Monoclinic 39 Posted April 16, 2007 I think it is a bit strange that there has been little word until now about the fate of Alan Johnston. My media coverage absorption is limited to the internet and francophone newspapers. (I've gone without TV for more than a year I don't think I could even operate a remote now) Just wondered what other peoples viewpoints are... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rotten Ali 600 Posted April 16, 2007 I'm not going to vote in this one but I can't pass it by. Its a pissy situation to be in. Alan Johnston has put himself in the line of fire to tell the world the news from Gaza. Don't these "sh*t for brains" kidnappers understand right and wrong. No way do the BBC represent the government of the UK. They stand for "say truth unto the nation". They have independence running though them like their own blood. The BBC journalists are the best of UK in all respects. They are there, more for the people of the area, than for the people of the UK. So we in the UK can understand the truth that needs to be told. To kill Alan Johnston would be to kill themselves a thousand times over and undermine millions more who suffer not only in Gaza but all over the world who face tyranny and oppression. Let him go and the mercy shown will be repaid in not necessarily in kind but in time, many times over, in goodwill from many good people. Should he be dead already or be killed then the worst things can't fail to happen to the kidnappers in time. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Octopus of Odstock 2,105 Posted April 16, 2007 Its a pissy situation to be in. Alan Johnston has put himself in the line of fire to tell the world the news from Gazza. I know he's a drunken, occasional violent buffoon with the mental age of two, but surely it's not THAT dangerous to tell the world the latest from the Geordie ex-England & Lazio star's mouth. Provided of course, you have a good constitution to cope with the drinking binges one would have to undertake to unearth & thus announce the scoops. I agree To what are you agreeing? Media coverage? That's he dead (I presume)? It's only because Monoclinic didn't actually state anything in the opening post to specifically agree with... Not one of your more usual elaborate replies, young Handy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Harvester Of Souls 40 Posted April 16, 2007 Good post Ali. While we can commend the courage, we also have to acknowledge the risk of such ventures into war zones. War zones by their very nature are full of people trying to kill each other, and things like the Geneva convention are usually lying underneath dossiers about weapons of mass destruction. Zealots don't listen to reason. Whether they're from Washington, London, Gaza or Baghdad. I only hope for his family's sake they don't put his execution on the internet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
themaninblack 2,112 Posted April 16, 2007 Looks like I'm the only one who thinks he's alive.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,446 Posted April 17, 2007 Get a bet on with a workmate, or summat TMIB. I'm not a betting sort as a rule, but I think he's dead. Straw poll at work backs this view as well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Fellatio Nelson 6,187 Posted April 17, 2007 Its a pissy situation to be in. Alan Johnston has put himself in the line of fire to tell the world the news from Gazza. I know he's a drunken, occasional violent buffoon with the mental age of two, but surely it's not THAT dangerous to tell the world the latest from the Geordie ex-England & Lazio star's mouth. Provided of course, you have a good constitution to cope with the drinking binges one would have to undertake to unearth & thus announce the scoops. I agree To what are you agreeing? Media coverage? That's he dead (I presume)? It's only because Monoclinic didn't actually state anything in the opening post to specifically agree with... Not one of your more usual elaborate replies, young Handy Sir, A damn fine post. PS: He is dead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Octopus of Odstock 2,105 Posted April 18, 2007 Sir,A damn fine post. PS: He is dead. Thank you sir, a pleasure to read such warm tidings at 2.49 am. PS I think he's dead too. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,446 Posted April 19, 2007 The president joins the handful who've voted 'alive.' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handrejka 1,880 Posted April 19, 2007 Its a pissy situation to be in. Alan Johnston has put himself in the line of fire to tell the world the news from Gazza. I know he's a drunken, occasional violent buffoon with the mental age of two, but surely it's not THAT dangerous to tell the world the latest from the Geordie ex-England & Lazio star's mouth. Provided of course, you have a good constitution to cope with the drinking binges one would have to undertake to unearth & thus announce the scoops. I agree To what are you agreeing? Media coverage? That's he dead (I presume)? It's only because Monoclinic didn't actually state anything in the opening post to specifically agree with... Not one of your more usual elaborate replies, young Handy I meant I agreed with whoever had first answered in the poll that he was dead. I was also agreeing about the remote control comment as never having owned a telly I struggle to use the remote too. I'm not sure what you mean by "elaborate" a my posts are never that long. They probably just