by Demosophist

Wretchard has a post up about Lynne Stewart's conviction wherein he makes the observation not only that the compassion of the left is selective, but that it's conditioned by the Left's "refusal to acknowledge anything smaller than a mass noun." The essence of this perspective concerns the evidence that Stewart, along with some co-conspirators, sought to use the leverage of the kidnapping of civilians, including "poor" Filipinos and children as well as the sick and elderly, to leverage their negotiations for the Sheik's treatment and release. In essence it concerns a defacto alliance with the Al Qaeda-affiliated kidnappers. It's instructive to consider just how the Left and Stewart's team are spinning this story, including the presentation of their attempts to employ the leverage of the kidnappings. more...

Posted by: Demosophist at 12:11 PM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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Yawn. The reliability of statements made at the Ansar.ws bulletin board has now dropped to nearly zero. Our in house experts have serious doubts as to the authenticity of this latest statement. Giuliana Sgrena was taken hostage last week. From day one our analysts have predicted Sgrena would be released unharmed and live to write about her 'ordeal'. This is the second time a group calling itself the Muhahadin Brigades has threatened to kill Sgrena if Italy did not withraw its troops. more...

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Yesterday a group claimed to have killed Sgrena, although our resident experts at The Jawa Report accurately called the internet posting a hoax. Today Sgrena's employer claims to have seen her and she is alive and well. Notice how Il Manifesto, which is an Italian leftist paper, calls Giuliana's captors the "resistance". AFP

The Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, who was kidnapped in Baghdad last week, has been seen and is in good health, her employer said on Wednesday.

“A person has been able to see Giuliana twice, first on Monday then on Tuesday morning, and has indicated that she is in good health,” the left-wing daily Il Manifesto, which employs Sgrena, wrote in its Wednesday edition.

The journalist is being “held by the Sunni resistance in a zone outside of Baghdad,” the paper said, without specifying who had visited the reporter.

Chad also has some thoughts.

Posted by: Rusty at 09:02 AM | Comments (15) | Add Comment
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The last time a group with a name like "Mujahedeen Brigade" claimed to be holding a hostage, it turned out to be a G.I. Joe doll. Yesterday, the "Jihad Organization" said it would release the Italian hostage, Giuliana Sgrena.

Besides the name of the terrorist organization claiming to have killed Sgrena, there are a few other oddities about this message. Notice, for instance, that the "Mujahadeen Brigade" writes the message as if it is refuting the one posted yesterday. The Jihad Organization claimed yesterday that they had determined that Sgrena was NOT working for US troops. This message claims that the Mujahadeen Brigade was certain she was working for the "American Crusader Troops."

The next few hours will tell which message is the hoax. Unless, of course, the whole incident is a hoax......

Fox News:

A Web posting in the name of a militant group in Iraq (search) claimed Tuesday to have executed an Italian female journalist, but there was no way to determine the report's credibility.

The posting was signed by a different group than the one that had earlier claimed to have kidnapped Giuliana Sgrena (search). Both statements were posted on a Web site used as a clearing house for militants.

The Jihad Organization had earlier claimed responsibility for Friday's kidnapping of Sgrena, 56, but Tuesday's statement was signed by the Mujahedeen Brigade in Iraq (search).

"Your brothers in the Mujahedeen (holy fighters) Brigade have executed the Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena after making sure that she has spied on the mujahedeen for the American Crusade troops," said the statement.

It said the killing was a message to the American government "that this would be the destiny of agents and spies." It was also warning to Italy against continuing with America in its war on Iraq and a message to the holy fighters to "carry on that path until the liberation of the last spot from Muslim land, and know that the occupation of Iraq is the beginning of the end of America, God willing."

Posted by: Rusty at 09:28 AM | Comments (3) | Add Comment
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1 Just chop the communist bitches head off already!!!! She has had her fifteen minutes of fame.

Posted by: MIGHTY WHITEY at February 08, 2005 07:56 PM (K8hYA)

2 Don't be so quick to judge there WHITEY

Posted by: Common Sense at February 09, 2005 08:23 AM (tkj+t)

3 mm, appears whitey's 5 min of fame "expired".

Posted by: ptt at February 18, 2005 05:14 PM (zzA4f)

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Thank you Team America...coming to save the mother f***ing world again!! Let's hope Roy Hallums and Dean Sadek are next. Reuters:

U.S. forces in Iraq stormed a house in Baghdad on Monday and freed Egyptian telecommunications engineers kidnapped since Sunday, the head of their Egyptian parent company said. Naguib Sawiris, chairman of Egypt's Orascom Telecom, said U.S. forces raided a villa, possibly in the mainly Sunni al-Aadhamiya district, and freed two of the four Egyptians. The other two managed to escape on their own from a car they had been locked in, he added.

Posted by: Rusty at 08:24 AM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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As predicted, Italian hostage Giuliana Sgrena is to be released:

Since it has become absolutely clear that the Italian prisoner is not involved in espionage for the infidels in Iraq, and in response to the call from the Muslim Clerics Association, we in the Jihad Organization will release the Italian prisoner in the coming days

Just be sure to cite The Jawa Report when she is released, writes an exclusive story about her 'ordeal', and then slams the US in it for forcing the poor innocent mujahadin to resort to such tactics.

Chad has more. So does Digger. Shamelessly linked at OTB.

Related posts: Italian Hostage: Hoax or the Fruits of anti-American Activism?
Italian Woman Taken Hostage in Iraq

Posted by: Rusty at 01:55 PM | Comments (10) | Add Comment
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1 I think that you can pretty much give yourself a highfive for that call Rusty. Nice job!

Posted by: elliott at February 07, 2005 02:04 PM (yYGP5)

2 Pats self on back...

Posted by: Rusty at February 07, 2005 02:16 PM (JQjhA)

3 Good call...bad reason.....She many be Anit American OCCUPATION but she is also a communist(as is the paper she works for "il Manifesto")and as I said is a related Thread religous nutcases and communists dont mix well....in fact I am quite supprised to learn she was not shot......and another question come to mind: What would she gain by hoaxing a kiddnapping?

Posted by: Common Sense at February 09, 2005 08:10 AM (tkj+t)

4 Forgive me for asking-the mainstream media has gone silent on this... Where is Giuliana,then? She has not been released.

Posted by: Sadie at February 15, 2005 03:09 PM (uc6bJ)

5 >asking-the mainstream media has gone silent on this. because they're the 'pinko commie liberal media conspiracy' and, what does Armstrong Williams have to do with this? hasn't he been 'let go' already? http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Armstrong+Williams+Fired+Tribune

Posted by: ptt at February 18, 2005 05:20 PM (zzA4f)

6 what they say about the islam? islam is not Terrorists.

