Taking Women Hostage In Iraq

It's not just for insurgents and terrorists.

I've actually heard talk about the United States using this tactic for some time now. Still, it's very disappointing to see it's use confirmed.

I cannot imagine this tactic is being used without approval from people high up the chain. Does this go all the way to Rummy's door? In any event, the story shows that the military leadership still doesn't get it. It's not just the result that counts; how we get there is just important. The way we - the United States - behave is symbolic and sets the moral standard for criticism against those who abuse human rights as a means to an end. The fact that this principle is so obvious was why Abu Ghraib was such a jaw dropping shock.

Taking Iraqi women hostage as leverage against their husbands opens up the door as the use of hostage taking as a legitimate tactic.

The story also notes that our military has now released 5 women we have been holding captive for months now. Officially, the military denies this is connected to the Jill Carroll kidnapping and the timing of the releases is merely coincidental. But who's going to believe that.

So while we condemned - rightfully in my opinion - the Italians pay off to hostage takers for the release of one of their journalists. It appears when an American female journalist is kidnapped, the United States is willing to concede to the kidnappers' demands as well.

Simply pathetic.