This is nothing new sorry to say. Media and war brings a new dynamic in reporting this stuff all over the world. It doesn't matter if it is a general, a politician, or women and children. If you take a prisoner and execute them you call down the wrath of the entire US military. I would never negotiate for one life, i would take 1000's.
Here is a letter circulating the internet with origins from a current military personel that sums up my opinion on the matter....
This letter is for Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, ''Islamic Response,'' and the rest
>of the so-called "insurgents" in Iraq. I obviously do not have an e-mail
>address for these vermin, so I am forwarding this letter to my entire
>address book in the hope you good people will forward it to as many people
>as possible, and that eventually through the miracle of the internet it
>somehow ends up in the hands of the intended recipients. Thank you all for
>your assistance.
>
>This is from my good friend and fellow 3/4 vet. It sums up my feelings as
>well.
>
>To the terrorists currently operating in Iraq,
>
>I see that you have captured a U. S. Marine, and that you plan to cut off
>his head if your demands are not met. Big mistake. Before you carry out your
>threat I suggest you read up on Marine Corps history. The Japanese tried the
>same thing on Makin Island and in a few other places during World War Two,
>and came to regret it. Go ahead and read about what then happened to the
>mighty Imperial Army on Tarawa, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. They paid full price
>for what they did, and you will too.
>
>You look at America and you see a soft target, and to a large extent you are
>right. Our country is filled with a lot of spoiled people who drive BMWs,
>sip decaf lattes and watch ridiculous reality TV shows. They are for the
>most part decent, hard working citizens, but they are soft. When you cut off
>Nick Berg's head those people gasped, and you got the media coverage you
>sought, and then those people went back to their lives. This time it is
>different. We also have a warrior culture in this country, and they are
>called Marines. It is a brotherhood forged in the fire of many wars, and the
>bond between us is stronger than blood. While it is true that this country
>has produced nitwits like Michael Moore, Howard Dean and Jane Fonda who can
>be easily manipulated by your gruesome tactics, we have also produced men
>like Jason Dunham, Brian Chontosh and Joseph Perez. If you don't recognize
>those names you should. They are all Marines who distinguished themselves
>fighting to liberate Iraq, and there will be many more just like them coming
>for you.
>
>Before the current politically correct climate enveloped our culture one of
>the recruiting slogans of our band of brothers was "The Marine Corps Builds
>Men." You will soon find out just how true that is. You, on the other hand,
>are nothing but a bunch of women. If you were men you would show your faces,
>and take us on in a fair fight. Instead, you are cowards who hide behind
>masks and decapitate helpless victims. If you truly represented the interest
>of the Iraqi people you would not be ambushing those who come to your
>country to repair your power plants, or sabotage the oil pipelines which
>fuel the Iraqi economy. Your agenda is hate, plain and simple.
>
>When you raise that sword over your head I want you to remember one thing.
>Corporal Wassef Ali Hassoun is not alone as he kneels before you. Every
>Marine who has ever worn the uniform is there with him, and when you strike
>him you are striking all of us. If you think the Marines were tough on you
>when they were cleaning out Fallujah a few weeks ago you haven't seen
>anything yet. If you want to know what it feels like to have the Wrath of
>God called down upon you then go ahead and do it. We are not Turkish truck
>drivers, or Pakistani laborers, or independent contractors hoping to find
>work in your country. We are the United States Marines, and we will be
>coming for you.
>
USA #1