# American Lesbian Blogger Abducted in Syra--Why the F\*@K Were You There in the First Place? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 7, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657 "2011-06-07T20:02:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Profound\_Gibberish](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/65b543/32.png) [@Profound\_Gibberish](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Profound_Gibberish)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/1 "2011-06-07T20:02:45Z")
[http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/07/syria.blogger.missing/index.html?hpt=hp\_t2](http://www.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/06/07/syria.blogger.missing/index.html?hpt=hp_t2) This is right up there with the idiot hikers captured by Iran along Iraq border a few years back. I’m a good progressive person and all, but stupid is stupid. How much are we taxpayers going to have to pay to get you out of your stupidity? ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 8:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/2 "2011-06-07T20:20:21Z")
Hmm, possibly because she lives there? While Syria is not the most progressive country when it comes to gay rights, it’s better than most in the Middle East. Syria may be autocratic, but it’s no Iran. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/3 "2011-06-07T20:45:07Z")
Why was she there? She was teaching English, and her father was Syrian. She has dual-citizenship. Did you read the article you posted? ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/4 "2011-06-07T22:44:34Z")
From the article, it appears that she was abducted due to her political views, and not her sexuality. The fact that she’s openly gay doesn’t really have anything to do with the story, apart from the fact that there’s such a thing as an “openly gay Syrian” is a surprise to a lot of people. As to her nationality, it seems to me that her dual citizenship doesn’t really affect the OP’s point, which is, “You could be safe here in America. Why the hell would you go anywhere else?” The answer, of course, is because people there need help. Amina Abdallah could have stayed in the US, but she decided to go to her other home, and help the struggle for freedom, democratic representation, and equality for all of her fellow Syrians. That’s heroic. Throw in the gay rights angle, and it makes it super heroic, in my book. Would that we all had as much courage and conviction as this woman. “How much are taxpayers going to have to pay to get her out?” You should be ashamed for asking this question. ---
**Author:** ![Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8c91f0/32.png) [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Throatwarbler_Mangrove)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2011, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/5 "2011-06-07T22:58:19Z")
> [@dbx820](#): > > How much are we taxpayers going to have to pay to get you out of your stupidity? How much does the US usually spend to free unimportant commoners from foreign jails? ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2011, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/6 "2011-06-08T01:24:37Z")
> [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](#): > > How much does the US usually spend to free unimportant commoners from foreign jails? Depends on the amount of news coverage they get ---
**Author:** ![Otara](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a88e4f/32.png) [@Otara](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Otara)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/7 "2011-06-09T02:50:27Z")
> **[Does she even exist? The mystery of the Gay Girl in Damascus](https://www.theage.com.au/technology/does-she-even-exist-the-mystery-of-the-gay-girl-in-damascus-20110609-1ftwf.html)** > > The alarming story of a Syrian-American lesbian blogger who was reportedly kidnapped by armed gunmen sent the world's media into a frenzy - but now her very existence is being questioned. And in an ironic twist she may not even exist! “In February, an American blogger named Paula Brooks began communicating with Arraf via email but became suspicious when her IP address was traced back to Edinburgh in Scotland.” Otara ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/8 "2011-06-09T03:31:33Z")
> [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](#): > > How much does the US usually spend to free unimportant commoners from foreign jails? The dual citizenship fact practically negates any help from American authorities. ---
**Author:** ![Sailboat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sailboat/32/461_2.png) [@Sailboat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sailboat)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/9 "2011-06-09T03:37:37Z")
> [@Throatwarbler\_Mangrove](#): > > How much does the US usually spend to free unimportant commoners from foreign jails? Every United States citizen is a commoner. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/10 "2011-06-09T13:25:51Z")
> [@Otara](#): > > [Does she even exist? The mystery of the Gay Girl in Damascus](http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/does-she-even-exist-the-mystery-of-the-gay-girl-in-damascus-20110609-1ftwf.html) > > And in an ironic twist she may not even exist! > > “In February, an American blogger named Paula Brooks began communicating with Arraf via email but became suspicious when her IP address was traced back to Edinburgh in Scotland.” > > Otara No other Syrian [activists](http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle-east/gay-girl-in-damascus-may-not-be-real/2011/06/08/AGZwCYMH_story.html) appear to have met her. ---
