Easter Gift of Freedom from Iran

Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
They think they are heroes

Can you adduce a source for that statement? Everything I've read suggests that we've heard nothing since they went into debriefing except allegations that some of them were held in solitary confinement.

I was very interested in the USS Pueblo link no.1 posted a little earlier - I'd forgotten all about that, but the parallels are astonishing.

Originally posted by ElleEffSeee
Pssst - your anti-British bias is showing.

If all British military personnel were to behave like these, then perhaps I am biased. Contrast the actions of the British military personnel who collaborated with the enemy, gave fake "confessions," apologized to Iran, appeared on TV with glowing praise of the treatment by their captors and lastly, left Iran in smart new Iranian-tailored suits instead of their own British-issued military garb with the U.S. Military Code of Conduct:

http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/code_conduct.htm

Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
If all British military personnel were to behave like these, then perhaps I am biased. Contrast the actions of the British military personnel who collaborated with the enemy, gave fake "confessions," apologized to Iran, appeared on TV with glowing praise of the treatment by their captors and lastly, left Iran in smart new Iranian-tailored suits ...[text shortened]... with the U.S. Military Code of Conduct:

http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/code_conduct.htm

So why didn't you court-martial Commander Bucher?

Originally posted by Amaurote
Can you adduce a source for that statement? Everything I've read suggests that we've heard nothing since they went into debriefing except allegations that some of them were held in solitary confinement.

I was very interested in the USS Pueblo link no.1 posted a little earlier - I'd forgotten all about that, but the parallels are astonishing.

One big difference. The Pueblo was unescorted.

Edit: Out of necessity.

Originally posted by Amaurote
So why didn't you court-martial Commander Bucher?

Lol!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought I had read that he made a call and was told not to engage?

Originally posted by Merk
One big difference. The Pueblo was unescorted.

Edit: Out of necessity.

But in practice, neither was the British vessel - they were ambushed by overwhelming odds while returning from boarding another vessel with no time at all for the Cornwall to close. They had semi-automatic weapons - the Pueblo had machine-guns. Both crews were subject to heavy criticism from US domestic opinion and in both cases they were following the rules of engagement. I don't think either crew behaved ignobly - and frankly, when you consider that for all the legality of their presence, a British ship is only seven miles off the coast of Iran, you begin to appreciate the underlying frustration of the government in Tehran.

Originally posted by Amaurote
But in practice, neither was the British vessel - they were ambushed by overwhelming odds while returning from boarding another vessel with no time at all for the Cornwall to close. They had semi-automatic weapons - the Pueblo had machine-guns. Both crews were subject to heavy criticism from US domestic opinion and in both cases they were following the rule ...[text shortened]... coast of Iran, you begin to appreciate the underlying frustration of the government in Tehran.

I will never be convinced that what Iran did was anything near acceptable.

As for the British sailors and their behavior, I have nothing but respect for them. It's not some Phaulking Rambo movie. Say what your captors want to hear. There is no reason to make them angry. Making some worthless admission is far better than a lifetime of trying to mental problems resulting from torture. What I feel most apathetic about toward these sailors is that out of the 15 I would bet that several of them are going to kick themselves in the butt for their admissions. Even if a person knows they did the right thing, it doesn't stop us from feeling like crap about it.

From what I can tell, everyone followed orders. No matter ehat a person thinks of the ROEs, I don't see how these sailors can be blamed.

The post that was quoted here has been removed

Bingo.

Originally posted by der schwarze Ritter
If all British military personnel were to behave like these, then perhaps I am biased. Contrast the actions of the British military personnel who collaborated with the enemy, gave fake "confessions," apologized to Iran, appeared on TV with glowing praise of the treatment by their captors and lastly, left Iran in smart new Iranian-tailored suits ...[text shortened]... with the U.S. Military Code of Conduct:

http://www.usmcpress.com/heritage/code_conduct.htm

Ever been kidnapped, held in a foreign country and denied consular access yourself?

The post that was quoted here has been removed

Rumours that they were given a big bag of chocolate easter eggs remain unconfirmed.

Originally posted by ElleEffSeee
Ever been kidnapped, held in a foreign country and denied consular access yourself?

I was once. It was in Spooner, Wisconsin. Jeebus, talk about a rough night.

Originally posted by ElleEffSeee
Ever been kidnapped, held in a foreign country and denied consular access yourself?

Yes....happened in Hungary about 5 years ago before they joined the EC and I was on business.

Not reason givern....the only thing I can think off was that I was Asian.

The post that was quoted here has been removed

Could you source that?

Incidentally, there are approximately 100,000 Christians in Iran. They wouldn't be there if they were opressed or mistreated.

P.S. Of everyone in jail in the U.S, how many do you think aren't Christian?

Originally posted by Merk
Lol!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought I had read that he made a call and was told not to engage?

The point being made was that the contrary to DSR' assertions, American soldiers and sailors captured have done the same thing as the British did here i.e. make admissions of guilt or been used in propaganda. The members of the USS Pueblo did, captured flyers in the Gulf Wars did, etc. etc. etc. I agree this should not be held against them but apparently DSR doesn't (at least if they're British).