Cialis….

I remember when Bob Simon of CBS news flipped off the US Military’s warning to stay away from the Iraq/Saudi border in 1991, and then tried to sneak into Iraq.

He was captured, imprisoned, and tortured, but was released as part of the cease fire.

My first thought was that I was glad he was safe. My second thought was “what an asshole” for being a fool by disobeying sensible instructions and needlessly risking his life while at the same time adding to the burden of the military who had to go looking for him.

BTW, don’t forget that Simon was part of the 60 Minutes faked “Paliwood” production about the Israeli police station that was fisked recently here in Hot Air.

Going into a war zone as a reporter is dangerous. More so if you are an American or work for an American news company. I consider these two men to be brave and dedicated.

But I consider them to be a bit foolish as well. Foolish, because they forgot (1) how vulnerable they are and (2) what a tempting prize they were.

WE may consider the media to be “non-combattants” but it is clear that the Palis and the Islamists do NOT. They consider them to be pawns to be played — to be used and “expended” if necessary — in their game againt the west.

Remember, the broadcasted “terms” of their release was that ALL MUSLIMS IN AMERICAN PRISONS HAD TO BE RELEASED WITHIN 72 HOURS or they’d be killed.

If you believe that this unknown “group” was really independent of Hamas, I’ve got a bridge to sell you. This whole episode was a blatant attempt to ingratiate Hamas to Americans. Remember, we cut off US funding to Hamas. So what better way to show what “good guys” Hamas are by helping getting our reporters back — even though they took them in the first place.

The whole thing was transparent manipulation and nothing else. And these two guys were set up to be the fall guys.

If I were Rupert Murdoch, I’d remove all News Corp employees from the middle east. Then I’d tell my entire news and entertainment empire to stop painting Islamic terrorists neutrally or favorably, but to tell it like it is: Hamas, Hezollah, Iran, Syria are bloodthirsty monsters who are evil and who must be destroyed down to the last man.

I’d show them what “bad press relations” is all about.

Further, I’d make sure that the CEO’s of every other American news organization did the same. That’s how you protect reporters in the field. You make the “game” too costly for the terrorists by taking away their most potent weapon — the American media.

The whole thing was just a little too staged from start to finish. As we’ve learned in recent months, the Palestinians, Hamas and Hezbollah are no strangers to sexing up the news and creating photo op propaganda….

“We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint,” Centanni told FOX News. “Don’t get me wrong here. I have the highest respect for Islam, and I learned a lot of good things about it.”

How much of it actually true, I wonder…

http://www.msunderestimated.com/2006/08/27/breaking-news-free-at-last-centanni-wiig-released-video/

The initial news, the press conference, and the call to Shep.

I shed a tear or ten today myself, too.

Not glad to hear of their forced conversion. Is it not true that “reversion” to their ancestral religion (Christianity?) would constitute apostasy, no matter how they were forced to convert, and thus subjects them to the death penalty?

FOX News correspondent Steve Centanni and cameraman Olaf Wiig have been released:
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Two FOX News journalists were released by their kidnappers Sunday, nearly two weeks after they were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip….

Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig are now free and in Israel. Their captivity was not rosy as it appeared in their first video. Details of their captivity and release are now out in the open. According to DEBKAfile, (hat tip…

“We were forced to convert to Islam at gunpoint,” Centanni told FOX News. “Don’t get me wrong here. I have the highest respect for Islam, and I learned a lot of good things about it.”

So he learned a lot of good things about Islam while being in captivity of Muslims who demand he convert, or else.

Don’t get me wrong here. I have the highest respect for journalists who work under such conditions.

Which begs the question: In that situation, do you lie and say “I convert” or do you say “F. U., I will not convert, you may kill me now.”?

I’m pretty sure the Lord will understand if you break the old “Thou shalt not lie” commandment to prevent havin’ your head sawed off by raving islamic lunatics.

I like to think I’d tell ‘em “No, YOU convert! Convert to Christianity and put the gun down, then I’m gonna kick your f@$&ing ass, and then I will forgive you in the name of Jesus.”

But I’m pretty sure that in real life, with a gun to my head, thinkin’ of my wife a future daughter, I’d tell ‘em anything they wanna hear. But as soon as I got home I’d be runnin’ to the church to have that layer of islamic scum scraped off of my spirit and reaffirm my belief in Christ. Mrs. 737 and BabyGirl 737 will NEVER wear a burqa!

That’s why we need to keep the Pubbies in office!

Condi ’08!

Which begs the question: In that situation, do you lie and say “I convert” or do you say “F. U., I will not convert, you may kill me now.”?

I’m pretty sure the Lord will understand if you break the old “Thou shalt not lie” commandment to prevent havin’ your head sawed off by raving islamic lunatics.

I like to think I’d tell ‘em “No, YOU convert! Convert to Christianity and put the gun down, then I’m gonna kick your f@$&ing ass, and then I will forgive you in the name of Jesus.”

But I’m pretty sure that in real life, with a gun to my head, thinkin’ of my wife a future daughter, I’d tell ‘em anything they wanna hear. But as soon as I got home I’d be runnin’ to the church to have that layer of islamic scum scraped off of my spirit and reaffirm my belief in Christ. Mrs. 737 and BabyGirl 737 will NEVER wear a burqa!

All I can say is HALLELUJAH! Thank you God! Early word is that Fox News’ Steve Centanni and freelance cameraman, Olaf Wiig, have been freed from captivity, which occurred around 5:00 a.m EST. The Fox and Friends group were obviously overjoyed, as…

Thank God. Fox News Channel reporting: The two journalists were dropped off at Gaza City’s Beach Hotel by Palestinian security officials. A tearful Centanni embraced a Palestinian journalist briefly as he entered, then rushed upstairs as Wiig followe…

BREAKING: 5:30 a.m. est. Both Steve Centanni and Olaf Wigg, Fox News Journalists are RELEASED!!!!! They are now at the Beach Hotel in Gaza City. AWESOME, AWESOME NEWS…Thank GOD they are safe and free again.More information prior to their ……

Steve Centanni and Olaf Wiig are set free in Gaza.as reported by the Jerusalem Post.Michelle has been covering this all weekend. Hot Air has been on the story ……

awwwwwwww :)