Breaking: Iran says it will release woman sailor; Update: Set to air video “confession”? Update: Iran will let British diplomats meet with sailors
posted at 9:10 am on March 28, 2007 by Allahpundit
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Today or tomorrow, according to the banner at CNN.com. Meanwhile, Blair has unleashed his dreaded “new phase” in the standoff: a freeze on all diplomatic matters with Iran unrelated to the hostage crisis and public presentation of GPS evidence that the ships were, indeed, in Iraqi waters. Iran has already responded on the latter point. The Beeb has a graphic.
Standby for updates.
Update: The report about the woman sailor comes from Turkish TV, quoting the Iranian foreign minister.
Update: Iran’s playing games with the GPS coordinates. From the Guardian link:
Vice Adm. Charles Style told reporters that the Iranians had provided a position on Sunday - a location that he said was in Iraqi waters. By Tuesday, Iranian officials had given a revised position 2 miles east, placing the British inside Iranian waters - a claim he said was not verified by global positioning system coordinates.
“It is hard to understand a legitimate reason for this change of coordinates,” Style said.
Style gave the satellite coordinates of the British crew as 29 degrees 50.36 minutes north latitude and 048 degrees 43.08 minutes east longitude, and said it had been confirmed by an Indian-flagged merchant ship boarded by the sailors and marines.
Update: Looks like there’s a price for letting her go.
The female British sailor detained by Iran along with 14 others after their illegal entry to Iranian waters in the Persian Gulf has apologized to Tehran for the incursion.
In an interview to be broadcast later on Wednesday on television, Faye Turney, apologized for the violation of the Iranian sovereignty by the British navy service people on Friday.
She said Iranians have treated her and the other soldiers in a humane, moral manner.
Update: Iran says it may let Turkish diplomats in to see the sailors.
Update: Changed the headline from “woman Marine” to “woman sailor.” An e-mailer in a position to know tells us there are no women in the Royal Marines, although there are in the Royal Navy.
Update: Video of the female soldier is now being shown on Iranian TV. Here’s the only clip I’ve found thus far which contains audio (briefly).
Naturally, they’ve slapped a headscarf on her.
And here are the screencaps of her letter to her family. It’s pure propaganda. “[W]e had apparently gone into Iranian waters…”
“I have written a letter to the Iranian people to apologise for us entering into their waters…”
“Hopefully it won’t be long until I am home to get ready for Molly’s birthday party with a present from the Iranian people.”
Update: Okay, Sky’s got the whole clip. There’s not much to it. “Obviously we trespassed into their waters,” she says, and praises their compassion.
Update: I guess this is good news but all arrows here point towards them being held for awhile. I figured Iran would release all 15 by Friday to show their “reasonableness.” That seems unlikely if they’re arranging for diplomatic visits.
As I write this, Drudge has the siren up claiming that Iran’s demanding an admission that the sailors were in Iranian waters in order to resolve the crisis. Blair can’t do that and now, having drawn this line, neither can Iran back off from it. Looks like this is about to get interesting.
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Mottaki discounted the possibility of an escalation in the crisis, suggesting that the alleged entry into Iranian waters may have been a mistake.
amerpundit on March 28, 2007 at 9:20 AM
Wonder if the Persians have any more honor than Hamas.
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on March 28, 2007 at 9:21 AM
Oops, here is the link for the quote…
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on March 28, 2007 at 9:22 AM
And, as always, the HuffPo commenters, make excuses for the rapists.
amerpundit on March 28, 2007 at 9:25 AM
Let loose the Spartans!!
Viper1 on March 28, 2007 at 9:28 AM
Video apology?….Sorta like the video of Nick Berg and Daniel Pearl. Sincere apologies from criminals. That is the stuff peace is made of.
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 9:30 AM
Shock and Awe indeed… I’m in SHOCK that the Brits lack balls, and in a disgusted AWE that they are letting the Persians get away with this.
