Re: Rescue, ransom, escape or death are the only four outcomes for hostages, Dec. 6

Rescue, ransom, escape or death are the only four outcomes for hostages, Dec. 6

It is beyond my ability to imagine the pain and sorrow suffered by the families of their loved ones who are abducted abroad and beheaded. On the other hand, I am fully able to see that our federal government must revise and improve the way it handles these cases.

Shame on Ottawa for not coming to the timely rescue of these victims and for not doing what some other governments do in secret — pay the abductors behind closed doors. Surely, the abductors would prefer a modest ransom to no ransom at all. And, as a Canadian citizen, I would rather know that some of my tax money went to preventing the death of a fellow citizen than to buying a new jet plane.

Knowing that these unfortunate victims are killed while our government fails to stop their murders makes me feel ashamed about being a citizen of this country. If we can spend money on new fighter jets (reportedly unneeded), and on foreign aid and refugees, surely we can afford to save the lives of our own citizens who — apparently through no fault of their own — are abducted, tortured and killed.

I weep for our stupidity as much as for our murdered citizens and their families.

Frann Harris, Toronto

There a great many Canadians who cannot afford a vacation of any kind. Canadians who can afford to travel should be held totally responsible for the consequences of their travel. For example when travelling to the U.S. and abroad most purchase supplemental health insurance to cover any costs above and beyond what Canadian health insurance will reimburse.

The same should be true for hostage situations. These travelers should purchase hostage and ransom insurance. The Canadian government has enough on it’s plate without having to rescue Canadians who can afford to travel to far off and dangerous places.

Michael Yaffe, Toronto