Should governments pay ransoms?

[JayC9]

http://www.wtopnews.com/index.php?sid=778875&nid=105&top5=1
Recently two German hostages were freed by their kidnappers in Iraq after 99 days in captivity. They're not saying but it looks like and is rumored that the German government paid a large sum of money to secure their release.

Does the practise encourage more kidnappings? What would you want your government to do if you or a loved on was kidnapped? Discuss.

 

[pabloamiera]

money exchange is commoin in my nation. i think depend on how important the people is that is hold for ransom.

if i was in government, and my family was in ransom i would pay.

 

[RADAR]

No! giving terrorist money is giving them access to buy more weapons, hence more kidnappings will follow.


RADAR

 

[Pride Fighting Fan]

No! giving terrorist money is giving them access to buy more weapons, hence more kidnappings will follow.


RADAR

agreed!

 

[HS Lifter]

Bullshit. If your ass was kidnapped you would pray that someone gave the terrorists whatever they wanted to let you go.

 

[HS Lifter]

No! giving terrorist money is giving them access to buy more weapons, hence more kidnappings will follow.


RADAR

I wonder if you would be saying this of your ass got napped.

 

[RADAR]

I wonder if you would be saying this of your ass got napped.

that's a hard judgement call , i'm saying that giving in only constitutes the issue more,what can you do?


RADAR

 

[GoldenDelicious]

pay them for the release, then pay people to track them down and kill them.

 

[HS Lifter]

pay them for the release, then pay people to track them down and kill them.

I like the way you think.

 

[GoldenDelicious]

I like the way you think.

well why not? think of it as a two step payment. half to release them, then half in manpower to kill the mofos as a deterrent and ethical eradication of scum. im all for assassins. beats the hell out of taking countries to war

 

[HiDnGoD]

well why not? think of it as a two step payment. half to release them, then half in manpower to kill the mofos as a deterrent and ethical eradication of scum. im all for assassins. beats the hell out of taking countries to war

The Isrealis have a good reputaion when it comes to this.

 

[gjohnson5]

never negotiate with terrorists...

 

[PICK3]

Only for me and my family ... everyone else is fucked.

 

[blut wump]

In the abstract sense you want that no-one negotiates with terrorists since it only encourages them. When your family is involved you do what you have to to try to maximize the likelyhood of their safe return.

 

[gjohnson5]

I would hate for that to be my family.
So very true!

But as JFK said, "And so, my fellow americans: ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country"

 

[JayC9]

well why not? think of it as a two step payment. half to release them, then half in manpower to kill the mofos as a deterrent and ethical eradication of scum. im all for assassins. beats the hell out of taking countries to war

Agreed and maybe this isn't so far away from the truth in this case but a government could admit to neither.

What about taking that one step further after identifying the kidnappers by executing their family members also. What's good for the goose is good for the gander. If you take away someone elses family member then what can you say in return when their forces retaliate in the same manner?

 

[Tytan]

negative...they`ll kill ya anyway or just start grabbing more random people to get more money..

 

[guest username]

I think ransoms should be paid with lead.