posted 07-15-2004 11:48 PM         

The Phillipines: American ally in the War on Terror with a hostage held in Iraq
Bulgaria: American ally in the War on Terror with a hostage held in Iraq

The Phillipines: Withdrawing all 51 of its humanitarian forces to save the life of Angelo de la Cruz
Bulgaria: Refusing to withdraw 485 troops from Iraq despite one Bulgarian hostage, Georgi Lazov, being murdered on July 13th and another hostage, Ivaylo Kepov, being threatened with death

The Phillipines: Hostage family member reaction: "We want to know when he is coming home. We just want him to be able to go home" - sister of hostage
Bulgaria: Hostage family member reaction: the mother of Georgi Lazov firmly stated that Bulgaria had done its best to save her son and that her son's defiance provoked his captors to kill him

The Phillipines: Annual military budget: $995 million
Bulgaria: Annual military budget: $356 million

The Phillipines: military manpower/fit-for-service: 15,780,602
Bulgaria: military manpower/fit-for-service: 1,530,657

posted 07-16-2004 11:53 PM         

The Media...

I am all for freedom of speech, but just because you have the right to say something, does not mean you should.

I mean honestly, how many of us NEEDED to see a person beheaded, or to see the crying and sobbing of the Korean Man's family in their time of grief? If the media (including Al-Jezeera or however you spell it) would have flat out told the terrorists, "We are not airing your tapes, you will get NO air time from us whatsoever", and if people had the decency not to be publishing all of these videos on the web, then do we honestly think they would continue to do the beheadings, if they had NO audience? I'd be willing to bet they would stop (they might come up with something else, but once again... do NOT give them a forum to preach their violent answers to their problems). If they have a legitimate problem, even in their eyes, then they should take it up with their Government or protest. To murder innocent people, whether it is with beheadings or suicide bombings, or what have you, should not be aired.

Just my $0.02.

posted 07-17-2004 12:18 AM         

quote:

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Originally posted by TBlatnica:
I agree totally with everything said so far.. but I think there is also responsibility for this to be placed elsewhere:

The Media...

I am all for freedom of speech, but just because you have the right to say something, does not mean you should.

I mean honestly, how many of us NEEDED to see a person beheaded, or to see the crying and sobbing of the Korean Man's family in their time of grief? If the media (including Al-Jezeera or however you spell it) would have flat out told the terrorists, "We are not airing your tapes, you will get NO air time from us whatsoever", and if people had the decency not to be publishing all of these videos on the web, then do we honestly think they would continue to do the beheadings, if they had NO audience? I'd be willing to bet they would stop (they might come up with something else, but once again... do NOT give them a forum to preach their violent answers to their problems). If they have a legitimate problem, even in their eyes, then they should take it up with their Government or protest. To murder innocent people, whether it is with beheadings or suicide bombings, or what have you, should not be aired.

Just my $0.02.

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posted 07-17-2004 02:53 AM         

Columnist Michelle Malkin, herself of Filipino descent, on the Phillipines' pull-out: "Add the flag of the Philippines to the International Hall of Appeasers. Sign this pitiful nation up for a lifetime membership to the Axis of Weasels. And remind me never again to brag about the proud fighting spirit of my ancestors. The Battling Bastards of Bataan have given way to the Mollycoddling Milksops of Manila. And ultimately, we-not just Filipinos, but all Americans and our allies battling Islamofascism-will pay a grisly price for this disgraceful capitulation."