Michelle Malkin on the real scandal in the Sgrena story. From TownHall, with thanks to EPG:
International furor over Giuliana Sgrena, an Italian communist writer who claims American troops in Iraq may have deliberately shot at her car after she was released by kidnappers, misses the bigger scandal.The scandal is not that an anti-war propagandist has accused the U.S. of targeting journalists. That's par for the course. (Yes, hello again, Eason Jordan.)
The scandal is not that mainstream media sympathizers are blaming our military and dredging up every last shooting accident along the treacherous routes to Baghdad Airport. Again, no surprise here.
The scandal is that Italy -- our reputed ally in the global War on Terror -- negotiated with Sgrena's Islamist kidnappers and may have forked over a massive ransom to cutthroats for Sgrena's release.
Where is the uproar over this Islamist insurgency subsidy plan?
(Off on Job hunt, have to make this quick!)
From the Pathetic Links Department:
MSM silence on the Saudis:
http://www.aim.org/media_monitor/2748_0_2_0_C/
Those who Hope for failure:
http://www.nationalreview.com/lowry/lowry200503080749.asp
http://www.discoverthenetwork.org/moonbatcentral/index.html
America Thanked for freeing the women of Afghanistan and Iraq:
http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=17290
A letter from an Iraqi Veteran:
http://frontpagemag.com/blog/index.asp
The al-Jazeera/Democratic Underground connection:
http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=17298
What makes this commie reporter think that she is IMPORTANT enough for the worlds only superpower to waste their time and bullets to target HER? Quite simply her car did not stop on a very treacherous stretch of road well known to be the target of suicide bombers....so it seems perhaps she was worried there would not be enough news for her to report...or the news that there was wasnt "anti american" enough...so why not create a bit of a scandal. With regards to the "hero" that was killed....doesnt take much of a hero to hand over millions of dollars to a terror group, it wasnt as though he risked his life to gain her release, however he did risk his life playing her game. If he was truly trying to protect her from the "hail of bullets" why didnt he shove her to the floor, he wasnt protecting her, he got shot and fell on top of her.
Oh, Henry.
Nice of USAGirl to take time out of her no doubt busy schedule of watching Godfather films and Sopranos re-runs to inform us that Nicola Calipari was "no hero" because he didn't have the sense to sink down to the floor of the car when the USABoys started shooting. Wonder how USAGirl knows exactly what went on in the back of that car. Guess the USA firefighters that everyone claims are such "heroes" were not since they didn't have the sense to leave the wounded and get out of the twin towers.
As to this dead man's involvement in ransoming the Italian reporter, there is no indication in anything I have read that Nicola Calipari was the one that handed over "millions" to any terrorist or, if indeed such a ransom was paid, that he had any part in making that decision. Italians such as Fabrizio Quattrocchi who bravely pulled off his hood and refused to die on his knees have acquitted themselves well and this Italo-Am Girl is damn proud of them. Of course our USA COMMIE reporters will never cover them and bigots such as a certain USA gal will never believe them. Terrorism comes in all forms.
Shangalla, you are a piece of racist filth. Period. And it is a pity I do not know you personally, so I can give you some specimen of Italian fighting. You are the kind of person that makes Americans detested all over the world, and I hope one day you are in need of someone else's help and don't get it. If you want to know why Europeans parade in the streets against America, just look in the mirror. Granted, of course, that any mirrors in your house have not yet cracked in horror.
Paolo,
thank you for your words.
I couldn't believe my own eyes when I read the comments made by USAGirl and shangalla, I hope they are Muslim trolls!
It is very disgusting to see how my German countrymen behave every day when some of them spit anti- Americanisms but the slimy hypocrites USAGirl and shangalle made the day!
Paolo, I hope you and your fellow Italians could give this noble man the last honour.
It was just a very unfortunate incident. The communist reporter put a lot of people in unnecessary danger. She was quoted by another Italian reporter as saying that the jihadis would not kidnap her or her travel companions because they were on the "insurgents" side.
