 |
| ||
|
||||||||
|
« What WaPo Forgot to mention in Obama 'Faith' article |
Blog Home Page
| Politically correct sex on the beach »
July 08, 2008 Italy Frees Achille Lauro TerroristRemember the name "Leon Klinghoffer?" He was a wheelchair bound American Jew on a cruise ship called the Achille Lauro when it was hijacked by Palestinian terrorists back in 1985. Klinghoffer never made it home. He was tossed over the side after being shot in the head. The terrorists eventually negotiated an escape to Egypt via Greece after terrorizing passengers and robbing them of their jewelry and other valuables. After they believed themselves safely away, the 4 hijackers celebrated aboard the plane, laughing no doubt at the world's paralysis in the face of their murderous deed. But that celebration was short lived. A youngish Marine Colonel attached to the National Security Council named Oliver North figured out how the United States might turn the tables on the terrorists and capture them. F-15's were scrambled after President Reagan gave the go ahead and they forced the plane down at a NATO base in Sicily where Special Forces were waiting to take them into custody. Unfortunately, at that point, the Italian government entered the picture. They hustled the terrorists off at gunpoint, keeping our boys at bay. And to top it off, they allowed the plane along with the rest of the passengers to continue its journey to Egypt - including the probable mastermind. And then put the terrorists on trial. Now the Italians have shown just how seriously they take the War on Terror by releasing another one of Klinghoffer's murderers.
Of the other hijackers, one died after being placed on parole. One disappeared after being paroled. Both served all of 6 years for their crimes Another tried to escape following a 12 day "furlough" but was later recaptured and is still in prison. And the mastermind? Abu Abbas was one of the most notorious of PLO terrorists during the 1980's but once he found refuge in Saddam's Iraq - you know, that place that had no ties to terrorism? - he changed his tune and called for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Captured by Americans in 2003, he died in custody in 2004. This was not an ordinary murder where the perp gets to walk after serving a few years. Hijacking was supposed to be one of those crimes where the criminal is suppose to serve their entire sentence. The Italians however, don't see it that way and have let loose upon the world another potential headache. Until we learn that these brutes should be kept locked up for the rest of their lives, we are going to make little progress in the War against terrorism. |
Recent Articles
Blog Posts
|
|
