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America’s Forgotten Hostages

Three U.S. citizens have been held by Colombian rebels for five years. What is Washington doing about it?

 
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  • Posted By: BHern65 @ 04/19/2008 5:35:13 PM

    Comment: Sorry about so many posts, it kept telling me to try again.

  • Posted By: BHern65 @ 04/19/2008 5:33:54 PM

    Comment: I grew up with Keith in PSN. Once they moved away we lost touch, but I always thought about the Stansell family. Keith and I always had fun we were both the wild ones of our families. When he gets home I hope that our families can get in touch with each other and this time stay in touch. I have spoken to every one I see about them being held hostage and I am still shocked at how few people know about it. His dad was a principal with Dade County puplic schools so I emailed all of the employees to join in the letter campaign plus I asked my friends to include them in their prayers. I know how strong Keith was a a child and I am sure that he is still a strong person. I am more worried about his children. My heart goes out to them. I have a son around the same age as his son, and he needs his dad in his life right now NOT in 30 years. His daughter also needs her dad at home. Kids he will be home, safe, you will have your dad once again! Every one that reads this needs to write to every news organization they know of and request that they stop using the term 3 American Hostages, say their names! Print their pictures!! Keep them in the press. The press should print an article and have at least a 30 second spot on the news very day until they come home. If you put a name and a face to a victim then it becomes more personal. Its time to put more pressure on the government, US and the Colombian. We all have to stick together and keep spreading the news. In my prayers,BJ

    • Posted By: onepoker @ 07/03/2008 4:19:32 PM

      Comment: Hey it looks like your prayers were answered I suspect the publicity helped bring this situation to a close. We may never know the full truth of what was or wasn't being done but Its a good thing keith had friends like you to keep the interest alive.

  • Posted By: BHern65 @ 04/19/2008 5:33:22 PM

    Comment: I grew up with Keith in PSN. Once they moved away we lost touch, but I always thought about the Stansell family. Keith and I always had fun we were both the wild ones of our families. When he gets home I hope that our families can get in touch with each other and this time stay in touch. I have spoken to every one I see about them being held hostage and I am still shocked at how few people know about it. His dad was a principal with Dade County puplic schools so I emailed all of the employees to join in the letter campaign plus I asked my friends to include them in their prayers. I know how strong Keith was a a child and I am sure that he is still a strong person. I am more worried about his children. My heart goes out to them. I have a son around the same age as his son, and he needs his dad in his life right now NOT in 30 years. His daughter also needs her dad at home. Kids he will be home, safe, you will have your dad once again! Every one that reads this needs to write to every news organization they know of and request that they stop using the term 3 American Hostages, say their names! Print their pictures!! Keep them in the press. The press should print an article and have at least a 30 second spot on the news very day until they come home. If you put a name and a face to a victim then it becomes more personal. Its time to put more pressure on the government, US and the Colombian. We all have to stick together and keep spreading the news. In my prayers,BJ

  • Posted By: BHern65 @ 04/19/2008 5:33:09 PM

    Comment: I grew up with Keith in PSN. Once they moved away we lost touch, but I always thought about the Stansell family. Keith and I always had fun we were both the wild ones of our families. When he gets home I hope that our families can get in touch with each other and this time stay in touch. I have spoken to every one I see about them being held hostage and I am still shocked at how few people know about it. His dad was a principal with Dade County puplic schools so I emailed all of the employees to join in the letter campaign plus I asked my friends to include them in their prayers. I know how strong Keith was a a child and I am sure that he is still a strong person. I am more worried about his children. My heart goes out to them. I have a son around the same age as his son, and he needs his dad in his life right now NOT in 30 years. His daughter also needs her dad at home. Kids he will be home, safe, you will have your dad once again! Every one that reads this needs to write to every news organization they know of and request that they stop using the term 3 American Hostages, say their names! Print their pictures!! Keep them in the press. The press should print an article and have at least a 30 second spot on the news very day until they come home. If you put a name and a face to a victim then it becomes more personal. Its time to put more pressure on the government, US and the Colombian. We all have to stick together and keep spreading the news. In my prayers,BJ

