Yeah, they must be hurting for good fighters to demand their old ones back. Just tell Ayman al-Zawahri that if Weinstein dies Taliban captures will be executed. As they say, when in Rome do as the Romans do so if they kill an American capture we kill our Taliban captures. An eye for an eye.

Al-Qaida leader Ayman al-Zawahri said in an audio recording in December that the group was responsible for Weinstein's abduction and demanded the release of all those in U.S. detention for ties his Islamist militant group or the Taliban.

He also demanded an end to airstrikes by the United States and its allies against militants in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen and Somalia and Gaza.

Send in the drones! We don't negotiate with terrorists!

They sit there and make paper airplanes in court! Let allah save them.....so far, he hasn't!

tired-of-it, so a man who risks his life to help others is a fool? you are a coward. your world is only improved by such fools.

kudos to your service, Tired-of-it, but YOU are the one naive if you assume to understand the full extent of Weinstein's purpose there and whether or not he was acting out of step with US policy and military. I don't know, but I'd bet money there was more to his mission than is on the surface.

I don't know what aid organization would even consider sending Americans to Pakistan, that is just stupid. There are plenty of places where our help is needed and wanted, for now, Pakistan is not one of them.

Tired....., Thank You for your service.

As for Mr. Weinstein, I have the huge admiration for his desire to make a difference in the world. That said, he needed to be more selective as to where he utilized his talents. Good Luck and my prayers are with you and your family.

Ok Granted, he was trying to do a good deed by helping people in the middle east (or he was spying). However, the point is still the same, he is risking the lives of out military. Plain and simple. For some reason we will release a large amount of prisoners for him. Now should we release prisoners, well if he is spying for the U.S. then yes, if he went there on his own, then no since he should have known better. It seems to me that some of us here in America have this bright idea that if we are doing good in bad places that for some reason the good we are doing will protect us. In reality it just makes you a target which we as a country end up paying a high price for.

Why was Weinstein, who is so obviously Jewish, risking his life in Pakistan at the ripe age of 70? He is either extremely idealistic and naive, or someone was paying his a ton of money for his services. Interesting situation...

if i was him i would die trying to kill all of my captors and would refuse to be used to free insurgents.

Why was Weinstein, who is so obviously Jewish, risking his life in Pakistan at the ripe age of 70? He is either extremely idealistic and naive, or someone was paying his

I would like to think some jews are not aware (naive) how much isreal is hated by the arabs. muslims for thier treatment (massacre) of palestinians including women and children..

That reminds me of the first guy captured and behaded in video in iraq wars early years...

This guy was from phily (And jewish) and wondering around in iraq, while wild insurgents and every imaginable muslim criminals are on the loose..

The stupidity of this guy caused a lot of pain to everybody in US, the video all over the internet for many to see...

The media ran a story that this guy was a contractor and looking to cash in in the opportunities iraq may have provided..

Go figure.

Wrong place wrong time.

Yeah we're going to stop drone strikes because of this guy.

Sorry about your luck old man, I hope you lived a fruitful life.

If a trade was to happen and it won't those demands are to high how many people would die because the terrorist released will just return to their old ways, how could it even be considered? short of the fact that is exactly what Obama is doing with other terrorist. if it works for one it must be tried by all of them paving the way for more kidnappings. what we should do is simply get out of the ME and discourage all from going there for any reasons or you go it alone, sorry about the bad luck but it was his bad decision. there are more lives at risk then his.

Is anybody else shocked that this guy still has a head?

Westerns go into the middle east with the naive thinking that they are doing something for the "fill in the blank" reason. The people they think they are helping are just taking the handouts and would spit upon them if there was nothing to gain or no handouts to give.

By all means, we should concede to their demands, apologize to them since they've had to feed and clothe and house Mr. Weinstein all this time, and also agree to pay them reparations for the inconvenience. That seems to be what our POTUS does best.

Americans don't belong in these countries, plain & simple

Hello folks, while the elite (1%ers) have us playing the Democrat Republican blame game, they have us in fear, divided, and distracted while they have their way with us stealing our jobs, money, civil liberties and security .

While we play the Republican Democrat blame game the “greatest military in the history of the world” is bringing in another countries military to assist with local terrorists? The Russian military will be training with our troops in Colorado Springs starting on May 24th, how many of you knew that (look it up)? Remember the movie Red Dawn? This has National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) written all over it. While we play the Republican Democrat blame game, foreign troops will be on our soil carrying weapons involved in military exercises with designed war games to practice quelling, arresting , detaining and killing “American terrorists” or whatever definition the government ascribes a terrorist as.

“Joint U.S.-Russian anti-terror exercise stokes fears of martial law”

“Russian airborne troops are set to train how to target terrorists in America as part of a joint anti-terror drill with the United States which will take place in Fort Carson, Colorado at the end of next month”.

“Airborne troops from Russia and the United States would hold joint anti-terror drills in the U.S. state of Colorado between May 24 and 31,” reports the Xinhua news agency, citing Russian Defense Ministry Col. Alexander Kucherenko. The story was also reported by Russian news outlet RIA Novosti.

“The Russian soldiers will also be given access to U.S. special service weapons at Fort Carson”.

“This announcement comes at a time when Russia actually has troops working in cooperation with China,” points out Business Insider’s Eloise Lee, making reference to one of the largest ever Russian-Sino naval drills currently underway in the Yellow Sea.

