Root Causers

'During these past months, we have tasted of the pain that has been the daily bread of hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. Why have our loved ones been taken? Where are they being held? Under what conditions? How are they? Will they be released? When?'

From the statement issued today by Christian Peacemaker Teams, rejoicing in the release of the three CPT members held hostage in Iraq, without a word of thanks to those who worked to secure their release.

There are some Iraqis who are not asking these questions about their loved ones today. Those who have loved ones among the more than thirty people murdered in the space of a single day by the insurgents whom CPT decline to condemn.

'They knew that their only protection was in the power of the love of God and of their Iraqi and international co-workers.'

Seems to me that's not quite the whole truth. Did they not hope their organization's anti-occupation stance and refusal to condemn the insurgency would ingratiate them precisely with those who have least compunction about killing the innocent? They're brave all right, but their morality is questionable to say the least.