Paying ransom rewards kidnappers: #tellusatoday

We asked our followers what they thought about governments paying kidnappers for hostages. Comments from Twitter and Facebook are edited for clarity and grammar:

Governments: no. Private citizens: yes. Also, individuals should be able to put bounties on the kidnappers.

— @trident90

Paying ransom may be good for that person, but it only encourages more kidnappings

— @xx_Rudy_xx

Kidnappings would increase if kidnappers knew a ransom would be paid.

— @PatelKi

Paying ransom is a terrible practice of appeasement. Those who commit such crimes only value brute force, and live and die by it.

— @ShawnMilne

Kidnappers shouldn't be able to give terms of negotiation and should be treated like they murdered someone.

— @ZachM85

If the hostage's family cannot afford it, I am all for paying ransom, excluding for people who are known criminals.

— @Gentlemen_Sam

Are you kidding? The Islamic State will exploit weakness. Don't fund terror.

— @wire_kaktus

The terrorists are using the money to kill more people. It makes no sense to save the life of one person if it gives terrorists the money, tools, weapons and opportunity to kill more.

The only ransom that should be paid to terrorists is a bullet between the eyes.

— Christopher Jay Campbell

The U.S. government makes an exception for bringing home captive servicemembers? I thought the Constitution stated that "all men are created equal"?

Either you fight for all Americans to come home or none.

— John Spencer

I feel for the families of these journalists. I really do. But you have to know that your murder is a possible, in fact a probable, outcome when dealing with this group.

— Christopher Daly

Being captured or killed is part of the risk. These reporters should be commended for their bravery and risk-taking, but the government does not owe them a hostage negotiation.

They were not sent by the government.

— Teng Yang

Extermination is the only way to deal with the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria and all those like that group. They only understand violence.

— Michael Sjostrom

Governments should not only refuse to pay but also respond with air attacks and other military force weekly, if not daily, until the hostages are released.

If the kidnappers kill the hostages, then conduct an all-out assault on the compound. Let's see if kidnappings would be repeated.

— Jaay Bee

The American news media go above and beyond in supporting terrorists by giving them the exposure they strive for.

— Philip Dewar

With the World Wide Web, terrorists do not need "media" from any particular country to achieve exposure.

— Tony Salm

For more discussions, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday on Twitter.