1 How is this exploiting the mother of her child who is about to face execution? If it were my child, I would do anything, anything in the world to try to save him/her. Quite frankly, the last thing I'd be worrying about is whether I was being "used" by the government when my child is facing death. I dont understand why she is being exploited. If I thought appearing on TV and appealing to these monsters would make the slightest difference, then I would. As for the UK media exploiting the situation, not much exploitation is needed as there is a strong, strong anti-war feeling existing in the UK anyway. I for one, supported the invasion at the beginning and was truly glad that Saddam Hussein was caught. However, my opinions have changed over the course of time due to (a) the ill thought out exit plans for this war (b) the reasons as to why we invaded seem fraudulent-I was under the illusion we were invading due to WMD's-which is now not true (c) the war has become a Pandora's Box. Innocent people are being killed every day and it is just going to get worse and worse. Where and when is this all going to end? Anyway, I am thinking deeply of Mr Bigley and his family at this horrific time. I also want to say that my deepest sympathies are sent to Mr Armstrong and Mr Hensley's families. It is just deplorable what these monsters have done.

2 I too as a mother would want to go public and would find away of doing so at what ever cost, i am sure that if it was my son that was awaiting his death i would want to be over in Iraq not sat at home waiting, i know this would be impossible I think the sooner our lads and ladies of the armed forces can clear Iraq of the religious fanatics who are capable of committing such atrocities on fellow human beings, the better. People who are willing to perform such extreme stunts for worldwide acclaim, or even if they genuinely do simply want their chemical weapons scientists, these people are not wanting peace. They are waging a war, with themselves and the rest of the civilized world. Actions such as this belong in the Dark Ages, not in the 21st century. I personally don't think the media is showing enough, I made what may have been the mistake of watching one of the beheading videos, I had to turn it off before the very end. What it made me feel is best described physically sick,After seeing the video all I wanted was the complete destruction of Zarqawi and anyone associated with him. I can't imagine a better recruitment video for the military. The UK government says it will never negotiate with terrorists, yet the UK government negotiated with the IRA over the years so why not now?

3 There is no way the UK government should negotiate on this. Much as I feel totally sick for Ken Bigley and his family, if the government starts negotiating and meeting the demands of these subhuman monsters, it would be like open day for the terrorists. What next? Oh, Mr Blair, look we've captured another hostage and we are going to slaughter him if you don't assist in the release of Saddam Hussein? No, Tony Blair has got it right in this "damned if you do, damned if you don't" nightmare scenario. By the way, I dont think it is wise to bring up the issue of the UK government and IRA. That is a different league and a different ballgame...I should know as one side of my family are from Ulster.

4 By the way, I don't think it is wise to bring up the issue of the UK government and IRA. That is a different league and a different ballgame...I should know as one side of my family are from Ulster. what i was saying was that our government lies again in saying it will never negotiate with terrorists, yet the UK government negotiated with the IRA over the years so why not now? And as far as you letting me know as one side of your family are from Ulster.so what my fathers from southern Ireland, allot of people in the UK have Irish backgrounds

5 just released on yahoo news Straw said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, and we continue to do all that we can to secure Mr. Bigley's release..so see mr sotinnewzealand there might be hope yet another thing you pasted (Oh, Mr Blair, look we've captured another hostage and we are going to slaughter him if you don't assist in the release of Saddam Hussein?) have you got kids of your own?

6 Hey all, you guys want to help a brotha out?? http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/047301.php

7 DEE: I am a mother of 3 children. As I said in my first post, like you, I would do anything to save any one of my children. I'd chop off my hands, extract my teeth, donate my entire organs to these people if it meant saving my child. Having said that, it is "easier" for me to say the UK government shouldnt negotiate with the terrorists because I am not in that poor family's awful predicament. But the the UK government, especially Tony Blair is in a terrible predicament too, and an unenviable one at that.What I was trying to say, maybe not very well, is that no government can negotiate with these terrorists because it just paves the way for more copy-cat killings.These terrorist will just think they have been given the green light to abduct and threaten murder towards any foreigner if they know governments will bow to their demands. I read on another website today (when I can remember where I found it, I will post it here) that the terrorist group holding Mr Bigley have said they will not negotiate and they do not negotiate with western governments. They have set their demands and if they are not met, they will kill Mr Bigley. It is an utter nightmare. No side is willing to bend but I can understand why the UK government wont bend and remove their troops etc. Much as I no longer agree with this war (in my little opinion, as I said earlier, this war has opened up a can of worms and quite frankly, is on the brink of developing into a civil war, if it isnt that already), I would be even more disappointed with Tony Blair if he removed the UK troops. We have created part of this mess so now we must clear it up and god only knows how we are going to do that due to again, the ill thought out exit plans. I, like you, am holding on to the thought, that there is still hope for Mr Bigley. I wouldn't wish that situation he and his family are in on my worst enemy. Just on a final note, what scares me is that if the terrorists do execute Mr Bigley, I truly fear what is going to happen in the UK. I really mean that. For any US citizen reading this, we have real and I mean real, racial tensions in certain areas in the UK. I honestly do think things will "kick off" in the UK with regards to retaliation attacks on muslims/mosques/ethnic minorities. And this is playing right into the terrorists hands.......spreading their word of hatred and evil. Oh, I am dreading coming back home to the UK next year.

8 "Dr Mashood Siddiqi, a consultant from Aintree hospital".............a Muslim doctor, monitoring her condition? kinda ironic? just weird?

9 The U.K media tend to do this all the time. I does what it has to to sellpapers. Its a shame but the truth.

10 I am a mother too, and a citizen of the United Sates Of America. I cannot imagine myself in the situation of Mr. Bigley's mother, and the like of Mr. Armsstrong and Mr. Hensley. But, I can understand why the government refuse to negotiate with terrorists. Terrorists have insatiable hunger for killing. No negotiations will solve problems of this kind. It will never be a guarantee that these mad people will change their hearts for the good, because they have absoultely no goodness in even the tiniest pores of their skin. The only consolation I have is knowing that they too will die eventually. I only hope that they die soonest and not later. I keep a very angry feeling deep in my heart for what is happening to innocent people in Iraq....but, we are at war, and war does that. I simply pray...pray that the Good Lord looks kindly upon us all. death afterall is simply a beginning of the afterlife. Those terrorists killing people like chickens will never accomplish anything anyway. Let us all hope that the war ends soon, and that we can look to a new tommorow one day.