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on March 28, 2007 at 9:37 AM
‘Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.’ - Patrick Henry
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 9:38 AM
If the three-headed Bushcheneyrove beast is the bloodthirsty warmonger I’ve been led to believe, why isn’t Tehran a glowing puddle of glass by now?
Jim Treacher on March 28, 2007 at 9:50 AM
I think they just showed them on Iranian tv. Drudge has a link, but the story is chopped up on my browser.
sunny on March 28, 2007 at 9:58 AM
Hate to say it but, maybe she got her period… Can you imagine being a western hostage and having to ask a bunch of lunatic males for supplies?
Babs on March 28, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Hey Allah - What’s the over under on WHEN we go to war with Iran?
Babs on March 28, 2007 at 10:10 AM
When Speaker Botox grows some balls, and stops treating our troops like the enemy. (translation never)
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on March 28, 2007 at 10:30 AM
War with Iran is inevitable, so the sooner the better. When will a leader with some cajones stand up and say ENOUGH DAMMIT! Iran wantws nothing less than war with us, but they want to be viewed as the victim so they won’t actually fire the first shot. The mad mullahs better watch out what they ask for, they just may get the armageddon they want so badly.
NeverSubmit on March 28, 2007 at 10:40 AM
If ‘we’ do nothing here then the next thing is a Chinese SilkWorm skimming across the sea foam. Accidently launched of course. Ooops sorry America but your ship shouldn’t have run into our missle.
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 10:47 AM
Well “WAR” requires Congress to sign off on it. However, I am sure there will be “military operations”; just not a full declaration of war by the treasonous cowards in Congress.
E L Frederick (Sniper One) on March 28, 2007 at 10:50 AM
I pretty well doubt there are going to be any major military operations over this. But I will say that it is probably the last time the Brits allow the Iranians to snatch their people.
crosspatch on March 28, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Turkish Diplomats, from inspecting religous construction sites to interviewing prisioners, is there anything they can’t do?
BohicaTwentyTwo on March 28, 2007 at 11:25 AM
i am waiting for a strongly worded letter from the UNSC.
stevezilla on March 28, 2007 at 11:43 AM
SO, to recap, we have thousands of illagal insurgents cross into our soverign territoy, and they have that right.
Are the Brits going to do jobs that Iranians won’t??
Ringmaster on March 28, 2007 at 11:43 AM
It must have been the kvetching that produced results. Good work, Blair.
Dudley Smith on March 28, 2007 at 11:55 AM
Tony Blair has been more courageous than most other world leaders during the WOT, but it’s shameful that even a courageous British leader in 2007 is the equivalent of Jimmy Carter in 1979.
Patrick H on March 28, 2007 at 12:17 PM
LOL! The Iranians must be saying, “Yes we will release the hostages, just please stop your Prime Minister from Jew-ing us to death.”
BohicaTwentyTwo on March 28, 2007 at 12:23 PM
And immediately after this happens (before?), the O’Donell/Sheen/Penn/et. al contingent will immediately begin shouting “False Flag!” and “Gulf of Tonkin!”
And Iran knows it.
pjaromin on March 28, 2007 at 1:02 PM
Notice the head covering!
Enjoy it ladies!
Keep supporting the Libs and you can count on your dreams of equality ending soon!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on March 28, 2007 at 1:07 PM
I thought Condi was making deals quietly in the background to choke off Iran economically. We shouldn’t have to go to war in the traditional sense, but wait till the noose cuts off the flow of blood to the Mullahs heads. This is Iran’s desperate attempt to use soldiers as bargaining chips. I’m I missing something?
Kini on March 28, 2007 at 1:11 PM
Well, actually, E.L., I think the President can move militarily on his own and then he has 6 weeks to get Congress to fund/confirm his actions.
He’s not going to go to Congress for a permission slip if an immediate strike with a surprise factor is needed.
Jen the Neocon on March 28, 2007 at 1:17 PM
Did Colmes write the apology letter?
