former hostage says war with iran = 'a sonufabitch goddamn mess'

[fizzgig]

i had the pleasure tonight of spending a few minutes speaking with tom sutherland. mr. sutherland (for those not familiar) is a former colorado state university faculty member who took a job at the american university of beirut in 1983. in 1985, he was taken hostage by members of the islamic jihad and held for nearly 6-1/2 years. as a native of fort collins, i remember offering up my childish prayers and the jubilation that greeted his release almost 16 years ago (i am only 26).

he is regarded here (and elsewhere) as an expert on middle east relations, a topic i've been able to discuss with him in the past. he is a kind man with a warm smile and an engaging laugh. this is a man who will get a call back when he writes a letter to the white house.

i saw him tonight and asked him what he thought about the drums beating regarding iran.

he said the government regards those who don't speak english as stupid (he then added that * can't speak english :rofl:)

'iraq is a goddamn mess,' he told me. 'iran will be a sonufabitch goddamn mess.'

he is a voice of reason in my purple (though still very red in many areas) state. his voice is louder than mine but i fear (and know intuitively) it will be ignored by this administration.

i feel lucky to have had the opportunity to speak with him, but the conversation left me with an overwhelming sense of sadness.

[Danger Mouse]

1. hope for dennis, then, to throw a monkey wrench in the machinery...

awful hard for bush to start a war if he's being impeached, wouldn't you say?
:hug:

[fizzgig]

2. i don't think that would stop him

but we can only hope

[soothsayer]

3. Heard a rumor that * is threatening to attack Iran the instant impeachment

starts, so they can't do it. On the other hand, I heard that that's why Pelosi pushed that Turkey Committed Armenian Genocide thing, to anger Turkey so we cannot use their air bases to attack Iran. Bad news is that now that makes nukes more likely.

[laylah]

4. Don't know if you are still

up and around. I envy you your time with Mr. Sutherland. He IS a jewel, isn't he. I remember we cheered at the tv when they showed his homecoming parade going around the Oval on campus. What a remarkable man.

Sounds like you had a nice evening. Can't wait to hear all about it.

:loveya: my girl