Captive American Warren Weinstein feels 'totally abandoned and forgotten'
By Ed Payne
Saying he feels "totally abandoned and forgotten," kidnapped U.S. government contractor Warren Weinstein called on President Barack Obama to negotiate for his freedom in a video released by al Qaeda on Christmas.
The 72-year-old Weinstein was abducted from his home in the Pakistani city of Lahore in August 2011.
In the 13-minute video provided to the Washington Post, Weinstein appeals to the President, Secretary of State John Kerry, the American media, the American public and finally his family.
"Nine years ago, I came to Pakistan to help my government and I did so at a time when most Americans would not come here," he said. "And now, when I need my government, it seems I have been totally abandoned and forgotten."
2012: Video released of American captive
This is the second video with him making a direct plea to the Obama administration. The first was released in May 2012.
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The huge salaries lure Westerners to go to Islamic countries where you have to live under constant armed guard for fear of Muslims wanted to kill you for their holy Islamic jihad. This dude let his guard down and now he's paying for it. Learn from this dude. Just say no to the huge sums of money offered.
Going to an Islamic country is not very bright to begin with. Sorry dude but you let your guard down and now you are paying for it. The big bucks certainly lured him, but was it worth it. Obviously not.
This video was produced by his captors. As such no stock should be taken in its content. That said, in general, my observations of the history of this sort of thing are that allowing kidnappers to prosper by their actions only begets more kidnappings. Killing or imprisoning them generally reduces future kidnappings. That said, in general if we can rescue the hostage that would be a good thing. I feel for his family and friends, but it should be obvious to all that allowing the kidnappers to benefit by their actions will result in the families and friends of many others having to go through similar torture.
Thank you, chicagorich. You must be awfully sick with that "affluenza" bug since it causes as just much ignorance as it does irresponsibility. It seems to be going around these days. If the British felt the same way about us some 200 years ago, we would have never achieved our independence!
He is not an American he was sent by Israel to spy
He chose to go to Pakistan to make money. He got kidnapped. Now he wants the govt to help him get released, but at what cost? Are you ready to release some terrorists wherever they are detained or imprisoned so that these same terrorists tomorrow are going to kill or maim innocent civilians to further their causes? Wont the ransom the government pays make more people vulnerable to even more kidnappings? This should be a lesson to all who wish to go to these dangerous countries that , CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES.
Well said, Iweba. After all, we must all remain politically "correct" on this as our politicians in Washington set a good example for all of us to follow. Never, never give an inch!!!!
Mr. Weinstein is simply experiencing what countless other patriots have ... their country's politicians don't
give two s hits because they have no idea what it means to actually put their behind on the line.
POW's never have a nice day. My father was a POW in North Vietnam for over 7 years. Even though he was held in solitary confinement for many years, he had friends who he could communicate with using tap code. I cannot imagine any man being left completely alone by his country like Warren Weinstein has and we should not forget him. We carry POW flags around and have patriotic meetings for this cause and that. What about Mr. Weinstein's freedom? John McCain, where are you when your country needs you? President Obama, where are you? You both enjoy the comforts of freedom with your families during these holidays? How about you both work in front of the camera and behind the scenes in 2014 so that we will not be asking about Warren Weinstein's freedom this time next year?
Unfortunately mm politics 2013, that will not happen. Both Pres. Obama and Sen. McCain want to remain politically "correct" and neither could care less about whatever happens to Warren Weinstein. That is the cold plain truth!!!
why blame good guys like Obama and Sen. McCain when Pakistani rogue state and its half terrorists army are holding him hostage in exchange of money and release of some high ranking terrorists?
well said George(s)!!!!
It's hilarious how all of these commenters have no idea about the abducted man's situation or what may lead to his release, so they use it as an opportunity to link the man's plight directly to the evil they presume to be in Obama's heart.