Being of half-Italian descent, I am generally proud of Italy's basic actions regarding islam. However, ransom payment to muslims - especially to free someone who no doubt has nothing but contempt for those that paid the ransom, is bad policy.
That said, Nicola Calipari should be honored for faithfully executing his duty. It is unfortunate that he had die protecting someone who has more sympathy for her captors than for him.
Oh and Paulo, please think twice about tossing out the 'racist' label, it tends to belittle your argument because it doesn't fit the context. If you are implying that USAGirl is somehow 'racist' against Italians, you've got your words wrong. American (assuming USAGirl is American) is a nationality, and as such Americans can be of any race. Italian can be both a nationality and ethnicity. Ethic Italians are of European stock and are therefore classified as belonging to the 'white' race, and Nicola Calipari was clearly an ethnic Italian. If anything, USAGirl could only be accused of being 'nationalist' not racist.
Belisarius,
I think he (Paolo) meant the "badly shaven Italian hooker".
Ask yourself if there was any need for shangalla to insult the Italians.
I can understand the American anger if it comes to France and Germany but Italy??
Belisarius, what comes next? Scoffing about the British soldiers woh have died under "friendly fire"? or what?
BTW : the only one who is happy about that ugly discussion's level and direction is the enemy.
Don't worry,the US military will have plenty of opportunity to redeem themselves.
Given the fact that Italy caved in and paid off the terrorists,I'm sure in the coming months the military can expect many freed hostages to pass through thier check points.
JLP
USAgirl is, in fact, an American emigrating to Canada, just like I am.
And Italy has given quite a bit to our culture, just like France or England. However this reporter Is sympathetic to the enemy. The guy who was shot defending her is at least a hero for saving her life. But one wonders why he and those with him ignored the protocols, and got themselves fired upon.
Italy has had a Lot of problems since WW II, a new government virtually every year (many socialist/communist), and a lot of those not sympathetic to the US.
While the hurt feelings are understandable, we as Americans have been on the receiving end of a LOT of hatred, it stings doesn't it? I hope we can raise the level of discourse above insulting our allies here at JW/DW.
BTW, USAgirl is a long-time poster here, sorry I don't know you yet, shangalla.(but you seem to be a committed anti-jihadist) I just hate to see personal attacks among ourselves, as it gladdens the hearts of the true enemy.
NIPPON:
"BTW : the only one who is happy about that ugly discussion's level and direction is the enemy."
Quite right. Any positive contribution made by any country in the struggle against islamic jihad should be recognized, be it American military power or French intelligence. Any actions that benefit jihad should be equally scorned, be it Italy's hostage ransoming or Bush's pandering to the Saudis.
Giuliana Sgrena can hardly be counted as one of the 'good guys' in this endeavour. Her hatred of American capitalism has blinded her to more serious dangers - even when she was brought face to face with them! The fact that her views have wide support from many Europeans is cause for concern.
I still don't see how any remarks made on this page could be seen as 'racist' - i.e. the assumed superiority of one race over another. While Shangalla's and USAGirl's comments may be offensive, to say they are racist is akin to muslims crying racism when when statements are made criticising islam. The term 'racist' is a misnomer is not appropriate when applied in this context.
I believe that You were personally attacked, shangalla.
I should add, there are enough insults all around, not just one side.
Belisarius,
to be frank: There's a lot of Eurotrash and you need not to hide your thoughts regarding your whining weasel-allies...but I cannot understand this utter stupidity when it comes to Calipari!
And yes you are right, they're not racists, they are stupid, slimy hypocrites!
They have shown what they think about one of your closest ally.
BTW; The Italians have agreed not to pay any ransome any more.
NIPPON:
I appreciate your frankness. There is a lot of 'Eurotrash' out there (I am surrounded by it) that constantly berates America while remaining oblivious to the real threat posed by islam. There are also a lot of Americans who are equally ignorant of islam and of the contributions made by America's European allies.