  • Posted By: BHern65 @ 04/19/2008 5:32:20 PM

    Comment: I grew up with Keith in PSN. Once they moved away we lost touch, but I always thought about the Stansell family. Keith and I always had fun we were both the wild ones of our families. When he gets home I hope that our families can get in touch with each other and this time stay in touch. I have spoken to every one I see about them being held hostage and I am still shocked at how few people know about it. His dad was a principal with Dade County puplic schools so I emailed all of the employees to join in the letter campaign plus I asked my friends to include them in their prayers. I know how strong Keith was a a child and I am sure that he is still a strong person. I am more worried about his children. My heart goes out to them. I have a son around the same age as his son, and he needs his dad in his life right now NOT in 30 years. His daughter also needs her dad at home. Kids he will be home, safe, you will have your dad once again! Every one that reads this needs to write to every news organization they know of and request that they stop using the term 3 American Hostages, say their names! Print their pictures!! Keep them in the press. The press should print an article and have at least a 30 second spot on the news very day until they come home. If you put a name and a face to a victim then it becomes more personal. Its time to put more pressure on the government, US and the Colombian. We all have to stick together and keep spreading the news.

  • Posted By: BHern65 @ 04/19/2008 5:32:08 PM

    Comment: I grew up with Keith in PSN. Once they moved away we lost touch, but I always thought about the Stansell family. Keith and I always had fun we were both the wild ones of our families. When he gets home I hope that our families can get in touch with each other and this time stay in touch. I have spoken to every one I see about them being held hostage and I am still shocked at how few people know about it. His dad was a principal with Dade County puplic schools so I emailed all of the employees to join in the letter campaign plus I asked my friends to include them in their prayers. I know how strong Keith was a a child and I am sure that he is still a strong person. I am more worried about his children. My heart goes out to them. I have a son around the same age as his son, and he needs his dad in his life right now NOT in 30 years. His daughter also needs her dad at home. Kids he will be home, safe, you will have your dad once again! Every one that reads this needs to write to every news organization they know of and request that they stop using the term 3 American Hostages, say their names! Print their pictures!! Keep them in the press. The press should print an article and have at least a 30 second spot on the news very day until they come home. If you put a name and a face to a victim then it becomes more personal. Its time to put more pressure on the government, US and the Colombian. We all have to stick together and keep spreading the news.

  • Posted By: BHern65 @ 04/19/2008 5:32:01 PM

    Comment: I grew up with Keith in PSN. Once they moved away we lost touch, but I always thought about the Stansell family. Keith and I always had fun we were both the wild ones of our families. When he gets home I hope that our families can get in touch with each other and this time stay in touch. I have spoken to every one I see about them being held hostage and I am still shocked at how few people know about it. His dad was a principal with Dade County puplic schools so I emailed all of the employees to join in the letter campaign plus I asked my friends to include them in their prayers. I know how strong Keith was a a child and I am sure that he is still a strong person. I am more worried about his children. My heart goes out to them. I have a son around the same age as his son, and he needs his dad in his life right now NOT in 30 years. His daughter also needs her dad at home. Kids he will be home, safe, you will have your dad once again! Every one that reads this needs to write to every news organization they know of and request that they stop using the term 3 American Hostages, say their names! Print their pictures!! Keep them in the press. The press should print an article and have at least a 30 second spot on the news very day until they come home. If you put a name and a face to a victim then it becomes more personal. Its time to put more pressure on the government, US and the Colombian. We all have to stick together and keep spreading the news.

  • Posted By: BHern65 @ 04/19/2008 5:31:39 PM

    Comment: I grew up with Keith in PSN. Once they moved away we lost touch, but I always thought about the Stansell family. Keith and I always had fun we were both the wild ones of our families. When he gets home I hope that our families can get in touch with each other and this time stay in touch. I have spoken to every one I see about them being held hostage and I am still shocked at how few people know about it. His dad was a principal with Dade County puplic schools so I emailed all of the employees to join in the letter campaign plus I asked my friends to include them in their prayers. I know how strong Keith was a a child and I am sure that he is still a strong person. I am more worried about his children. My heart goes out to them. I have a son around the same age as his son, and he needs his dad in his life right now NOT in 30 years. His daughter also needs her dad at home. Kids he will be home, safe, you will have your dad once again! Every one that reads this needs to write to every news organization they know of and request that they stop using the term 3 American Hostages, say their names! Print their pictures!! Keep them in the press. The press should print an article and have at least a 30 second spot on the news very day until they come home. If you put a name and a face to a victim then it becomes more personal. Its time to put more pressure on the government, US and the Colombian. We all have to stick together and keep spreading the news.

