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Abe condemns 'unforgivable' IS execution of Jordanian pilot

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Unforgivable!? Understatement much. I mean, your spouse sleeps with your best friend--that might be unforgivable. Chopping people's heads off and burning them alive, was forgiveness ever in the cards. Those Nazis, had they only killed 5,5 million Jews, then we might have forgiven them.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

This reeks of subjectivity because Jordan and the pilot were linked to the campaign to free Goto.

-11 ( +6 / -17 )

We are dealing with a monster. No, I'm not talking about Abe. I'm talking about ISIS.

We need the greatest invasion ever prepared by mankind. Yes, I'm calling for another D-Day. No more cloak and dagger and HD cameras. ISIS needs to be completely surrounded and swept off this planet.

It is evil that we are after. This is dark. Too dark to sit and watch.

Japan must DECLARE war on this organization. It's time to deal with this blight.

Think about it. BURNED ALIVE.

16 ( +24 / -8 )

release of a would-be suicide bomber on death row, Sajida al-Rishawi

Jordanian Govt just executed her.

6 ( +12 / -6 )

Jordan should be quick to execute Rishawi. Don't be lenient this time!

4 ( +7 / -3 )

This reeks of subjectivity because Jordan and the pilot were linked to the campaign to free Goto.

? Condemning this act is a normal reaction. There is absolutely no need nor reason to attempt to read more into it.

ISIS are scum and deserved to be condemned in the strongest terms.

13 ( +17 / -4 )

Simply let it go and tell the people of Japan to not go to the Middle East.

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Unforgivable? Abe's little speech about humanitarian aid is what spiked the hostage crisis (who knows, it may have been intended that way) Abe gets to look like a strong, decisive leader, and the gullible public won't even utter a whisper of protest when he pushes through his constitutional amendment on Japan's military

Yeah. What was Abe thinking. ISIL was on the verge of letting go Yukawa and Goto for good behavior until Abe made that speech. (sarcasm)

-2 ( +9 / -11 )

Time for Jordan and Japan to join a coalition of the willing to wipe out these monsters.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

http://edition.cnn.com/2015/02/03/world/isis-captive/index.html

Jordan just executed two prisoners.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

@serrano. Oh please no. I understand everyone's feeling, just sitting back and ignore it will not help and Japan should also take action, but before all of this we (Japan) wasn't even on ISIS's radar. And now, front row seats. Thanks but let a REAL army like the US, UK, France take care of this.

-3 ( +4 / -7 )

Abe's little speech about humanitarian aid is what spiked the hostage crisis

Abe giving humanitarian aid!? How dare he! The horror of offering humanitarian aid . Well, I never!

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Abe's little speech about humanitarian aid is what spiked the hostage crisis

That's factually incorrect. Haruna Yukawa was kidnapped four to five months before Abe's speech.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

I'm tired of the west tip-toeing around the problem with small strikes here and there. LEVEL THE PLACE.

2 ( +8 / -6 )

This reeks of subjectivity because Jordan and the pilot were linked to the campaign to free Goto.

Would have been really hard to pull this one off. According to reports out of Jordan the pilot was executed on January 3rd, hence their inability to produce "proof of life" that the Jordanians requested.

IS screwed up BIG time, now they have a predominately Muslim country calling for revenge against them rather than calling for death to the US.

10 ( +12 / -2 )

? Condemning this act is a normal reaction. There is absolutely no need nor reason to attempt to read more into it.

That the pilot's fate was emotionally linked to Goto's is undeniable. Al Kassassbeh, Goto and Yukawa unfortunately represent only a tiny fraction of the slaughtered, who all deserve our sympathy.

ISIS are scum and deserved to be condemned in the strongest terms.

Totally, absolutely, tirelessly and without condition. There should be no hierarchy of victims.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

That's factually incorrect. Haruna Yukawa was kidnapped four to five months before Abe's speech.

It is factually correct, it did not become a crisis until after Abe opened up his trap. Prior to that they were "just" hostages and not on death watch.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

IS screwed up BIG time, now they have a predominately Muslim country calling for revenge against them rather than calling for death to the US.

Yes, I do agree on this point. Jordan is now most firmly against them. Abe on the other hand is secretly thanking his lucky stars for getting a boost to his nationalistic agenda

4 ( +6 / -3 )

@sighclops

Talk of 'levelling the place' is absurd. It's a bit like saying that because the Nazis occupied France in WW2 then we should have levelled France. Most of the victims of ISIS are muslim.