"They have shown what they think about one of your closest ally."
Berlusconi may be an ally in Bush's fool's crusade, but he does not have popular support in that regard. A recent visit to Bologna and Capri, where anti-war posters and peace flags were all the rage, only confirmed that. The fact is Italy remains an ally in Iraq only as long as Berlusconi is in power. Spain was a staunch supporter in Iraq too, when Aznar was in power.
"BTW; The Italians have agreed not to pay any ransome any more."
The Italian goverment denied paying ransoms before when they did, so why believe it when they say they won't pay again?
Calipari died doing his duty, and there is no reason to believe that he was sympathetic to the enemy. As an individual, he should be honored for his sacrifice. The circumstances that brought about his death, due in part by the secret ransoming of Sgrena, need to be questioned.
Sgrena herself lives in a world of all-consuming America hatred. The only thing remarkable about her is the ironic fact that the people to whom she owes her life are perhaps the ones she despises most - Western capitalists.
The Italian goverment denied paying ransoms before when they did, so why believe it when they say they won't pay again?
Posted by: Belisarius at March 9, 2005 02:53 PM
JUST LIKE THE LET THE KILLERS OF THE KILLYLAURA GO??
IT IS OKAY TO BE PISSED HOW MANY WILL BE KILLED BECAUSE OF THE MONEY THE ITLIANS GAVE TO ISLAMIC MONSTERS??
March 9, 2005
http://www.beecy.net/frank/
Plane Flying with Bullet hole??
Romania President with Prresident Bush today will improve relations is a part of NATO! This will help around the Black Sea??
Mas. Whiteout closes airport and shuts down mos flights out.. Lot’s of mulsums there and lot’s of Lib’s too!!
Iraq 41 bodies found among them children ½ had their heads cut off what MONSTERS ARE THESE MULSUMS!!
Iraq Islamic Terrorist use a garbage truck to kill some Iraqi People well this shows WHAT MONSTERS THEY ARE!! The Iraqi People need their Garbage trucks to pick up the garbage!!
These Islamic Terrorist are Sick Fu-Ks!! THEY NEED TO BE PUT DOWN YES I MEAN KILLED AND ALL WHO SUPPORT THEM TO!!! TO CUT THE HEADS OF CHILDREN OFF
WHAT I SAY IS JUST KILL THEM SO THEY CAN NOT HARM ANYONE ELSE!!!
WONDER IF ANY OF THAT ITALIAN MONEY HAD A PART IN THESE KILLINGS OR WAS IT ANYONE ELSE WHO PAID A RANSOME WILL THEY GO AND CONSOLE THE FAMILYS OF THESE BRAVE IRAQI PEOPLE??
30 arrested with fake I.D. in NY who worked for the airport maintenance on Planes all were Illegal??
Large part of the Syrian Protest today was in Lebanon yesterday? Yes they made their way back across the border?? Can tell when you watch video feed from Syria Yesterday the streets were empty!! And today normal??
Mass murder caught in Spain is he a mulsum?? Left a card @ each murder [reminds me of the rumors of the D.C. snipers Molvo and John mo-ham-od]
Europeans shocked by a giant swa sticker??
WI man to face charges for impersonating a U.S. Marine??
We can use grains for our cars can the arabs eat black oil?? Democrats [Nelson] say it 10 years to open Alaska for oil?? Guess they have not kept up on current events or Tec or history! It only took 2 years to put in the Alaskan Pipe Line and have it working now how long agao was that and how far have we come in new Tec??
SAD SHAME WRONG!!!
Part of the American Tribe
Squirrel Hunter
Spider Killer
GOD BLESS THE USA AND HER FIGHTING FORCES AND ALL WHO FIGHT WITH HER GIVE THEM STRENGTH, WISDOM, SIGHT, AND COURAGE TO STAY THE COURSE TO DESTROY ALL ISLAMIC TERRORIST AND ALL WHO SUPPORT THEM OPEN THE WORLDS EYES TO THEIR THREAT AMEN
Not to worry about that you should have seen the marches against the USA after the Bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Serbia??