“More modern fears revolve around global UN peacekeeping troops being used to quell unrest inside America, foreign troops would be used to carry out gun confiscations and incarcerate American citizens during a time of martial law an issue touched upon by Henry Kissinger during the 1991 Bilderberg meeting when he stated, “Today Americans would be outraged if U.N. troops entered Los Angeles to restore order; tomorrow they will be grateful.”

While we play the Democrat Republican blame game we have disintegrated to the point of allowing a cold war enemy to come on to our soil to work with our military in quelling civil unrest. The NDAA Act can detain United States citizens as enemy combatants. We have sacrificed our liberty for perceived safety and security while we play the Republican Democrat blame game.

Never give in to terrorists; the hostage is likely dead already. Never ever give in to terrorists. Hunt them down; give them the due justice they deserve.

Seriously, why was the old guy REALLY there? It's craziness to put himself in that kind of danger. And no, he's not going to get bailed out.

I hope the old guy has made peace with his maker, because he's going to get his head carved off with a very dull knife.

Cate-1417934 - for the love of God, how's about some humanity? The US 'worked it' for the Chinese peace activist last week. The sum would be paltry in comparison to the BILLIONS we've poured into the Middle East. It is time for ALL in power to step up and retrieve this American and BRING HIM HOME!

here is what Obama should say: "so if he dies that's on my hands????? how about this, if the Taliban kills him, we will nuke town "a" and the deaths of those Pakistanis will be on your hands? That is our answer. consider yourselves warned."

I am so tired of us dealing so lightly with these evil people. We are the strongest country in the world militarily. Why do we cower down to these people and fight things at a level that they can fight back and have success. The reason we beat the Japanese (who were even more resolved than the Taliban) and ended world war two was that we were merciless with the nukes. That ended the war with projected millions of lives saved. Have some balls and speak softly but know when it's time to pull out the freaking big stick already. We should have taken this approach before we ever went over there.

Call off the drone strikes... Get out of Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia...
Release all the Al-Quada and Taliban prisoners ... yada yada yada

"My life is in your hands, Mr. President.
If you accept the demands, I live; if you don't accept the demands, then I die."

pffft. really? He can actually say that with a straight face?

By all means, we should concede to their demands, apologize to them since they've had to feed and clothe and house Mr. Weinstein all this time, and also agree to pay them reparations for the inconvenience. That seems to be what our POTUS does best.

LOL I like that and it is true. But I do disagree this time; I think if his life depends on Obama, he's done. If I had to put my life in someone else's hands I can't even say BO is at the bottom of the list... he would not even be on the list.

simple solution, do the said exchange but make sure every single person released has a gps tracker implanted in them. If the hostage ends up not being released or is dead then set the drones loose on the gps signals.

Even if the exchange goes good and this man is released then atleast we would now be able to track them and locate others to bomb/capture.

This moron has no one to blame for his life except himself,he is the one that put his life in danger, those people did not ask for his help if wanted to help people he could have done it right here in the USA where plenty of people need help.

He was most likely over there spreading that bible stuff like has been done for hundreds of years that has been used to enslave and murder people.

...."This message is from Warren Weinstein to his President"....

Meanwhile... the rest of the scribbled mess on the screen translates to....

Brought to you in part by.... "Ahmed's Finger Food Cuisine"... "From chicken wings to Chex Mix"....

.... and by.... "From Books To Sheets"... "For all Your Decorating Needs"...

Al Qaida must have hired a set director for when they do their filming... LOL

P.S... The old guy eating his finger food is a nice touch.... LOL

Doesn't Mr. Warren Weinstein realize there is plenty of charity work to be done right here in America, and he would most likely be safe here?

A lot of people commenting seem to be naive (as everyone is calling Weinstein), that this is very plainly a staged plea. I am sure every line was written for him by Al-Qaida. I mean come on, open your eyes, they have plates of food in front of him and he occasionally eats from it. Someone is behind the camera telling him what to do. If you were pleading for your life you wouldn't be there nibbling on some dinner. Basically, they are probably telling him either say this or we will kill you. Easy for anyone on here to say they would rather die than say it, than actually being in the situation.

Someone give Tired-of-it a cookie for serving. Whoopdidoo.

Americans have differing views on what we should do in all these places. Thanks goodness we can disagree, but shame on those that do it so negatively. Make your point respectfully.

Having served does not give you more rights of opinion than those that did not serve in armed forces, and if you understood your service, you should be aware of that reality -- it was one of the very purposes of your service.

The U.S. does not actually have a policy to "not negotiate with terrorists." That is a common misunderstanding of policy. We do negotiate -- with just about everything. What is foolish is to negotiate outside the realm of reality of value. One citizen cannot be traded for dozens of enemy soldiers (by whatever label), nor promises of military strategy changes. This does not mean there is a finite value of human life of a single person -- but grow up... when dealing with such situations, every negotiation forces a value to be placed, whether you're comfortable with that or not.

U.S. Citizens enjoy a huge advantage of news communication, should they merely decide to use it. If you want to get more info about world views, start reading newspapers (which you can get on-line) that aren't designed for U.S. consumption. In so doing, you will get a more worldly view. Of course, other country's media will lie to you -- but hopefully only a little more than your local media slants the truth.

