Haiti Kidnapping

[mike]

Everybody is wondering if a ransom was paid.
I think David wanted to clarify that money was offered (since that story is being circulated), but he did not want to say whether or not the money was given to the kidnappers. CAM, like many organizations and governments, does not pay ransoms. No organization wants it to be publicly known that if someone kidnaps their employees and volunteers, that family members or churches that will pay ransoms.

I think its a little like wondering if the swat team took out the guards silently without telling the captives. They didn't answer that question so...

I doubt CAM payed money, but if a private individual did, I doubt we would ever know the truth and speculating about it is pointless other then to try and cast shade on CAM. There are plenty of legit reasons to question supporting CAM but this isn't one of them.

I expect once the dust settles, someone will eventually write a book about this whole saga. It has all the elements. And then we'll finally get some of the details.

Yes, I’ve heard an author has already been approached about doing a book on the story.

[Szdfan]

I think its a little like wondering if the swat team took out the guards silently without telling the captives. They didn't answer that question so...

I doubt CAM payed money, but if a private individual did, I doubt we would ever know the truth and speculating about it is pointless other then to try and cast shade on CAM. There are plenty of legit reasons to question supporting CAM but this isn't one of them.

I expect once the dust settles, someone will eventually write a book about this whole saga. It has all the elements. And then we'll finally get some of the details.

Yes, I’ve heard an author has already been approached about doing a book on the story.

I’ll wait for the Hallmark movie

[steve-in-kville]

I’ll wait for the Hallmark movie

Will be the first ever movie night on MN

[nett]

Why would he mention it all then?

Everybody is wondering if a ransom was paid.
I think David wanted to clarify that money was offered (since that story is being circulated), but he did not want to say whether or not the money was given to the kidnappers. CAM, like many organizations and governments, does not pay ransoms. No organization wants it to be publicly known that if someone kidnaps their employees and volunteers, that family members or churches that will pay ransoms.

it wasn't clear to me if the money was offered, and potentially payed through CAM. That's what I was wondering.

[steve-in-kville]

At first I took it that a donor offered money, release of all the hostages was negotiated, but when paid they only released a few of them. After yesterday's press releases, I understand that money was offered but never used.

But then I heard that elite special forces took out the gang guarding the hostages which is why they escaped undetected, so who knows. I'll wait for the movie to come out.

Everyone is home and safe, no matter if it involved paying a ransom or special forces

[hillperson]

Here’s a detailed 3 hour account by one of the hostages that’s been posted on YouTube. I hope it will sastify some of your hunger for details. In hearing some of the firsthand stories, I know their experience was not easy nor is it a story for a Hallmark movie as Szdan suggests.

[ken_sylvania]

At first I took it that a donor offered money, release of all the hostages was negotiated, but when paid they only released a few of them. After yesterday's press releases, I understand that money was offered but never used.

But then I heard that elite special forces took out the gang guarding the hostages which is why they escaped undetected, so who knows. I'll wait for the movie to come out.

Everyone is home and safe, no matter if it involved paying a ransom or special forces

I'm wondering if it is really beneficial to be passing on rumors of uncertain origin. Shouldn't we wait to smear CAM until we know for sure what they did wrong rather than throwing out vague hints about them not being innocent, etc.?

[Ernie]

I'm wondering if it is really beneficial to be passing on rumors of uncertain origin. Shouldn't we wait to smear CAM until we know for sure what they did wrong rather than throwing out vague hints about them not being innocent, etc.?

Yes. This points to a principle that I think should be at the foundation of every life, every relationship, every church, and every other earthly entity.

"A commitment to listening well, not drawing conclusions in one's mind until sufficient information is obtained, and not admonishing or judging others until they have been given a reasonable opportunity to respond to the questions or allegations that have been raised against them."

[steve-in-kville]

Shouldn't we wait to smear CAM until we know for sure what they did wrong rather than throwing out vague hints about them not being innocent, etc.?

Show me in my statement how I am smearing CAM? I'm not sure I follow....

[ken_sylvania]

Shouldn't we wait to smear CAM until we know for sure what they did wrong rather than throwing out vague hints about them not being innocent, etc.?

Show me in my statement how I am smearing CAM? I'm not sure I follow....

Well I think it started with this:

My sources tell me that the hostages are state-side and are now safe.

Alright... I held back saying anything but I can't sit back and just allow this to be painted as a rosy picture to make CAM look like... well, an innocent white lamb. To qualify what I know, we have family that is currently serving in Haiti on a long term basis. We also have distant family who were hostages. I knew of this "release" or "rescue" or "we just walked away" thing long before it broke in the media.

Be careful what you believe. Some of the alleged "rumors" might have some truth behind it. Just be careful....

and then to have that followed up later with

At first I took it that a donor offered money, release of all the hostages was negotiated, but when paid they only released a few of them. After yesterday's press releases, I understand that money was offered but never used.

But then I heard that elite special forces took out the gang guarding the hostages which is why they escaped undetected, so who knows. I'll wait for the movie to come out.

Everyone is home and safe, no matter if it involved paying a ransom or special forces

Maybe I'm being too picky.