On Air: Send your message to hostages around the world

Peter Moore will start 2010 as a free man.

After his capture in May 2007 by 40 armed men dressed as Iraqi police officers and a 31 month hostage ordeal, he finally has cause to celebrate.

As reported today ,he phoned home to tell his stepmother that he was looking forward to his Christmas dinner.

Good year bad year?

Today is New Year’s eve and  it’s the time of year we look back on how we’ve done, if the year that went by was good for us, for our family and our friends.
For me 2009 was a busy year, it was the year I joined WHYS and back in April got caught in Mexico City when swine flu was declared an epidemic which was an interesting time but also worrying.

On Air: How do you stop radicalisation?

Five days after the attempted bombing of Northwest Airlines flight 253, lots of questions remain unanswered and one in particular : ‘how do you stop radicalisation?’

Lots of factors are blamed for the transformation of regular guys to suicide bombers including (but of course not limited to)….radical speech on university campuses and in mosques, political and religious beliefs, societal isolation, the internet and even political correctness.

Selective protesting ?

Robert Fisk – a contributor to WHYS – has written an article today which is already getting you going.

It’s an issue which comes up time and time again when we discuss this . All your

On Air: Should all drugs smugglers be executed?

China has defended the execution of British man Akmal Sheikh, the first European citizen to have been executed in over 50 years.

Despite  much global condemnation , China’s decision to stand it’s ground has also attracted praise – from outside China.

“Sorry not to join the liberal wailing: heroin traffickers deserve to die,” writes Leo McKinstry.

Who do you blame for the “syringe bomber” ?

His family contacted security agencies two months ago to raise concerns and his teachers say he was showing signs of extremism from a young age.

 He was even on a terrorism watch list.

So how did Umar Farouk Abdul Mutallab, the Nigerian man suspected of plotting to blow up a  plane from Amsterdam to Detroit get so close to fulfilling his goal?

Why isn’t the world supporting the democratically elected government of Iran ?

Anti-government protests  in Tehran over the weekend have left at least eight people dead and over 300 people  arrested.  

 The bloody images splattered across the world’s media say it all. This is Iran’s next revolution in the making say Des Pardes  . 

For other’s it’s the start of civil war.

Broadly speaking, the tone of the editorials is one of supporting the plucky protesters over the “ruthless” Ahmedinejad regime.

The President himself insists the country is “united”, but just because many outside  Iran find his views and statements unpalatable, why is there such unflinching support for the demonstrations ? 

On Air: Christmas away from home?

WHYS is getting festive.  Whether you’re a troop in Afghanistan, a migrant worker or an international  student, we’d like to hear from you. This Christmas day, we’re aiming to get WHYS listeners talking to their loved ones live wherever they are in the world. The Brownsville Herald have launched a ‘Letters Home’ campaign for troops stationed abroad – we’ll see if we can hook up with them in some way. So if you are away from your loved ones this Xmas and would like to speak to them live on WHYS, get in touch.

On air: Does Facebook improve your life?

In our meeting today we all were able to come up with a story regarding Facebook. From the case of Anthony Stancl the American teenager who blackmailed fellow students at his secondary school into having sex after using their Facebook images . And to a story here in the UK about Craig Lynch, he is on the run from police after absconding from prison three months ago, but is still finding time to update his Facebook page.

Should we stop giving at Christmas?

Moving on from my earlier blog post on the meaning of Christmas, I wonder if The Grinch has got to Ghanaian President, John Atta Mills this Christmas? He’s refusing to accept Christmas presents from well-wishers this year, because he says they may be intended to corrupt him. A spokesman for the President said he felt it was better not to accept them, as the givers may be seeking something in return.