You have the right to post on blogs like this... but, if you post hateful, negative, uninformed items as your general tone, you have done a great disservice to those that came before you that created or protected that right. If you're going to "sound off"... be mindful that you have a duty to your ancestors, country, and children, to make what you say really count towards something of value / benefit.

TrustVerify~ That is old news. The Russians have been at Fort Carson since before 2006. There was a Captain that was with my sons unit.

Scenario #1 - Weinstein is being held against his will and is being used as a bargaining chip for Al-Qaida to try to get their cohorts released. In that case, giving in will only result in more kidnappings of Americans when they want something. More than likely they will kill him even if they got their way. The guy was not blindfolded as in many other hostage videos. They have no intention of releasing this guy alive as he can relay a lot of information.

Scenario #2 - It was mentioned in the article that his friends were confused why he would be kidnapped because he had gone to great lengths to adopt local customs and learn the language. Maybe there's a possibility he's changed his affiliation. If they're saying he's been well fed, taken care of, and given medications this seems kind of fishy. I don't know but it seems very odd that he was taken in August and its been this long for them to ask for something. Its not like a kidnapper wants to feed and give meds to someone with a heart condition. The longer they hold him without demands, the more likely something will go wrong. What if he had died from his condition in the meantime? They would have lost their bargaining chip. Why wait 9 months?

It's time we realise these people in these foreign countries are not our friends. it's time for all us Americans with our compassion and big hearts and wallets to take our toy and go home... and leave these "people to wall-er in their backward lives and poverty... to them we are all CIA, no more "bribes"/aid.... there are people here that can use whatever the resource is we are giving to these countries that don't want us there. P.S. If we are meddling in their affairs, we have things and people here that need attention FIRST... Charity begins at home.

Some of you people really amaze me.

Weinstein knew the risks going in five years ago. He is now being held hostage by al-Qaeda. He says words they want him to say. They set up a pretty picture with plenty of food in front of the hostage to show how 'compassionate' they are.

"How can he say that with a straight face"? How dare you even ask such a stupid question! Weinstein is a victim here. He is not perpetrating some vile manipulation against his country. Certainly he is trying to save his life. He will say whatever they dictate in an effort to forestall torture.

There is very little likelihood he will survive this event but, unless you have been captured by a foreign terrorist group, tortured and promised food, clean clothes, a bath, safe sleeping environment, etc. if you just read what they tell you to ... you are in no position to decry the actions of a person in such a terrorist hostage situation. Pain is a great motivator. You can sit comfortably in your home, pecking away at your computer and say Weinstein is wrong, he is a fool, and so on. You puff up your chest and declare YOU could handle the torture because you are a better man than Weinstein, the fool. The truth is, you don't know what you can stand, what degree of torture and pain you can tolerate until you are confronted with it. Most, almost all, people are far less able to withstand the effects of torture than they pretend.

Prime example of needing to walk a mile in someone else's shoes before passing judgment on them!

First off my condolances goes out to all family & Friends of this man. My first question is why would anybody put themselves in the position to be a victom of these idiots. The USA and it's people can not save the world..They beg for our help and then run and hide like cowards when the crap hits the fan leaving us to hold the bag. We've lost enough good Americans!!! For me it goes to the old saying" You can lead a horse to water but you cant make em drink" Want to help America? Help Americans we have plenty of folks that need help because of our economy. Just the plane ticket cost alone to get there could help a few Jobless parents feed there kids for a month.. WAKE UP AMERICA!!

If Obama doesnt have anything to gain politically, it sounds like this guy is screwed. Or if Obama would grow a set and tell them that if they hurt this guy, we will wipe one of their cities off the map, and even give them their choice of cities, maybe they would take our paper tiger seriously.

Hey, Marge-1323260,

Since you seem to have just crawled out of your cave, I would like to fill you in on what's happened in the past year or so: 1) Obama sent the Navy Seals in and they killed Osama Bin Laden. Well, that should do it, you're pretty much all caught up now.

You're welcome.

A little off topic, but isn't it a bit unsettling being forced to watch a toothbrush commercial before watching a video of a man being held captive by terrorists and begging for his life?.. Only in America I guess.

Hey Ahmed, we haven't cut off a head lately! What do ya say we grab some old fart and ask for the moon? I mean its been a while and I'm gettin kinda antsy!..............BOOM......There's sposed to be virgins! CRAP! Bye bye a**holes!

Unfortunately, if we give in to unreasonable demands to free one innocent person, the next time they will take 10 hostages and make 10 times as many unreasonable demands.

Perhaps he should have thought twice before putting himself in what is little more than a war zone.

Even if we gave in to their demands, they might still kill him. Once they are kidnapped, it's pretty much acknowledged that they are going to die. Unfair, but true. It's better to resist and die in the initial kidnapping then die the slow process that al-Qaida has in store.

I really believe that he will be murdered no matter what the US does and that there is a chance that he is already dead and they're using film that was made before he died.

And as a note to AbdallahAbdallah, Israel bought the land from it's Arab neighbors who considered it worthless until Israel got it to produce and Israel never targeted schools or used women and children as shields around military targets like their neighbors.

It is so hard to not HATE the islamic people. I realize that not all of islam are terrorists, but just like Osama you will never convince me that the pakistani police/government didn't know where he was! and they know where weinstein is and who is responsible for his kidnapping also!

SO! That makes them all complicit in all the kidnappings there!

