Wilson Ramos: Kidnapped and Rescued

The Washington Post is running an article entitled, "Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos says police, kidnappers exchanged heavy gunfire in dramatic rescue." According to the article, Ramos said, "For a few moments...I thought I would never see my family and that was something painful, super painful.”

Questions for Discussion:

1. What is the most important thing about a family? Do you think that you can ever replace a family with friends? Why or why not?

2. If you had been in Wilson Ramos' place, what would you have been thinking on a moment by moment basis as you were driven from your home to the hideout? Would time have flown by or stood still? Explain!

3. The socialist country of Venezuela does not have warm relations with the United States. It's leader Hugo Chavez is not liked by the U.S. government. What questions would you ask to learn more about the relationship between Venezuela and the United States? Do you think that this event could prompt better relationships? Why or why not?

4. What strategies do you have for dealing with pressure when it is at its worst? Are there strategies for dealing with pressure that you would like to implement but find it very difficult to do so? Why do you find these strategies difficult to implement? Explain!!