Not paying ransom is bad policy

RE: Harper was complicit in Khadr’s torture (July 27)

Carl Fiamelli says that “Stephen Harper is indirectly complicit in the use of torture” of child soldier/terrorist Omar Khadr. This statement is just another example of how Liberals blame everyone else for the creation of their own problems.

And since Fiamelli brought up the issue of complicity, what about the “death warrant” signed by Justin Trudeau when he refused to pay the ransom for two Canadians, Robert Hall and John Ridsdel, who were kidnapped in the Philippines last year? Trudeau could have and should have paid the ransom, particularly since the original amount was lowered from $28 to $8 million. And Khadr gets $10.5 million! Two innocent Canadians who were beheaded get zero dollars as Trudeau ignored their families’ begging and pleadings. They weren’t even allowed to raise the money themselves.

You can still watch the beheading on the internet, Fiamelli. See the consequences of Trudeau’s policy. Suppose it was your family or Trudeau’s that was kidnapped? Would he find a way through back channels to pay off the terrorists? You bet he would.

Trudeau, and Stephen Harper before him, were wrong about this. And Trudeau tried unsuccessfully to convince the G7 and the G20 leaders recently to adopt the same policy.

Other countries and businesses pay ransom so why not Canada? This hasn’t resulted in more kidnappings from these countries.

The lesson is this — don’t get kidnapped while the Liberals are in power — it will cost you your life! Phil Romaker, Hamilton