergdahl? Hello?!?

[wiggen]

I support it as far as the government goes. Not for families. If they snatched Kerry or an ambassador do you think we wouldn’t negotiate?

[Pontiac]

I support it as far as the government goes. Not for families. If they snatched Kerry or an ambassador do you think we wouldn’t negotiate?

I wouldn’t.

Naturalman’s post says it all.

[pepsionice]

There was never really a pure up-and-up swap done for Bergdahl.

Qatar took possession of the five bad guys from the US, and then did something to please the ‘gang’ holding Bergdahl. The gang was not a pure jihad group....they handle kidnappings as a method to turn profits. Somewhere in this mix...Qatar is going to get military assistance, and Qatar likely handed some type of monetary assets over to the guys holding Bergdahl.

[DeaconRed]

"There was never really a pure up-and-up swap done for Bergdahl."

OH
Well then that makes it OK. That makes ZERO the smartest man on the planet.
I still won't change my tag line and I still hate the bastard. . .
And I still believe it WAS 100% WRONG. . . . no matter how people like you spin it. . . .

[Gen.Blather]

“But it is OK to swap a deserter for 5 really bad terrorist. . . “

Rules do not apply to Democrats. It’s obvious the reason we have not achieved Utopia is we’ve always done everything a particular logical way. Therefore, to achieve Utopia, Democrats turn logic around and do the opposite.

[Diogenesis]

Obama and the DNC/RINOs, like McCain, received their
cut of the ransom, and the Obama wants each video MADE,
like the raping and murder of the Ambassador,
so that NO ONE will ever forget the First Moslem Traitor.

[Chgogal]

Unless the Obama minions showed me detailed rescue plans, I would have told them to shove it. It IS a free country and I WILL do what I can for my family. The cowardly and feckless Obama Administration cannot be compared to Thomas Jefferson's.

[ThePatriotsFlag]

But it is ok if the Preesident negotiates giving up 5!terrorists for one traitor! What difference does it make?

[DaveA37]

“......I’m pretty sure the jury would see it my way.”

Don’t be too sure, the gubmint has its way of discouraging testimony against them.

[Red in Blue PA]

I support it as far as the government goes. Not for families.

Bingo. Government should never do this. As for families, if they are desperate and want to trade the family fortune for a loved one, that is their prerogative. Nobody can tell them otherwise.

[Wolfie]

If the journalist’s politics turned out to be “wrong”, the family would be excoriated as terrorist sympathizers.

[moovova]

If my child was held for ransom by ISIS, I would spare no effort to bring that child home. If that means I ignore government demands and then I go to prison, so be it.