Correct me if I'm wrong, LJ: I think that's what you were getting at.

Margaret Hassan -- I really don't want to say "was" -- a woman whose whole identity is defined by good works. Islam reveres such a life no less than Chrisitanity. Her kidnapping and possible murder does nothing to support the moral and public relations image among practicing Muslims as a group, or among Iraqis who have witnessed CARE's work in Iraq, either. So either these people are stupid or crazy (always possibilities), or the hearts and minds thing is not their objective here.

They can say they want their own prisoners released. They probably do. That aim still doesn't justify the brutality they have demonstrated. It could be that they like it, but that still doesn't give me a complete picture. These are not simple serial killers, but political operatives.

One of the kidnappers' goals is to drive Westerners out of Muslim nations so that Islamic extremists can, um, energize their base without interference. Part of the deal of kidnapping and executing foreigners, even a foreigner who has married a native and lived in the region for decades, is to compel other foreign workers to leave in the interests of their personal safety.

Making those of us who are at home angry and disgusted is just icing on the cake. They want all other voices to go home.

It won't matter so much if there is a little temporary outrage from the locals, as long as the perfidious voice of the West (their view) is no longer heard on the kidnappers' turf.

In a related story, while Ann Garrels (NPR) was reporting from Fallujah several days ago, she mentioned the Iraqi units fighting with the Americans. She said they behaved in a disciplined and courageous manner, as confirmed by their American counterparts, but that they were very shy of being interviewed or photographed not because they feared for themselves, but because they feared reprisals against their families. That is "kidnapping campaign: phase two".