  • Posted By: BHern65 @ 04/19/2008 5:31:31 PM

    Comment: I grew up with Keith in PSN. Once they moved away we lost touch, but I always thought about the Stansell family. Keith and I always had fun we were both the wild ones of our families. When he gets home I hope that our families can get in touch with each other and this time stay in touch. I have spoken to every one I see about them being held hostage and I am still shocked at how few people know about it. His dad was a principal with Dade County puplic schools so I emailed all of the employees to join in the letter campaign plus I asked my friends to include them in their prayers. I know how strong Keith was a a child and I am sure that he is still a strong person. I am more worried about his children. My heart goes out to them. I have a son around the same age as his son, and he needs his dad in his life right now NOT in 30 years. His daughter also needs her dad at home. Kids he will be home, safe, you will have your dad once again! Every one that reads this needs to write to every news organization they know of and request that they stop using the term 3 American Hostages, say their names! Print their pictures!! Keep them in the press. The press should print an article and have at least a 30 second spot on the news very day until they come home. If you put a name and a face to a victim then it becomes more personal. Its time to put more pressure on the government, US and the Colombian. We all have to stick together and keep spreading the news.

  • Posted By: BHern65 @ 04/19/2008 5:30:58 PM

    Comment: I grew up with Keith in PSN. Once they moved away we lost touch, but I always thought about the Stansell family. Keith and I always had fun we were both the wild ones of our families. When he gets home I hope that our families can get in touch with each other and this time stay in touch. I have spoken to every one I see about them being held hostage and I am still shocked at how few people know about it. His dad was a principal with Dade County puplic schools so I emailed all of the employees to join in the letter campaign plus I asked my friends to include them in their prayers. I know how strong Keith was a a child and I am sure that he is still a strong person. I am more worried about his children. My heart goes out to them. I have a son around the same age as his son, and he needs his dad in his life right now NOT in 30 years. His daughter also needs her dad at home. Kids he will be home, safe, you will have your dad once again! Every one that reads this needs to write to every news organization they know of and request that they stop using the term 3 American Hostages, say their names! Print their pictures!! Keep them in the press. The press should print an article and have at least a 30 second spot on the news very day until they come home. If you put a name and a face to a victim then it becomes more personal. Its time to put more pressure on the government, US and the Colombian. We all have to stick together and keep spreading the news.

  • Posted By: goodhandsman @ 04/19/2008 12:08:11 PM

    Comment: I love Keith like a brother i never had.Our picture on last outing on my desk,pow flag flying in my yard on golf course for all to see.I have prayed for him and family every day since capture please pray with me and dont let this get shoved to the backburner.david vaughn

  • Posted By: n.stansell @ 04/06/2008 10:48:17 AM

    Comment: Please just say a prayer that these men/women can come home alive and safe to all of us that have read this story. If this was your son/daughter or brother/sister or your dad/mom ect..., HOW WOULD YOU FEEL? I wish more people understood how it feels... I hope to see Keith again someday soon so much has happened since he has been gone.

  • Posted By: natinat @ 04/04/2008 3:36:47 PM

    Comment: And by the way observer101, insulting those who are outraged by the fact that the American government is doing nothing to help their own citizens does not help anyone either. No one is whining that the US is too strict on human rights, what we are trying to communicate is the fact that this is a human tragedy that should be addressed. But, then again, I guess it would be difficult to expect a minimal level of reading comprehension from someone whose vocabulary is made up of superlatives and whose rhetoric is both arrogant and callow.

  • Posted By: natinat @ 04/04/2008 3:27:59 PM

    Comment: I agree. I live in Colombia and I find it absurd that while the French government is speaking out against the FARC urging them to release the French citizen they have hostage, the US has kept completely silent. There are three American service men who have been held captive for five years by one of the most bloodthirsty and abhorrent guerrilla groups in the world and there is not a single person in Washington who cares. I cannot believe that that is the thank you they get for fighting for their country. UNBELIEVABLE. Washington should be ashamed.

  • Posted By: Scared of the head nuts in the USA @ 03/20/2008 4:46:21 PM

    Comment: This is one of the classic Bush/Cheney/Rumsfeld blunders. I think we should trade the hostages for Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld.

  • Posted By: ColombiAmericana @ 03/07/2008 9:32:24 PM

    Comment: This truly is a tragedy. Human beings are being allowed to languish in jungle captivity and neither the American governmen nor the media has paid attention to it... UNTIL NOW-- when FARC (read: scum bag sociopaths) leaders are assassinated and the whole world is outraged! I agree with one of the previous posters-- what has happened to us ? Did we lose our humanity along the way??

