are criminals who have been convicted of crimes. Why are they being released on the basis of nothing more than a promise? Since when does Hamas keep its word, anyway? The women are in prison for a reason. Let's not lose sight of that fact.

Gilad is ALIVE! I was right. You were wrong.

No, what you are is incredibly naive and stupid. Gilad Shalit is Hamas' bargaining chip. Assuming he is alive, surely you do not believe he will be released! Hamas will never give up their hole card, and they know full well that the only reason Israel has not razed Gaza is because of a possibility that Corporal Shalit is alive. No. Hamas has never been -- and never will be -- honest brokers. So -- while there is nothing on this earth I would rather be than mistaken about Gilad Shalit, I'm not quite prepared to accept your version of events. Lose their only bargaining chip? I think not, John. I think not.

You are. You are in denial. You want to believe that Shalit is dead. Well, too bad. He IS alive and will be released ALIVE. That is the bloody truth.