General Discussions

**ForrestCroce** · 07-04-2007, 01:02 PM

I'm sure VanGogh is thrilled; he's had a button on his blog for months to raise awareness and ultimately get the guy released.

Johnston was kidnapped in the Gaza strip, having reported from the Palestinian Territory for three years. He was held for 16 long weeks, and finally released yesterday.

The whole world came together to press for Johnston to be set free, and now the world has something to celebrate.

**vangogh** · 07-04-2007, 04:31 PM

I caught the news late last night (my time) and added the info to my happy 4th of July post today. It's a shame he was taken captive in the first place and held for so long, but it's great that he's now free.

And in a bit of irony there will now be at least one British family that will always celebrate the 4th of July.

**Learning Newbie** · 07-05-2007, 12:12 PM

This is gonna sound really pathetic, but, uh, I try not to follow kidnapping stories. There have been so many of them, and we should all celebrate Alan's independence, but some of them didn't end very well. Someone I used to work with tried to make me watch that video that was on the internet three or four years ago, when they cut off the man's head with a dull knife. Just the thought is enough to send me running for the bathroom.

**vangogh** · 07-05-2007, 07:54 PM

I was worried that Alan's story might end up on a note so good note to put it mildly. It's hard to think about some of the things that happen.

This story caught my attention more because one of the members at SEOmoz wrote a post about him and the petition that was being started to bring more awareness to what had happened.

I figured why not do some good with my blog and I thought it worth adding the link to the petition. I suppose I can take it down now, but I'll probably leave it there for a few more days.

**ForrestCroce** · 07-06-2007, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vangogh

I figured why not do some good with my blog and I thought it worth adding the link to the petition. I suppose I can take it down now, but I'll probably leave it there for a few more days.

I doubt he had a chance to read your site, but he said listening to the BBC and hearing how many people supported him helped the man through.

**vangogh** · 07-06-2007, 01:52 AM

That's good to know. I realize he'd never know I was doing anything on my site to support him, but it's good to know the support of people around the world helped while he was going through his ordeal.

**highanddry** · 07-06-2007, 06:07 PM

Free Hat! Free Hat!

**goheadtry** · 07-07-2007, 04:16 PM

Yes, I would hate life if I was in his situation. Kind of like on DVD of a MINI series called "60's MINI SERIES" some of those people in Vietnam were there for years.
It would also be very hard missing your family