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Tuesday, June 29, 2004

Wassef Hassoun
As the time limit set by his captors draws nigh, investigations into how Hassoun was kidnapped have surfaced. News reports have suggested that Hassoun went missing on June 19th and that he may have walked off the base in an attempt to go to Lebanon, where some of his family live. The San Diego Channel 10's website explained that the US military has "yet to confirm the kidnapping."

An Australian paper suggested that Hassoun deserted his unit.

The family of Hassoun, however, know that the image they saw in the video was Wassef. Here are their comments, as appeared in Channel 10's report:

Hassoun's family -- both in Lebanon and in Utah --- are convinced the videotape they've seen is Hassoun, 10News reported.

"It is him, 100 percent. I wish it was not him. But I've seen him. I know he's my brother," Sami Hassoun said.

Hassoun said his family is shocked to see the images of Islamic militants holding hostage a fellow Muslim and U.S. Marine.

"You don't know what to do and you don't know if you're going to believe it or not. It's like a dream you're seeing. It's very hard. It's just very hard," Hassoun said....

Speaking from Lebanon, Hassoun's brother begged kidnappers to release Wassef -- a member of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force based at Camp Pendleton.

Hassoun lived with his brother and relatives in the Salt Lake City suburb of West Jordan. A family spokesperson said they are still trying to make sense of what has happened.

"We appreciate and thank everyone from the local and national communities for their outpour of support," Hassoun family spokesman Terek Nosseir said.

And more pleas are coming from Hassoun's father, who spoke directly to the men allegedly holding his son.

"I ask them for the sake of God, Prophet Mohammed and their children to release my son and they will have a great reward from God," Mohammed Hassoun said.

Hopefully their pleas to goverments around the world will help get Wassef released. With news today that the three Turkish workers were released from their captors, maybe there is hope.

11:16:39 PM | COMMENT [] | TRACKBACK []

Slogans for Scott Matheson's Campaign

Scott Matheson is the Democratic candidate for Governor of Utah. His father, Scott Matheson Sr., was a popular two-term governor in the 70's. Scott Matheson is Dean and Professor of Law at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.

The Matheson for Utah Governor campaign is having a slogan contest. I thought I'd come up with some of my own and run them by you first. Of course, not all of these are legitimate options; but it sure was fun coming up with them.

If they are looking for slogans that tie Scott with the governorship of his father, they could consider these:

Scott Matheson: Return of a King

Scott Matheson: Thank Heaven I'm Not Orrin Hatch's Son

Scott Matheson: The Legacy Lives On

If they are looking for slogans comparing him with his opponent Huntsman, they should consider these:

Scott Matheson: Not a Member of the Rich Boys Club

Scott Matheson: If you want a Ken Doll for Governor, Vote the Other Guy

Scott Matheson: The Candidate with No Corporate Ties

Scott Matheson: You won't find Chemicals in his Closet

Scott Matheson: The Law is on My Side

Scott Matheson: At Least I Have a Running-Mate Utahns Like

Scott Matheson: No Strings Attached

If they are looking for some of those warm, fuzzy type slogans, they might consider these:

Scott Matheson: It's Our Time

Scott Matheson: Good for What Ails Utah

Scott Matheson: The Candidate With Latter-day Vision

Scott Matheson: Moving Utah Into a New Century

If they are looking for something in your face, they should consider these:

Scott Matheson: It's about Better Education, Stupid!

Scott Matheson: Democrat. So what?

Scott Matheson: Yo Republicans! Super-size this!

10:43:29 PM | COMMENT [] | TRACKBACK []