Who are these guys? Based on media reports and their group's website they appear to be a faith-based anti-war Org whose mission is to stand with 'the Iraqi people' to oppose the US occupation and our related torture.
If that's true, it's hard to believe any right-minded insurgent, Saddamist or rejectionist would waste time capturing people seemingly on their own side, unless it was a mistake. They claimed the men were spies. If so, my hat's off to the CIA and MI6 for the cover story, and to the insurgent group for figuring it out.
In light of all the above it seems possible this might be a stunt. Why? For one, check out the CPT petition for their release, which includes some interesting statements:
They are people who have dedicated their lives to fighting against war and have clearly and publicly opposed the invasion and occupation of Iraq. They are people of faith, but they are not missionaries. They have deep respect for the Islamic faith and for the right of Iraqis to self-determination.
They oppose the "invasion and occupation" of Iraq, yet have respect for the right of Iraqis to "self-determination". Do they realize the irony in that?
This is also rather curious:
C.P.T. first came to Iraq in October 2002 to oppose the US invasion, and it has remained in the country throughout the occupation in solidarity with the Iraqi people. The group has been invaluable in alerting the world to many of the horrors facing Iraqis detained in US-run prisons and detention centers. C.P.T. was among the first to document the torture occurring at the Abu Ghraib prison, long before the story broke in the mainstream press. Its members have spent countless hours interviewing Iraqis about abuse and torture suffered at the hands of US forces and have disseminated this information internationally.
I've nothing against watchdogs, but it's too bad Saddam didn't extend them an invitation to report on his abuses years back, which often culminated in mass graves. Remember, the reason the group can operate there now and broadcast to the world is because Saddam was removed by force. Yet the group says they support Iraqi self-determination, which was impossible under Saddam. Illogical, captain.
Reading the list of signatories to the petition, we find the following luminaries:
Cindy Sheehan
Noam Chomsky
Cindy and Craig Corrie
Medea Benjamin
Make your own conclusions. If harm comes to these men, and I hope and pray it doesn't, I'll be eating these words. So perhaps the best outcome at this point would be a stunt, since they'd emerge with their heads intact. And don't get me wrong, I understand the premise and motivation behind their work, which is rooted in pacifism. It reminds me of the stand the Quakers took during the Revolutionary War, when they refused to fight for freedom. However, sometimes a fight is the only way to uproot evil or oppression and bring longer term peace and prosperity.
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