Ex Iraqi hostage hires bounty hunters... - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Mephisto2 · 06-26-2005, 05:41 AM

Quote:

Wood's fellow hostage hires bounty hunters
June 26, 2005 - 7:18PM

A hostage held alongside Australian Douglas Wood in Iraq has hired bounty hunters to track down his former captors, promising to eliminate them one by one.

Swede Ulf Hjertstrom, who was held for several weeks with Mr Wood in Baghdad, was released by his kidnappers on May 30.

Mr Hjertstrom has since claimed he shared information with US and Iraqi troops about Mr Wood which led to the release of the 63-year-old Australian engineers two weeks ago, after 47 days in captivity.

Now, he wants to find those responsible.

"I have now put some people to work to find these bastards," he told the Ten Network today.

"I invested about $50,000 so far and we will get them one by one."

REF: http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/woo...724523143.html

This story caught me by surprise.

What do you think of hiring bounty hunters to "find" your ex-captors and, presumably, deal with them?

I'll be honest and say that part of me thinks that this is understandable, but another believes such an action is both illegal and rash in the estreme.

Mr Mephisto

Dragonlich · 06-26-2005, 06:19 AM

I can totally understand it. To hell with legal crap; these bastards deserve to be dealt with.

OTOH, I very much doubt that the bounty hunters will succeed. I think this money is wasted.

...but actually, this got me thinking. What if the US and/or Iraqi forces in Iraq put a price on the head of insurgents and terrorists. For every living or dead insurgent (*proven* to be an insurgent, mind you!), you get an X amount of money. Given the current unemployment, the massive amount of weapons around, I'd say the insurgents would pretty much be screwed. As would the rule of law, of course, but that's beside the point.

Mephisto2 · 06-26-2005, 06:23 AM

Yeah well, this wouldn't work. How would you "prove" someone was an insurgent? And, just out of curiousity, why would being an insurgent be classed as a crime worthy of your murder? Surely you mean terrorist?

Personally, I don't equate the hostage takers with insurgents per se. As far as I interpret it, most of them are common criminals or simple fanatics, as opposed to legitimate insurgents. Whilst you may not like the latter, at least you can understand their motivation.

With regards to the money being wasted, one assumes there are "bonuses" to prove a certain hostage-taker was "dealt with" (for want of a better term).

Mr Mephisto

Dragonlich · 06-26-2005, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Mephisto

Yeah well, this wouldn't work. How would you "prove" someone was an insurgent? And, just out of curiousity, why would being an insurgent be classed as a crime worthy of your murder? Surely you mean terrorist?

Er, actually, these insurgents are fighting the legitimate government of Iraq. That is treason, which may mean a death sentence.

But I was just joking. I realize that the consequences would be pretty much disastrous... End of the rule of law, anarchy in the streets, mob rule, lynchings, etc. not good.

filtherton · 06-26-2005, 09:47 AM

Someone should hire some bounty hunters to find obl. I mean, if that's all it takes.

MSD · 06-26-2005, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filtherton

Someone should hire some bounty hunters to find obl. I mean, if that's all it takes.

Private corporations who were affected by the 9/11 attacks have a bounty on his head. Last time it hit the mainstream news (late 2001/early 2002,) there were about 30 people who confirmed that they were looking for him, and with good reason. The total bounty offered by these corporations is rumored (by sources close to the ones looking for Osama) to be close to US$1B.

filtherton · 06-26-2005, 06:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSelfDestruct

Private corporations who were affected by the 9/11 attacks have a bounty on his head. Last time it hit the mainstream news (late 2001/early 2002,) there were about 30 people who confirmed that they were looking for him, and with good reason. The total bounty offered by these corporations is rumored (by sources close to the ones looking for Osama) to be close to US$1B.

They should hire Duane "Dog" Chapman. According to his "cool flash intro" he is the greatest bounty hunter of all time.

http://www.dogthebountyhunter.com/intro.php

Dragonlich · 06-27-2005, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrSelfDestruct

Private corporations who were affected by the 9/11 attacks have a bounty on his head. Last time it hit the mainstream news (late 2001/early 2002,) there were about 30 people who confirmed that they were looking for him, and with good reason. The total bounty offered by these corporations is rumored (by sources close to the ones looking for Osama) to be close to US$1B.

They should let the rest of the world know that. I bet there's thousands of people who would risk everything for that amount of money.

What about spreading the word in Afghanistan and Pakistan...

Marvelous Marv · 06-27-2005, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filtherton

Someone should hire some bounty hunters to find obl. I mean, if that's all it takes.

It worked on Saddam.

However, OBL is willing to live in a cave, so he's taking longer.

filtherton · 06-27-2005, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvelous Marv

It worked on Saddam.

However, OBL is willing to live in a cave, so he's taking longer.

Dog would've found him already.

06-26-2005, 06:19 AM	#2 (permalink)
Dragonlich 42, baby! Location: The Netherlands	I can totally understand it. To hell with legal crap; these bastards deserve to be dealt with. OTOH, I very much doubt that the bounty hunters will succeed. I think this money is wasted. ...but actually, this got me thinking. What if the US and/or Iraqi forces in Iraq put a price on the head of insurgents and terrorists. For every living or dead insurgent (proven to be an insurgent, mind you!), you get an X amount of money. Given the current unemployment, the massive amount of weapons around, I'd say the insurgents would pretty much be screwed. As would the rule of law, of course, but that's beside the point.

06-26-2005, 06:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
Mephisto2 Junkie	Yeah well, this wouldn't work. How would you "prove" someone was an insurgent? And, just out of curiousity, why would being an insurgent be classed as a crime worthy of your murder? Surely you mean terrorist? Personally, I don't equate the hostage takers with insurgents per se. As far as I interpret it, most of them are common criminals or simple fanatics, as opposed to legitimate insurgents. Whilst you may not like the latter, at least you can understand their motivation. With regards to the money being wasted, one assumes there are "bonuses" to prove a certain hostage-taker was "dealt with" (for want of a better term). Mr Mephisto

06-26-2005, 09:47 AM	#5 (permalink)
filtherton Junkie Location: In the land of ice and snow.	Someone should hire some bounty hunters to find obl. I mean, if that's all it takes.