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December 1, 2005

Suspicious kidnapping of four "Christian activists"

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Here's an odd coincidence: The four "Christian activists" who were kidnapped in Baghdad this week were grabbed in exactly the same place, and in exactly the same way, as the Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, a reporter for the leftwing Il Manifesto. Sgreno immediately turned her adventure into an opportunity for anti—US propaganda, as soon as she was released. This happened in February, and she is still giving interviews to the liberal media in Europe about her ordeal.

An Italian intelligence agent was killed in the affair after apparently paying a large ransom for her release, and then drove at speed at an American checkpoint. US soldiers fired on the car, resulting in his death. Ms. Sgrena made headlines for months afterwards, accusing the United States of deliberately trying to kill her. But somehow she escaped the whole business unscathed.

The similarities between the two kidnappings were noticed by Baghdad police, reported by the AP, and published in — you might have guessed it — the London Guardian.

All of which raises the question: are we about to see a repeat of the Sgrena melodrama? Is this a setup for more headlines to keep the international pot boiling against the United States? Or is it just a criminal gang out for a ransom, using exactly the same modus operandi as before?

Here's a tip: If this turns into an international whoop—dee—doo by the Left and the "activists" return home safe and sound, chances are the thing was staged. The four tourists "had been repeatedly warned by Iraqi and Western security officials that they were taking a grave risk by moving about Baghdad without bodyguards." However, they declined protection. What were they doing in Baghdad in the first place?

And by the way, why are devout Christians among US and UK soldiers not called  "Christian activists" by the media? Why were Jewish settlers in Gaza never considered to be "Jewish activists?"  Why aren't the Shiite civilians who are regularly massacred by car bombs in their Baghdad mosques called "Muslim activists?" To us they are a far more heroic than the "activists" beloved by the AP and the Guardian.

So, are we seeing a bit of biased labeling, just in time for the holiday season?

We certainly hope the kidnap victims survive ——— but would anybody be surprised if this turns out to be a stunt?