CNN has
this story about kidnapped Halliburton employee Thomas Hamill.
Pure heartbreak. Worst story that I have read in a long, long time.
Who is responsible for sending untrained, unprepared civilians to Iraq during a security crisis like this one? This guy was a dairy farmer and a part-time milkman. How could anyone have thought that he would have a background suitable for working in a war zone?
I'm reminded, in a weird way, of those who permitted student "activist" Rachel Corrie to go to the Palestinian territories and throw herself bodily in front of an Israeli bulldozer, when she obviously did not have the training or background required for surviving in a guerilla war zone.
I just can't believe it.
Some people in the blogosphere have indicated that civilian "contractors" in Iraq deserve their fate. I can't disagree more.
This just isn't right. Those at Halliburton and at the Pentagon who are responsible for this outrage must be held responsible.