Stardate 20020222.0603

(On Screen): Quentin wrote in about the Pearl killing to say "You're right again." I'd rather have been wrong, frankly.

More information is trickling out about the video tape; evidently it actually shows him being killed. Before he died, he said "Yes I am a Jew and my father is a Jew." It's suggested that they forced him to say that.

I think there can be no question. Among other things, a Jew would never make that mistake. Jewishness passes by maternal descent. You are a Jew if your Mom is a Jew; it doesn't matter whether your Dad is or is not. I know a man whose father is Jewish and whose mother is Christian, and technically he isn't considered Jewish.

It remains true is that we cannot negotiate with kidnappers. Every time we make concessions to save a hostage, we give incentive to take more of them. It's a losing game.