Posted by: mohamd at March 05, 2005 08:46 AM (koHl5)

7 This bimbo Giuliana Sgrena for all the problems she has caused should be put in jail. Yes, jail! Because of her hard-headed brain even tough she was told ten times not to go into a certain building, she still went. She said "I'm Italian, no one will harm me". Well, it turns out that not everyone loves Italians Giuliana!! Because of her, she indirectly caused one of her country men to be killed, she lied and lied, she was only after any propaganda pictures that showed how supposedly Americans kill Iraq babies so she could report it to her communist papers. Giuliana should be put in jail!! Another problem with Italy is that it is constantly blaming every constipation and diarrhea on America, you ever want to see a conglomerate of adult crying babies, come to Italy, where you will also observe a country full of chaos, confusion, corruption, pirating, mafia, camorra, kidnapping, ruse behavior, etc, it has over 14 political mad minded political parties, in their congress sessions, they literally holler, scream, fist fight, pull hair insult, etc, it's wild session, pays honor to the old three stooges. Another problem with Italy is that President Truman's instead of giving Italy $100 million, plus the Marshal Plan to save their butts, Truman should have given Italy to the Russians. Italians don't really deserve there freedom, they never really fought for it, their freedom was given them on a silver platter. Under the big Mussolini alone, the Italians in order to conquer and enslave others, they started 8 wars and managed to lose everyone of them. In ancient times they were called Romans, but it's the same race, a rose by any other name is still a rose, so all they did was slaughter even children in the coliseums, they did that for 300 blessed years, they would go wild seeing lions eating slaves and prisoners, even would wrap sheep's clothing around children so lions could kill then easier, no lie, it's all history. Go to the Port of Caesarea in Palestine, and there you will read how the Romans (Italians) slaughtered thousands of Jews. It's a rotten race, trust an individual Italians, there are some good people every where, but god forbid, don't ever trust the Italians. In northern Italy, several years ago, there was a U.S. Marine EA-6 Prowler plane that hit a ski lift cable, the tram way fell and 20 people where killed, and after all kinds of typical Italian organized propaganda was scattered all over the news media, their Minister Prodi received $20 million form President Clinton. It was a wild false accusations that American fly while drinking, etc. The Italians blamed the American but f the bozo map agency would have given out the proper map, that accident would not have happened, those pilots were top gun high rated efficient pilots, there was no ski life shown on the map where that accident happened, thus, you trust Italy, you do so at your own risk! BTW, last I heard, that $20 million sort mysteriously disappeared. In short, bottom line is, put the false bimbo in jail!!,

Posted by: Vic at March 06, 2005 11:43 AM (uq30O)

8 You right-wingers have no shame. This woman is not a criminal - she is a journalist. Granted, she is left-wing. But she reported in November that citizens of Faluja were burned to death by napalm. That is a serious charge that needs to be followd-up on. http://www.ilmanifesto.it/pag/sgrena/en/420dd721e0ff0.html You bloggers are not journalists, and you are not there. Know what you are saying before you open your mouths. And the 2 living witnesses in the car will support Giuliana's story. So IMO, the US Military and the Coward in Chief will have yet another self-inflicted setback. Bottom line: you right-wing chicken hawks wanted Iraq. You got it. You broke it. And now I'm paying for it.

Posted by: Jay leno at March 06, 2005 06:43 PM (jaMgB)

9 Without a doubt the Sgrena affair is nothing but an orchestrated hostage program. The last two Italian hostages were women that appeared covered in ridiculous, Ana chronic Burkas. What a coincidence, that the Italian agent was shot in the temple and she was told a story by a “caring, Islamic Freedom Fighter” that the Americans did not want her to return alive. Did anyone that came out alive before ever said that? Moreover, I knew our boys had good marksmanship; but damn that's good considering the car was coming at them at a high rate of speed. Well, the soldier should at least get a commendation for marksmanship, and not face a court Marshall as some are probably going to ask for. That poor bastard died on the way maybe but the bullet came from an Arab; the whole thing was a setup. Time to start cleaning up Europe also. Iraq and Iran are only the beginning. I rather am a part of the Destroyer of Worlds Nation than to live under a regime that will enslave my mother, sisters, daughters and granddaughters. We must wake up and insure the future of our western culture or die trying. They are certainly trying to expand and are killing us by the thousands. They are multiplying and breeding like rabbits and quietly invading Europe and Asia. They want the same for the Americas. We can’t be self-absorbed and not count Europe and specially Latin America, since they are next door. If they go communist or Islamic we will feel it at home. To all who agree thank, to all who do not, I no longer give a rats ass… Read the next issue of Oriana fallaci's book "The force of Reason" when the English version comes out in September. She is not as angry as in the last one, but she does go into the dangerous growth of Islam in Europe with chilling detail.

Posted by: Albert Johanson at March 07, 2005 08:55 AM (+vh78)

10 Total B.S. This has "make the U.S. look bad and get rich doing it" written all over it. Since when did terrorist organizations "vote" as is suggested this no name group did to release her? And do I have to remind anybody how incredibly odd how she was taken. Ohh Im talking on the phone with no worries in front of one of the most dangerous buildings in Iraq. I'm part Italian and personally how shes acted and the whole affair surrounding her "abduction" and subsequent "trial" and release make me sick. If you ask me, this whole thing is a ruse to first: get abducted by a fake terrorist group (probably only one or two people, likely more Italians), two: split the ransom insurance with her captors, and finally three: shoot the brave Italian agent who discovers the truth and blame it on the Americans. This guy got shot in the temple at close range it sounds like, so my guess is they charged an American checkpoint using the dead Italians body as a sheild (it had a flak jaket on, hmmmm. . .) Doesn't all this seem a little too convient to anybody else?

Posted by: Cain at March 07, 2005 10:08 PM (spv7p)

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This is an archive page. For the latest news on The Army of Ansar al-Sunnah and other terrorist groups in Iraq please go to the MAIN PAGE HERE.

UPDATE 5/10: Army of Ansar al-Sunna website releases images of Japanese hostage Akihiko Saito. Images, story, and link to website.
-----------------

The Army of Ansar al-Sunnah released a gruesome videotape of the execution of an Iraqi translator. Images and links to the video are posted below. This came only a day after the group released a video of seven Iraqis being murdered.

The hostage identifies himself as Safad Mohammed Hassan from Mosul. The video is in three parts. The victim is first forced to 'confess' to the 'crime' of working with Americans. Next, a close-up of his identification badge shows that he is a translator. Last, a lone gunman stands behind the blindfolded victim then fires a single shot into the back of his head.

These are the people we are fighting. They are not freedom fighters. They are not fighting to liberate Iraq. They are fighting to set up an Islamic state patterned after the Taliban.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES FOLLOW more...

Posted by: Rusty at 01:33 PM | Comments (5) | Add Comment
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The deadline set for Italian hostage Giuliana Sgrena by her captors has passed. The Organization for Jihad gave the Italian government 48 hours to pull out of Iraq last Saturday, or else:

"we will announce the fate of (Giuliana Sgrena) in the imminent future".

"We are still questioning the hostage, and the Sharia (religious) committee will soon present its verdict," the group said.