Cut off all aid

Pull out all Americans secretly

NUKE THE WHOLE MIDDLE EAST SO THEY ARE ALL MARTYRS,THEY WILL ALL GET VIRGINS (So we'd be doing them a favor) AND THE WORLD CAN SPEND ALL THAT ANTI-TERRORISM $$ ON MUCH MORE PRODUCTIVE PROGRAMS!!!!

OH-YEAH I ALMOST FORGOT....

LEGALIZE MARIJUANA !!!!

I truly don't understand why any American non-military air worker goes into these sh**-hole countries! If you choose to do so, you do so at your own peril. You cannot expect the US to bargain with these animals.

If you are so in to providing aid to people - why don't you start with your own country?! There is plenty that can be done here!

I have to agree with every body else who thinks this guy is an idiot. At 70 years old he should have been sitting home comfortably retired, maybe helping americans if he felt the call to help people so much, not living in some godforsaken wartorn hellhole for the last five years. And with a heart condition toboot, He's not to bright.

The Taliban is likely to target anyone foreign as long as there are foreign powers at work in the region. The Afghanistan war made sense at the time, but there was a limited window as to how long the locals would've been able to tolerate an outside presence. We've passed that limit by about 5 years now.

The Afghani Taliban and Pakistani are different entities, but they're on the same page at this point in time, so it's fair enough to lump them together. It's fairy safe to say that this guy is completely screwed, and that 10 Al Qaeda/Taliban operatives at least would need to be exchanged for him, and that's a bad idea. We've gotta give up on the war in Afghanistan. It's unwinnable at this point. Not without spending trillions and trillions for almost no reasonable return.

Lady Cat

Israel never targeted schools or used women and children as shields

LOL Really?

http://electronicintifada.net/content/boy-used-human-shield-israeli-soldiers-speaks-out/9061

http://www.btselem.org/human_shields/20060720_human_shields_in_beit

Lots of youtube videos too. In todays internet age there's no excuse for ignorance.

Pepster

TrustVerify~ That is old news. The Russians have been at Fort Carson since before 2006. There was a Captain that was with my sons unit.

This is from the Denver Post on 5-7-12:

An army spokesman said Monday that 20 Russian soldiers will visit Fort Carson at the end of May to train with a dozen U.S. troops. It will be the first time Russian military members will train at the post near Colorado Springs.

Maybe there was a Russian Captain there that your son saw, but this is the first time Russian troops are training there.

Er, Stone Dog, if you don't mind, the LC and I will stay off of sites called "electronic intifada." Because if you can find them, they can find you.

Poor guy should stick his between his legs and kiss his ass goodbye, he is gonna die.

I am sorry but I have to say this. The guy made his bed.. I'm sure he was warned before he went over there. I hope they let him go but he'll not get what he's asking.

Can only think it sucks to be him. with current policy the way it is , (and has been for a long time), looks like he's going to die............

You'd never see me setting foot in one of those countries. Altruism is something to be admired, but self preservation and family first for me, sorry.

He should have left along time ago, Pakistan is no place to be for an American and he could have left along time ago. I have no sympathy for those people who put themselves in harms way when they were told not to and then cry wolf when they get caught. I'm sorry Mr. Weinstien but this is your fault. I do agree with a previous writer about an eye for n eye you kill ours and we will kill yours. Why turn our Islamic prisoners lose only to have them raise arms against us again.

Tired-of-it, it would be interesting to know what you did in the Coast Guard and the Naval Reserve. You say you have been helping people all your life, but you would damn someone else who is willing to risk their lifeto help others? To me Mr Weinstein is a unfortunate hero who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I sincerely hope he comes home safely. Sounds like you need a perspective change!

Screw Al-Qaida and Screw Mr Weinstein. !!!

No prisoners should be released to secure his release. Or if they are released to secure his release then he should be brought back and thrown right back into prison for jeopardizing the nations security by his folly.

Stop @!$%#ing going to these places people. If you are do-gooders and want to help people just do it right here in US. There are plenty of disadvantaged people here who will appreciate your help.

AS an active duty serviceman overseas, I was well informed that the US does NOT negotiate with terrorists. If I were to be taken hostage, I did not expect any help from our government...and I informed my family of that risk before I went. Later, as a DoD civilian in another part of the world, I faced and accepted the same risks.

Somebody said it earlier: our official position should be to promise retaliation tenfold if this American is harmed...and then deliver on our promise! justredd64 and bandit are also correct!

All this man wanted to do was help others and now he's being used by these gutless animals to make a point. The US government can't and shouldn't nogatiate with people like this. So now it looks like another decent human being is going to die for nothing. Islamic militants are cowards that have no honor.

Hello pepster, enclosed is one of many articles that outline that this is the first time Russians have trained on U.S. soil. Show me an article that outlines they have trained on U.S. soil before.

The question still remains: "why Russian troops are training to kill “terrorists” on US soil".

Department of Defense Confirms Russian Troops Will Train On US Soil

by Paul Joseph Watson

The Department of Defense has confirmed foreign media reports that Russian troops are set to target terrorists on American soil as part of an unprecedented joint drill with the United States which will take place in Colorado next month.

As we reported yesterday, Airborne troops from Russia are set to take part in drills focused around targeting terrorists at Fort Carson between May 24th and May 31st. The soldiers will also be mingling with the local community, attending a baseball game in Colorado Springs during their stay.

It marks the first time Russian troops will train on US soil.

“The Russian soldiers are here as invited guests of the US government; this is part of a formal bilateral exchange program between the US and Russia that seeks to develop transparency and promote defense reform,” Commmander Wendy L. Snyder, US Defense Press Officer for policy, told The New American in an e-mail. “This is the first time that American and Russian special operations troops have participated in a bilateral exercise.”

“According to Snyder, the exercises — which she said would last about three weeks in all — will serve to train and improve skills related to terror-war fighting. About 20 Russian soldiers will be participating, with most of the training to take place on the Fort Carson, Colorado, Army base and a mountain training area several hours away.”

The presence of foreign troops on US soil has long caused consternation with many on the American right for a number of reasons, both historical and contemporary, stretching right back to when the British called upon German Hessian soldiers during the Revolutionary War.

More modern fears revolve around global UN peacekeeping troops being used to quell unrest inside America, an issue touched upon by Henry Kissinger during the 1991 Bilderberg meeting when he stated, “Today Americans would be outraged if UN troops entered Los Angeles to restore order; tomorrow they will be grateful.”

Drill exercise, during which foreign troops working alongside US authorities, have led to concerns that the federal government would be forced to rely on foreign mercenaries to restore order, confiscate weapons or even incarcerate citizens during a national emergency, because of the likelihood that Americans would refuse to carry out such orders against other Americans.

The Department of Defense’s acknowledgment that the exercises as described in the initial media reports are indeed taking place will hopefully put an end to this confusion and allow focus to return to the question of why Russian troops are training to kill “terrorists” on US soil.

MrIndia, always nice to see warm, kind hearted, and compassionate folks such as yourself posting about somebody else's misfortune! After reading your post, it makes me wish there were more people like Mr Weinstein in the world and a lot less people like you!

Roodles~ It's not that big of a secret like Trust was making it out to be. The Russians have been at Fort Carson preparing for this for some time, yes, working with troops. I have had them at my house for BBQ's. Trust and you should be wondering about the Al Queda training camps at Buena Vista, CO.

Since you seem to have just crawled out of your cave, I would like to fill you in on what's happened in the past year or so: 1) Obama sent the Navy Seals in and they killed Osama Bin Laden. Well, that should do it, you're pretty much all caught up now.

You're welcome.

Obama didn't do jack s***. Those soldiers found and killed OBL, he just gave the OK. If he had been unreachable, OBL would have bought it anyway. Obama probably would have let OBL live if he thought it would help his agenda in the slightest. If he found a way to make it possible and thought it would help him gain more power, Obama would resurrect Hitler and go Nazi. His only goal is power, and being POTUS is just a means to an end for him. It has nothing to do with helping this country. And I am not singling him out when it come to not doing anything worthwhile, he just happens to be current in the long line of politicians that have torn this country down.

@Larry-2260635:

Good idea. They live in a "an eye for an eye" society; why not punish them the way their religion would?

I highly doubt this guy is actually a hostage; the only reason that they'd give him food and medical attention like that is if he had highly valuable information; information that they'd have a hard time getting, from him or anyone else.

I know he was trying to do something good over there, but I think he went in there, when its obvious the cards would be stacked against him, mainly due to his religion (I don't wish to be rude, but a Jewish person in an extremist Islamic country is pretty much asking for trouble)

To all of you who worry about Russia's military... Russia spends on defense less than 4% ($35B) of what we spend ($1T) per year. They are smart and very careful no to waste too much money on their military, while we keep pissing away BORROWED money on stupid wars that lead to nowhere.

Obama didn't do jack s***. Those soldiers found and killed OBL, he just gave the OK. If he had been unreachable, OBL would have bought it anyway. Obama probably would have let OBL live if he thought it would help his agenda in the slightest. If he found a way to make it possible and thought it would help him gain more power, Obama would resurrect Hitler and go Nazi. His only goal is power, and being POTUS is just a means to an end for him. It has nothing to do with helping this country. And I am not singling him out when it come to not doing anything worthwhile, he just happens to be current in the long line of politicians that have torn this country down.

So, by not finding and killing BenLauden... during his own (911) watch - you are saying that GW wanted to leave office with a pile of steaming excrement sitting in the middle of the floor at the Oval office?

Great explanation. GW was just being kind ... leaving all the easy, busy work for the incoming to a rolling start on the cleaning up his messes.

Thanks George - we just didn't understand how generous you were being. This sentinel and the Teabaggers just weren't explaining it right...when they kept tossing it around like a hot potato, but once the job was done, it all switched (anyone could have done it - tweern't nuthin' -the way they everyone - just how easy it was... any one could have got it done.

OBL was not found and killed by Bush or Obama, and neither deserve credit. That goes to the military, and that team in particular.

I wasn't defending Bush or any other POTUS; they are all responsible for the condition of this country. And I am not going to give any of them credit or praise for something they didn't do.

Just to clarify your position then, it's also not the president's fault if we're attacked. Or that the economy is bad. If things like finding bin Laden aren't in the president's purview, then neither are any number of things that aren't under the direct control of the executive branch of government... which are most things. Which is in many ways true, but also destroys the second part of your argument, that it's the presidents' fault that things have gotten the way they have. Which in many cases isn't. Except for Reagan, who really kicked off the "Government for Sale" state that we're currently in.

We don't negotiate with terrorists, but we do release hostages. How about making that a trade deal instead of a one-way street. Oh yeah, that would be negotiating with terrorists. Oops.

