Ashamed, Broken Hearted, and Deeply Saddened
Sunday, 11/30, The Miami Herald had an article with their usual out of focus headline – “Former al-Qaida hostage criticizes U.S. agencies” – that made me ashamed to be an American and broke my heart.
According to the article, Matt Schrier, 36, a free lance photographer, escaped from al-Qaida after being held for seven months. Upon reaching our embassy, officials made him sign a document promising to reimburse the State Department for his airfare home. During his captivity, the FBI, which knew of his ordeal, failed to notify his parents. And one month into his return, with no valid identification and unable to rent an apartment, the FBI suggested he move into a homeless shelter.
This is what the article said. There may be extenuating circumstances, facts may be missing, and it may not be true. But if it is true, aren’t you proud to be a citizen of a country – the greatest country on earth – that treats your fellow citizens this way?
