This is indeed interesting, though I doubt we will ever really know what happened to him because, if his situation goes as other have, he will not have an opportunity to talk to us.

I agree, it is sad!

I too have heard the speculation, I just hope it isn't true. I have difficulty believing what the press has to say, AP was making noises about desertion yesterday, but the Corps hasn't confirmed or denied it. Either way he's an American Marine and deserves the benefit of doubt, I hope he survives this to tell us.

Well, the rumors seem to be as a result of a prejudicial item in the New York Times which includes quotes taken out of context and incomplete quotes.

A correction has been issued by the Times, for all the good that does to this man's reputation and safety. Not to mention that of his family.

His poor mother has begun her mourning period, convinced that he is dead, and the Times has the nerve to publish false statements about him.

Sick, arrogant bastards.

As for Cpl Hassoun, it is very hard to believe that the enemy was able to get on a base, lure Cpl Hassoun out to capture him. Main thing is the white and black population is greater, how is it they were able to get a US Marine that was one of their people. The odds of them getting a middle eastern person is very slim to impossible, unless there was something this Cpl Hassoun was doing - such as defecting, granted a defection that may have gone wrong, but still it is a point. Even if he were decapitated then his body would have to be verified 100%. Cpl Hassoun was of their belief, and was Middle Eastern. I am sorry but it does not make sense how it happened. Maybe to an inexperienced, lack of understanding of war person, this might make sense. But as for one who has been there and has experienced war, it DOES NOT MAKE SENSE.

Lance,

I too agree that it is hard to believe that anyone got on base and lured him out. I too have been there (Numerous times in fact). I will just stand by and wait for the facts. Who knows we may never know what Hassouns intents were or how he came to be in terrorist hands.

I knew he would be released, as I indicated in my last post. It is an elaborate ploy to accomplish something - propoganda? Was he a spy with info? His blindfold was cleaner then the others about to be beheaded, and looser. But that is because I am familiar with gauze wrapped around heads. Also his face was not of great concern or worry. Besides, wouldn't a white Marine have been better or even a black Marine? How did he get 500 miles, and going through where his unit had an AO. While wearing an American uniform he did this.
Of course people are going to say he is a nice quiet/ shy guy, they said simular things about Hinckley, Dahlmer and The Rosenberg's and Oswald. But because he is of middle eastern decent we have to be politically correct, I don't agree - an ace is an ace and a spade is a spade.
The beheadings are worst then any treatment of Iraqi prisoners pictures or rumors.

Americans are funny. As long as they are feeling that they are winning, they want to stay, BUT, let something look like it is going to get hard to do they say "WHINE WHINE WHINE OH Let's get our troops out of there". I heard someone say, "Our troops are put in HARMS way." Well, what in the world is our military good for if we can't use them for fighting and dying. That is their job and they signed up for it 90% of them know this and support the idea. But the democrats and the lilly livered cowards like Kerry, Gore (both phony Vietnam vets), Michael Moore and others like him. Most of these people don't have the slightest idea how it goes in war. If they pull our troops out now, damn straight it is going to be like Vietnam. The same people lost Vietnam for us. The Vietnam Vet was winning the war; it was the whiners and politicians back in the states who lost Vietnam. That is where the true blame goes. People die in war, but only the brave refuses to run. America's freedom is expensive; a million lives in WWII, 56000 lives in Vietnam and 750 lives in Iraq. If we pull them out then why have a military? You people with that attitude, I don't need you. When do we use our military? When the enemy is here, well then it is too late - innocent lives will be lost here. And it will be all of your fault. Because you don't want our military to do their job. The Clinton's almost had our military torn apart. Ok peace mongers if we give in and run, this will make the enemy have all of the courage in the world. You people are in cahoots with the enemy encouraging them to continue, and to show we give in very easy and that is wrong, very wrong

Very nice comments you guys have here, congratulations and thanks to allowing my post...