I pray that Mr Weinstein is able to be returned to the US safe.

But this is a good example of not being able to sit down and talk reason to these people. These people want to kill us.

While I also wish the best for Mr. Weinstein I think this is the more appropriate message to him considering his ultimatum to the President.

Kiss your A** good-bye.

That's what you get for going to a third world hell hole in the grip of terrorist thugs and a corrupt central government. You brought this onto yourself and your family for some selfish faulty feel good notion of 'healing the world'. If you were a responsible individual you would have told the terrorist to stuff it and let them take your head. Instead you are giving them their 15 minutes of fame which will STILL probably end with you not having your head. Sorry to be the barer of REALITY but there it is Mr. Weinstein. Enjoy the rest of your life.

And you, Cniht, are a prime example of the compassionate, good-hearted people that made this nation work in the first place.

No. Wait. No you're not!

But you should at least feel a wee bit of gratitude and compassion for those who made your comfortable world possible. That includes the compassionate as well as the warrior. There are two sides to every coin and, without one side, the other is merely a worthless blank.

Abdallah Abdallah

I agree with what you state. ANYONE that travels to a hostile country is given a written warning of the hostilities that could happen. He did so at his own risk and is suffering the consequences. I sincerely hope he makes it home safe, but I feel, being in the hands of terrorist, he won't get the chance to make it home. After all, they are terrorist. Anyone want to step up to the plate and beleive ANYTHING they say? Be the first, and prove how gulable you are. After years of studying the terrorist's mind, I can assure you they harbor a hate for the Western World and live with a very sick thought in their mind. "Death to infedels." I would step up and say, if the U.S. delivers the request, the terrorist will execut him to show how powerful they can be and how weak the United States President is to allow it to happen. Only my thought.

The case of the "Tourist Terrorist"... went to Libiya for Spring Break to fight for the Rebels...

Reminds me of the idiot who payed his way to go over to Libiya - "to shoot me some body". To him it was just the thrill of killing someone and getting away with it.

I understand some of the rebels talked candidly to him one night. Explained that if he didn't leave by the next day ... he was never, ever going to leave.

He got the message and flew to Europe for the rest of his Spring Break.

That's what they get for being over there.

I agree with Patriot Chic. Also watched a news show on his decision to take Air Force One to Afghanistan when he met with their officials recently. He claims that it was for a show of force...or maybe arrogance...however he was strongly advised against doing that, as all past Presidents have traveled in Black hawk copters in extreme secrecy for protection.

Your in Philly ! Go Throw a baseball at somebody

GOP can do it, why not the dems. Get over it people. You have to come up with something better than this. Obama is doing a great job on the terrorist, by killing them

It's like Jon Stewart said-Obama's the only black man in history that has to prove he killed somebody.

Sorry but Obama has not done one thing. He has not gone out and fought or found any of these terrorists. Stop giving credit where it isn't due. Our great men and women in our armed forces are to be thanked for all that has happened. Sure the President said go ahead seal team 6 get it done so everyone can pat me on the back for doing it. And all the intelligence people that found him to begin with. Start giving credit where credit is due and no slapping the back of a man that has truly done nothing.

If people would do a little research prior to posting the Democrats behind Obama would see that HE did not kill or have anything to do with killing Bin Laden. The story is out there from the Seal Commander that led the raid. As he stated.

"Our commander in chief will take the credit on his watch, but had nothing to do with the decision to take out Bin Laden. The decison, to take out Bin Laden was taken on by President Bush and carried into the current Presidents term. We happen to find him on President Obama's watch, and we decided to take him out. All presidents have this option during their term. It's just a matter of when the time comes, it goes under the President on watch."

tb10196

He is the commander in chief who gave orders to violate international law in pursuit of terrorists. Even Romney stated that he would consult with those countries first. Why don't you give credit where credit is due? Had this been a Rep, you would have been bowing at their feet and kissing their a**es

Well said, tb10196. I am sick to death of hearing Obama brag about his one and only accomplishment in office...it's embarrassing to have a president that takes all the credit for a successful mission in which our Seals put their lives at extreme risk. He should shut up and start working on turning this miserable economy around.

Per Obama on the economy crisis: "If I don’t have this done in three years, then there’s going to be a one-term proposition.” Better hurry - Nov. is right around the corner...

skipster56

You talk about research.. about using your brain? You honestly believe that Obama didn't give the actual orders that night to proceed into the compound? The SEAL team, could have stated, "sorry we can't follow your orders Mr President, we are under orders from a retired president instead" ... ARE YOU REALLY THAT STUPID!!!!!!

Poor Obama, they have him bent over and are now drawing straws to see who gets to pop him first. If he wants to be a big dog he has to prove that he can bite and not just pee on the floor at the first sign someone is willing to fight. If youre going to say youre a bear, you better be able to prove youre a Grizzly.

it's embarrassing to have a president that takes all the credit for a successful mission in which our Seals put their lives at extreme risk.

Show me one instance where he didn't thank all those involved and took all the credit for himself.

What is embarrassing is that I am defending a President that I am not too fond of because there are people out there that have blinders on to the truth.

Every time Obama has talked about the raid, he has thanked everyone all the way down to the intelligence gatherers.

Independent in Colorado,I bet if the mission had failed you would have been blaming Obama for the failure.

