CBS News journalist Richard Butler doesn't know who kidnapped him (for some two months), but he thinks it was some Iraqi policemen who are sympathetic to, of all folks, Hezbollah:
Butler, a British journalist kidnapped with his interpreter on Feb. 10, was rescued by Iraqi troops on April 14 when he was found with a sack over his head in a house in Basra.
He was taken from a hotel room in Basra, where he was on a trip to meet the chief of staff for anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr.
Men wearing police fatigue uniforms and armed with AK-47's hustled him out of the room and into a car. He was first taken to a police station in Basra and then was held in different places — including three nights where he was sealed into a small room between two walls, he said.
While he was held, he heard a lot of Hezbollah propaganda video and Hezbollah ringtones on mobile phones, but he can't be sure his captors were affiliated with the organization.
As time went on, his captors treated him better, but he was still held with a sack over his head and arm restraints. He eventually got the sense that his captors didn't intend to kill him, and had backed themselves into a corner.
There were points that he thought he was going to die, the first when he was taken from the police station, Butler said.
"I was aware that we were driving out into a quieter area," he said. "I couldn't tell exactly where we were going, but I was aware that there were no more streetlights, for instance, and there were no more dogs barking. You didn't hear any cars. So I thought we were being taken out into the desert and, you know, we were just being shot in the desert."
So, Butler constantly had a sack over his head, had on arm restraints, and thought he was going to die on several occasions. Given that he believed his captors were related to Hezbollah, this would be a most logical fear. But, according to Butler, it could have been worse:
Butler said he felt it was better to be kidnapped in Iraq then [sic] taken into custody by Americans in Afghanistan.
"I was pleased I wasn't being mortarboarded in Guantanamo or being held for six and a half years like an Al-Jazeera cameraman, for instance," he said.
And there you have it. The oft-repeated canard about "mortarboarding" (isn't it "waterboarding?") even though only the most wanted and deadliest terror suspects have been subjected to it, and even then less times than the number of fingers on one's hand.
I wonder how many journalists would prefer the situation Butler literally endured (he lost 42 pounds and only ate four hard boiled eggs and a tangerine during one two-week span of his captivity) to that of Gitmo detainees who "endure" religiously appropriate three squares a day, ample exercise, and air conditioned quarters
Only those with an ideological axe to grind, I'd wager.
(h/t to NB reader mitchflorida.)
—D. S. Hube is an educator and a member of the National Association of Scholars. He blogs regularly at The Colossus of Rhodey.
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I think Butler should be given back to the Hezbooger supporters.
April 28, 2008 - 20:54 ET by R D HelmOf course, given where his home country of GB is currently headed, he just may meet up with them again someday, though I doubt that get-together will be quite as amicable as the one he just experienced, as his captors will most likely not be in an accommodating mood.
What an idiot.
Theme for Election '08: Who cares?
What a Turd
April 28, 2008 - 20:55 ET by dwillmoreIsn't he just the most special person in the world. Let him go back to his friends, the little pisser.
Richard Butler could advance the state of medicine
April 28, 2008 - 21:06 ET by needleCBS News journalist Richard Butler could advance the state of medicine, if only he would submit himself to intensive psychiatric examination. It would appear from his mental state that Bush Derangement Syndrome is, or at least can result from, an extreme case of Stockholm Syndrome.
Impunitas semper ad deteriora invitat.
Who knew graduation was a form of torture?
April 28, 2008 - 21:08 ET by Cortillaen"I was pleased I wasn't being mortarboarded in Guantanamo" Surprise, surprise, another ignorant journalist decrying the US. I'm sick of idiots who've decided that Guantanamo Bay is some sort of concentration camp where we torture unlawfully detained prisoners all day. Have there been some incidents of people put through harsh conditions or held longer than needed? Yes, but these are called "incidents" for the very reason that they are not the norm. Most of the people being detained are unlawful combatants, meaning they do not have any claim to Geneva Convention rights, yet they still receive treatment far superior to what our soldiers and civilians have to look forward to if captured by the enemy. How many detainees at Guantanamo have lost 40+ pounds due to lack of food? How many of them have simply been shot out of convenience? How many of them have had their heads chopped off and held as trophies on video? This idiot thinks that he was treated better than the US would have treated him? Lest he forget, we aren't the ones dragging reporters out of their hotel rooms.
www.rhjunior.com Great comics with a hefty dose of Christian and anti-nutjob goodness.