"We consider that this is the last message for the Italian
government, and there will be no safety or stability as long as there is one Italian soldier on Iraqi soil," said the group.

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The Army of Ansar al-Sunnah has posted a video of the murder of seven Iraqis. Images and links to the video are posted below.

In a statement released Saturday, the group claimed that the seven had been captured in a raid near Abu Ghraib. The victims were called "apostates" and forced to confess to the "crime" of cooperating with American forces.

The video shows several clips which have been edited together. The first two clips show two different groups of men 'confessing'. Three are dressed in civilian clothes while the second four are in military fatigues. Next the video shows three men being gunned down by two men with AK-47s. A second murder scene follows. All the victims lay in the dirt, face down, and are shot in the back. The last clip shows a single individual being shot at for a lengthy period of time as the shooter misses over and over.

The Islamic Army in Iraq also released a video of three Iraqi National Guardsman claiming that the three had been captured in the same raid. Further evidence that terrorist organizations are cooperating in Iraq.

In a seperate video posted by the Ansar al-Sunnah today, a translator begs Iraqis not to cooperate with Coalition Forces before he is shot.

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES FROM THE VIDEO POSTED BELOW!!!!! more...

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Hat Tip: Beth at MVRWC

I, for one, am still not buying it. I'd be less surprised to find the hoaxter in Berkely than Baghdad.

UPDATE: I hate being so right. Confederate Yankee uncovers the hoax behind the person confessing to the hoax. more...

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UPDATE 2/07/05: Italian Hostage Hoax: Terrorists to Release Giuliana Sgrena
-------------------------------
The mystery surrounding the abduction of Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena deepened today as Italy promised to negotiate with terrorists for her release. Yesterday we reported that something seemed a little odd about her abduction.

First, she was abducted while conducting interviews with refugees from Fallujah in Baghdad. Having read some of Sgrena's work in the past, there is very little doubt that the emphasis of the story would be on the horrors inflicted on that city by the American troops. Ms. Sgrena is an anti-war activist with journalistic credentials.

Second, she just happened to be on the phone with another journalist Barbara Schiavulliduring the abduction. Ms. Schiavulli recently interviewed the terrorist Abu Abid in the Gaza strip. Today, Schiavulli received this mysterious phone call. Reuters:

A friend of Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, who was kidnapped in Baghdad on Friday, received a call on Saturday from Sgrena's telephone but it was unclear who was at the other end of the line. Barbara Schiavulli, a correspondent for Italian radio news agency GRT, saw Sgrena's number appear on her telephone screen but when she answered she heard only Arab music and no one spoke, an editor at GRT in Rome said.

"The call lasted only a short moment and then the line was cut off. Barbara tried to call back but she couldn't get through. It was impossible to know if the call was intentional or if it was an accident," Simona D'Alessio told Reuters.

Iraqi police are holding two companions of kidnapped Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena for questioning about her abduction, officials said Saturday.

Interior Ministry official Sabah Khazim said that the two were held for questioning "so that we can have a clear idea about the circumstances of the abduction of the Italian journalist and they will be released soon".

Colonel Adnan Abdul Rahman, another Interior Ministry official, said authorities wanted to gather as many details as possible from the two.

The officials would not identify the pair but sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said they included her driver and interpreter.

From Ms. Sgrena's history two things become clear. One, she has a long history of opposing U.S. military force and chooses to emphasize the innocent casualties of war rather than the innocent casualties of the evil regimes these wars topple. Two, her anti-war focus brings her into close proximity with terrorists and their sympathizers.

What kind of people, exactly, did Giuliana Sgrena think she was hanging around with? Unlike hostages such as American Roy Hallums or Italian reporter Enzo Baldoni, Sgrena was not in Iraq to help with reconstruction and abducted from her home. She was interviewing people who think that the Americans were the bad guys.

The leftist world-view is unified by only one theme: America is the bad guy. When seen from this view then it is perfectly logical to see terrorists in Iraq as 'partisans' or 'resistance fighters'. Sgrena seems to be the victim of her own naivity about those who are resisting America's efforts to build a democratic Iraq. Or worse.

Could her own sympathies with the 'resistance' lead her to stage her own abduction? The coming weeks will tell.

More on Sgrena from the pro-terrorist al Jazeera: more...

Posted by: Rusty at 11:25 AM | Comments (13) | Add Comment
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The hostage is named Giuliana Sgrena and works for Rome daily Il Manifesto. She was abducted as she conducted interviews near Baghdad University.

Update II: Terrorists claim abduction. Reuters:

A little-known Iraqi group said on Friday it had taken an Italian journalist hostage and set a 72 hour deadline for Italy to remove its troops, but did not make a specific threat to kill her, a Web statement said.
"We in the land of Islam, Iraq, give the Italian government 72 hours to get out of Iraq, otherwise the squadrons will have something else to say in the coming days," said a statement from the Islamic Jihad Organisation titled "about the imprisoning of the Italian journalist".

It was not possible to verify the statement, which first appeared on a site not used by the main Iraqi insurgent groups.

A group using the same name said in September it had killed two abducted Italian aid workers who were subsequently released by another group.

Reuters:

Gunmen have kidnapped an Italian journalist in Baghdad, the latest in a series of brazen abductions but the first since Iraq's election...

Gunmen pulled up alongside her vehicle, forced her driver and an Iraqi journalist with her out of the vehicle at gunpoint and then drove off with Sgrena, the sources said.

Gunmen seized an Italian woman journalist in Baghdad today in a hail of gunfire after she had been interviewing people who fled the US assault on the Sunni insurgent stronghold of Fallujah....

Italian radio journalist Barbara Schiavulli said Sgrena called her on her mobile phone while the assault was underway.

“I heard shots and people running but I did not hear her speak,” Schiavulli said. “I only heard pistol shots ... I heard shots and began to shout Giuliana, Giuliana, but she did not reply.”

Iraqi police said Sgrena was accompanied by two Iraqi reporters and an Iraqi driver when several armed men stopped their vehicle. The gunmen released the Iraqis and took Sgrena in her own car.

Guess where else her work has been published? Z-mag. Yes, the magazine for aging Communists run by Howard Zinn. Yes, that Howard Zinn.

My spidey senses are beginning to tingle here folks. Two possibilities:

a) She will be released after a concerted campaign to pressure the hostage takers to release her from Arab dicatators, Islamists, and European leftists. After all, when the Left pushes for the release of a hostage the Islamofascists listen. They would hate to lose their closes allies in the West.

b) Folks, there is something fishy about this.....on the phone as she's being abducted?

In either case expect a series of stories arising out of her ordeal in which she recounts the attrocities of the Americans in Iraq which forced the 'freedom fighters' to capture her.........

Developing.....

Several Italians have been abducted in Iraq, including two women. The two aid workers, Simona Pari and Simona Torretta, were abducted on Sept. 7th by a group calling itself Ansar al Zawahiri. The group initially threatened to behead the two, but later they were released.

