John Cantlie

[Geordie Mick]

Sh!t. Unless my brains playing disgusting tricks on me, the latest poor b'st@rd to be wheeled out as a hostage by IS used to present Bikes Aloud on telly and edited Superbike magazine.

Don't know him at all, but a fellow biker - and a known one at that - makes it somewhat closer to home...

Here's hoping!!!

Mick..

[Red Herring]

Yeah, I just saw that as well. I met him back in 2008 when he came out to play with us.
http://www.visordown.com/features/secret-policemans-ball/6138.html

Hope he manages to get himself out of this scrape as well......

[STRAMASHER]

Yup. Total shocker. Saw the face and Thought nah can't be.

Initially a gaming journo hence the name Sonic. Remember his tricked up Corona TL1000R.

All you can do is hope.

Rancid ****ers.

[haggis]

Yes, as soon as they mentioned the name on the news, I thought it must be Sonic. I hope he is returned safely soon.

Fingers crossed for the man.

[Amadeus]

I was just about to post something about this.

I really hope he gets out ok. It seems that he was kidnapped previously, escaped, was shot in the escape and went back. Guess he's one of those people who need excitement in their life. Guy Gibson would not have likes civvie life.
Anyway, fingers crossed for him.

[Specialone]

I've read this on another forum, my comments didn't go well, I'm guessing they won't on here either.
Why go back? Why put his family through it? With that area at such high risk, why put yourself in the danger for nothing?

[Biker Biggles]

I've read this on another forum, my comments didn't go well, I'm guessing they won't on here either.
Why go back? Why put his family through it? With that area at such high risk, why put yourself in the danger for nothing?

Its his job.A bit like asking why be a soldier/Moto GP rider/coal miner or insert high risk occupation of your choice.He probably thought it would never happen to him,like most of us do when we take risks.

[Amadeus]

I understand you comment SP1 and have some sympathy for them. ultimately he seems a really good guy and I'd like to see him get home safely.
I can see BBs point as well and whilst I agree that people can take risks with their own life, risking other (rescuers etc) is less good.

Personally I don't think criticism of these people trying to do good serves any purpose right now. Fingers crossed for them.

[Specialone]

Its his job.A bit like asking why be a soldier/Moto GP rider/coal miner or insert high risk occupation of your choice.He probably thought it would never happen to him,like most of us do when we take risks.

Totally different, a soldier is doing his job under orders and will be armed and normally with back up, a GP rider is taking a risk in a different way, if you told them the bike was likely to explode or something that day, they wouldn't ride, it's a calculated risk for them.

If you are a westerner in these areas ATM, it's very likely you could get kidnapped, it's a risk that's just not worth taking.

[Red Herring]

So you don't think journalists have a part in the big picture then? How do you think we are so informed about world events and able to make the balanced decisions we do about things? Would you rather not know or instead rely on official reports sent back by the military, or perhaps the press releases from the local government would satisfy you? Journalism by it's very nature can be a very risky activity in certain areas, especially as we are all so demanding to know the real picture, and sure John is an adult and made his own decision to put himself at risk, but that doesn't stop me wishing him the very best of luck in getting back to safety.