Written by: Beck

The sudden rash of kidnappings in Iraq makes one wonder why the Iraqi insurgents took so long to think up the idea. Regardless, they've used the recent unrest for cover and shelter and abducted (and in some cases released) a whole slew of people. This article has some updates.

Of note, the three Japanese who were to be burned alive should the Japanese SDF troops not be pulled out were set free (and the Japanese troops did NOT pull out, more power to them). Further, French journalist Alexandre Jordanov managed to secure his own freedom by convincing his captors he was from one of the countries not participating in the occupation. "He proved he was French by drawing a map of France." Most significantly, and also most disheartening, four Italians have been taken captive, and one of them has already been executed. I think pretty much everyone else in the blogosphere has already quoted this one, but it bears repeating again.

"This boy, as the assassins were pointing the gun at him, tried to take off his hood and shouted: 'Now I'll show you how an Italian dies,'" Frattini said. "He died as a hero."

It is reassuring to see how Italy has responded to this. They are outraged, and they are united. Their behavior should serve as a lesson not only to Spaniards, but to all of us. The Italian left, which greatly opposed Italian participation in the occupation, now stands behind their troops.

The national trauma has at least temporarily unified Italy, which has been bitterly divided by his support for the war. "We must not recall our troops because a band of assassins have demanded it," Francesco Rutelli, leader of a center-left opposition party, said.

"The vile blackmail by a band of criminal kidnappers must not be given the dignity of a political response. Italy is and must remain unified and together."