Two other Italian hostages were not so lucky. Salvatore Santoro was murdered by the Islamic Army in Iraq some time around December 16th. The terrorists delivered a video to al Jazeera, but the station deemed the footage too gruesome to air.

Enzo Baldoni was another Italian reporter who met the fate of so many hostages in Iraq. Baldoni was in Iraq with the Red Cross when he was abducted by the Islamic Army in Iraq. He was later murdered by that group because Italy refused to remove its troops from Iraq. Al Jazeera aired a tape of Baldoni shortly before he was murdered.

To the terrorists who have taken Giuliana Sgrena I say vaffanculo!!!

PS-Because of a DNS attack on the mu.nu domain, trackbacks have been temporarily disabled. Sorry. E-mail me and I'll manually link you.

Others on the case: Cranky Neocon, Chad Evans, Digger, Michele Catalano, TBTN, Hyscience, MVRWC, Spoons, .....

Posted by: Rusty at 02:07 PM | Comments (14) | Add Comment
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Unfortunately for the family, I do not believe that the Rev. Jackson's intervention will greatly affect the release of Roy Hallums [background on Roy Hallums here]. We are not dealing with heads of state here but either a) Islamofascist terrorists or b) common thugs bent on getting money. The latter seems more likely.

Jackson ought to be applauded for his efforts despite the slim chance of success. Let's hope and pray this can make some difference.

AP:

The Rev. Jesse Jackson will try to help negotiate the release of a kidnapped American contractor who was snatched in Baghdad three months ago and recently appeared pleading for his life at gunpoint.

Susan Hallums, 52, turned to the founder and president of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition after calling on politicians and President Bush to help free her ex-husband, Roy Hallums, 56, who was kidnapped Nov. 1 at his office with another man.

"I feel so drained, and this has given me more strength again to have more hope and faith," she said.

The United States government has a policy of not negotiating with terrorists or insurgents.

Jackson, who has successfully secured the release of hostages on several occasions since the 1980s, said he was confident the captors would cooperate.

"We hope that the captors will pick up on the spirit of what has happened the last few days in Iraq and not use Roy as a trophy," Jackson said, referring to Sunday's election in Iraq. "While our government can't negotiate, someone who can ought to."

Jackson said he will appeal to religious leaders who know the hostage takers.

Susan has been hitting all the media she can to try and get Roy's plight some publicity. I'm not sure what more we can do other than offer our moral support to her and her family. Any one with media connections or their own blog might also help by keeping Roy in the headlines. Below is a picture Susan sent me at an interview with Paula Zahn on CNN. From left to right: Carrie Hallums Cooper, Paula Zahn, Susan Hallums.

h/t: Chad Evans

Related: Terrorists Release Video of American Hostage Roy Hallums, Tribute to American Hostage Roy Hallums, Remembering the Forgotten American Hostages in Iraq

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We will post video as soon as it becomes available. Reuters:

A little-known Iraqi insurgent group said on Tuesday it was holding a U.S. soldier and threatened to kill him within 72 hours if Iraqi prisoners were not released, according to an Internet statement.
"Our mujahideen ... have managed to capture the American soldier John Adam after killing a number of his colleagues," said the Mujahideen Squadrons in the undated statement.

It carried a picture appearing to show a U.S. soldier sitting in front of a black banner with a rifle pointed at his head. The authenticity of the claim, which did not say where the man was seized, could not be verified.

"We will cut his throat in 72 hours if our male and female prisoners in the occupation jails are not released," it said.

A group using the same name, Mujahideen Squadrons, last month claimed responsibility for the kidnapping of a Brazilian engineer in Iraq.

Update: Kevin Aylward chimes in

If you think that there's something odd about the picture you're not alone. My bullshit meter went off immediately. The size of the head looks all wrong, like the picture was created in Photoshop.

Update II: Evan Kohlman writes:

1.) The soldier is seen seated in front of the trademark rising sun banner of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Al-Qaida faction in Iraq. Yet, this was not the group that took credit for the kidnapping. In fact, no credible representative from Zarqawi's group has yet taken credit for this kidnapping.
2.) As pointed out by several colleagues, the boots and uniform worn by "John Adam" are not U.S. military issue. For that matter, where is John Adam's name patch on his uniform?

Marks, a retired Army general, said he has several questions about the photograph's authenticity.

A flak jacket the man is wearing in the picture has an unfamiliar kind of piping or trim along its edges, Marks said. The man's open-legged pants, as opposed to gathered hems, seem odd, he said.

Marks also questioned what appeared to be camouflage paint on the man's face. "We have not used camo paint with conventional forces serving in Iraq," Marks said.

Click for bigger image

I'm happy to have been in on this expose from the beginning. Jeff Quinton has a good run down of the progression, starting with Kevin Aylward, my own, and Evan Kohlman's (who e-mailed me early about the hoax and who will be on MSNBC's Keith Olbermann @ 8:00 p.m.) questions. Others involved in the expose seem to be Michelle Cantalano (who gives the credit to Total Farkers).

Something seemed fishy from the start. I started looking through my photo archives to see if I could match the banner. Unfortunately I had this thing called 'a job' where I had to be in class to 'teach'. Damn, the blogosphere works fast!!

UPDATE V:

Note to self:

Calculate probability that the hoax was generated by an American--very likely because this is, after all, a G.I. Joe doll.

Next, calculate probability that an American would have the wherewithall to post the 'hostage photo' at a website run entirely in Arabic---hmm, very unlikely.

Last, calculate probability that the culprit is an Arab-American..........

All the blogs below are also on the story. I got to hand it to Preston Taylor Holmes, Ace, Powerline, and
GOP & the City for making reality even funnier.

(h/t: Jeff Quinton & M.H. King)

Others: Wizbang, Moderate Voice, Counterterrorism, OTB, ITB, SondraK, Ace, Instapundit, M. H. King, Cynical Nation, Blogs for Bush, Charles Johnson, and a billion more......

Posted by: Rusty at 01:20 PM | Comments (59) | Add Comment
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1 I'm sure they could have found an M-16 from anywhere...either off a dead body or maybe it was smuggled in. But yeah, the photo looks too fucked up. CNN quotes a retired general as saying that 1) "We have not used camo paint with conventional forces serving in Iraq" and 2) "the guy's flak jacket has an unfamiliar kind of piping or trim along its edges." and 3) "The man's open-legged pants, as opposed to gathered hems, seem odd..." I guess we'll find out at some point.

Posted by: Venom at February 01, 2005 01:33 PM (dbxVM)

2 And doesn't "John Adam" sound like a name they would make up? Or perhaps he works for Yoyodyne.

Posted by: Eric at February 01, 2005 01:38 PM (hrQvk)

3 looks pretty fake to me. thats what I hope at least. Or my brain could sub-conciously be forcing me to believe its fake...