"With your mind as high as Mt. Fuji you can see all things clearly. And you can see all the forces that shape events; not just the things near to you." -Miyamoto Musashi
Ohhhhh Noooooo!
April 28, 2008 - 21:22 ET by JWFThere goes another secret interrogation method leaked out to the public!
Mortarboarding is when we strap a hippie to a board and then set him out about 300 yards away. Then we get the newbies to attenuate the range meter on the mortars. "Ok, 45 yards to the left." "nope, too much, 30 yards to the right" "still overshooting, 55 yards closer"
We quit this method about 2 1/2 years ago. Yes, it was very effective getting hippies to talk (and cry at the same time) but there was a disturbing tendency of having the hippies BLOW UP!
It was still fun though. Man, happy days. Right General Kristol?
Afraid of mortarboarding
April 28, 2008 - 21:27 ET by Mica the MagnificentForced to wear that graduation cap at Guantanamo can be humiliating.
- - - -Shivers - --
I hear ya, man.
"Mortarboarding"- A
April 29, 2008 - 01:21 ET by stratman"Mortarboarding"
- A ritual performed during the initiation ceremony of Freemasons, symbolizing the ancient art of bricklaying.
- An mobile weapons platform of YUPies, Young Urban Palestinians, consisting of a mortar and a skateboard. Flame paint job and spinner wheels optional. Toetag and operator bodybag advised.
Unbelievable - If they thougt Bulter was hiding information
April 28, 2008 - 21:39 ET by Dee Bunkhe'd be begging to be water boarded instead of what they would do to him. The only reason he wasn't tortured is because he was kidnapped as a bargaining chip. They didn't think he had information that could help them.
These liberals have the such nonsensical logic that it's amazing they are even able to function in the world.
What an Idiot
April 28, 2008 - 22:05 ET by Emma GrumpTo poor Richard, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it must be an armadillo.
of course hezbolla wants to kidnap journalists
April 28, 2008 - 21:39 ET by lunaticcringeradiothey know that way they will get a better interview with a submissive self depricating alledged reporter who doesn't have the integrity to do anything but lick their boots and roll over on his back to show his weak belly to them to get the scoop.
i question the validity of this "kidnapping". sound more like a vacation/business meeting between the two.
lunaticcringeradio
Now this must be what seperates
April 28, 2008 - 22:18 ET by JPR1the wannabes from the "real" journalists.
Anybody here have the ability to recognize a "Hezbollah ringtone"?
Talk about hip!
Gotta be a 5 level course at CSJ; lightweights need not apply.
Puzzling as to why Butler
April 28, 2008 - 22:50 ET by BlazerPuzzling as to why Butler wasn't fed better and lost so much weight when he was thier guest. I would think that the Hezzbolls would treat thier colleugeus and in the media better than that.
Maybe they didn't have enough food to give him due to global warming, the rice and corn shortage, or the second mortgage they had to take out on thier hideout due to the failing economy.
I would say this is a classic case of Stockholm syndrome, but then again I'm sure he was an ultra-liberal, agenda driven journalist before he was captured. Somehow to me, this guy makes malignant and journalist, seem like ying and yang.
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Blaze,
April 28, 2008 - 22:58 ET by BlondeI am totally confused.
Are you referring to the poor, indigent 400 lb. slob who was invited into the criminal justice system?
You know, the one who is suing because he's not being fed enough....poor little (LOL) slob has lost a hundred and ten pounds since being incarcerated?
