KIDNAP, KIDNAP

I don't like revenge. But sometimes, when bullies won't listen, won't learn, "turn about is fair play" seems almost morally legitimate.

The US has just convicted a Palestinian citizen, Aafia Siddiqui, of "trying to murder US military personnel." She was sentenced to 86 years in prison.

Dr. Siddiqui's husband and uncle have been held, illegally, in the US concentration camp at Guantanamo since 1991. Dr. Saddiqui had been captured by US soldiers, in 2006, in Afghanistan, and was being "interrogated." She escaped. Two years later she was kidnapped, brought to the US, and left to rot in prison for two years. Now she has been tried, and convicted.

Now an American citizen has been kidnapped, and the kidnappers are demanding an exchange. They will free this unnamed hostage in exchange for the freedom of Dr. Siddiqui.

A hostage exchange. Kidnap for kidnap.

Or is it against some higher special privilege for power law that says only the US can kidnap people?

Not to mention run a concentration camp in Cuba, and hold kidnapees in secret prisons all over the world.

I don't know about you, but I assume that, like me, you prefer the rule of law to our government's arrogant lawlessness.

Bert Hornback