Posted by: me at February 01, 2005 01:41 PM (Ak8mQ)

4 Not sure we have too many pinheads in our military. Looks like they took a rubber head off a GI Joe doll. Is there even a clip in that gun? FAKE FAKE FAKE

Posted by: OB SNOOKS at February 01, 2005 01:41 PM (yBHNA)

5 FAKE PHOTO FAKE PHOTO FAKE PHOTO!!!!!

Posted by: Allah's Nasty Jock at February 01, 2005 01:45 PM (yBHNA)

6 saw this in comments on whizbang it is a GI JOE doll: http://www.monkeydepot.com/Merchant/bd0450.JPG

Posted by: kd at February 01, 2005 01:46 PM (djPJR)

7 Amazing how close this looks like the GI Joe Doll

Posted by: Ob SNOOKS at February 01, 2005 01:53 PM (yBHNA)

8 Notice how you can't see any fingers on the gun? you can see the trigger and the edge of the grip but no hand... that's because, since it's a doll, the "fingers" would be as wide as the stock, and are holding it just out of the picture. If they'd made it into the frame, the AP and Reuters headlines would have read "Gigantic Terrorists Threaten to Behead..."

Posted by: kd at February 01, 2005 02:01 PM (djPJR)

9 It is a clear fake....definitely a doll. Go here for comparison pics - http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=37049

Posted by: Eric at February 01, 2005 02:07 PM (q3pwu)

10 I have cut the throat of many a GI Joe Doll in my youth. It is very hard to get thru that thick rubber. I cut my fingers a couple times. Did the same when I executed my planet of the Apes dolls too. Such a bad fake.

Posted by: Stinky Allah at February 01, 2005 02:12 PM (yBHNA)

11 A camoflagued M-16... Gosh this is worse than a superscript...

Posted by: Jon at February 01, 2005 02:19 PM (alDTJ)

12 I very well may piss my pants at this one. First, sending a mentally retarded suicide bomber, and now taking toys hostage... what's next, they hijack the Good Ship Lollipop?

Posted by: Wine-aholic at February 01, 2005 02:26 PM (Wsn+K)

13 I HAVE TAKEN HOSTAGE ONE SPONGEBOB SQUARE PANTS!! IF YOU FILTHY INFIDELS DO NOT RELEASE ALL PRISIONERS, I SHALL CUT HIS THROAT.

Posted by: Abdul The Toy Hater at February 01, 2005 02:30 PM (yBHNA)

14 I think you all underestimate the power of Cobra and its desire to inflict chaos on G.I Joe and the world.

Posted by: Venom at February 01, 2005 02:32 PM (dbxVM)

15 This was probably done by an American hoaxer (remember Benjamin Vanderford)? The rifle (or weapon - not gun) was what made it obvious. The coloring is wrong (notice the magazine is solid black as well) and nobody's hand is on the pistol grip or anywhere near the trigger guard, meaning someone would have to hold it by the stock.

Posted by: Jeff at February 01, 2005 02:39 PM (ifPXk)

16 This was probably done by an American hoaxer (remember Benjamin Vanderford)? The rifle (or weapon - not gun) was what made it obvious. The coloring is wrong (notice the magazine is solid black as well) and nobody's hand is on the pistol grip or anywhere near the trigger guard, meaning someone would have to hold it by the stock.

Posted by: Jeff at February 01, 2005 02:39 PM (ifPXk)

17 I hope you's are all right, for once! Bastard insurgents. How they could have captured ONE soldier, without anyone fighting them off is beyond me, anyway. I hope to God all of you are right.

Posted by: Laura at February 01, 2005 02:58 PM (ptOpl)

18 You silly Americans Underestimate the power of COBRA COMMAND!!!!!

Posted by: COBRA COMMANDER at February 01, 2005 03:10 PM (yBHNA)

19 DAMMIT they GOT SNAKE EYE'S !!!

Posted by: Duke at February 01, 2005 03:14 PM (22t5y)

20 Price of toy GI Joe: $15.00 Price of gay Islamic Flag: $1.00 Price of the world laughing at your faggot asses becuase you are so lame that you resort to taking Captain America Hostage: PRICELESS!

Posted by: Salamander at February 01, 2005 03:27 PM (V40IZ)

21 Besides "John Adam," himself, just have a look at the banner hanging behind him. It looks like somebody painted it with a White-Out pen or something on a black handkerchief. And what's with that name? "Hey, Muhammad, what shall we call our 'captive'?" "Well, what about a good American name, like some kufr president? Maybe John Adam? Wasn't he the founder of their infidel country? That will strike fear into their hearts!" "Sounds good to me!" "You think, maybe, we should have him cowering in front of the infidel Malibu Barbie Dune Buggy?" "Don't be ridiculous. Even the stupid Americans at AP won't fall for that."

Posted by: SmallishBees at February 01, 2005 03:30 PM (Jmmc7)

22 Its already been confirmed that there is no one missingin the military No need to beat this to death.

Posted by: Susan at February 01, 2005 03:31 PM (3pOYP)

23 Susan, thats the point ... to be-little these good for nothing camel jock's. They get to gloat when we screw up ... as they say pay back is a bitch. Also I have to admit people, what do you expect from an arab mind!

Posted by: Salamander at February 01, 2005 03:41 PM (F26eZ)

24 No, the banner is legit. But it's a Zarqawi banner, not even the same group that claimed to be holding the dude hostage.

Posted by: Rusty at February 01, 2005 04:10 PM (JQjhA)

25 We have to remember that there are good Arabs and bad Arabs. Many support George Bush. Some are Christians! The race is not the enemy--it's the terrorist mentality that is the target of freedom.

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 01, 2005 05:06 PM (iMFIo)

26 Absolutely.

Posted by: Rusty at February 01, 2005 05:10 PM (JQjhA)

27 If I was a terrorist, I think I would rather have Crusader Whore Barbie as my love slave. Allah u Ahkbar, infidel bitch!

Posted by: Mr. K at February 01, 2005 06:35 PM (OMu3y)

28 The race is not the enemy. But what about the religion?

Posted by: greyrooster at February 01, 2005 11:10 PM (D+Kmg)

29 Why would they threaten to "cut his throat" when you could just pop it off?

Posted by: Indy Media Watch at February 01, 2005 11:19 PM (vLXE2)

30 All i have to say is fantastic job on that scaled miniature-version of the flag. These insurgents may be stupid but they're sort of a crafty stupid.

