Ransom

[boxy]

It has been revealed that Australian Greens leader Bob Brown and millionaire businessman Dick Smith were involved in the ransom deal to help free Australian journalist Nigel Brennan and his Canadian colleague Amanda Lindhout in Somalia.

Speaking to the ABC this morning, Mr Smith said his contribution to the payment was "not vast amounts of money" and played down reports that the ransom was more than $1 million.

He said he was compelled to help after the Brennan family received no assistance with raising ransom money from the Federal Government.

Quite frankly, they are fucking idiots.

This just encourages kidnappers to take Australians.

Thanks Bob, thanks Dick!

[freediver]

I agree. They should know better. The courier was writing it up like they were heroes.

[Aussie]

Yes, I agree......many thanks to Dick and Bob. Fact is boxy..............you no pay, me kill yer kid. So, what parent family would not do all they can to pay. From what I hear, the Somalis do keep their word.....both ways. As for encouragement, as Dick said, no it's not......it is a lesson for all to stay out of that shit hole.

And, how about those scum 'negotiators' taking $35,000 per month to act as middle men. Probably in on the deal from the start.......corrupt Somalis in London?

[freediver]

You no pay - they kill your kid. You pay, they kidnap a dozen more with the proceeds and maybe kill half of them. It is selfish. The kidnapping industry would almost disappear overnight if governments stepped in to stop the money. They should have put the money into a militia to go in and wipe them out. You can hire a lot of hungry Africans for a million dollars.

[Aussie]

You no pay - they kill your kid. You pay, they kidnap a dozen more with the proceeds and maybe kill half of them. It is selfish. The kidnapping industry would almost disappear overnight if governments stepped in to stop the money. They should have put the money into a militia to go in and wipe them out. You can hire a lot of hungry Africans for a million dollars.

.....a dozen more what. That is the essential point you missed. Noone should be anywhere near that shit hole. That is the message.

[boxy]

The problem with your theory, Aussie, about keeping out of this shithole, is that it doesn't just send the message to those kidnappers. It sends a message to the whole world.

No, I don't blame the parent, not at all.

But high profile, and influential Australians that show themselves to be willing to provide financial and logistical backing to payments... that's another matter. They'll be implicated in further kidnappings via the "you helped last time, just one moar" argument.

And the Australian governments/agencies as well... what was their alternative strategy to payment?

I've just watched the "Australian Story" on ABC about this. Obviously this outcome has been expected for some time, including the involvement of Smith...

[boxy]

BTW... did I notice a hint of the "Deadwood" theme music on Australian Story?

[JW.Frogen]

My mind agrees with Boxy, my heart understands why Dick Smith (I never knew he was a real man, I just thought he was a lude logo) would help to save their lives however.

No government should pay ransom, but if the electrical king wants to, well, I don't know, maybe.

The real lesson here is stay the fuck away from Somalia!

[JW.Frogen]

BTW... did I notice a hint of the "Deadwood" theme music on Australian Story?

Dam, I gotta start watching that show.

What is on next week? "Peter Garret you God damed fucking fluffy bunny!"

[Aussie]

But high profile, and influential Australians that show themselves to be willing to provide financial and logistical backing to payments... that's another matter. They'll be implicated in further kidnappings via the "you helped last time, just one moar" argument.

And the Australian governments/agencies as well... what was their alternative strategy to payment?

I obviously acknowledge that point. What I hope is...................having paid these fuckers, and they have now released the pair, someone in the SAS is secretly pointing a big nasty directly at his skinny black arse.

That'd be my way of dealing with it, wherever it occurs.

Step 1. Get the hostage out, paying.

Step 2. Nuke the fucker.

Step 3. Locate the money and send it back to 'Dick and Bob.'

All entirely feasible.