When a hostage dies in a rescue attempt... the Blame Game

[cbelt3]

CNN has the news of a tragedy. And a travesty that is beginning

It's sad that this young woman died in the attempt to save her life from the Taliban who took her hostage.

The media feeding frenzy and probable court-martial of the brave soldiers that tried to rescue her is a tragedy of the same order. I would personally rather die in a rescue attempt than die the way Daniel Pearl did. At least I'd know that the people that caused my death by making me their hostage would be in hell with me.

(And yes. I HAVE been close to that sort of position, and have thought it through. Suffice it to say that Baluchistan is not a friendly place.)

[Grace62]

It's all under investigation, but I appreciate Gen. Petraeus' honesty in quickly correcting earlier statements that said this woman was killed by her captors during the rescue attempt. If she was killed by a US grenade accidentally thrown at her by US soldiers, then I'd say that was a pretty serious mistake and it should be investigated.

[hal]

there should be no blame game except from the understandably upset family - not that they'd be right, but they would certainly have I right to voice an opinion. Everyone else should just stfu.

[Spock]

cbelt3 wrote:

I would personally rather die in a rescue attempt than die the way Daniel Pearl did.

Yes, but you would be just as dead.

[$tevie]

I can't stand sitting around in comfy chairs passing judgment on men in combat.

[Grace62]

$tevie wrote:
I can't stand sitting around in comfy chairs passing judgment on men in combat.

Yeah tell that to Pat Tillman's family.

[$tevie]

When you have evidence that they threw the grenade at her on purpose, give me a call. Until then it's a tragedy of war. War isn't real healthy for its participants nor the victims of its existence.

[cbelt3]

Spock wrote:
[quote=cbelt3]

I would personally rather die in a rescue attempt than die the way Daniel Pearl did.

Yes, but you would be just as dead.
True, but I can sincerely say that I thought the scenario out, and actually wrote my wife a letter detailing exactly what she should say to the appropriate agency if something went wrong. I'm afraid that letter scared the hell out of her, but I did make it back OK, so it's all water under the bridge.

[davester]

cbelt3 wrote: ...and probable court-martial of the brave soldiers that tried to rescue her is a tragedy of the same order.

So you're getting mad about something that has not yet happened and may not happen. This is a strawman argument.

cbelt3 wrote: I would personally rather die in a rescue attempt than die the way Daniel Pearl did.

Duh! Pearl was basically tortured to death. This hostage was likely killed instantly. Everybody raise their hands who chooses torture over instant death! Given similar levels of pain and duration, I wouldn't give a rat's ass about who was killing me. Dead is dead.

[swampy]

So how do you feel when the shoe is on the other foot, as in Blackhawk Down? A lot of our guys got killed trying to capture some renegades.