Posted by: Igor Kazakov at February 02, 2005 12:57 AM (xM3Dg)

31 HOAX 4 SURE 1. VEST NON STANDARD, AND MAGAZINE POUCHES APPEAR FULL. 2. BOOTS DARK SOLES, NOT TAN, AS ISSUE. 3. NO MAGAZINE IN M-4 (M-16 CARBINE HELD TO HEAD) 4. NO USA COLORS PATCH (FLAG)ON RIGHT ARM, NO DIVISION PATCH ON LEFT ARM, AND NO NAME OR BRANCH TAPES ON CHEST. 5. AND FINAL, THE PHOTO IS PROBABLY THE BEST TO COME FROM THE "INSURGENTS" (YEAH RIGHT), THE QUALITY OF A 12 YEAR OLD (NERD)AT LEAST,.....DEFINATELY. 6. ZAQUAWRI (SPELLING?), AND THE BAATHISTS, CAN LEARN FROM THIS CHILD (OR THE CIA), ABOUT HOW TO ACTUALLY GET ATTENTION, ASIDE FROM CUTTING AND MURDERING INNOCENTS. BY THE QUALITY OF THE PICTURE, AND PRESENTATION, HMMM? DOES IT INDICATE THAT THE THE INSURGENCY IS DONE? THAT DEMOCRACY PREVAILS? ULTIMATELY YES, 5+ YEARS DOWN THE ROAD, BUT THE PRESSURE IS APPARENTLY ON. ALLAH CLARK BAR! TO OUR TROOPS, BE THERE SOON, HOOAH!

Posted by: SHAWNDAWG at February 02, 2005 03:49 AM (MYSXC)

32 Greyrooster: I know that this will offend some people, but the religion--and I hesitate to even call it that--is indeed the enemy, as it is based upon hate and opposition to all that many in this country hold dear--mainly, freedom, decency, peace, and justice. (And let's not forget Christianity.) It's yet another ugly manifestation of evil in the world, and if practiced by the actual mandates of its manual, the Koran, Islam cannot but continue to be a deadly enemy and want to wage war on ANY religion or way of thought that is not exactly like it. (I really didn't mean to sugarcoat it like that.)

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 02, 2005 07:09 AM (x+5JB)

33 Rusty and Young Bourbon Professional: You are right that there are Coptic and Assirian Arabs as well as Christian Arabs. This does not change the one important fact, which is missed by many who do not understand the interaction of Iranians, Turks, Kurds and Arabs. Please do look carefully how the groups were listed above, their history and how the later two have always been opressed by the first two as well as being bent over the interrogation table for some 2 department/division questioning by everyone from the British to the Israiles. The interaction has been a mutually known hiearchy of fighter and herders. The Turks and Iranians come from a history of thousands of years of war and dying on the field or horseback, whilst the Arabs are herders with the occational opportunistic stab at war. The main reason is this: Arabs are clan based, never thinking any farther than the "county border", which added to the fact they dont know how to fight cohesively and with gusto, has ... is ... and will forever be the reason they are under domination/hegemony of greater minds/people. Oh and for those who will come back with those wonderfull Hollywood inspired views of Larita of Arabia, or grandeur of herdsman overthrowing their kings and princes, I have this to say: Its not to hard to slit open the throat, or stomach, of a beaten soldier on a retreat home through deserts to get to the gold coins they may have swallowed, all with the aid of the British armed forces behind you.

Posted by: Salamander at February 02, 2005 07:22 AM (W2YA6)

34 Salamander: I now see what you meant further up in the posts. Thank you for these insights, sir. YBP

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 02, 2005 08:14 AM (x+5JB)

35 Damn I'm glad I asked that question. Knew what the answer was. Tricky huh! We all have our strenghts. You guys can put it much better than this old, let me see? racist, ignorant old drunk. LOVE IT!! heh, heh. Wish it would quit raining. The fish are biting. Life is good, enjoy it fellows.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 02, 2005 10:22 AM (GpysX)

36 Everyone is missing the point. There is a Joe out there that needs our help. We never leave Joes behind. I'll call Duke. Yo Joe!

Posted by: Bill Dautrive at February 02, 2005 10:40 AM (G95Uf)

37 I think a joint Joe/MASK task force would be great for morale and cooperation between the branches.

Posted by: Brian B at February 02, 2005 11:58 AM (CouWh)

38 ok, hoax notwithstanding, what was the intent of this video? To scare the bejesus out of our govt. and possibly obtain a ransom from them? Did they really think we are that stupid to actually believe it was one of our guys? By the way, I didn't know GI Joe's are available over there, where the hell did they get one? They probably had Osama order one on the internet in whatever hole he's hiding in.

Posted by: Laura at February 02, 2005 05:44 PM (ptOpl)

39 A silly little people, mean, barberous and cruel. See, I seen the movie to.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 02, 2005 07:48 PM (GpysX)

40 Laura, According to the news, these action figures are sold by a company that supplies U.S. military bases around the world. I'm sure there are tons of them floating around in Kuwait. And yeah, I'm sure it was a desperate attempt to get a ransom. I wonder what they would have done when the ransom demand came and went with no money paid...giant magnifying glass?

Posted by: Venom at February 03, 2005 09:15 AM (dbxVM)

41 Thanks for the reply, Venom. Gee, aren't we getting civil these days? ;-)

Posted by: Laura at February 03, 2005 05:26 PM (ptOpl)

42 Yea. But I'm getting bored. What we have here is a lack of competition. At least Venom has a brain. My present toy is a total zero.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 03, 2005 06:52 PM (n5v9Q)

43 is this a religious war? who invaded who? you could try and justify it by saying they started it with terrorism but then that is just the extremists and they should be the ones being sought not the entire nation being invaded. If you commit a crime do you expect you family to be punished? WMD well done Americans have fantastic intelligence!! I am a non-muslim (wouldn't call myself religious at all) but I live in a predominantly muslim country and I find them as a whole to be as friendly if not more friendly than most western countries (I say as a whole but I know there are crazies out there just as there is in christianity). Pretty much it is not supprising that Americans worldwide are known for their arrogance (we are the greatest nation and all should do as we do) as well as their stupidity (Bush?? he is hardly a mind to be reckoned with).

Posted by: random at February 04, 2005 01:43 AM (Y5yMj)

44 RANDOM: Jealous? No problem just stay in your muslim country and please do not come to arrogant America. The list to get in is long enough already. Please tell me which nation is greater. Amazing how those of you who defame America never mention what country you live in. Ashamed? What wonderful country are you talking about?

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 07:40 AM (L6Dgc)

45 Laura, Yeah, I dunno...I mean, I could argue all day, or try and be productive and constructive. Bitching with people here doesn't accomplish anything. And I would actually prefer to work with people instead of argue. We're all different, we're all going to have different perspectives and experiences. I'm not going to agree with all of them, nor will people agree with all of mine. But, we're all the same in that we want a safe world to live in for our families and friends. And that sounds like a good starting point for any kind of constructive discussion. And besides, it's the fucking Internet. As if anything said here should matter in people's real life. It won't affect my day at work, it won't affect your time with your family, it won't affect greyrooster and his fishing. Once we leave the keyboards, it all stays there. Life is too short to be hung up on words from total strangers, whether it's here or elsewhere.

