Don't negotiate with kidnappers: #tellusatoday

American photojournalist Luke Somers, who had been held by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula since 2013, was killed during a failed rescue attempt by U.S. special forces and Yemeni troops

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Do we have any capability left to keep top secret missions secret? Let's announce to the world that we are weak and failed. There are times when secrecy matters, when it shouldn't be released to the media. This is one of them. What we really failed to do was to keep national security secure.

—Karen Monson

I praise our military forces and revere their bravery. Islamic fanatics are not getting the message. Take an American hostage and you die. Godspeed to these brave special forces with only my deepest respect.

—Joe Miller

This mission should not be called a failure. Our special forces units got in there and killed the captors. A failure would be for the U.S. to sit around and do nothing.

—Steve Hayes

Is the money paid to journalists enough to make it worth putting themselves in dangerous situations?

—Jenneil Watkins

If it weren't for journalists who put themselves in danger, many of the atrocities that happen around the world would not be known by Americans.

They bring to life the horrors of events by placing them at our doorstep. It's hard to be detached from something halfway around the world when you're looking right at it.

Every job is a risk.

—Nickolas Ferra

We asked if the attempted rescue of U.S. hostage Luke Somers was worth the risk, or if negotiating for hostages is a better option.

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We should never negotiate with kidnappers or pay ransoms. That will only encourage them.

—@JTMac32

We should have explored negotiation tactics. Not in all cases does use of force work.

—@iheme_emmanuel

Paying ransom never slows kidnapping. Ask Capt. Richard Phillips and the Somalians who took him captive.

—@robpipp

No negotiating, no ransom, no way. I would have wanted a rescue attempt for a loved one. My condolences go to the families.

—@Renie_62

Of course they should not have negotiated. Our policy is abundantly clear: We don't negotiate with terrorists.

—@angelacleaver

President Obama has negotiated with terrorists before.

—@Nancywillask

Yes, it was worth the risk — no negotiating with the enemy. I'd expect nothing less if it were me.

—@Williams01Dave

For more of the conversation, follow @USATOpinion or #tellusatoday on Twitter.