BULLETIN – AMERICAN HOSTAGE DEAD – AT 10:09 A.M. ET:  The White House has just confirmed that Kayla Mueller, an American hostage held by ISIS, is dead.  Her family made the first announcement.  From Fox: 

The parents of Kayla Mueller, the Arizona woman who was taken hostage by ISIS in August, 2013, have confirmed their daughter died while in the hands of the terror group.

"We are heartbroken to share that we've received confirmation that Kayla Jean Mueller, has lost her life," Carl and Marsha Mueller said in a statement. "Kayla was a compassionate and devoted humanitarian. She dedicated the whole of her young life to helping those in need of freedom, justice, and peace."

It was not clear how the confirmation was made. ISIS claimed last week she was killed by a Jordanian airstrike, but offered no immediate evidence.

President Obama issued a statement Tuesday, also acknowledging the death of the 26-year-old.

"It is with profound sadness that we have learned of the death of Kayla Jean Mueller," Obama said. "On behalf of the American people, Michelle and I convey our deepest condolences to Kayla's family - her parents, Marsha and Carl, and her brother Eric and his family - and all of those who loved Kayla dearly. At this time of unimaginable suffering, the country shares in their grief."

COMMENT:  We may never know exactly how the United States learned definitively of her death.  Sources and methods used by intelligence agencies are closely guarded. 

And so the president who yesterday mocked those who emphasize terrorism is once again made the fool by international events.  The next foolmakers may be Iranian diplomats, who manipulate us into a very bad deal over Iran's nuclear program.

February 10, 2015