REPORTER FACES DEATH TOMORROW (in Iraq)

New York Post ^ | August 19,2004 | GERSH KUNTZMAN

[stockpirate]

A New York journalist who was kidnapped in Iraq will be killed as soon as tomorrow unless U.S. forces leave the holy city of Najaf, according to a videotaped demand issued by his supposed captors. The Arabic news network al-Jazeera aired the video, in which a group calling itself the Martyrs Brigade claims that it is holding Micah Garen, a documentary filmmaker and journalist who was kidnapped last Friday with his translator, Amir Doushi.

In the video — apparently made yesterday — the kidnappers threatened to kill Garen within two days if U.S. forces do not pull out of Najaf, where they have been fighting Muqtada al-Sadr's rebels for two weeks.

On Friday, Garen and Doushi were walking through a market in Nasiriyah, south of Baghdad, when two men in civilian clothes and armed with assault rifles seized them, police said.

[AgentEcho]

OOPS
Post 20 was from http://erikimo.blogspot.com/2004_05_01_erikimo_archive.html

[LakeLady]

You couldn't have said it any better. Now, just keep repeating it over and over and over...all together now!

[areafiftyone]

I posted the kidnapping about a day ago HERE, but just today it seems to be picking up a little steam in the media.

[Lijahsbubbe]

Thanks. Very sad.

History does rely on the journalists and photographers. Prayers for a miraculous release from his captors.

[mhking]

His picture as broadcast on Al Jazeera:

[areafiftyone]

God I hate these hateful people! Prayers going out to his family. I was reading about his wife this morning it broke my heart!

[Lijahsbubbe]

I know. It's sickening just looking at the pictures of him in captivity.

[Wondervixen]

In all seriousness, why can't we trade Michael Moore for this guy?

[stockpirate]

In all seriousness, why can't we trade Michael Moore for this guy?

Because they know no one cares about Michael Moore.

[coloradan]

I think the US should follow the demands, and immediately leave Najaf
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
a smoking pile of rubble.

[JudyinCanada]

How about instead of pulling forces out of the unholy city of Najaf, the forces remove the unholy city of Najaf from the face of the earth.

My prayers are with this poor man and his family. I also despise these evil, deranged, animals that come in the shape of human beings.

[Cinnamon Girl]

I read that Garen was embedded with Italian troops until he accused them of gunning down civilians, and which point they told him to take a hike. Was he and his interpreter totally on their own when he was abducted? He was abducted on Saturday, I think. Was a condition made for his release?

[Redbob]

"You think the terrorists will trade him for Michael Moore?"

FIrst thought that crossed my mind.

[longfellow]

There's only one problem with that, they wouldn't HURT fat ass moore, they LOVE him too much.

[BykrBayb]

On Friday, Garen and Doushi were walking through a market in Nasiriyah, south of Baghdad, when two men in civilian clothes and armed with assault rifles seized them, police said.

They were told to leave Nasiriyah? I must have missed something.

[boxerblues]

My goof....reporters were told to leave Najaf, only those assigned to the military were allowed.

[BykrBayb]

Ah, okay. Thanks for the correction.

[yoe]

U.S. forces are not in charge of the Najaf fight - Iraqi forces are. Pray for them as well as Micah Garen. If the out come is bad, DO NOT SHOW THE DEMISE! PUT A BLACKOUT ON THE STORY!DO NOT LET THE TERRORISTS HAVE THEIR CAKE AND EAT IT TO!

[monday]

"While no one here supports socialism, don't confuse it with a religion."

Political ideals, from socialism, and fascism to environmentalism, have much more in common with religion than you are probably willing to accept.

The old adage about "not discussing religion or politics among friends" is true in that those are the only subjects about which people tend to become irrational.

True believers in socialism believe in it despite all of the factual evidence that it leads to misery. They are quite fanatical in their beliefs. What else would you call an ideal which requires blind faith from its adherents if not a religion?