JammieWearingFool on March 28, 2007 at 1:19 PM
Hmmm…let’s see….the Ungratful Nations and Human Rights Watch haul us over the coals for violating the Geneva Convention for showing POW faces…..am I right? Tehran gets a pass?
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 1:24 PM
They’ve more than slapped a headscarf on her AllahP. The mullah’s propaganda video shows Turney eating with the men but, according to the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hoseyni, she is being held seperately from the men. I assume this treatment is part of the “Islamic way” that Hoseyni refers to.
ganeshpuri89 on March 28, 2007 at 1:27 PM
She cops to being in Iranian waters?!?!?!?!
Oh. My. Goodness. How much does it suck to be a member of the British Armed Forces right now? Sure to be released, video of her washing Ahmadinejads feet.
Theworldisnotenough on March 28, 2007 at 1:28 PM
Iran tries to barter greater access to the UK banking system?
Theworldisnotenough on March 28, 2007 at 1:32 PM
I very much doubt they were in Iranian waters. So far, Iran hasn’t been able to back up its claims with actual GPS proof. Britain has been able to back up its claim with GPS proof.
amerpundit on March 28, 2007 at 1:34 PM
Treason.
PRCalDude on March 28, 2007 at 1:37 PM
Perhaps, even the world banking system also.
Coercion?
Kini on March 28, 2007 at 1:39 PM
The President can declare war for 90 days, without Congress having to approve the war.
amerpundit on March 28, 2007 at 1:40 PM
Kini, as I said, if they told me I’d get released by writing the sky is purple, I’d ask where they’d want it written.
amerpundit on March 28, 2007 at 1:41 PM
I just sent FOX a photo I have that was taken inside Evin prison. The bedding in my photo is almost identical to the curtain behind the female hostage. I have no idea if the Brits know where she is. Anyone else I could send my photo to for comparison?
Connie on March 28, 2007 at 1:47 PM
Then the sky is indeed purple
Kini on March 28, 2007 at 1:58 PM
Here’s a quick rundown of coverage on the websites of Iranian state-run tv:
There’s nothing about the video up on the webpage of the Islamic Republic of Iran News Network (IRINN).
http://www.irinn.ir/
It’s the top story at Al-Alam, Iran’s 24 hr Arabic news channel.
http://www.alalam.ir/
Top story at Al-Alam English (Headline:
Iran to Release British Servicewoman)
http://www.alalam.ir/english/
Top story at Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Farsi site (carries screen grab of Turney.)
http://www.irib.com/
Nothing on the front page of IRIB’s English-language site (Arab summit is top story)
http://www.iribnews.ir/front_en.ASP?sec=front_en
Ditto IRIB’s Arabic website.
http://www.iribnews.ir/front_ar.asp?Sec=front_ar
ganeshpuri89 on March 28, 2007 at 2:00 PM
Oh come on now. I think that is a little mean. Give him at least 100-200 days to do nothing before painting him with the Carter brush.
Bradky on March 28, 2007 at 2:01 PM
News Alert!
Hidden message spotted in the video that got by the Iranian censors.
It is when she took a puff of her cigarette, she made the suttle hand sign that means:
“GET US THE F*&K OUT OF HERE!!!!!!!!!!!”
PinkyBigglesworth on March 28, 2007 at 2:08 PM
I have a problem with pointing the ‘traitor/coward’ finger at these bluejackets……you never know what is actually in the writing. I know my boy and I already have a system worked out just in case. Other then that I agree with amerpundit…..hey sorry I screwed up can I go home now.
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 2:13 PM
Wow… so that means that I will never, ever have another bad-hair day? I welcome our new Persian overlords.
*spit*
lan astaslem on March 28, 2007 at 2:16 PM
Kidnapping is not humane.
Newt had a good idea. Just stop all their gasoline tankers dead in the water and gas-starve the country for a while. Then he suggested to sabatoge their one-and-only gasoline refining plant. Niiiiice.
