LofTM:

Draining the hostages of value is an excellent idea. I’d pair your tactics with Wretchard’s up-the-ante approach.

This whole ‘if-we-could-only-talk-to-the-animals’ schtick is about as effective as it is tiresome and predictable when it comes to some characters.

The bend-over-backwards stuff — like halal meals at Gitmo — should be spared for people who’ll understand it and appreciate it. (Even some Germans and Japanese forget that the old-school follow up to their drubbings would have been salted earth and slavery ).

As it is, we’ve invited the family of man to civilization’s banquet, but certain guests insist on absconding with the silverware and threatening other guests with the cutlery.