seem it as I'm usually replying to someone and I don't know how to snip the quotes bit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lord Fellatio Nelson 6,187 Posted April 19, 2007 Its a pissy situation to be in. Alan Johnston has put himself in the line of fire to tell the world the news from Gazza. I know he's a drunken, occasional violent buffoon with the mental age of two, but surely it's not THAT dangerous to tell the world the latest from the Geordie ex-England & Lazio star's mouth. Provided of course, you have a good constitution to cope with the drinking binges one would have to undertake to unearth & thus announce the scoops. I agree To what are you agreeing? Media coverage? That's he dead (I presume)? It's only because Monoclinic didn't actually state anything in the opening post to specifically agree with... Not one of your more usual elaborate replies, young Handy I meant I agreed with whoever had first answered in the poll that he was dead. I was also agreeing about the remote control comment as never having owned a telly I struggle to use the remote too. I'm not sure what you mean by "elaborate" a my posts are never that long. They probably just seem it as I'm usually replying to someone and I don't know how to snip the quotes bit. I dont gave a rats what you meant to say or whether you know how to "snip the quotes". As far as Im concerned anybody that uses a pic of Shari Lewis as their, on their ( i dont know what way is what) Avatar has exceptional taste and class. I LOVED Shari Lewis, gawd bless her Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saint Peter 14 Posted April 20, 2007 It seems to have all gone quiet about Alan. Hopefully that's good news. ps. I was at the same school and in the same boarding house as Alan. On those grounds I will abstain on this vote. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monoclinic 39 Posted April 20, 2007 If you want to sign the petition or add this link to your blog (if you have one) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Entropy 5 Posted April 20, 2007 I'll be surprised if he's alive after this long a silence, but the latest reports seem to indicate that he may be. Not sure what his abductors are hoping to achieve by this sort of behaviour; it doesn't look as though many people are in sympathy with them. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Monoclinic 39 Posted April 24, 2007 Alive and well but still unseen Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,446 Posted June 22, 2007 Over 100 days, but the change of government might well force the captors to kill or let him go. Have a hunch he's still breathing tonight and that the BBC know this, hence the consistent pressure. Mebbe time to move this thread up the running order again given the present situation. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DevonDeathTrip 2,335 Posted June 24, 2007 A new video of Alan Johnston shows him wearing a suicide bomber style explosives belt. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Godot 149 Posted June 25, 2007 A new video of Alan Johnston shows him wearing a suicide bomber style explosives belt. I thought he looked quite fetching in it. I like the way he maintained his news delivery style in his "special report". Not like that miserable Navy rabble captured by the Iranians. I hope he makes it and gets a new job on the cuddly animals beat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
maryportfuncity 10,446 Posted June 26, 2007 S'cuse what might appear politically incorrect questions but the internet isn't coughing up the answers too clearly: i - Is he gay? ii - If he is, does this make the more devout religious types in his captors more likely to kill him? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lady Die 63 Posted June 26, 2007 I voted alive ... I saw him on the telly I think he'll be freed eventually. If his kidnappers were going to kill him I reckon they'd have done it by now. BTW where can I get one of those belts with explosives attached? I have a few work colleagues who need something like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cowboy Ronnie 77 Posted June 26, 2007 S'cuse what might appear politically incorrect questions but the internet isn't coughing up the answers too clearly: i - Is he gay? ii - If he is, does this make the more devout religious types in his captors more likely to kill him? what makes you think he might be gay, MPFC? Did he lisp while he was pleading for his life, was the bomb belt in a fetching shade of salmon, had he grown a big bushy moustache whilst in captivity? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth in Asia 1,055 Posted June 26, 2007 S'cuse what might appear politically incorrect questions but the internet isn't coughing up the answers too clearly: i - Is he gay? ii - If he is, does this make the more devout religious types in his captors more likely to kill him? His tone of voice did sound rather gay. But I'm predicting they'll let him mince back through no mans land. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vinegar Tits 598 Posted July 4, 2007 Not dead and finally released Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Anubis the Jackal 77 Posted July 4, 2007 Good news on Deathlist. I think we may have some BBC employees out there, what's the atmosphere like today in Wood Lane? Frank Gardener will have competition in the 'I-survived-the-fundamentalists' punditry chair. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites