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The 15 British sailors and Marines have returned to London, wearing better-fitting and looking clothes than what they had on when they left Tehran.
Now that they are back, a few questions will be floated. For instance, why didn’t their main ship come to their aid when the Iranians were seen anywhere near them instead of letting them be captured?
Why did they so quickly admit they were in Iranian waters and allow themselves to be used for propaganda purposes in Iran?
I don’t know the answers to these questions and will wait to see what they have to say about their captivity before I pass judgment, if I pass judgment on them at all. I don’t know what I would have done in their situation.
I’d also like to know what kind of parting gifts they received from Ahmadinejad when they left. Some expensive Persian rugs, perhaps?
Written by ~J~
A fairly good article on the return of the British hostages.
It partially answers your question on what was in the “goodie bags”.
http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/news/article-23391544-details/Sailors+touch+down+at+Heathrow+-+with+their+goody+bags/article.do
Do you remember the two fox reporters that were captured in Palestine? Those two did everything including turning Muslim.If I were in that position I would probably promise or give anything not to lose my head or worse. When you’re in the hands of someone that has complete control of your life, it’s hard to say what you would do. Let a few of these people asking the questions, put on a uniform and put them selves in that position. Maybe they won’t be so quick to question others motives. Lets give these young British solders a break and thank the Great Spirit that they are free.
Tonto:
I am more than delighted that these members of the British military are safe and home with their families.
You are correct of course that none of us knows how we would react in any situation in which we have not been placed. That said, there are active duty and retired military in Britain today asking what happened to name, rank and serial number. IMHO those “gifts” should have been left behind at the embassy in Tehran as to not give the impression that this was a kind gesture on the part of the Iranians. These are thugs who were well beyond their bounds and looking for no more than “recognition” from the world..sadly they achieved their goal.
Unfortunately for these sailors, the images you see at Heathrow may not be what their life will be in the future..because people who do wear the uniform will be asking them some serious questions. While we may not understand or agree with military protocol at a time like this, breaking from it can cause serious damage in the long run. Again, I am so happy they are safe and home but I do think there are questions now that they and their government have to answer, not to us but to their citizens.
The real puzzle is why their ship didn’t help them when they saw an Iranian patrol headed their way. They were right there and should have protected their own.
We don’t know what kind of torture was promised them if they didn’t do as told, so until I hear they did this of their own free will I’ll give them a pass on that.
The news is now saying one of them was held in solitary confinement, but won’t say which one.
As for the gifts, I think it was Iranians who took them to the airport, but maybe they could have left it on the plane. I’m not going to judge that either. I haven’t walked in their shoes and if they have broken military protocol they will be taken to task by their commanders.
J& SMh10
I agree with a lot of what both of you said. I will wait and find out what really happened.
?
If they did something terrible, then and only then, I will criticize. I’m not going to get into a debate over this because, without more information, I really don’t have an idea what I’m talking about.
Tonto:
I do not think that by civilian standards any one of these sailors or marines did anything wrong. My concern for them is that the military could see it differently.
And Jeanette, I agree..what was that mother ship doing as these sailors were taken prisoner? Sky news is reporting tonight that they were on an intelligence mission and that this part of the info was being held until the personnel were released. This is a puzzle to which many of the pieces may never be divulged.
I love a mystery.
@smh10 - there is nothing in that link to tell us what was in the goodie bags. Apart from a photo of one of the sailors holding a closed box. Did you even read it? Anyway, I’m guessing they were given 1/ a tin of Beluga caviar 2/ a prayer mat 3/ a car sticker with “I heart Tehran” 4/ a guide book “Little-known backwaters of the Shatt-al-arab waterway” 5/ tickets for a heavy-water rafting trip 6/ a Free 14 day Course in GPS Navigation at the Iranian Naval Academy 7/ a copy of “Camels I have Known and Loved” and “The Myth of the Holocaust” by the celebrated Iranian writer Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and 8/ a CD by the same guy singing a karaoke version of “I’m an Asshole”.
Malcolm:
That link was taken from Drudge and yes I read it and at the time that was the home page for that paper. They change the paper daily and that link is now to the newest story with Mother and child reunited. Here is another link if you are interested in the gifts they did receive..I hope this works for you.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=446983&in_page_id=1770
smh, you are right. I saw some items listed yesterday, and though I had hoped they’d get a nice Persian rug for their trouble this is what they got: