Issue under Fire: Don't Stick Neck Out In Islamic State

Issue under Fire: Don't Stick Neck Out In Islamic State 

While watching parents of IS captives appear in the media begging for the lives of family members is heart wrenching, the questions generated by this issue are equally puzzling. What could possibly motivate journalists, humanitarians and aid workers to place themselves in the most dangerous space on the planet. Are these people to be admired and respected or should their sanity be questioned?  

Its time to ask, what would drive someone to voluntarily place themselves in a position of total hopelessness, in the event things go badly? Do people like this have a plan (B) if they're betrayed by the locals or captured by the enemy? What assurances do they have, that make them feel they'll be okay, when others have died on the same mission.

Before leaving for places like Iraq or Syria, do they ignore the pleas of those who care for them, or do they just sneak off in the middle of the night without an explanation? Do they even care about the stress and strain they're putting loved ones under ever moment they're in harms way? Do they even realize how much of a liability they represent for their governments when things don't go according to plan?

One has to wonder if  these people think through the consequences of their actions. With daily reports of savage killings, rapes, beatings and general lawlessness, one has to wonder, what are they're hoping to accomplish that governments can not. What do theses people think they can do to make a difference in a sectarian civil war without borders? 

Surely, they must be aware most government's public policy is not to pay ransom to terrorist. Surly they must know, few if any single family could ever hope to come up with the type of money being demanded these days. Lets face it, not too many of us have $200 million just laying around. And even if we did, we'd think long and hard about parting with it for ransom. All of a sudden, the true value of a loved one will come into question. 

Bottom line: Whether you're a good samaritan hoping to save the world or a brave journalist hoping to tell the horrible truths of these wars, its hardly worth sticking one's neck out, for a Pulitzer or a Nobel Peace Prize if is has to be awarded posthumously. Podcast Below!