ISIS were never interested in the fate of the would-be suicide bomber. In fact, if she had been handed over to ISIS they probably would have killed her too, no doubt for some serious offence like not wearing her veil when being captured.

@yubaru

All the hostages are on death watch. There was never any chance of getting them back alive. ISIS are not rational people, so trying to 'negotiate' with them is a waste of time.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

@Christopher

I hope you're rights but the Guardian has an article on its front page today claiming that the whole incident could well undermine public support (which was never very enthusiastic) for Jordan's involvement.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

All the hostages are on death watch. There was never any chance of getting them back alive. ISIS are not rational people, so trying to 'negotiate' with them is a waste of time.

While I would like to agree, this is not totally accurate either as a few, if I recall correctly, have been returned unharmed.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

If there ever could be a traditional "good vs evil" conflict in today's world, this would be it. The world needs to step up

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Another day, another 'condemnation'. Not doing much to solve the issue, is it? I'm not talking about Abe specifically, as I understand that he's in a somewhat limited capacity. World leaders, religious leaders alike - enough with the 'condemnations' - how about some ACTION.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Totally, absolutely, tirelessly and without condition. There should be no hierarchy of victims.

I agree. Condemning this killing should also not be mistaken for some sort of hierarchy of victims, either.

However, I would question your perspective on what you think 'reeks' considering your contribution in a discussion about such actions in the past:

http://www.japantoday.com/category/world/view/up-to-100-afghans-killed-12-beheaded-in-taliban-offensive

SenseNotSoCommonSep. 26, 2014 - 11:57PM JST

Beheading? Passé.

See, I do not see the humor. Perhaps you have your own 'hierarchy of victims'?

-3 ( +1 / -4 )

Revenge is an insidious emotion common to all mankind. In ME cultures it is codified as "an eye for an eye" and is routinely applied in the West in the form of the death penalty, super-max prisons, torture and political contract killings. In the face of such a heinous deed as burning a human being alive it is natural to feel revulsion and take refuge in hypocrisy. History offers an abundance of examples of human cruelty. In WWII US bomber crews were subjected to beheadings and vivisection experiments by the Japanese who reasoned that indiscriminate bombing (today called collateral damage) of civilian populations was such a cowardly form of warefare that captured airmen deserved no less than death. IS probably reasoned likewise that a pilot is not a Sunday school teacher and he was put to death in a way commensurate with the purpose of his job to rain death and destruction from on high. Barbarous though IS be, there is method in their madness: their masterful use of social media exhibiting their viciousness will sow fear and dissent among Jordanian Arabs, even shake the Hashemite throne for King Abdullah does not lack enemies who dream of a Pan-Arab state. The Japanese government should stay away from this snake-pit and not give cause for further acts of revenge against the peace-loving people of Japan.

-1 ( +2 / -4 )

A very shocking and indeed depressing turn of events. This young pilot was apparently executed last month. However, ISIS continued to negotiate for his "release". So these are the type of people we are dealing with? ISIS reminds me of nothing in not the Waffen SS and other Nazi Party organs for their brutality and total disregard of human life. Indeed, if ISIS are the Nazis, then are the current crop of world leaders descendents of Chamberlain, prancing around on the international stage declaring "peace in our time" while not being willing to confront the threat that is radical Islam head-on. Perhaps it is time to stop the "jaw jaw" and start the "war war" (the totally mutilate a Churchillian quote).

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Yubaru: "t is factually correct, it did not become a crisis until after Abe opened up his trap."

Exactly! And yet Abe is saying he 'is responsible for the safety of Japanese'... but only if it furthers his agenda and not actually when it comes to safety instead of putting them at risk. And you have to love the logic of 'defending Japanese' by sending them into warzones!

hatsoff: "Haruna Yukawa was kidnapped four to five months before Abe's speech." Which would make Abe provoking them 100% FACTUALLY correct, given that they weren't killed until JUST after he made it, and the ransom demanded EXACTLY what he offered to pay to those "fighting ISIS". Your comment states you admit it was his words that provoked them to murder the two when he did. Thanks for confirming it.

slumdog: "However, I would question your perspective..." And I question yours, given that you yourself admit you don't word things well and have insisted others misunderstand you (something Aso is big on!):

"I will try to choose better words next time."