NYKMike,for the ones that only listen to one so-called news channell they will not have that info.

BYE BYE Barry, And Mr. weinstein, you better get right with Jesus, he is your only savior.

All libs and Obama himself act like he was solely responsible for planning the mission that assassinated Bin Laden, even though the courier had been identified and was being tracked for several years before Obama took office. Let's see what Obama does as far as rescuing Weinstein. Will Obama use his superior intelligence and skills as a military tactician to plan a raid with Seal Team 6 to rescue Weinstein and assassinate his captors? Don't hold your breath.

Obama was at his best planning "Cash for Clunkers". Like other politicians, he's nothing but a used car salesman.

You people need to get over it, Obama deserves some credit for his decision as his VP Biden was against it. BTW during Bush's term quite a few Al Qaeda big shots were captured or killed. It is humorous reading party hack comments though.

First off, I am not an Obama fan, but still... I see a lot of the phrase "credit where credit is due"....OK, here goes: ALL of the credit for finding and killing OBL belongs to the behind-the-scenes intelligence operatives and informants (who, hopefully, will never be identified, thus unable to claim credit) and to Navy Seal Team 6, who had the courage to execute such a dangerous mission.

Having said that, President Obama DOES deserve the credit for authorizing the mission and giving the go-ahead to assassinate OBL without informing Pakistan. IF the mission had been unsuccessful, and OBL had survived...or even worse, Navy Seal Team 6 members had been lost or captured...he would have had to face the repercussions of that decsion. It was a ballsy call, he made it, and deserves some credit for making it.

Aid worker=CIA operative. His "business" activity just caught up with him.

I'm with you on that, Bluelake. I hope he's preparing for his end, because it's coming.

He is dead and already knows it I imagine. Maybe he can plead for it to be quick and with as little pain as possible. Maybe a high caliber temple shot rather than the beheading with the knife. That twenty seconds or so that it must take until they get your spinal cord has to be a lousy way to spend your last few seconds on this earth. Give him me the big bullet any day of the week. Poor bastard.

Anyone who puts themselves in that position knowing there is a good chance of abduction should accept the consequences and not put others in questionable positions. BTW not all aid workers are CIA

The U.S. State department has a long standing policy on negotiating with terrorist groups. So the statement " there are behind the scenes negotiations" is ignorant speculation on your part. So if negotiation or going on or not would have to be a executive decision which would have EVERYTHING to do with Obama.

But yet American you want to give Pres Obama all the credit for everything good that happens. Why dont you say good job to the men and women of our armed forces for doing a great job getting rid of all these terrorists instead of giving Obama credit for it.

Hey GETS, The press and government say all the time that they are working behind the scenes on getting the situation resolved. So what would you call that? So maybe "you're" not as informed as you think. Stop pretending that you don't understand the point that the person is trying to make.

"working behind the scenes on getting the situation resolved"

Is it plausible this could mean gathering intelligence and developing a plan to conduct military action against the captors and rescue the hostage? Remember Jessica Lynch? I believe this statemant was made once or twice.

Just a thought...

HALO...check your oxygen...Obama made a damn hard call to go into Pakistan. Do you think many Presidents would do such a thing?

Mr. Obama let the Military and the CIA loose to fight as they need. Again, that is much more than Rumsfeld would ever do. Rumsfeld, never a leader but a bully, ran the war under Mr. Bush and did a very proor job.

To say that our President is a clown is shameful.

Yes. And they have said in the past that they are having "TALKS" with reps from all parties involved. What do you suppose they mean by that? Hmmmm... Just a thought ...

MOSinEUR

You are sadly mistaken if you think Obama "made a damn hard call to go into Pakistan." The administration's military advisers made all the decisions to go into Pakistan and the president simply signed off on it. Any president would have been foolish not to sign off on it.

There is no shame in the truth. The president is a CLOWN and most Americans are coming to realize that. People will not fall for the smoke and mirrors magic show this time around.

The president made his own bed and now he has to sleep in it.

Well said American :)

Halo,

Show some respect. That was a tuff call to sign off on the OBL raid. If that does not go down as planned then the entire blame usually falls back on the guy who signed off. Calling our president a Clown is completely out of line. Wether you like him or not, he is our president. Grow up.

The only reason Obama signed off on the raid is that it would have been political suicide if he didn't.

If the raid did not go down as planned, Obama would have blamed the Special Operations community for its failure. Just as he had no problems blaming things on GWB.

I refuse to show respect to someone whom does not deserve respect. Respect is not automatic and has to be earned. Obama is the worse president the history of the United States. He deserves no respect.

I have the freedom to call Obama whatever I want. Wouldn't you agree that calling him a clown is better than posting my true feelings about him?

Barack Obama is a CLOWN!!!

I agree with you MOSinEUR.

HALO is so tunnel-visioned and close-minded fellow. No matter what good our president will do or accomplish, in HALO's eyes BO is still the bad guy.

We will capitulate. Anyone who volunteers to work in enemy territory, should assume all of the risks for they knew the risks before going there. We should not spend capital or credibilty to rescue them. Que Sera!

However, we will capitulate and give away tons of taxpayer's money.

Guys

People like HaloJumper are part of the reich wing. They simply can not rationalize, depending on sound bites from Limbaugh, O'Reilly, Romney, etc. Do not waste your time trying to rationalize with them

Could have happened on any-ones watch.