**Author:** ![Meurglys](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/258eb7/32.png) [@Meurglys](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Meurglys)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/11 "2011-06-09T15:57:41Z")
> [@dbx820](#): > > This is right up there with the idiot hikers captured by Iran along Iraq border a few years back. In passing, I’ll just mention that the woman was released reasonably quickly, but her two male companions are still being held. She was on tv here the other day talking about it. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/12 "2011-06-09T16:43:15Z")
How dare those Syrian citizens leave their homes in Syria? HOW DARE THEY?? I am literally angry with rage! A Syrian citizen attempting to travel outside of their Syrian home is NOT OKAY! ---
**Author:** ![kushiel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bbce88/32.png) [@kushiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kushiel)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/13 "2011-06-09T16:48:52Z")
I’m kinda with the OP. We should all work towards equal rights, but there’s a certain element of risk involved when you oppose the views of people in power who deal with dissenters violently. Inb4 ‘that’s like saying a woman dressed provocatively is asking for it!’ - no one should have to suffer through that and we need to stop it, but there are ways to reduce risk. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/14 "2011-06-09T16:59:31Z")
> [@Otara](#): > > [Does she even exist? The mystery of the Gay Girl in Damascus](http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/does-she-even-exist-the-mystery-of-the-gay-girl-in-damascus-20110609-1ftwf.html) > > And in an ironic twist she may not even exist! > > “In February, an American blogger named Paula Brooks began communicating with Arraf via email but became suspicious when her IP address was traced back to Edinburgh in Scotland.” > > Otara Also, I read that she apparantly uses the picture of some random woman from Britain to represent herself. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 5:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/15 "2011-06-09T17:36:18Z")
Web-savvy freedom fighter types usually use TOR. IP addresses don’t mean shit. ---
**Author:** ![Beadalin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/3be4f8/32.png) [@Beadalin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beadalin)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2011, 8:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/16 "2011-06-09T20:23:59Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > Web-savvy freedom fighter types usually use TOR. IP addresses don’t mean shit. Yeah, except there’s a whole bunch more that doesn’t add up. [A roundup of what’s happening here](http://thedailywh.at/2011/06/09/follow-up-of-the-day-amina-abdallah-arafs-abduction-questions-arise/). ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/17 "2011-06-10T02:01:52Z")
The specifics of this story are weird, to be sure. But going back to the OP’s original assertion: What makes you so certain that this woman (we’re operating in a world where we accept her existence at face value now) expects the US to come charging in and rescue her? Maybe she (if she actually exists) is a brave person who is willing to speak up for the rights of others even when a great deal of personal risk is involved. Maybe she actually cares about the people of Syria and doesn’t think that “oh, I might get hurt” is a good reason to stay silent about injustice. My situation is not especially analogous to that of Arraf, but I do live in a foreign country (a Muslim country, gasp!) where terrorist attacks have taken place. My family has assessed the risks and we feel safe. If we should happen to be wrong, I have no expectation that Uncle Sam is going to come barreling in to save any of us or any belief that such action is required. So, how can I be a moral person in the eyes of the OP? Should I leave behind a wonderful life for myself and family, where I honestly hope we are making a contribution to the country, just IN CASE we might be the victims of a high-profile kidnapping and IN CASE there is a hue and cry to America to do something about it? ---
**Author:** ![Farmer\_Jane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Farmer\_Jane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Farmer_Jane)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 7:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/18 "2011-06-10T07:05:37Z")
[When will so-called respectable news agencies stop taking bloggers for their every word?!](http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2076572,00.html) ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2011, 11:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/19 "2011-06-10T11:41:01Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > From the article, it appears that she was abducted due to her political views, and not her sexuality. The fact that she’s openly gay doesn’t really have anything to do with the story, apart from the fact that there’s such a thing as an “openly gay Syrian” is a surprise to a lot of people. > > As to her nationality, it seems to me that her dual citizenship doesn’t really affect the OP’s point, which is, “You could be safe here in America. Why the hell would you go anywhere else?” The answer, of course, is because people there need help. Amina Abdallah could have stayed in the US, but she decided to go to her other home, and help the struggle for freedom, democratic representation, and equality for all of her fellow Syrians. That’s heroic. Throw in the gay rights angle, and it makes it super heroic, in my book. Would that we all had as much courage and conviction as this woman. “How much are taxpayers going to have to pay to get her out?” You should be ashamed for asking this question. Guess she would have been a real hero if she existed. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657/20 "2011-06-13T02:13:28Z")
[She’s a dude. In Scotland.](http://gawker.com/5811169/a-gay-girl-in-damascus-is-actually-a-married-guy-in-edinburgh) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/american-lesbian-blogger-abducted-in-syra-why-the-f-k-were-you-there-in-the-first-place/584657.md?page=2)