THE SERIOUS BRITS – AT 9:46 A.M. ET:  We've said here many times that there's a "Great" Britain and a "Not-so-great Britain."  When Britain is great, as in 1940, it shines.  From London's Daily Mail: 

The British fanatic who beheaded an American journalist will be identified and the SAS will be sent to Syria to 'bring him to justice', a former MI6 chief said today.

Richard Barrett, who was head of counter-terrorism for the security services at the time of 9/11, said he is convinced the murderer - now considered the world's most wanted man - will be arrested and taken back to Britain for trial 'sooner or later'.

The suspect was last night named as 'John' one of a gang of British jihadis known as ‘The Beatles’ who are guarding western hostages for ISIS.

Mr Barratt told the Today Programme: 'They will be able to identify him, although there are four or five hundred people who have gone from all over the United Kingdom many of them have made their presence there known, and I think the community will be able recognise this person and I am sure many in the community will be keen to do so.

'I mean the intelligence community certainly but also the community from which this man comes, he will have had many acquaintances and friends in the United Kingdom and those people will wish to see him brought to justice.'

He agreed that once he is identified the course of action would likely be to send special forces to grab him.

COMMENT:  As we learned yesterday, the United States did attempt a rescue mission for hostages held in Syria, but the attempt failed because of inaccurate intelligence.  Maybe the Brits can pull it off.

August 21, 2014