Let's speculate here a bit

Xprobe SG

You saw the South Korean hostage plea on TV, what do you think if it is a Singaporean, assuming we have troops there?

BaByBoY SG

all our troop will be sent home..
ah bo the ppl will complain again...

windjammer SG

think we oredi hv hv troops there ... Laughing

Xprobe SG

what about the bigger picture of supporting US efforts in combating terrorism?

ditzy SG

I say pull out all the troops, let them be. We leave them alone, they leave us alone. Its that simple.

Xprobe SG

That simple? We sure will expect some pressure from Uncle Sam.

gaoyue SG

we wun pull out one, nor will we send additonal troops there. we have non-combat ppl there, at the most i think..

Xprobe SG

But what do you speculate our government will do?

ditzy SG

Uncle Sam is crap always talking about the Geneva Convention and look at that fiasco. Pui! Mad

BaByBoY SG

u tink if we nv pull back the son`s parents won KPKB mehz???
every parents will wan their son to be safe...
esp for singaporeans..
if nv pull back sure got internal conflicts one..

ditzy SG

You noticed the first two who lost their heads are non-combatants too? You notice the current guy about to lose his head is a non-combatant too?

ChrisYX SG

It's never as simple as that.

Sure we all want to leave in peace, but there are people who doesn't want that. They believe their version of world order is the only true order, and are willing to spill blood (read: other people's blood) for their cause.

Let them win today and you can expect them to come for more tomorrow. How much can we afford to give in to them before enough is enough? Until our country is theirs? A line has to be drawn somewhere and it must be firm and decisive.

I don't have the solution for such a situation, but I know that to give in to them, even once, is to boost their ego and confidence in threatening us again.

Xprobe SG

Just wondering how it will play out with us. BTW, Sporean so kiasu, I bet one would not go anywhere without arm escorts in that. forsaken land. So low chance of ganna kidnap.

BaByBoY SG

SG famous for Kiasu
and Kiasee...
u don know mehz??

ChrisYX SG

not kiasu... more like kiasee... Mr. Green

Xprobe SG

Do you feel the same way if that hostage is a friend of yours. Like old army buddy or beer kaki?

BaByBoY SG

agrees..
wat if tt guy there is ur SON??
u wan the army to stay there??

Xprobe SG

So, the question is: Are we patriotic or “aware” enuff to accept sacrifice for the bigger picture?

ChrisYX SG

I admit, that's when it gets emotional and personal.

But for the leader who has to take care of the larger picture, getting emotional and making rash decisions is a big no-no. He has to make the decision that has the best interest for our nation, which may involve endangering the hostage.

I know it sounds cruel, and I'm not particularly fond of this idea myself Sad , but this is the real world. As a leader, one must take care of the greater cause.

ChrisYX SG

That's a good point. But it will never be proven until such a crisis hit us.