Oh, The Irony

U.S.-led Coalition forces rescued peace-activist hostages in Iraq today. As you know, one of their colleagues, Tom Fox, was recently found dead, murdered by their captors.

So in their statement today, Christian Peacemaker Teams, says:

Harmeet, Jim and Norman and Tom were in Iraq to learn of the struggles facing the people in that country. They went, motivated by a passion for justice and peace to live out a nonviolent alternative in a nation wracked by armed conflict. They knew that their only protection was in the power of the love of God and of their Iraqi and international co-workers. We believe that the illegal occupation of Iraq by Multinational Forces is the root cause of the insecurity which led to this kidnapping and so much pain and suffering in Iraq. The occupation must end.

Wow, not even a thank you. But now, read this in the context of the above:

All three men -- members of the aid group Christian Peacemaker Teams -- were well and safe inside the British Embassy compound in Baghdad's high-security Green Zone, an embassy official said.

"It's great to be free," Kember said in a statement released by the embassy. "I'm looking forward to getting back to the UK."

You know, Mr. Kember, it is great to be free, isn't it? Tell that to your Iraqi captors...and the Iraqi population you want condemned to tyranny.