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28674: Corbett: One the rash of kinappings in Haiti
From Bob Corbett
Folks, I read of these kidnappings with great dismay, and I am one whom
they really frighten and it makes me most hesitant to go to Haiti.
It also raises a terrible difficulty to my mind. What is one to do?
I note that quite a few folks have paid the ransom of late and are
released without harm. But this presents a hard problem for me, one for
which I have no solution, but I would like to hear thoughts about it from
others.
The dilemma:
-- if one pays the ransom it seems one is most likely to be let free
without harm. But, that seems to reward the kidnappers and to encourage
others to immitate them and leads to a spiralling problem.
-- if one were to NOT pay, then, of course, one risks one's loved ones or
associates, a terrifying thing to do.
I must admit, were one of my own loved ones kidnapped my tendency would be
to try to raise the ransom and free them, despite knowing I would likely
be contributing to the likelihood of even more kidnappings. I don't LIKE
that solution, but when one's loved ones are at risk -- well, sometimes
the "best in the long run" argument is much less persuasive than the "save
my loved ones" argument.
What are others of you thinking about this and what solutions would any
propose? To what extent are the police officials themselves involved in
these kidnappings or in lax law enforecement concerning them?
I'd very much like to hear more about it this "institution" in Haitian
society.
Bob Corbett