Grooming, international style

I don't have much motivation to post my thoughts about the war anymore, because they are simply: it is too hopeless, as long as the conservatives are making things worse than even the lefties would be able to do by doing nothing.

But today I'm confused about which is worse:

A) Fifteen armed forces hostages laughing and shaking hands with their captor;
or
B) Blair stating: "Throughout, we have taken a measured approach: firm but calm, not negotiating but not confronting either."

The West is being "groomed", as psychologists say, to feel gratitude toward the offender, and comfort in doing nothing when offended. On these principles, what could go wrong in the future, really?