This trend toward kidnappings of civilians in Iraq has sent a clear signal to every law maker in the world. If you’re tough on terrorism, you will face the consequences. Most members of Congress are only there for a term or two, after which time they are fair game.
Their families, friends, businesses, and virtually every aspect of their lives can be wrecked by one clever terrorist. It’s quite a powerful incentive to toe the party line, and to exactly as their party line dictates ~ that’s the only way they can claim to be unaccountable for the actions on terrorists. So, these terrorists have shifted power from a few thousand influential patriots in Washington to a two dozen policy makers at party headquarters – one dozen at each party. The curious part is that the terrorists seem quite insincere in their kidnappings, releasing their victims too quickly and going into negotiations too readily. It’s clear they have not done the kidnappings for ideological reasons, but are just acting on orders.