And they were really pissed when those guys Cliped the Glanda??
The Italians are clear thinking when talked to but I'm as An American am PISSED at the Italians who turned over last I heard was 6 million dollars to EVIL MONSTER KILLERS WHO KILL CHILDREN IN SCHOOLS AND SHOOT CHILDREN IN THE BACK!! WHO CUT OFF PEOPLES HEADS THESE MONSTERS NEED TO BE KILLED NOT PAID OFF!!
No don't worry about the Italians they love to Protest to get out of school since they go 6 days a week??
What a joke. What a fricken joke.
testing fsdaklasdfjksdaf
Western Europe is full of embittered intelligentsia who will never forgive America for making it impossible for their mentors to labor under the creative, progressive, and enlightened guidance of Comrade Stalin's commissars. In 20-20 hindisght, America should've saved its Marshall Plan dollars, watch a Communized Europe fall into its traditional national hatreds, and waited until a world arose in which Signora Sgrena would have been a devout Catholic matriarch practicing her knitting rather than a red firebrand contributing to the general rot of Western civilization that makes an ossified, putrescent Islam seem positively dynamic.
Wow...I am honored...so much name calling dedicated to little ole me....and BTW I will gladly and proudly wear the badge of "racist" when islam becomes a "race". I 100% stand behind my comments that it is not heroic to hand over millions of dollars to terrorists, especially to gain the release of a lying POS such as sgrena. The agend paid with his life because he was dragged into whatever game she was playing...why would they not obey the rules and stop at the checkpoint...were they hiding something or just thought the rules didnt apply to them...too many US soldiers have been killed by being PC, they have no choice but to err on the side of caution, that car could have been a suicide bomber or someone that was out to shoot them, these are soldiers at the checkpoints not psychics. Trot on over to LGF and have a gander at the car that in her words was hit by "over 400 rounds"...the windows are all intact, the sides of the car have very few holes...so either the soldiers are horrible shots, or ms sgrena is a liar...i tend to go with the liar explanation.
And since someone above whose name escapes me, and isnt important enough for me to scroll up...yes I am American, born and raised. And to the other unimportant person who wondered about me watching too many godfather films...sorry, i have never seen a godfather film, in fact i despise all drama and crime films, there is enough drama and crime in real life i dont feel the need to pay hard earned money to view this type of drivel....so take your drama and your dramatic postings and use them on someone who may appreciate them.
I still love you, USAgirl! : - )
USAgirl:
Paolo has a wee bit of a temper and being Italian bridles at any criticism of Italians. He's new but has a lot of potential.
Hei USAGirl,
I hereby apologize for my bad temper and hope you will accept my confession that I acted like a big asshole calling you Muslim troll and a slimy hypocrite.
And yes, it's not courageous to call names on the net. Until yesterday I never insulted a person but it made me furious when I read your scoffing statements about Sgrena & Calipari. To be angry about the ransome for a loutmouth pompeous journalist who doesn't care about anything is one thing, but to scoff about Calipari's death is another one!
He was a staunch police officer who faught the Mafia all his life and just did his duty as he was told to do. Although he is said to dislike the Italian leftists he risked his life to protect that fool.
Did you ever see a man being shot in the head? It's vicious!!
When I am discussing with my fellow araboscialist Eurobots I tell them everytime that I feel sorry for every young American soldier who is fighting a war which (in my mind) is hopless. Every day I engage in discussions to spread the word of Robert Spencer and sometimes I am really ashamed for my countrymen who are not thankful and haven't learned their lesson yet.
When I come to this blog I seek some inspiring and motivating debates and yes, sometimes I am fed up with the scoffing about allies who made mistakes, so I ask you: Are you without any flaw?