A day late on this (http://thecrossedpond.com/?p=2407), but I suspect not many people are aware of these Americans held hostage in Columbia for the last 5 years. They are, as of last May, allegedly still alive (http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9804E4DC1131F93BA25756C0A9619C8B 63). From the first link:
On February 13th, 2003 four Americans under contract with the U.S. government and a Colombian citizen onboard a Cessna 208 crashed in the Colombian jungle. They survived. Unfortunately, they were deep within territory controlled and patrolled by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, widely referred to as the FARC, the largest armed insurgent force in the Western hemisphere. The revolutionaries soon surrounded the crash site. They executed pilot Tom Janis and Colombian Luis Alcides Cruz on the spot. They took the three other Americans, Marc Gonsalves , Keith Stansell, and Thomas Howes, (http://blogs.abcnews.com/photos/uncategorized/columbia_hostages_nr.jpg) prisoner. And so they remain to this day. Five years held hostage in the Colombian jungle.
They aren't, of course, the only ones held by FARC, who've made a career of kidnapping and murder since the 80s. There have been efforts at negotiation (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/10/07/MNBGSGDTM.DTL), with Hugo Chavez even playing a mediating role and meeting with the families of the American captives. The State Dept has offered a reward and not interfered with the families' meetings with Chavez, but the families aren't very happy with the administration's (http://www.newsweek.com/id/109286?from=rss) near-total silence on the matter.

There's a lot going on in the world, but try to keep these three in mind.

YOu know, I remember this news story when it happened, and I'm ashamed to admit that in the time since, I have completely forgotten about them.

You do have to wonder at the silence from the administration, it will be interesting to find out why they aren't taking a more active role.

The general response is "We don't negotiate with terrorists," which at least some of the family members understand, but while that does explain, say, not negotiating with the terrorists, it doesn't explain the silence or lack of seeking alternative measures.

IMO, Iraq was long ago lost. The level of incompetancy has never been equalled in the history of mankind. No matter how long we stay, which at this point looks like forever if we remain under Republicans, the minute the US isn't pouring in troops and money...the country will fall apart faster than Bush speaking at a Mensa convention.

Speculation I am aware of regarding the lack of noise from the administration has to do with the sensitivity of what the plane and passengers were in the area for, and who the hostages were representing and in what capacity.

As I say, speculation....