Posted by: Venom at February 04, 2005 02:11 PM (dbxVM)

46 VENOM: I am leaving for the Florida Keys for two weeks. Will you fill in for me?

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 02:42 PM (JHIKU)

47 I can only try. Enjoy your vacation, and don't think about this place.

Posted by: Venom at February 04, 2005 02:54 PM (dbxVM)

48 Venom believe it or not, there was a time after 9/11 that I came onto the many war-related chatrooms and it got pretty heated up. I'd be upset for DAYS. There were so many people that felt more sorry for the "innocent civilians" in Iraq than they did for the victims of 9/11! It became mini-wars among the chatrooms...there we all were, united in our grief, yet far apart in our views and our position and what we should do about it. I stand behind my country, my government and its leaders, and our soldiers fighting for US. If it was so easy, I'd like to see what some of these Bush bashers would run the country. It's the weekend, Super Bowl par---tays, everyone enjoy and have a good one.

Posted by: Laura at February 04, 2005 03:56 PM (ptOpl)

49 Greyrooster and Venom: Weren't you the two guys who were accusing each other of being light in the loafers pretty recently? Regardless, glad it's over. Greyrooster: In your opinion, what is the most realistic film about the Vietnam War?

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 04, 2005 04:54 PM (ALptw)

50 Platoon.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 06:39 PM (JHIKU)

51 Remember you asked the most realistic. The thing with the sniper was BS. That's not how we did it. Maybe the Army. Not the Marine Corps. The boot camp thing was good. However, when I was in boot camp we had metal huts and the bathroom was down the street. Basicly, the same. Everyone swore to kill the drill instructors. 13 weeks later we bought their beer and proceeded to beat the shit out of the real enemy. The navy.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 06:46 PM (JHIKU)

52 And Bourdon: It was a joke. Only Venom out smarted me. Not going to invite him to our weekly texas hold em game.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 04, 2005 06:50 PM (JHIKU)

53 Greyrooster: Please clarify: "It was a joke. Only Venom out smarted me." Also, I sincerely thank you and the many others for serving this country.

Posted by: Young Bourbon Professional at February 05, 2005 07:44 AM (ALptw)

54 Joke because 90% of the time we are at opposite ends of the table.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 05, 2005 09:11 AM (mRvYE)

55 Got to go. Truck is here for my boat. They are hauling it to Islamorada. Going to take one of my satelite boxes with me and see if I can connect to onboard dish. The thing is supposed to track signals. Never has worked yet. Two grand just to watch football. What was I thinking? Everyone have a nice Superbowl Sunday. First stop tonight Gainesville. Tomorrow mother in laws near Vero Beach. Then paradise. We are fishing the King fish tourament. If time permits may cross to Cancun and try for some sails or Marlin. Fellow conservatives. Hold the fort. May the force be with you for the forces of evil keep trying.

Posted by: greyrooster at February 05, 2005 09:24 AM (mRvYE)

56 Greyrooster, if you paid just 2000 for a tracking dish on your boat it probably will not work. you should check with one of your local dish or directv dealers there, they will give you the co-ordinates for the primary satellite that you need for the game, remember, no in-line amps, splitters or such, these screw up your satellite signal.

Posted by: Mons*Calpe at February 05, 2005 05:10 PM (Ot+sc)

57 Greyrooster: Are you confusing Full Metal Jacket with Platoon? Full Metal Jacket had the sniper and the drill instructor. Platoon started out with Charlie Sheen just having landed in Vietnam. Either way, I've heard they were both pretty realistic.

Posted by: Venom at February 07, 2005 08:58 AM (dbxVM)

58 And yeah, I realize you won't read this until you get back, and likely not at all. But, oh well...

Posted by: Venom at February 07, 2005 08:59 AM (dbxVM)

59 Hello How are you doing today,my name is Mr Lauren Bill.I am sales manager of my enterprise.I deal in the sale of general machandise.I would love to purchase your(good)please get back to me with your last offer so that payment would commence immediately and i will be responsible for the shipping.Thanks

Posted by: lauren at April 08, 2005 09:26 PM (1TQI6)

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BBC:

Brazilian football star Ronaldo has made a televised plea for the release of a countryman kidnapped in Iraq [ Joao Jose Vasconcelos ]...

"I hope they will show pity and let him return home to his family and friends."...

Ronaldo's fiancee and the hostage are from the same Brazilian state...

Barcelona midfielder Ronaldinho and Brazilian legend Pele are also preparing to record messages, reports say....

Posted by: Rusty at 01:45 PM | Comments (12) | Add Comment
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AFP reports that the State Department is now admitting that at least 3 Americans are probably alive and being held in Iraq:

"We know of three Americans who are held hostage in Iraq, and then there is a handful of others that are unaccounted for," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said on Wednesday.

Boucher declined to identify the three or provide any details on their situation, only saying that officials are in regular contact with their families.

Roy Hallums, Dean Sadek, Tim Bell and Bill Bradley. The Army of Ansar al Sunnah claimed to have killed Spc. Matt "Keith" Maupin on video, but the victim could not be identified as in other videos released by the group.

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Via Chad at In the Bullpen this story:

Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi on Wednesday called on Iraqi insurgents to release a U.S. hostage [Roy Hallums], responding to the captive's plea for his intervention...

"As a response to the begging, we ask the Iraqi resistance in the name of Islam and Arabism to free him, implementing the principle of forgiveness," the Arab satellite news channel Al-Jazeera quoted Gadhafi as saying in a statement...

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Susan and Carrie are finally getting some MSM press again. As suspected, the bastards holding Roy are demanding a $12 million ransom. KESQ:

The former wife of an American who was kidnapped in Baghdad and appeared in a recent hostage video is urging President Bush to save him.

Speaking on the "Today" show this morning, Susan Hallums of Corona, California says her former husband Roy is a "patriotic" American hero who needs help....

[speaking of Roy's allusions to Bush] Hallums' daughter, Carrie, says she believes that statement was scripted. She insists he's "always been a supporter of our U-S government."

"It was terrible to see him, but good to see him,' said Susan Hallums, Roy's ex-wife. "He's strong, but I could tell he was fearful for his life. He had a machine gun next to his head.'

The Corona woman said she thought Roy looked "pale, thin and fearful.'...

"The week before (the abduction), he e-mailed me every day, and he called (the) kids two or three times a week,' she said. "We were both very close to our children, so that should keep you close friends, and we were.'

Susan Hallums said that although the U.S. government adheres to a strong policy of non-negotiation with terrorists, Roy's former employer, Riyadh-based Saudi Arabian Trading and Construction Co., had been in contact with the hostage-takers since his abduction. The company told her $12 million was being demanded in exchange for her ex-husband's release....

"It hit me this morning when I was crying,' she said despondently while packing her suitcase. "I was devastated. It's still hard to see him. But he's strong and he's brave. If anybody could get through this, he will.'

The ex-wife of hostage Roy Hallums is appealing to President Bush to do something to win her ex-husband's freedom in Iraq.

On the tape, Hallums says he won't ask Bush for help because of what he calls Bush's "selfishness and unconcern."