  • Posted By: olddog9 @ 03/06/2008 11:19:10 AM

    Comment: Tom Howes knows too much about the Bio War against Cuba in the 1970's. I introduced Tom to a CIA contractor in Port au Prince Haiti where I also worked in the air drop of crop and livestock killing agents. I am in the US but am being given the isolation treetment, Telephone cut off etc and pending charges from IRS, ATF,FBI etc. Here is my track phone number 678-852-0677 Bob Morgan I recall as a boy the Nazi SS and GESTAPO and I see it now in the US.

  • Posted By: 1ForHope @ 02/23/2008 11:36:10 PM

    Comment: We should be angry as Americans, angry as a charitable people who donate more humanitarian aid around this world full of people who never see the good that we do - only that we're Americans so we must be bad. Britney Spears and drugs, Major League Baseball and performance enhancers, you would think that congress would worry about things more pertinent to our lives like gas proces and HOSTAGES!!! To the families of these brave Americans my heartfelt best wishes and a speedy return. To the loved ones of those killed, I find myself only able to wish that you get revenge. It's not our government's fault -- they don't post the reviews for American Idol and all these other misfit programs that people can't get enough of... it's our own peoples' fault. To FARC members and your supporters, I only wish the worst on you and your family for your malignant behavior. fk

  • Posted By: cnlbrett @ 02/14/2008 8:33:45 AM

    Comment: Sometimes "saying nothing" is doing more than you know.
    We should always support who ever is President and pray for their wisdom. There is strength in a country that is United. Our freedom to bad talk our government is so, so abused.

  • Posted By: observer101 @ 02/09/2008 4:02:11 PM

    Comment: It seems that you ppl were the type that were whining about cia ops, waterboarding. If you have any better ideas NOW would be the time to open your big mouths. Saying stupid rhetoric against Bush isnt helping those ppl. This story is no different than ppl getting kidknapped by the Taliban, or any other thugs that we capture and interrogate. You all whine that the U.S. is too strict or against human rights, well what do you think of it now?...Oh wait...now Libs will type to me about how its all Bushs' fault. You guys already looked pretty stupid blaming natural disasters on him. Let me guess, if a Dem pres was in office it would all stop and nothing but good would have ensued. The terrorists would just give up and praise us, the weather would be spring like year round, and everyone would be rich....bull

  • Posted By: ColombianoenCalifornia @ 02/08/2008 10:29:31 PM

    Comment: The Photo with the guys does not help to get any attention. Please show a most recent photo, you will see how bad they look and not only the Americans but the other 700 Colombians that have been kidnapped in Colombia, some of them 10 years ago.
    By the way why the American media did not give a good coverage to the Colombian protest that was held on February 4th against the Farc, the Colombian guerrilla group?




  • Posted By: Libby mcLiberal @ 02/08/2008 2:21:06 PM

    Comment: IF BUSH CAN'T DROP BOMBS ON THE PROBLEM HE DOESNT KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO.

    • Posted By: observer101 @ 02/09/2008 3:48:30 PM

      Comment: Ive always heard libs were ignorant, please type more and confirm that fact with everyone. :)

  • Posted By: Libby mcLiberal @ 02/08/2008 2:19:54 PM

    Comment: If you can't drop bombs on them Bush doesn't know what else to do.

  • Posted By: AmyLynn @ 02/08/2008 9:53:02 AM

    Comment: My heart and prayers go out to these three men and their families.
    How does our government sleep at night? How do the people that support these politicians sleep at night?
    We as Human Beings should be outraged to what we allow "our" government to get away with. Why isn't there a team of special ops helping these AMERICAN CITIZENS? It's been 5 years, and nothing. WHY??? I am ashamed to be an American sometimes, and situations like this don't help. Please, if this was your family, wouldn't you expect SOMETHING to be done. Why isn't this on the News, why am I watching Britney Spears and Paris Hilton on FOX News and CNN? What happened to us?

  • Posted By: OldGamer007 @ 02/08/2008 9:42:12 AM

    Comment: "Three U.S. citizens have been held by Colombian rebels for five years. What is Washington doing about it"

    With gitmo [Guantanamo] and black-op CIA secrete prisons in western Europe, what can our government do about it, with out sounding like hypocritical fools. Consider these guys lucky, from the pictures, it doesn't look like they are forced to endure weatherboarding.

    Can't argue the high road, when you choose not to take it yourself...

  • Posted By: Vivita @ 02/07/2008 10:35:53 PM

    Comment: test

 
 
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