Ignorance is alive and well in America. We should all come together to press political representatives from both parties to act in public and private for Warren Weinstein's release to freedom so that he may spend the holidays in 2014 with his family.
Here is the problem with all of this commentary, usually the demands are for the return of Al Qaeda terrorists that are being held in Guantanamo Bay. These people are there for acts against the American people. Releasing this man would mean that these terrorists are also released to take further action on the American people. Would you take the chance of having one or more of these people hurting or killing a relative or yours just so we can have this man released? Its terrible, I know, but that is usually their demand, and nothing else will suffice.
Good luck. American's won't push their congressional representatives on behalf of themselves let alone
Mr. Weinstein. What we have a utter indifference.
Unless you're on food stamps, need an Obama phone or other welfare subsidies, you're of no use to Obama. He only wants to sustain future democratic voting with vote buying. Obama does not care about the plight of any white man.
That he doesn't barbara, that he doesn't. He just wants to remain politically "correct" so he can get more votes!
Yeah, huh! He needs more votes for the 2016 elections, right?
You are right on money George!! Obama does everything for "vote"
Racism is alive and well in America.
Is there anyone among you who thinks that Barack Obama gives two craps for this man or what happens to him? If there is, I have a bridge in Brooklin NY that I'd just love to sell him(or her)! Barack Obama only cares for himself and will only do what's "politically correct" in order to make himself look good and that excludes any negotiating with either Al Qaeda or the Taliban!
You think all the families who lost members in the attack on 9/11, should forget why these people are in Cuba. There is no good reason to set them free for a misguided business man, in the wrong place. I hope the job $$$$$ was worth it?
Dan, am I to take it that you approve of the torturing of political prisoners such as the ones being held at Gitmo? I sincerely hope not! As Abraham Lincoln once said; The job of the government is to do for the people what the people cannot do for themselves. We need to negotiate for the release of this man since he's a U.S. citizen. Let's just forget about being politically "correct" once and for all, I say!
Boy are you right. Keep in mind he is not only a big joke in America, but is the butt end of jokes world wide (pun intended).
Well, what exactly do they want for him? An apology, nope, money, not gonna happen, A truce, well lets talk, let him go and come join the diplomacy table.
Warren Weinstein has good reason to feel the way he does. The right-wing thugs in Washington care only about gaining power overseas and feathering their nests here at home, like Dick Cheney did with Halliburton, for example. They don't want to negotiate as long as they think they can win!
What has been won since 9/11? One dictator has been captured and then hung by people from his own country and one terrorist leader has been killed in his safe haven in Pakistan. More Americans have lost their lives in this effort, an untold number of people in Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan have died due to our military and para-military activities, not to mention the activities of the terrorists and extremists. Is it time to declare victory and bring our troops home or is the military industrial complex that Dwight Eisenhower spoke of and wrote about out of control? Has our country given up our freedom in the name of security? It would seem so.
Unfortunately mm politics 2013, that seems to be precisely taking place. As long as the right-wing politicians in Washington continue to scare the general public, this will only continue. By the way, did we really murder the true Ussama bin Laden on May 2, 2011 or was that an impostor of his? I guess that we'll never know for sure!
Well said George!!!!
He went there during the Bush adminstration, what was this gentlemen doing in Pakistan?
Must not have seen Clerks.
Gotta understand the "Death Star" 'understood' agreement.
Americans should not go into danger expecting help when things go wrong!
Why is it, that when Americans who travel to foreign countries for business expect me the average American to rescue them? You made a poor choice, maybe the company who sent him ought to take responsibility for their actions. I'm sorry you are caught in this nightmare, but maybe the job $$$$$ isn't worth the risk. Why has all common sense gone out the window. There is a U.S. State Dept travel website, tell your Employer to take this job and shove it!
Well said!!!
I wonder, does he still draw his salary while NOT WORKING!!
This is time to make a Tea Party joke out of this situation, Charlie. This man is suffering and has no idea whether or not he'll ever come home again!
well said George!!!