Gratitude

Gratitude is a wonderful thing in life. It's very freeing when we feel grateful to or for something. That's been my experience, anyway. It causes one to wonder just what motivates certain allegedly pious individuals when they don't appear to share the same sentiment. In a sense, it makes you wonder if they are really about love, or hate.

Today, American led forces rescued three western peace workers who have been held hostage by Iraqi terrorists for the past four months.

You would think, on the day their loved ones were rescued, the Christian Peacemakers Organization would stop their protests against the military occupation and extend thanks to those involved in the rescue effort.

Get some gratitude in your attitude - a cliche'? Sure ... but it works.

Comments

[jolari]

delusional??? :)

[AfghanVet]

I believe the term being used is Coalition led forces. Secondly, the interview I heard with the head of the group said that they found them un guarded after being led to them by a captured insurgent.

Also, who is MORE vile? Attacking a CHRISTIAN group for not kissing the military's ass or not saying thank you strong enough after being held as a hostage? I assure you they are thankful. Geez, you sound like Bush whining about how the world hasn't thanked him for his wisdom. Puuhhhlease. Has it occured to you that we've been pretty wrong about a lot of things lately and our actions have affected lives all over the world, and not in a good way. Good intentions are useless if the result of your actions is detrimental.

If you poke a kid's eye out, trying to get a gnat out, you probably shouldn't expect a thank you.

Lastly, do you HAVE an original thought? Come on, Malkin was WAY ahead of you on this. Leave this kind of poor opinion to the real hate mongers on the right.

[ivan]

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/03/23/iraq.hostages/index.html

"American led" forces... i heard it was led by the british with assistance from the american forces and the rcmp... and 'afghanvet' - thank you. i don't think i could have said it better.

[Dan]

See Gratitude, AV - sounds like you would benefit. Have a nice day!

[AfghanVet]

Phoenix,

Do you know what the mission statement for Christian Peacemakers happens to be? They work to TRY and ensure the human rights of those taken hostage. While Quixotic at best, it's an admirable mission...almost Jesus like you could say. Certainly more Jesus like than say, hating homosexuals.

Anyway, I apologize for upsetting you, but I fear that your anger is merely what defines you anyway. I'm saddened by your personal attacks and since you choose to attack me and not what I have written I will assume it's your own ignorance that upsets you and not the way I happen to state my opinion.

I realize it's a right bitch when your personal echo chamber of self-reassurance is upset by a reasoned voice.

[Steel Turman]

AfghanVet ...

REASONED?

You wouldn't recognize gravity if you fell 10 stories.

FEAR?

Ditto.

IGNORANCE?

Yo dude, you seem to have that market cornered.

Allow me to relate a parable.

When doves fly with hawks, when rabbits sleep with dogs, when ants crawl on my floor, somebody is going to get hurt.

Does your mother know you are online?

Nirvana was a grunge band.

NOT a destination for sentient entities.

And just because I feel charitable, I would remind you that nirvana can only be obtained with the rejection of LIFE.

However, ignorance can be found every time someone like you opens their f*cking mouth.

And as they say, ignorance is bliss.

That is all.

[Phoenix]

AfghanV,

"I fear that your anger is merely what defines you anyway."

Right as rain, there, big boy. You pissed me off. My comments defined WHO I was at that moment.

Ever hear that we are defined by what we think and by our actions?

I don't know what your actions are. Here I have only your thoughts - and those are PERSONAL thoughts. Those thoughts define YOU. Got that?

Say some more, and I'll go after you again. Say something 'Quixotic' and clever and intellectual. Quote Jesus, perhaps? I do so want to get to know the full YOU.

[annie]

How many more of the idiots who go out to Iraq supporting the enemy will be taken hostage?

Why should anybody have to risk their lives trying to rescue them? Personally, I think they should have left them with their friends. it might then give them a good idea who the enemy is.

[Steel Turman]

annie ...

Those are the easiest targets - they are unarmed.

Insert punch line here ____________________________.

[annie]

Steel

Perhaps you should change your name to 'all heart'.

[AfghanVet]

Wow, several posts and still no refutation of my ideas, only attacks on me personally. I venture to guess that if I were of the right political stripe I would be banished for such postings. Are you channeling Bill O'Lielly or something? You'll come after me again? Ok. "And if you come back, I will taunt you a second time." Wow, does this intimidation thing work for you usually? I at least hope it makes you feel better when you're done.

Phoenix, you certianly seem like tough guy with some smarts, why not demonstrate that through debate? Anger is admitting you have lost control. My thoughts are indeed personal, but based on examination of the facts presented. I have attacked no one here and yet you cannot help yourself from attacking me. Whatever.

As for the woefully misinformed gentleman who thinks that the group that has had their hostages freed is Pro-Iraqi, well A) technically, so are we...remember, we're liberators,no occupiers; and B) they work to secure the human rights of hostages. How, is that a bad thing?

And Steel,

"And just because I feel charitable, I would remind you that nirvana can only be obtained with the rejection of LIFE."

I'm sorry, but it's clear that you have no understanding of Eastern Philosophy and I am assuming you are referring to Buddhism in particular. The Buddha showed a path by which enlightenment could be obtained on Earth. Buddhism, Hinduism, Taoism and most of the other traditional philosophies and religions of the East do NOT ask anyone to reject life. In fact, Buddhism, like Christianity, ask for compassion and understanding.

I still don't get it. Why are you all so angry?

[AfghanVet]

FACTS:

Circumstances of the rescue operation, which was spearheaded by the British, were being closely held.

Doug Pritchard, co-director of Christian Peacemaker Teams, said in a televised news conference in Toronto that no shots were fired and no captors were present at the time of the rescue. He declined to divulge the source of his information. British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw later confirmed the absence of gunfire.

Maj. Gen. Rick Lynch, the chief U.S. military spokesman in Iraq, said at a regular briefing in Baghdad that the men had been abducted by a "kidnapping cell" and were in a house in western Baghdad. That information came from two men detained about three hours before the operation who provided "actionable intelligence about the location" of the house, he said.

The captives "were bound, they were together, there were no kidnappers in the area," Lynch told reporters.

British Defense Secretary John Reid said the 5 a.m. operation had been "several" weeks in the planning. A statement by the British Embassy in Baghdad said the raid was the culmination "of work over the last few months by the U.K., Canadian and U.S. embassies and special police teams, in coordination with Iraqi security forces."