The last President had 8 years to do so. How much longer should we have waited? Until another attack happened?

Only a case of being in the right place at the right time.

Once again, the last President was in the right place at the right time. What happened?

Just as he had no problems blaming things on GWB.

Well, if GWB would have done his job and not walked away from the Afghanistan war the instant he was granted the war he truly wanted, This whole discussion would not even be taking place. He had eight years to kill Bin Laden, but decided he wasn't a priority anymore once his Iraq dream came true.

Dislike the President all you want. Just don't act like anyone could have ordered this when the last President blew it off for nearly eight years.

Halo Jumper,sorry to prove you a liar bu the military and most others that was involved in the operation advised Obama against going ahead with the operation.

NYMIKE, don't be naive, it was intelligence brought from the Bush years that enabled Obama to order the killing, both deserve some credit, with Seal Team 6 doing the heavy lifting. Only hacks from both parties refuse to acknowledge the truth.

John Nettles, you are so wrong. Actually the CIA pushed to go in and get OBL after intensive surveillance and reconnaissance.

You left wing wanna be socialist civilians and armchair commandos think you know it all. Such naive and gullible sheeple.

Barack Obama is a CLOWN!!!

HALO Jumper, all you're doing is spreading the right wing facist bull@!$%# that some of your prominent members, like Rush Limbaugh, are well-known for spreading.

Do you think Bush did better?

Who was the person who was wrong about the WMDs in Iraq? Bush. Who was in the presidency when our economy started declining into the worst recession since the Great Depression? Bush. Did Bush do anything about it? Nope. Not. A. Damn. Thing. Instead, he decided to leave it all to Obama. Obama ended up inheriting all the ignorance and negligence that the previous president left behind.

If Obama is a clown, then W is a negligent idiot.

Hello USA,wenn AL-Quaida kill Mr.Weinstein)!?),den USA KILL(execute)...all 5 Q-terrorist !!! NO Court ! mbb.

Agen,wenn Q-nazi's kill Mr.Weinstein,kill all 5 Q-nazi's !!! NO Court ! Let dem no...! mbb.

Kill Christianity off. End Pedophilia.

Sounds just as stupid since both acts will still exist afterwards.

Aye! Aye !Aye! Aye! I'm for an army of the friggin things, with the greatest "Space Invaders' players our military has to offer!!!!!!

Thanks for sharing that link, Pat. I am appalled but not surprised given our current administration. But I am surprised that the Washington Post is the paper that reported it given their political leanings.

Seriously? I find it appalling that so many Americans are such sheep. It is dangerous to give idiots voters cards. I wish there'd be an IQ test for voter registration then maybe moron's like you wouldn't be allowed to screw up our country.

@Praziain, obviously you consider "screwing up our country" a subjective matter based on... Further, perhaps you should talk to the 9% of republicans who voted for Obama in 2008 or the 20% of conservatives who voted for Obama in 2008 or the 17% that voted for Bush in 2004 but voted for Obama in 2008. No, clearly screwing up our country is not subjective and those that understand who and how things got screwed up made the right choice in 2008 and will do the same in 2012.

BG-541463

What planet are you living on "Obama will win again and he will go down in history as one of the best Presidents we ever had." he's the worst president in US history, and if by some remote chance he does get re-elected say goodbye to the America that you now know, if he's re-elected it will be the end of the USA we can't take another 4 years of him in office, and before you go accusing me of being racist, I couldn't care less if he was purple with pink polka dots, that's my 2 cents worth.

@ BG.. He's actually considered the worst president in history, even behind Carter and Nixon.. I didn't think that was possible!!! Get your facts straight before you start posting your communist and socialist outlook!!! Truly Un-American!!!!

It's so sad to see a human being who has been so brainwashed by the media, their peers, the leftist propaganda machine -- or whatever entity led you to this mental handicap that you have acquired which has made you incapable of objectivity.

Wow. You're actually serious?? The ONLY good thing that's happened on his watch is taking out bin Laden. And he didn't even do THAT!!! All he could ask the group in the room is, "What do I do?" That idiot couldn't find his way out of a paper bag, let alone lead ANYTHING.

Why do you think Hillary is praying? She is saying over and over..."I hope we don't screw this up like Bill did!"

Hey Larry Moe and Curly, (Matthews Mommy...are you serious)

Watch something else besides Fox News. This President has routinely been rated in the top twenty US Presidents. Where do you get your facts. I do not agree with a lot of things this administration has done However, the President is an intelligent, thoughtful and articulate gentleman.

I do believe that GW Bush was the worst president ever!!!! Wasn't he the one that got us into this nonsense to begin with by ignoring the threats???? I'm pretty sure that 9/11 happened on his watch.

All the people who accuse people of being "brainwashed by the liberal media" are the same people who are brainwashed by Fox News, probably the source for all conservative trash. The only reason why Rush Limbaugh, the trash of all the hateful conservatives, isn't on Fox News, is because they know his loudmouth bull@!$%# is much more noticeable on TV than on radio.

So before you conservatives start saying how liberals are spewing bull@!$%#, just remember that you conservatives have the most biased, lie-filled news channel in the ENTIRE country.

We must not negotiate with terrorists. Let them know we are fed up with their hatred and our next action is to BOMB Mecca. There aren't any good Muslims- I say that because I have never seen or heard of any who have renounced 911 or any other terrorist act. Please correct me if I am wrong.