Now me personally, I say just start blowing things up. That’s always a great attention getter. We delt with the Barbary pirates that way so let’s deal with the Persian pirates that way.
Mojave Mark on March 28, 2007 at 2:18 PM
Good point for everyone to keep in mind.
Bradky on March 28, 2007 at 2:19 PM
Check this out. Compare to curtain behind hostage.
Photos from inside Evin prison by Morteza Farajabadi, Isna
http://khabarnameh.gooya.com/english/archives/001308.php
Connie on March 28, 2007 at 2:26 PM
Should take about 90 minutes to turn the whole pile of crap that is Iran into a nice shiny glass parking lot. Cmon GW whatve you got to lose, the whole planet thinks we suck anyway, why not glean something from it.
Viper1 on March 28, 2007 at 2:32 PM
Far be it from me to criticize the actions of hostages, especially a mother, and no disrespect to Amerpundit, but remember- these are soldiers, not civilians. I can’t help but feel that this apology wouldn’t be possible without the continual appeasement and pandering to multiculturalism and the onslaught of Islamofacism that Britain as shown lately- “Just say and do whatever you need to keep the peace.” I sincerely doubt we would be seeing this if it were SAS soldiers, trained in SERE, that had been captured. And US soldiers have an oath:
“I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist…I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.” -US Military Code of Conduct
I don’t doubt there are still quite a few who mean this. It is easy to wear a button, put a sticker on your car, or spout out phrases like, “I will no submit” or “Give me liberty or give me death,” when you are in the safe bastion of America. It is when you are in the clutches of the enemy that it really matters.
tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 2:40 PM
Don’t the Brits have anything like this?
ARTICLE I. I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.
ARTICLE II. I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.
ARTICLE III. If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.
ARTICLE IV. If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.
ARTICLE V. When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.
ARTICLE VI. I will never forget that I am an American, fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.
rbb on March 28, 2007 at 2:45 PM
I dunno rbb and tyler999….but I know if I hear/see certain key words it is to give me the story behind the story……
How many U.S. pilots, navigators, weapons system officers caged in Hanoi sent home confessions along with more hidden details about their capture?
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 2:52 PM
We must be on the same wavelength, rbb.
tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 2:52 PM
“
Our soldiers are much better trained than the British soldiers evidently. When I was working in Korea, I remember on AFKN seeing that “commercial” about the troop captured by enemies and refusing to “apologize” or compromise the integrity of the U.S. or its mission. That is drilled into our troops. That was shameful behavior by the British troops.
The Brits again do not seem to be very good soldiers. First they let themselves be captured; then they compromise their integrity.
januarius on March 28, 2007 at 2:52 PM
I dont think they are bad soldiers januarius- they just dont have the same will to fight that our forces do. Why should they? Their country has been appeasing these forces for years. Once more, these are soldiers who probably never even expected to see combat- this particular one is a mother- and my heart goes out to her. But at what point does your life become more important that the integrity of your armed forces?
“I will never surrender though I be the last. If I am taken, I pray that I may have the strength to spit upon my enemy.”
-US Army Special Forces Creed
“I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy and under no circumstances will I ever embarrass my country.” -US Army Ranger Creed
tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 3:00 PM
Limerick- thats true- but what details are their about this capture that the British need to know that warrant making a publicly damning statement like that?
tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 3:01 PM
Here is the best example I can make:
Burma, 1942-1943, Australian POWs working on the Burma railroad. The Japanese decide to make a propaganda film about the human treatment the prisoners are being given. The ‘Diggers’ and sailors complied, put on fresh clothes, shared in a picnic with their captors, and even had a sing along that got on the propaganda film the Japanese released:
(think of the tune: “She’ll be comin round the mountain”
The Aussies sang it alright:
-They’ll be dropping 1000 pounders when they come!
-They’ll be dropping 1000 pounders when they come!
