http://larison.org/2007/04/04/about-those-detainees/ n. the principle of good order "Observe the strange inversion of all order and sense! Dignity debased; how vilely is the function of a consul prostituted!" ~The Craftsman Wed, 17 Mar 2010 05:03:37 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 http://larison.org/2007/04/04/about-those-detainees/#comment-6131 Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:31:12 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/04/04/about-those-detainees/#comment-6131 On the issue of Hamas and Hezbolla, I would agree that they fit the description of terrorist organizations. I'm wondering, though, at what point would they be considered legitimate political organizations, particularly Hamas? What is the criteria? All I generally hear on this issue is a lot of politispeak, and not much meat. On the issue of Hamas and Hezbolla, I would agree that they fit the description of terrorist organizations. I’m wondering, though, at what point would they be considered legitimate political organizations, particularly Hamas? What is the criteria? All I generally hear on this issue is a lot of politispeak, and not much meat.

]]> http://larison.org/2007/04/04/about-those-detainees/#comment-6122 Tue, 10 Apr 2007 03:41:23 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/04/04/about-those-detainees/#comment-6122 Taking captive or perhaps abducting would be the more appropriate ways of describing what happened to these Israeli soldiers. Kidnapping or even hostage-taking today normally implies the targeting of civilians by criminal civilians/terrorists. Attacking and detaining soldiers are acts of war, so we should refer to them with words that reflect the nature of the acts, and abducting might measure up to this standard. Kidnapping definitely fails the test of accurate description when militia irregulars attack and detain soldiers from another country. Insurgents and the like in Iraq kidnap journalists and civilians; if they ever capture coalition soldiers, we do not or should not call this kidnapping, but rather capture, detention or perhaps abduction. The now all-but-forgotten missing naturalised American soldier, Ahmed Qusai al-Taayie, was not "kidnapped," but was captured by hostile forces, who presumably still hold him captive (if he is still alive). Taking captive or perhaps abducting would be the more appropriate ways of describing what happened to these Israeli soldiers. Kidnapping or even hostage-taking today normally implies the targeting of civilians by criminal civilians/terrorists. Attacking and detaining soldiers are acts of war, so we should refer to them with words that reflect the nature of the acts, and abducting might measure up to this standard. Kidnapping definitely fails the test of accurate description when militia irregulars attack and detain soldiers from another country. Insurgents and the like in Iraq kidnap journalists and civilians; if they ever capture coalition soldiers, we do not or should not call this kidnapping, but rather capture, detention or perhaps abduction. The now all-but-forgotten missing naturalised American soldier, Ahmed Qusai al-Taayie, was not “kidnapped,” but was captured by hostile forces, who presumably still hold him captive (if he is still alive).

]]> http://larison.org/2007/04/04/about-those-detainees/#comment-6109 Thu, 05 Apr 2007 16:20:12 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/04/04/about-those-detainees/#comment-6109 If not "kidnapping", then what word (or words) is more appropriate? After all, Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were soldiers patrolling Israeli territory and they were abducted (is this a better word) by terrorist organizations, not governments. Unless, of course, you consider Hamas and Hezbollah as legitimate political organizations. If not “kidnapping”, then what word (or words) is more appropriate? After all, Gilad Shalit, Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev were soldiers patrolling Israeli territory and they were abducted (is this a better word) by terrorist organizations, not governments. Unless, of course, you consider Hamas and Hezbollah as legitimate political organizations.

]]> http://larison.org/2007/04/04/about-those-detainees/#comment-6099 Thu, 05 Apr 2007 02:12:43 +0000 http://larison.org/2007/04/04/about-those-detainees/#comment-6099 I think most of the BushCo cheerleaders were too busy complaining about Nancy Pelosi wearing a headscarf on her Syria trip to discuss Faye Tunney. I think most of the BushCo cheerleaders were too busy complaining about Nancy Pelosi wearing a headscarf on her Syria trip to discuss Faye Tunney.

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