A Stand-Up Guy
Powerline
Douglas Wood, who was freed by Iraqi and American soldiers after being held as a hostage by Iraqi terrorists for nearly seven weeks, has apologized to President Bush and Prime Minister John Howard for his coerced plea that coalition troops be withdrawn from Iraq:
"Frankly, I'd like to apologize to both President Bush and Prime Minister [John] Howard for the things I said under duress," said Mr. Wood, with his American wife, Yvonne Given, and his brothers, Vernon and Malcolm, and their wives by his side.
"I actually believe that I am proof positive that the current policy of training the Iraqi army ... works because it was Iraqis that got me out," he said.
Howard said that no apology was necessary, a sentiment that President Bush would undoubtedly echo. It reminds me, though, of how many times the news media have breathlessly repeated such calls for withdrawal by terrified hostages. As though they meant something. |