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 3:06 PM
Well thats not exactly hidden now is it ;p Also, propaganda has become more sophisticated since 1942- everyone has learned that actually CHECKING what people are saying/writing is important. Remember, during the first Gulf War, attempts were made via radio to demoralize our troops by telling them that while they were in Iraq their wives were having affairs with Tom Cruise, Tom Selleck, and BART SIMPSON. ;p
tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 3:10 PM
Personally I think it is a little premature to begin disparaging the abilities of the military of a close ally and to deny the benefit of the doubt of the prisoners pending their return to the British. One of the tactics that was used to demoralize our POWs in Viet Nam was to trot out propaganda gleaned from our own citizens. The POWs could only see it in the context that the captors wanted them to.
I have served with Aussies and Brits and they are consummate professionals like our own military personnel.
Hope for their safe return and let due process take its course - anything less is premature.
Bradky on March 28, 2007 at 3:10 PM
I’ll shut the hell up then for I wouldn’t want to offend anyone who knows how to withstand torture…..but I will leave you with one last thought:
RULE#1: make it home.
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 3:14 PM
I just want to find out if the mullah’s navy or dinnerjacket’s navy took them. Might explain who’s throwing the party in france and the price fluctuations in gasolene(here not there).
12 or 13 .50 cal. bullets and one well placed smart bomb and they’re screwed until WE say so. IMHO.
tormod on March 28, 2007 at 3:17 PM
No- Rule #1, in both the US and British Military is:
COMPLETE THE MISSION.
And if you are capture- at least in the US military, you mission is as it is stated in the US Military Code of Conduct, which makes it very clear that not making statements that hurt your country or its allies is paramount to escape.
tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 3:18 PM
Tyler999- That message about not embarrassing or compromising your country and fellow soldiers if captured used to come at least every couple of hours on Armed Forces Network when I lived in Korea. Even those of us not in the military would know what to do if captured.
It is surprising that the British soldiers are not as well trained. But your reason about their not having the same will to fight makes sense.
januarius on March 28, 2007 at 3:19 PM
you can do both at the same time? who knew!
shaken on March 28, 2007 at 3:20 PM
http://www.amazon.com/Passing-Night-Seven-Prisoner-Vietnamese/dp/1568524668
Order it Rambo. Read it. Maybe you will get a clue.
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 3:22 PM
Januarius- I dont doubt that, but as you well know, there is more to making it through capture than KNOWING what to do. The simple fact is that the average soldier is not trained in SERE or the like, and simply having seen a message repeating the Code of Conduct, while helping, isn’t always enough.
I guess what it comes down to is that, while I would like every armed forces personnel to be willing to die rather than make statements that disparage their country, I don’t expect it. Especially when the soldier in question has a child and, most likely, the only thing running through her head is, “I don’t want my child to grow up without a mother.”
tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 3:23 PM
At least she still has a head.
For now.
pistolero on March 28, 2007 at 3:24 PM
januarius on March 28, 2007 at 3:19 PM and tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 3:18 PM
I looked but couldn’t find the code of conduct for the British. They are not bound by our code — without knowing what their rules are regarding POW behavior, this whole angle is kind of meaningless.
Why is it so hard to wait for their release for this to be addressed?
Bradky on March 28, 2007 at 3:26 PM
I have read it Limerick, and by and large I find it to support what I am saying. These soldiers have not been held for 7 1/2 years. They have been held for several days. We don’t know for sure what they are undergoing, but we can be fairly certain from the video we see that they are not being physically brutalized as they all seem mobile and not in poor condition. Mentally, thats another matter.
tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 3:26 PM
Very impressive Connie.
right2bright on March 28, 2007 at 3:35 PM
U.S., Australia and Israel. The only countries left on this planet that still know the meaning of the words honour and courage.
Aylios on March 28, 2007 at 3:40 PM
WWRD - What Would Reagan Do?
JayHaw Phrenzie on March 28, 2007 at 3:42 PM
Aylios-
“I cannot surrender. I am in command of Australians who would cut my throat if I did.”