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Exactly!

Exactly incorrect. The moment Yukawa was captured (you remember when you said he deserves what he gets?) and the moment Goto was captured, the crisis began.

but only if it furthers his agenda and not actually when it comes to safety instead of putting them at risk.

Altering Japanese foreign policy at the back and call of ISIS is what would have put countless Japanese at risk. It would have set an extremely dangerous precedent that ISIS can tell other countries how to run their affairs and what their relations should be like with other countries. Japan and Abe declined to bow to ISIS' will.

smith, you seem to believe countries should follow the demands of ISIS. I disagree. Japan disagrees.

Following the demands of ISIS or letting ISIS dictate Japanese foreign policy would have only put a target on every Japanese person that could be used any time ISIS wanted Japan to do something.

Lastly smith, I made my feeling clear in the end. So, did you when you said that Yukawa deserves what he gets.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

Abe didn't kill these people. Criminal psychopaths did. Enough said.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

slumdog: "smith, you seem to believe countries should follow the demands of ISIS. I disagree. Japan disagrees.

Wow, so not only putting words into others' mouths, but telling them what they think and believe, too? So much for credibility! Where have I ever said or indicated that, ever?

-4 ( +4 / -8 )

Where have I ever said or indicated that, ever?

When you suggest Japanese foreign policy should be decided by what ISIS will not find provoking rather than what the government of Japan wants to do.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

slumdog and smithinjapan, please stop bickering. Focus your comments on the story and not at each other.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

This was not an execution. Nor were any of the beheadings. They are brutal murders by a death cult for whom the term human being must be removed. It's time for the world to carry out some pest control and exterminate IS.

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Thunderbird2,

It's time for the world to carry out some pest control and exterminate IS.

Absolutely. The Japanese people can be proud that Japan has offered to support those countries that have been battling this disease. It is amazing that anyone could be against support for fighting against these terrorist scum.

3 ( +8 / -5 )

Is it not possible to block any video that is posted onto the internet with these horific sceans? is it not possible to vet what filth is posted onto the internet from a certain area? lets face it ISIS want that exposure, so lets take that exposure away, they want to be noticed, dont give it to them are we not falling into there trap? the parents of this pilot must be distrought with greif, not only do they know that there son is dead, but what makes it worse is by posting these horrific sceans on the internet,

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Thunderbird2: "It's time for the world to carry out some pest control and exterminate IS."

Methinks if it were that simple it would be done. Likewise if they could do the same to what they call 'pests' none of us would be here. Sadly, they also cannot be removed, literally, from being called human beings, nor do can they be defined correctly as being a cult, much as both should be possible. They are the darkest part of humanity, and fortunately we can see that for what it is. And governments who try to change the rules to attack at any cost need to be careful they are not falling in the same trap.

1 ( +4 / -3 )

Smith, the only way to defeat IS is through a massive onslaught from the ground and the air. Pin point strikes are like ant bites on an elephant... they might be annoying but they won't cause much harm. No you need to attack with overwhelming power. This isn't like Iraq or Afghanistan... there are no grey areas. IS hearts are as black as their flag... they deserve no mercy, no quarter.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Yubaru,

now they have a predominately Muslim country calling for revenge against them rather than calling for death to the US

When's the last time Jordan called for death to the US?

3 ( +6 / -3 )

No more proof needed for tribal leaders who have questioned not getting involved. Absolute terror will rain down on ISIS as how much more brutal can a life be taken? UNREAL! Am I in a bad dream?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Thunderbird2:

" the only way to defeat IS is through a massive onslaught from the ground and the air. Pin point strikes are like ant bites on an elephant... they might be annoying but they won't cause much harm. No you need to attack with overwhelming power. This isn't like Iraq or Afghanistan... there are no grey areas. "

To the contrary, this is EXACTLY like Iraq and Afghanistan. And note to Obama: The same as Libya and Tunesia, too. You remove an authoritarian, but modern government in a Sunni dominated area, and look what happens: The Wahabi radicals take over, and apply Shariah.

All of you guys who dream of some Western military marching in and somehow "remove" ISIS are completely in dreamland. You miss the fact that ISIS are essentially a Sunni liberation movement. ISIS is here to stay, until our politicians accept reality... which is not something I am holding my breath for.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Once again we have every calling to war, beating the war drums, talking about how we need to kill, to destroy, to exterminate, to terminate.

