https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 24 Apr 2026 11:00:34 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-us-change-policy-pay-ransoms#post-1832408 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 12:17:37 +0000 Lindsay05 1832408@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@ILoveLettie: That's interesting about the Europeans paying ransom and no increase in killings. My opinion is that I don't think there is any negotiating with terrorists. That is why they are terrorists. I feel like as long as there is money out there, some group will make a statement, unfortunately. Not sure what the answer is. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-us-change-policy-pay-ransoms#post-1832405 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 12:11:42 +0000 ILoveLettie 1832405@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was talking to my husband and I was really divided on this. A lot of European countries pay the ransoms already and one person I heard on the news said that doesn't make the kidnappings, etc. increase, but I can't see why I wouldn't since if it worked, they probably would continue to do it. However, on the other hand, these people from Europe haven't been killed since they've paid the ransom. Is it possible to even teach terrorists that you're not willing to work with them, and get them to stop killing people? Or will they continue to capture people, ransoms or not, and kill them if we don't give the ransoms? It's a hard one for me--and makes me glad I'm not a government official who has to deal with that. I feel so bad for this man's family though. :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-us-change-policy-pay-ransoms#post-1832361 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 11:22:57 +0000 Mrs. High Heels 1832361@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No. I know if it was someone close to me who got captured, I'd want the government to do whatever they could to bring him home... but if we start paying ransom for one, it'll just give them more incentive to continue to capture, torture, and use American lives for more ransom. It's such a hard situation. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-us-change-policy-pay-ransoms#post-1832338 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 10:53:04 +0000 youboots 1832338@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@thereeldeal such a good point. 100 million pays for a lot of future kidnappings/ransoms/killings. Looks like they have their business plan all figured out :( </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-us-change-policy-pay-ransoms#post-1832304 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 10:16:28 +0000 Orchid 1832304@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hmmm .... so hard to be decided on this one since a paid ransom may result in a saved life! If I was kidnapped, I'd certainly be praying that someone would pay the ransom. I totally understand that long-term consequences might not be good. I guess I'm on the fence. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-us-change-policy-pay-ransoms#post-1832246 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 09:12:08 +0000 TheReelDeal 1832246@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Paying ransoms is essential to how this terrorist organization gets it's money. While I totally understand the want of families for this to happen, if someone I loved was taken I'd move mountains and pay whatever sum, but it wouldn't stop the violence and more innocent people would get killed. It's a no win situation from my point of view. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-us-change-policy-pay-ransoms#post-1832229 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 08:39:16 +0000 Mrs. Twine 1832229@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No: I stated in the other thread that I feel paying ransoms is just asking for trouble. It's a power dynamic that only works if both sides play. If you don't play, the incentive to initiate that particular dynamic greatly diminishes (i.e. I can ask for a ransom, but why do that when I won't get it). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-us-change-policy-pay-ransoms#post-1832227 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 08:36:01 +0000 Adira 1832227@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: I agree, I don't think we should change our policy on paying ransoms. It will just happen more often if we do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-us-change-policy-pay-ransoms#post-1832219 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 08:29:47 +0000 Lindsay05 1832219@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Dandelion: I agree. If you do it once, there would be terrorist groups from all over doing it as well. Seems to me the best option is to stay away from those areas but I guess those groups could literally be everywhere and anywhere. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-us-change-policy-pay-ransoms#post-1832201 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 07:56:07 +0000 Dandelion 1832201@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I don't think so. It would encourage more kidnapping and ultimatums. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/should-us-change-policy-pay-ransoms#post-1832156 Sat, 23 Aug 2014 05:10:16 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 1832156@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p><a href="http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/22/world/meast/isis-james-foley/index.html?c=homepage-t&#038;page=1" rel="nofollow">http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/22/world/meast/isis-james-foley/index.html?c=homepage-t&#038;page=1</a></p> <p>By now we have all seen or at least heard about the tragic death of journalist Jim Foley by ISIS. The link details an interview with his brother gave stating there is an inconsistent policy among European countries and the US when it comes to paying ransoms. </p> <p>The US does negotiate with terrrorists including engage prisoner exchanges, but does not pay ransoms. Here's a link on that:</p> <p><a href="http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_world_/2014/08/21/isis_demanded_ransom_for_james_foley_why_was_the_u_s_willing_to_make_a_deal.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_world_/2014/08/21/isis_demanded_ransom_for_james_foley_why_was_the_u_s_willing_to_make_a_deal.html</a></p> <p>Should the US government pay ransoms? </p> <p>Big business take out kidnap insurance on executives working in South America. Should media outlets insure their journalists against kidnapping? </p>