Passionate defense

So I wasn't planning on posting today. I was too busy to think this weekend and therefore nothing can cometh forth. Ok, that's not quite true. I chose not to think, but instead to nap and watch tons of the NBA playoffs instead. You know, one of those classic lazy as all else weekends. Filled with two big meals, lots of NBA, a baseball game, and church to boot. Back to the matter at hand though. I was reading a story on Fox News this morning and felt it warranted definite posting. The story is key Australia Stands Tall

Since most of you won't read the story, or will click on it and not take the time to read all of it once you go there, I'll do the brief summary thing. An Australian Engineer working in Iraq was kidnapped. This is exactly the type of news that we have become desensitized too since it happens so often, much like random car bombings in either Iraq or Israel. But this man has been over there for a year and a half and has a wife in California. He resides in CA a lot, but works all over the world, and is Australian. Of course the terrorist animals that kidnapped him released one of those horrible tapes of him scared at gun point begging for help. If video footage like that doesn't enrage you - you must be dead.

Random subpoint the sooner we rid the world of pigs like this the better off we are. Forget the fact that the rulers of this nation used to put people in plastic shredders. You were lucky if you went in head first, because you died instantly, unlike if you want feet first. We now have sick sadistic terrorists capturing innocent hard working men and women and holding them hostage. Not only this, but then they release the tape as a sick and malicious slap in the face to his wife and family. It's horrifying to see and equally as horrifying to think they inhabit this planet with us.

So of course the terrorists ask for the troops to leave Iraq and the man will not be harmed. The absurdity of this statement is baffling. Like we're supposed to believe people who think it's ok to kidnap, threaten, and humiliate others. If the troops actually pull out, they'll let him go unharmed. I'm sure that will happen. And you know what? These people that act in such hateful ways, they'll go on living peacefully and never doing wrong again. It's utterly proposterous to take these men at their word. And it makes me angry that they even keep trying.

So today I salute three people or groups. First and foremost - I salute every person over seas anywhere serving their country and freedom. I salute those from Britain, Australia, Poland, America - the list could go on. The article states that Australia only has 1,370 over there, but it's a big contribution none the less, and when they lose a person it hurts just as much as when America does. So thank you all for your service not only to this nation, but the idea of freedom around the world. You have given of your time and risked your life for these ideals and we owe you a debt of gratitude.

I salute the nation currently of Australia. It's a hard line to take in this instance, but Australia has. They have created a task force in an effort to save this man, but have also asserted that they will under no circumstance remove their troops from Iraq or pay any ransom. It may seem heartless and it may seem cruel. I maintain they would not release the hostage any way. But Australia, as well as other nations who have in the past, is making a claim for freedom and justice. They're letting the light shine in the darkness. We will reach the end, and we will in the future have a free nation, and an ally in Iraq. Australia we thank you for your help and the strong message you send to the world.

My last salute is simple, but goes to the people of Iraq whom we never hear of thanks to the media or websites like Yahoo. We never hear of the Iraqis who are happy we're there, who are trying to elect the new government, or those who have signed up for their army and are being trained. Yahoo always shows pictures of those soldiers with Iraqis behind them crying or clutching a teddy bear in sadness. Yet I've talked to men and women who have served and can say there are people over there, the majority even, who are happy, safe, and free. That sentence had to be punctuated incorrectly. Anyway, so here is a salute to those Iraqis are fighting and free. We look forward to a future of security for you.

Here comes the horribly awkward ending transition, but I need to blog this. Only 5 days until I see U2 in concert in Chicago! Oh yeah, you may get a countdown each day this week. Later crackers.