War begets war.

ISIS needs to be eliminated, but if the west is the one who does it, it only plays into their hands. The more the west fights ISIS, the more they (and others after they are gone) can claim that the west is anti-Islam. And then someone else just needs to start the new ISIS, and we are back to the start. War begets war, it's the never ending game. The reactions to the executions is exactly what ISIS wants from the West, and everyone who has that emotional reaction is playing into their game. ISIS wins.

ISIS needs to be eliminated by Muslim countries in the middle east. They need to take care of their own. The anger expressed by Jordan over the killing of their pilot is a good thing. It means they are ready to do what needs to be done. A few more countries coming to that feeling in the Middle East will lead to the eradication of ISIS the way it needs to be done.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

It means they are ready to do what needs to be done.

It certainly does mean the Jordanian government is ready. I wonder about the average Jordanian citizen. If they are not on board, or the other average middle eastern citizen for that matter, it is basically the same as 'the West doing it' as far as the man on the street is concerned.

It would be great if the average world citizen felt that ISIS needed to be eliminated. Let's hope that is or soon will be the case.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Smith, the only way to defeat IS is through a massive onslaught from the ground and the air.

People are wary about this course of action after the US led 2003 Iraq war. Of course if the US hadn't started that war, IS wouldn't exist, and Goto, Yukawa, and Maaz al-Kassasbeh would likely still be alive. Maaz al-Kassasbeh suffered the most horrific of deaths. Japan mustn't make the mistake of doing what Abe wants - ie removing article 9, however

1 ( +4 / -3 )

WilliB,

And note to Obama: The same as Libya and Tunesia, too. You remove an authoritarian, but modern government in a Sunni dominated area, and look what happens: The Wahabi radicals take over, and apply Shariah.

Would that be the same Tunisia where, the secularist party is in power, and more than 20% of seats in both chambers are held by women?

Don't let the truth cloud your judgement, though.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Syria should be locked for a century

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

ISIS needs to be eliminated by Muslim countries in the middle east. They need to take care of their own. The anger expressed by Jordan over the killing of their pilot is a good thing. It means they are ready to do what needs to be done. A few more countries coming to that feeling in the Middle East will lead to the eradication of ISIS the way it needs to be done.

ME countries (other than Saudi) have neither the firepower or weight of numbers that the West has.

As for...

All of you guys who dream of some Western military marching in and somehow "remove" ISIS are completely in dreamland. You miss the fact that ISIS are essentially a Sunni liberation movement. ISIS is here to stay, until our politicians accept reality... which is not something I am holding my breath for.

IS are not a liberation movement. They kill Sunnis as well as anyone else unlucky enough to fall into their clutches. Who are they liberating? No-one. Even completely innocent bystanders are brutally murdered by these scum, such as aid workers trying to help people survive in a war zone.

IS are not like a despot ruler along the lines of Saddam or Gadaffi. They are terrorists and must be destroyed. There is no other way. You can't accept and deal with them. Their whole ideology is anathema to the modern world and they should have no place in it.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Isis has been created by the west. The west has no intentions to stop them now as they are very usefull when the time will come to justify a big invasion will be there. That way the invaders will take the oil and dissect Syria so that a gigantic gas pipeline from Qatar will go all the way to Europe cancelling the dependency on Russia gas and bringing down the only leverage Putin got. it is called geopolitics It is a race for natural ressources...

2 ( +4 / -2 )

a horrendous death, and by being able to date the death prior to any "offer" to release for a prisoner exchange it shows that the exchange would not have occurred.

they thought they could get their fighter out, and they would have still killed Goto.

Isis is a bit larger than the UK now, troops move in to swell ISis ranks through Turkey on a regular basis. money is being pumped into the cause somewhere- because you do not get money to run a country and a war from nowhere.

they have police, they are printing propaganda, they are delivering film, video and web based propaganda - all of this takes money. not something you just pick up off the street

the current air campaign is not working, you need to understand the logistical side- starve that and then send air and ground troops at the same time.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

ME countries (other than Saudi) have neither the firepower or weight of numbers that the West has.