-Colonel C. Hore : On being asked to surrender in South Africa
tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 3:45 PM
You forgot Poland. And one woman in Spain.
BohicaTwentyTwo on March 28, 2007 at 3:45 PM
Think back a long time ago and try and recall what a group called Human Rights Watch I believe had to say about the Americans showing the faces of the enemy we captured.
Remember the clips of Johnny Walker Lindh, the CA moonbat turned Taliban captured in Afghanistan. You may recall that the faces of all of the other people in the back of that truck were obscured.
Yet today we hear no outcry from the International Red Cross or any one of the dozen of so human rights groups, who spend their days lobbying the UN to pass another resolution condemming the actions of the Zionist Israelis or the imperalistic actions of America, speaking out against the great Islamic country of Iran. They have obviously imposed an Islamic code of conduct upon the woman and yet if we did the same at Gitmo can anybody imagine the squall and outrage.
Here lefty, lefty, lefty I think your double standard is showing agin.
LakeRuins on March 28, 2007 at 3:46 PM
Discretion is often the times the better part of valor. In the situation these British sailors find themselves in, and the situation many of our own could find themselves in, it is often better better to play ball with the captors then to put up too stiff a resistance. There is no tactical advantage to be gained by being too hard core or John Wayne and in the back of your mind you must just put your faith in your god, your trust in fellow soldiers and try to control whatever it is within your power to control.
I do wish to stress one real difference between captured service members of the US and those of other countries, the bad guys have learned that everybody else will negoiate and their survival chances are increased, also given that they are the guests of a goverment as opposed to say Hezbollah, Hamas or Al Queda works in their favor also.
LakeRuins on March 28, 2007 at 3:57 PM
LakeRuins- I don’t disagree that there is little to no tactical advantage to be gained by putting up a stiff resistance, but there IS a tactical advantage to be gained by the Iranians from these soldiers, “Playing ball.” “Playing ball” is exactly what ends up breaking captive soldiers. No one ever sets out to help the enemy- it is a slow gradual process that starts with saying “If I resist, I am only hurting myself.” By playing ball you identify yourself as a weak link. Its not a matter of what you do right now, but how that will influence your treatment later. This is why all SERE school strives to teach that you accept NOTHING from the captors in the way of favors. You do NOTHING that could be considered less than indifferent at worst, hostile at best.
tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 4:04 PM
Well, let’s hope that if there is a rescue operation, they go in and eliminate all their captors. We wouldn’t want to risk having one of them become a future mad, crazed prime minister of Iran. Oh, wait…
rbb on March 28, 2007 at 4:15 PM
Interesting that she said that if they hadn’t trespassed, she’d be home for her daughters birthday…
Seeing as how the ship she was stationed on was NOT scheduled for departing the area for quite some time.
IE, on the schedule she would NOT be going home soon…
Romeo13 on March 28, 2007 at 4:21 PM
tyler999
I can agree with your sentiments only in regards to the actions of Americans who are captured. US troops that are captured certainly have no good options and what you say in regards to their actions is more valid. My point is that since these are British the rules are different.
I have not forgotten what they did to our guys captured in Iraq. As an American I would spit in there face and hope they killed me quickly losing propaganda value. As a British citizen the chances of being tortured, killed, booby trapped and left as garbage alongside of the road is remote.
LakeRuins on March 28, 2007 at 4:26 PM
But I don’t think its a matter of what they are going to do to you. It’s a matter of national honor and dignity. Just because the chance of being released safely is more likely than being killed or tortured, is no reason to play ball. King Xerxes would very likely have made Sparta (if not all of Greece) stronger and wealthier than it had been. As the lefties like to remind us, he wasn’t that ruthless a guy to the people he conquered- he let them keep their religion, etc. So why fight? Why make things hard on yourself? Why? Cause !@#$ him. Who is he to come in and say that he runs the show and is ALLOWING you to live the way you want. Likewise, why resist them when they aren’t gonna treat you poorly? Cause !@#$ them. They took you without right or provocation. It’s not about what they do to you- its about what they want to use you for. What they want to do to your people.
tyler999 on March 28, 2007 at 4:30 PM
Who is stupid enough to believe that Western hostages displayed on video by their captors are speaking their mind of their own free will? Apparently lots of folks including the news media who treat this like its a home movie the Brits shot on vacation in Iran.