Or, are you referring to some other a$$hole?
Just wondering.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
I was referring to the
April 28, 2008 - 23:28 ET by BlazerI was referring to the dhimmi journalist Blonde, but yea, I did see what you mentioned up on Drudge. That lazy blimp could get plenty more to eat in there if he wanted to work for it, but he may not like himself in the morning. But then again if he doesn't have any money to get food from the comissary, I guess he'd be s.o.l on the Preparation H and mouthwash he'd need too. : )
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Blaze,
April 28, 2008 - 23:35 ET by BlondeIf you would be so kind...I need a better quote from Obi Wan for tomorrow's wars....
Today's news has totally blown my mind. A humongous blimp suing the state for shaping him up....hmmm.
Whatever....let's all have GOOD government. LOL.
OK. Never mind.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
You got that right Blonde
April 28, 2008 - 23:50 ET by BlazerYou got that right Blonde today has been a helluva day concerning new's, and just when you thought it hit the zenith, now I'm sure the world can hardly wait for the Jimi Hendrix sex tape to be released. -sarc
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Okay, Obi Wan
April 28, 2008 - 23:57 ET by BlondeI need some serial words from the master.
Yoda.....where are you, Yoda?
Now, if Barak got caught up in a Brit type thingy...well then....
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
→ Use the force
April 29, 2008 - 00:01 ET by Cool ArrowI'm still holding out hope Larry Sinclair was blowing more than smoke.
♣ a seal
Well then dear, maybe
April 29, 2008 - 00:24 ET by BlazerWell then dear, maybe this is the one yer' lookin' for, it's the best I can do this late.
"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid."
- Han Solo
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
Sorry, Blaze,
April 29, 2008 - 00:29 ET by BlondeThe best comment I've read on this board, all year...about Harrison Ford getting "deforested" of all of his chest hair.....most certainly is:
"Keep it up, fuzzball!"
LOL.
David Gregory, do you know which damn network you lie for? ~ Uncle Jimbo, @Blackfive
ROFL ! "You will never
April 29, 2008 - 00:32 ET by BlazerROFL !
"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "
- Ben Kenobi on Liberals, and the MSM.
" The Cake is a lie."
SEE-B.S...
April 29, 2008 - 01:11 ET by danybhoyIf anybody wants to know why CBS has been in 3rd place in the network news race forever, it's crap like this. Richard Butler can do what he did here only because idiots like Walter "let's lose every war" Kronkite, Dan "I make it up as I go along, & I'm still not wrong" Rather, & Katie "I have no idea what I'm doing" Couric paved the way. I would be an idiot to leave Harry Smith off of this list, 1 of the dimmer bulbs in the MSM, & that says something.
Butler is only following the lead of those who are/have been the faces of CBS news, he does'nt know that what he reporting is wrong because he does'nt know any better.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin
I wonder how many
April 29, 2008 - 00:33 ET by bigtimerI wonder how many journalists would prefer the situation Butler literally endured (he lost 42 pounds and only ate four hard boiled eggs and a tangerine during one two-week span of his captivity) to that of Gitmo detainees who "endure" religiously appropriate three squares a day, ample exercise, and air conditioned quarters
Says it all right here, now doesn't it?
"Never murder your opponent when he is committing suicide." ~ W. Churchill
PoS Award....
April 29, 2008 - 08:41 ET by Sua Sponte 75Glad we put lives on the line to locate and retrieve this PoS....Definitely gets my Asshat of the Year nomination...
"You're either part of the solution or part of the problem"
I have to ask
April 29, 2008 - 11:18 ET by SpikerAny ideas on what the Hezbollah ringtone sounds like?
BLOWN UP...
April 29, 2008 - 11:34 ET by danybhoyRingtones? I'm guessing it would have someone yelling Allah Akbar, Death to Israel, Death to America, & then an explosion.
"Some of us are wise, some of us are otherwise" Mark Levin