But Susan Hallums says she believes he was forced to say those things. She says he's "an American hero" who "never hurt anybody" and "needs our help."

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UPDATE 9/07: ROY HALLUMS RESCUED IN IRAQ!!!! Details here. Or try the Main Page.
-------------------------------------------

A new video has surfaced showing American hostage Roy Hallums. I have posted a transcription of the video below.

Roy Hallums was abducted on Nov. 1st, 2004 from his apartment in Baghdad along with several other foreign nationals. Roy is a civilian and was in Iraq working on the reconstruction effort. A Fillipino hostage, taken with Roy, was later released [ht: Digger] seems to be still in captivity, even though the government of the Phillippines is directly negotiating with the hostage takers. Roy's abduction was first broken at the Jawa Report on November 30th. We also reported on Roy in the post Remembering the Forgotten American Hostages in Iraq and in our Tribute to American Hostage Roy Hallums). I would urge readers to check the comments on those posts as many of Roy's family and friends have left comments.

UPDATE III: I have obtained a copy of the video. A transcription of it follows. Roy seems in good health, but is obviously agitated. He is seen sitting on the floor, crosslegged, an rubs his hands as he makes the statement. An AK-47 is pointed at his head throughout. At several points in the video a baby can be heard crying in the background. The copy of the video I have may be incomplete as the audio cuts off as Roy continues to speak:

My name is Roy Hallums. I'm an American national and I have worked with the American forces.

I have been arrested by a resistance group in Iraq.

I'm please asking for help because I...my life is in danger because it's been proved that I worked for American forces.

I'm not asking for any help from President Bush because I know of his selfishness and unconcern for those that have been pushed into this hell hole.

I am asking for the help of Arab rulers, especially President Muammar Gaddafi because he's known for helping those who are suffering.

I also ask that Arab leaders help me in this situation so that I can be released as quickly as possible from this definite death. I would remember this favor for the rest of my life, should my life remain.

And I ask my family to help because my health is in a very bad situation.

So please, please I'm asking any one, Arab leader, especially President Gaddafi, please help me in this situation so I can be reunited...(audio ends but lips keep moving)

Xinhua:

One US citizen, apparently taken hostage in Iraq, has pleaded for his life, according to a video tape released on Tuesday.

The man identifying himself as Roy Hallams said, "I have been arrested by a resistance group in Iraq. I am asking for help because my life is in danger because it's been proved that I work for American forces."

But the authenticity of the video has to be verified.

On the video, the man asked for help from Arab leaders instead of US President George W. Bush. But he fell short of saying when or where he was captured.

News24:

A videotape found on Tuesday shows an American abducted last November by gunmen in Baghdad pleading for his life and appealing to Arab rulers including Libyan leader Muammar Gadhafi to intercede to spare his life...

On the tape, Hallums, with a rifle pointed at his head, stated his name and said "I have worked with American forces."

"I am please asking for help because my life is in danger because it's been proved I worked for American forces," he said. "I'm not asking for any help from President Bush because I know of his selfishness and unconcern for those who've been pushed into this hellhole."

Hallums, speaking slowly, said he was asking for help from "Arab rulers especially President Muammar Gaddafi because he's known for helping those who are suffering."

"I also ask that Arab leaders help me in this situation so I can be released as quickly as possible from this definite end," he added. "I would remember this favour for the rest of my life should my life remain and I ask my family to help because my health is in a very bad situation."

Further, the intervention on the part of Ghaddafi may be a hidden plea for money. Robert Tarongoy, the Fillipino abducted with Roy, was released reportedly after ransom was paid. How else could Ghaddafi help??

UPDATE II: More details from ABC News:

The undated video shows American contractor Roy Hallums, who was seized with five colleagues in Baghdad in November, sitting cross-legged in front of a black background anxiously rubbing his hands as he makes an appeal to the camera....

"I have been arrested by a resistance group in Iraq," 56-year-old Hallums, dressed in civilian clothes and his beard flecked with white, says on the tape.

"I'm asking for help because my life is in danger because it's been proved that I work for American forces."

As he speaks, the barrel of an assault rifle is held inches from his head. Unlike other tapes made by militants of hostages seized in Iraq, no flags or banners of an organization appear in the picture and no demands are made.

ABC News:

Susan Hallums said she kept her ex-husband's kidnapping a secret for weeks after finding out that he had been abducted in Iraq this past November.

Now her former husband's pleas for mercy are being heard by the world. A newly released videotape shows missing American Roy Hallums pleading at gunpoint for Arab rulers to let him live.

Susan Hallums told ABC News' "Good Morning America" — in an interview that aired on Dec. 19 — that she hoped speaking out about her former husband of 32 years might help him be released.

"He's on the quiet side Â… in every walk of life he's always been very well-liked and well-received," Susan Hallums said on "GMA."

When Susan Hellums and her two grown daughters were first told of her her ex-husband's abduction, she said they were asked by authorities to refrain from discussing it with anyone else. She said she decided to speak out after reading about his fellow captive.

Roy Hallums, 56, was abducted on Nov. 1 along with Robert Tarongoy of the Philippines. The kidnappings took place after an armed assault on their compound in Baghdad. Roy Hallums and Tarongoy had been working for a Saudi company that does catering for the Iraqi army.

Susan Hallums, 52, said her former husband was supposed to come home in late November. She said he'd planned to stay through his daughter Carrie's birthday in late December.

His daughter Carrie Cooper told "GMA" that she hoped his captors would show mercy if they knew he had a family.

"Please let my dad go," she pleaded with his kidnappers on "GMA," before telling her father "I love you and I hope you can come home soon."

Susan Hallums, Roy's ex-wife, sent me this e-mail a week ago. Let me share part of it with you:

Father, I ask You to bless my friends, relatives and email buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of Your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask You to minister to their spirit at this very moment. Where there is pain, give them Your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through Your race. Bless their homes, families, finances, their goings and their comings.

Amen.

Roy's family has made these 'Save Roy' magnets, and may be purchased by sending a minumum donation of $3 to the 'Free Roy Foundation' at:

Hallums Family
PO Box 947
Westminster, Ca. 92684

Click Image to Enlarge

Posted by: Rusty at 08:33 AM | Comments (24) | Add Comment
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As time is short, here are a few headlines. This post sponsored by The Religion of Peas...have you eaten your peas today?

Iraqi Forces Arrest Top al-Qaeda Lieutenant

New Abu Musab al-Zarqawi Tape Calls For A "Bitter War" On Election Day

Zarqawi executes hostage on street, posts video online. (video here)

Brazilian Engineer Taken by "New" Terror Group

The Army of Ansar al-Sunnah executes Iraqi Colonel on video.

Islamist TV Guide

Domestic Front

Doubts cast on Boston dirty bomb tip

University of Oregon BANS support of the troops

Last but not least, reader Andre sports his new '72 Virgins' shirt, and wishes the jihadis a speedy trip to their eternal reward!!

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