But they have more than ISIS has, and that's what matters.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

This is an honest question. Do you agree that killing the Jordanian pilot is unforgivable? If so, is it any less unforgivable than any ordinary citizen killed in war? From the enemy's point of view, the pilot was flying and attempting to kill them. From an enemy and from a war point of view, it is natural that he is killed. How is it "unforgivable?" I would think the killing of innocent journalists and citizens who were not waging war and posed no threat to the enemy is unforgivable.

That being said, Japan often points to China saying Japan has already apologized but China does not forgive. Japan also has apologized to Korea but apparently Japan has not been forgiven either or its apology not accepted. What does this mean?

This means no matter how much you apologize, the victim, like Abe, feels it is an "unforgivable" act. It means being unable to forgive. So next time someone wonders why China or Korea does not forgive Japan, one should ask Abe, because he says some acts are unforgivable. He understands China and Korea's feelings. Some acts are unforgivable.

Do you think the killing of Goto and Yukawa are unforgivable? How about the Jordanian pilot?

I

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Fire up the B-52s and remodel the topography. These jihadists are the very embodiment of "pure evil" to everyone on earth including muslims. Those who criticize Abe in the face of what ISIL is doing are clowns.

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

For once, a proper use of "unforgiveable".

0 ( +1 / -1 )

While I would like to agree, this is not totally accurate either as a few, if I recall correctly, have been returned unharmed.

I would hardly describe them as unharmed, given their descriptions of torture. But in any case, I am thinking you are referring to the 4 french journalists. Does anyone know WHY those 4 were released, and yet the others were killed? From memory I have a funny feeling the French paid a ransom, but correct me if I'm wrong.

In any case the events of the last 24 hours with this poor pilot prove there is no negotiating with these people. They were demanding a prisoner exchange having already brutally murdered their captive in the worst possible way.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

"Japan must DECLARE war on this organization." (by JWithersFEB. 04, 2015 - 12:44PM JST) JWithers' conclusion is so shallow. This kind of statement makes me worry about the future of Japan. If so simple, the U.S. have done so long ago. Remember, comparing with the U.S. , Japan has no military force, no English skills, no computer skills, and no international, political comprehensive understanding. It is better to declare that Japan will stand as "neutral position" from now on, and stay away from the religious conflict. Japan has no Jews, no Christian, and no Muslim as its main ethnic group. If the Japanese government did not provide the money to the western nations, two Japanese journalists would be still here. Also remember that the money was the money of the Japanese tax-payers.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

Who claimed that comment (in September!) on the ubiquity of atrocity was humourous?

You did. It was an obviously failed attempted at ironic humour. It seems the victims did not rank very high in your victim hierarchy.

Perhaps you should not throw stones from your own glass house.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Talk is cheap but then Abe can't do much.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Ultimately air strikes won't be nearly enough, and possibly might even make things worse with IS. Even a massive ground campaign would only result in a decade-long insurgency costing many lives and a load of money. Neighbouring Arab nations have to step up and take some responsibility for their region rather than continually relying on the US.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

slumdog,

I'll mock the Taliban and other warmongers as I see fit.

My references to Iraqbodycount.org make my position on hierarchy of victimhood quite explicit.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

sensenosocommon,

I see nothing to mock about 12 people gettting their heads chopped off. I see nothing to joke about.

On the other hand, expressing outrage or condemnation for such acts makes much more sense if you care about victims.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

slumdog,

How in hell can someone interpret mocking the Taliban as mocking their victims?

Moral inadequates deserve our mockery. Other inadequates, it appears, aspire to it.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

How in hell can someone interpret mocking the Taliban as mocking their victims?

You were mocking the beheadings. It was insensitive. You mentioned nothing about the Taliban. You made ONE comment in that discussion and that was to joke about beheading being 'passe'. I think the victims deserved more respect than that.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

slumdog and SenseNotSoCommon, no more bickering please. Focus your comments on the story and not at each other.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You mentioned nothing about the Taliban

It seems some get lost without trite prose. What was the thread about?

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

WilliB and Strangerland make a lot of sense. Military action today will only give tomorrow's terrorist group a longer list of grievances for recruiting.

But even without the West, there will always be conflict in the ME. It's what happens when there are many tribes and different languages, limited resources, and different interpretations of a monotheistic religion that demands adherence to a system of laws and no separation between church and state.

Better to follow that guy's advice from The Princess Diaries and "never start a land war in Asia" Once you're in there's no out! Not for hundreds of years!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

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