OK, so I concede that perhaps I'm reacting more from the gut than intellectually. For that reason alone I know I would never make a good journalist.
Something about those two grabbed me from the very beginning. I tried to put myself in their situation and was horrified by my imagined feelings, let alone what they must have felt in reality.
I will keep both of them and their families in my prayers. I will also pray for the news media that gives us extensive coverage, ad nauseum, of Skakel the Kennedy clan member, the sins of the Catholic Church and the Enron scandal, but leaves the story of two brave and innocent American victims to gather dust on a shelf somewhere.
But there are larger national interests involved. Our resources are getting stretched to the limit. It required a very large force to hunt down these rebels - more than we can afford to base in the Philippines without incurring greater risk in other areas. It makes a lot of sense to help the Philippines build up their own forces to combat this evil over the long term.
Many Philippine soldiers have been killed and injured trying to protect our mutual interests during this ordeal. Seven Philippine soldiers were injured in today's operation.
Although we cannot EXPECT an automatic U.S. military rescue when in danger overseas, it does happen when feasible, thanks to the bravery and heroism of our soldiers.
Even at home, some folks expect their local law enforcement officers will sacrifice themselves to protect a civilian. It is an unreasonable expectation - but it still happens sometimes. When it happens, it's because of the officer's personal decision - the ultimate act of nobility - not because some law or policy requires it.