When reporters shot video of Gitmo captives the Left raise hell about that being against the Geneva Convention. Where is the ruckus the lefties raise when Iranian thugs coerce their captives to make propaganda to justify their piracy?
When Admiral Stockdale was held in captivity by the North Vietnamese, he beat himself bloody rather than make propaganda for the enemy. Why does this British chick roll over so easily for the Iranian enemy? Where is the warrior ethic of British female, where is the refusal to make propaganda for the enemy? Is this the warrior ethic of the new equal opportunity military: If you’re a chick and get captured, just do whatever the enemy tells you to do and don’t resist. That’s not exactly the stuff of The Great Escape. For Pete’s sake, she could at least refuse to wear the headscarf.
Furthermore, who is more competent, the British Navy or the Revolutionary Guards of Iran? The RG strike me as cowboys full of revolutionary enthusiam and short on brains. It’s likely some lower commander without much judgement did this on his own initiative and delivered the problem to his superiors, who now have to make it look like they are in control. That’s how the Iranian hostage crisis started at the US embassy: a bunch of college kids thought it would be fun to take over the embassy for a couple days. Then it escalated out of control of the incompetent mullahs running Iran. It looks to me like Iran is trying to BS its way out of blunder by shifting the blame to the Brits.
Tantor on March 28, 2007 at 4:31 PM
And why is this weak woman sailor accepting release ahead of her shipmates? Why doesn’t she refuse any special favors until all her shipmates are released. Why is the woman the weak link in this hostage situation?
Tantor on March 28, 2007 at 4:35 PM
Slightly off topic but I just wanted to give this some attention. Over at Blackfive’s place Reaction from the troops on the cut and run vote.
LakeRuins on March 28, 2007 at 4:35 PM
The RG strike me as cowboys full of revolutionary enthusiam and short on brains. It’s likely some lower commander without much judgement did this on his own initiative and delivered the problem to his superiors, who now have to make it look like they are in control. That’s how the Iranian hostage crisis started at the US embassy: a bunch of college kids thought it would be fun to take over the embassy for a couple days.
Sorry, but if you think either this or the embassy take-over of 1979 resulted from excessive intiative on the part of over-enthusiastic lower-echelon commanders, you’re nuts. In both cases, the orders without a doubt came from the top.
Lehuster on March 28, 2007 at 4:47 PM
Tantor…how do you know she didn’t?
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 4:49 PM
Here’s something I don’t get.
If US, or Brit, or Canadian troops (this has happened too in Canada over the Afghan situation) show, even inadvertently, enemy fighters/terrorists/whatever, the entire Geneva Conventions crowd, and the media go crazy. It’s a violation of their (non-existent) Geneva Convention rights.
Meanwhile the Iranians, who are signatories to the Geneva Conventions (not to mention the Vienna Conventions on Diplomatic Relations, and Consular Relations…but that’s another topic) get away with a practical miltary parade of British troops, and no one mentions anything.
Jeeezzzuuus
Blaise on March 28, 2007 at 4:49 PM
Blaise: posted above…
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 1:24 PM
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 4:54 PM
Limerick:
(a) Sorry I missed yours
(b) I was mostly commenting on the commenators/literati/punditocracy who are ignoring this stuff. For example: any bets that Alan Colmes will criticize this?
Blaise on March 28, 2007 at 6:40 PM
Tis Ok Blaise….just had my dander up for a moment (no over your comments)……all is good…all here(99%) want the same thing….victory!
Limerick on March 28, 2007 at 6:55 PM
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