Our troops teamed with British forces to rescue three left-wing, anti-war activists kidnapped by terrorists in Iraq. Those freed were Canadians James Loney, 41, and Harmeet Singh Sooden, 32; and Briton Norman Kember, 74. The men, who were members of the Chicago-based Christian Peacemaker Teams, were kidnapped on Nov. 26 along with their American colleague, Tom Fox, 54, whose body was found earlier this month.

Reader Jen M. took at look at the Christian Peacemaker Teams website for the group’s statement on the rescue and she e-mailed me her observations:

Not once do they thank or even reference the fact that a Special Forces team rescued these guys. In fact, the only reference to military at all is blaming them for the kidnapping in the first place. Nice!

Also on their home page is a long statement about how terribly treated terrorists are when detained by evil soldiers.

Read the full statement for yourselves here.

For crying out loud.

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Many readers note that the CPT statement refers to the hostages’ “release” instead of their rescue. Reader Matt L. writes to CPT:

Congratulations on the safe return of your activists. I’m sorry they did not all make it home safely.

I read your press release relating the “release” of the activists; please note that they were not released, they were rescued. The term release implies that their captors let them go. You know that is not true, they were rescued by a team of American and British soldiers who risked their lives to free people whom apparently have no gratitude for their actions. It is one thing to be against war and the actions of our military (I’m not justifying that position, just acknowledging your right to it), but another to deny when they SAVED YOUR ASS!!!!

Are you so insecure in your position that you think even acknowledging your people were rescued, not “released” would undermine your whole message that the military serves no useful purpose? Actually, I think you are correct in your assumption, so I guess you should stick to your story lest any of your supporters start to use logic and reason to dissect your beliefs. Where would you be then? I guess you might have to begrudgingly join the rest of society who realizes that a strong military is the best defense of a free nation against tyrants and terrorists who are out to destroy us and our way of life.

God bless you, and I hope you quit sending your hippies to WAR regions risking not only their lives but the lives of the soldiers who end up having to secure their “release” by RESCUING them.

Reader Jack T. shares his e-mail to CPT:

Sisters and Brothers,

I am a Christian living in San Francisco. I support the Iraq War.

Regarding your statement on the release of your fellow Peacemakers: How about giving thanks to the US and British soldiers who rescued your friends from terrorists?

They weren’t released by good-hearted terrorists or by international good will . It took the coalition forces to do it. Those forces have also rescued Afghanistan and Iraq from brutal dictatorships that have terrorized and imprisoned millions of people. Setting the captives free can take many forms and I think you could show some gratitude for that.

If you have the faith to love your enemies, you might consider loving your friends and rescuers too.

Reader Bob T. notes moonbat fever at the BBC:

With regard to the former hostages from the “Christian” “Peacemaker” Teams, Britain seems afflicted with “released” vs. “rescued” syndrome. Indeed the only ones who mention the military operation in this article express concern about it, as if the good-hearted kidnappers were about to free them any day. Tony Blair’s contribution from a spokeman is dissapointing, and the comment from a former Gitmo detainee is beyond unctuous.

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Thank the troops here.