. . . is that her ransom was paid as part of a scheme by the Italian government, our ally in the war against terrorists. That's the conclusion Michelle Malkin draws in her latest column.
Whatever the final tally, it's a whopping bounty that will undoubtedly come in handy for cash-hungry killers in need of spiffy new rocket-propelled grenade launchers, AK-47s, mortars, landmines, components for vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices, and recruitment fees. (To put this windfall in perspective, bear in mind that the September 11, 2001, plot was a $500,000 drop in the bucket for Osama bin Laden.)
Or maybe Italian advocates of this terrorist get-rich-quick scheme think the thugs will spend their money on Prada handbags and Versace couture.