American contractor captured by Al Qaeda in 2011 says in video he feels "abandoned and forgotten" - Polidicks

[quote](CNN) -- Captured American Warren Weinstein looks tired and pale and speaks in steady monotone in pleadiang for his freedom to President Barack Obama. In a video released by al Qaeda on Christmas Day, he says he feels abandoned and forgotten since his abduction more than two years ago. [B]"The years have taken their toll," Weinstein, 72, says in the 13-minute video. [/B]He says he is not in good health and that he suffers from acute asthma. He appeals to Obama, Secretary of State John Kerry, the media, the American public and finally his family. "Nine years ago, I came to Pakistan to help my government and I did so at a time when most Americans would not come here," he said. "And now, when I need my government,[B] it seems I have been totally abandoned and forgotten."[/B] CNN cannot independently confirm the authenticity of the video, which was first posted on The Washington Post website. It was the second apparent proof of life in which Weinstein makes a direct plea to the Obama administration. The first was released in May 2012. "The U.S. government is working to verify the authenticity of the recently released video of Warren Weinstein," the FBI said in a statement. "We remain concerned for the safety and well-being of Mr. Weinstein and remain in contact with Warren Weinstein's family while we continue to monitor the situation." State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf reiterated the government's call for Weinstein to be released. [B]U.S. officials have repeatedly said Washington will not bargain with al Qaeda. [/B] Weinstein was abducted August 20, 2011, from his home in Lahore, Pakistan, shortly before he was planning to return to the United States. Gunmen posing as neighbors offered food, then pistol-whipped Weinstein and his driver and tied up his guards, according to U.S. Embassy and Pakistani officials. [B]In the video, Weinstein said his captors have agreed to let his family visit him, but only if Obama agrees to do the same for al Qaeda members held by the United States.[/B][/quote] [url]http://www.cnn.com/2013/12/26/world/asia/pakistan-captured-american/[/url]

Oh god acute asthma without any proper treatment and medication is hell. Constantly feeling like your suffocating but usually not enough to kill you. Poor guy

[QUOTE]"The years have taken their toll," Weinstein, 72, says in the 13-minute video. [/QUOTE] How low can Al-Qaeda get? Kidnapping an old man?

[QUOTE=joshuadim;43372754]How low can Al-Qaeda get? Kidnapping an old man?[/QUOTE] gosh al-qaeda really have gone too far now I mean this really is unacceptable tsk tsk tsk

[QUOTE=joshuadim;43372754]How low can Al-Qaeda get? Kidnapping an old man?[/QUOTE] You're talking about the group that decapitates journalists and posts the videos online for their families to see.

[QUOTE=joshuadim;43372754]How low can Al-Qaeda get? Kidnapping an old man?[/QUOTE] Yeah, the more I hear about these guys, the less I like them!

I feel bad for the guy, contractors really do a lot for our country, but if the US negotiates with Al-Qaeda now then it would tell every wannabe terrorist group in the world that kidnapping an American is the ticket to getting their way and we don't need more people being put in this awful position. I'd be very surprised if the US intelligence community isn't trying to track him down.

obama sucks, of course he ain't gonna do anything

[QUOTE=Amish Steak;43372901]obama sucks, or course he ain't gonna do anything[/QUOTE] I wouldn't be surprised if Obama sends a team to get him the instant he's located.

[QUOTE=Amish Steak;43372901]obama sucks, or course he ain't gonna do anything[/QUOTE] Sometimes I like to pretend that there aren't people who actually go "thanks Obama"

I don't think there's a single person in the world with a shred of decency who doesn't feel for this poor guy, but as harsh as it is America simply can't afford to reach out for him.

[QUOTE=Apache249;43372921]I wouldn't be surprised if Obama sends a team to get him the instant he's located.[/QUOTE] Why would you do that? Just use a drone strike, he can be collateral.

[QUOTE=catbarf;43372852]I feel bad for the guy, contractors really do a lot for our country, but if the US negotiates with Al-Qaeda now then it would tell every wannabe terrorist group in the world that kidnapping an American is the ticket to getting their way and we don't need more people being put in this awful position. I'd be very surprised if the US intelligence community isn't trying to track him down.[/QUOTE] Yeah, it's a real mess. We can't negotiate, we can't go in because we're already trying to get out of that area, and the cost for a single person. This whole middle east thing has been a fuckup for the US in terms of outcome.

[QUOTE=FinalHunter;43372918]We do not negotiate with terrorists. If Obama knows shit he'll keep it that way. It was his choice to go to Pakistan and trying to rescue him would probably just get more people killed. There really isn't anything we can do.[/QUOTE] So you think rescuing some old guy is more risky that assassinating the #1 Al-Qaeda leader?

