Pay no ransom

If it is true that the United States paid a $1.7 billion ransom in exchange for the return of the hostages, it is against all declarations and principles that the U.S. does not pay for the return of kidnapped U.S. citizens.

It’s especially troubling since almost at the same time the hostages were released, three or four American private contractors were kidnapped in Bagdad by a group controlled by Iran.

In recent history Iran is responsible for more deaths to American soldiers than any other country, plus the insulting treatment of our ten sailors who mistakenly entered their waters. We need to realize that no deal or agreement with Iran is worth the paper it is written on. Anyone who chooses to go to places like Iran should know they do so at their own risk and not expect to be bailed out by using taxpayer money as ransoms.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 8:59 PM with the headline "Pay no ransom."