Jackson asked to help free US captive

[JoFerret]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040417/ap_on_re_us/kidnapped_hamill&e=3&ncid=718

JACKSON, Miss. - The Rev. Jesse Jackson (news - web sites) will contact religious leaders in Iraq (news - web sites) to seek the release of Thomas Hamill, the American civilian truck driver abducted in Iraq, Hamill's wife said Saturday.

Kellie Hamill, who has been pleading in the media for her husband's release, said Jackson made the offer last week and she asked him to intervene.

"We talked with him several days ago," she said in a telephone interview from the couple's home in Macon.

U.S. Sen. Trent Lott said Friday at a news conference in Tupelo he had talked with Jackson and helped the longtime civil rights advocate contact the Hamill family.

Lott said one step Jackson wanted to take was to write a letter to Al-Jazeera, the Arabic language television network, and encourage Hamill's release.
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[MSgt213]

1. Well if anyone can get him out quickly Jesse can it's going to take more

then luck or stupid ass statements by government officials to get this one done.

[goclark]

2. When the going gets tough get Jesse

So many people forget that Jesse Jackson has done so much to help this country.They laugh at him and discount him. Now no other than Trent Lott needs him. The irony is too much.

I remember the first time that I attended a Jesse Jacson rally! Oh was it terrific.. he would chant " I am somebody, I may be poor,but I AM somebody!"

I pray that this works because he is a drum major for justice and he is one of the heroes of the Civil Rights movement.

Go Jesse!

:yourock:

[KissMyAsscroft]

3. How the hell does he manage to get hostages?

What skill does he posess? Why do they give hostages to him? Does he pay them off?

Can someone explain why they call Jesse Jackson to secure the release of hostages? I'm totally baffled.

[salin]

5. Because he is successful at it?

Didn't Poppy have to do the same during the first Gulf War?

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

6. That, and he concedes that the American position is not always

right, playing into their (the hostage-takers that is) Anti-American propaganda. This makes them happy.
Happy people who have any kind of sanity and kindness will let a hostage go for what they perceive as a win in the PR war.
and Mr. Jackson is VERY persuasive.

[KissMyAsscroft]

11. WHat does he do that someone else couldn't?

What actual SKILL does he posses that another would not?

It has to be tied to who he is somehow?

I mean, why not send a professional hostage negotiator?

[salin]

16. again - because he has been successful at it

when republicans turn to Jackson - who they despise - says that he is pretty damn good at it, and yes, that his skill at it must be something unique to him or they would most certainly turn to someone else.

[murielm99]

8. Because the respect him?

Because they know he is loyal opposition, not someone who spouts the current party line of the power establishment.

And, in case you haven't noticed, Jesse has quite a way with words. He knows exactly how to appeal to common interests between two parties who are negotiating.

Jesse does wonderful things. He has worked with former Enron employees who have lost their jobs and pensions. He has liaised with the AFL-CIO, and tried to get some reforms enacted so that no one would ever again be in the same position as those who worked for Enron.

I went to three or four meetings in Chicago when Jackson still did Operation Breadbasket for SCLC. Later, it became Operation Push. He started the Black Business men's Expo, and worked with African-American entrepreneurs. He ran political education classes for people in the inner city.

He was the first person I ever heard speak about corporate welfare. He may have invented the term. And this was in 1968!

There are few people I respect more than Reverend Jackson.

[Mattforclark]

12. Hey, it works

I see no reason to complain. Jesse Jackson - hostage freer - is a highly succesfull enterprise. I'm all for it.

[AngryAmish]

4. Call Russ Ewing!

[Piperay]

7. Go Jesse Go...

if anyone can get him released Jesse is the one who can do it.:thumbsup: Obviously Hamill's wife has more faith in Jackson than she does in the chimp's regime, she is pretty smart alright.

[Desperadoe]

9. Jesse and Trent?????

Now let me get this straight. Trent Lott called up Jesse and asked him to write a letter to Al-Jazeera.

Ya know, you just can't make this shit up.

[twilight]

10. GO JESSE!!

Keep Hope Alive!!!

If there is one man out there that can free Hamill, it is JJ!!!

GO JESSE GO!!!!

:loveya:

:dem: :kick:

[mmm]

13. Right On! Jesse cares, and you can sense that.

I love him.

[kskiska]

14. Oh, boy, wait till O'Really gets on this one!

He's been on Jackson's case for years. What'll he say if Jackson gets this guy released?

[TexasMexican]

15. Good Luck

I seriously hope he doesnt get killed trying.