[QUOTE=glitchvid;43373466]Yeah, it's a real mess. We can't negotiate, we can't go in because we're already trying to get out of that area, and the cost for a single person. This whole middle east thing has been a fuckup for the US in terms of outcome.[/QUOTE] This isn't even to mention the fact that the Pakistani officials wont even let it happen if we wanted it to since they are in bed with terrorists.

[QUOTE=FinalHunter;43373650]So you're comparing the importance of assassinating the leader of one of the largest terrorist networks on the planet to rescuing a 72 year old man who put himself in that position to begin with. Sorry, I wouldn't want to risk another SEAL team or two even if we knew where he was.[/QUOTE] He's an American being held by terrorists. In an ideal world, we wouldn't hesitate to rescue him.

[QUOTE=FinalHunter;43373650]So you're comparing the importance of assassinating the leader of one of the largest terrorist networks on the planet to rescuing a 72 year old man who put himself in that position to begin with. Sorry, I wouldn't want to risk another SEAL team or two even if we knew where he was.[/QUOTE] But as far as sending a message, it could make other groups think twice before trying to kidnap and random off an American hostage. Kidnapping someone seems a lot less attractive if you know there's little chance you can exploit it, but a greatly increased risk of US special forces murdering your entire encampment in the middle of the night.

[QUOTE=FinalHunter;43373981]They'd probably shoot the man before they could get to him anyways. Then it'd just increase notoriety for al Qaeda as they advertise in the region that they thwarted the Americans rescue attempt.[/QUOTE] Executing him would make it one hundred times worse, especially if they already have their location.

[QUOTE=FinalHunter;43373981]They'd probably shoot the man before they could get to him anyways. Then it'd just increase notoriety for al Qaeda as they advertise in the region that they thwarted the Americans rescue attempt.[/QUOTE] ...and then there wouldn't be too much of a reason not to bomb the place and kill everyone inside

They might not be communicating with him, "not negotiating with terrorists, etc." but I'll bet they're looking for him, and if they can find him, they'll send a team in and pull him out.

I always think "What if that was your family" in these situations, would you just sit around and say "oh well it's just how it is" Fuck that, you would fight with everything you are capable of and then some

[QUOTE=redback3;43375386]I always think "What if that was your family" in these situations, would you just sit around and say "oh well it's just how it is" Fuck that, you would fight with everything you are capable of and then some[/QUOTE] Exactly. I don't get this "oh I wouldn't want to risk a SEAL team to rescue some old man" mentality. That's what they train so hard to do. That's what they're good at. I'm positive they'd have absolutely no qualms going in to get him when he's located.

[QUOTE=FinalHunter;43373650]So you're comparing the importance of assassinating the leader of one of the largest terrorist networks on the planet to rescuing a 72 year old man who put himself in that position to begin with. Sorry, I wouldn't want to risk another SEAL team or two even if we knew where he was.[/QUOTE] What I'm saying is that we lost no one killing Osama, I don't think this 72 year old will be that hard to get.

[QUOTE=redback3;43375386]I always think "What if that was your family" in these situations, would you just sit around and say "oh well it's just how it is" Fuck that, you would fight with everything you are capable of and then some[/QUOTE] I totally would, if my sister was in the military, and was captured; I'd be fighting tooth and nail for them to get her back. But it's not always possible, we've got to maintain international policy, policy on terrorist negotiations, and we're already trying to get less involved in the Middle East -- It'd be unlikely for her to be rescued.

I realize how stupid my comment was :v: Sorry?

[QUOTE=Advancedrock;43375896]What I'm saying is that we lost no one killing Osama, I don't think this 72 year old will be that hard to get.[/QUOTE] It's far easier to kill someone than to save someone There's always the risk of losing anyone you send, and then there's a good chance you'll get to him with a bullet already in his head

[QUOTE=Advancedrock;43375896]What I'm saying is that we lost no one killing Osama, I don't think this 72 year old will be that hard to get.[/QUOTE] There are multitudes of different elements between the two scenarios that it's idiotic to gauge how easy and how hard it is to do so. And rescuing people tends to be harder than just killing them

[QUOTE=Jund;43376303]There's always the risk of losing anyone you send, and then there's a good chance you'll get to him with a bullet already in his head[/QUOTE] So we shouldn't try?

[QUOTE=Apache249;43376358]So we shouldn't try?[/QUOTE] Being a good military commander means you have to weigh the pros and cons If you always try to do what is right, all you're going to end up with is the blood of your own people on your hands

[QUOTE=Amish Steak;43372901]obama sucks, of course he ain't gonna do anything[/QUOTE] To negotiate shows that we will give into the will of those who would do us harm. It is absolutely necessary that we do not cooperate with them.