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March 29, 2007
British Hostage Crisis in Detail
Verum Serum analyzes the British hostage crisis in detail. The Iranians can't even tell a convincing lie. Superb.
The Mainstream Media, who get all excited about Gitmo, don't seem terribly indignant as the Persians parade kidnapped Leading Seaman Faye Turney on TV. It's like: Oh, doesn't she look fashionable with her head wrapped like that. And: She says the barbarians are treating her really well so it must be true; And: She did admit that the Brits were in Iranian waters so that must also be true.
Of course, she wasn't tortured, or threatended with torture, right?
And look, it is, technically a violation of the Geneva Conventions, but, well, it's their culture and at least we know the sailors are alive, so really, the Persians are acting compassionately.
Thus goes the thinking of our chattering classes.
Here's the bottom line: The Iranians committed an act of piracy. Yes, piracy. They should be hunted down and hung like the cowardly dogs they are.
You do not negotiate with pirates.
You kill them.
Anything less will only open the door to another, bigger act of piracy.
Posted by Robert J. Avrech at March 29, 2007 04:15 PM
Comments
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A military response is needed here. Something that makes it clear that this kind of behavior will be rewarded with consequences that are swift and severe.
Posted by: Jack at March 29, 2007 08:40 PM
It is time for Iran to get the Soviet treatment... NOW! Someone should organize a massive rally in front of the Iranian consulate in New York in support of the British sailors and in indignant protest of these barbarians. Adar and I already agreed we'd do whatever it takes to be at such an event.
Posted by: Jake at March 30, 2007 06:05 AM
Robert, let me play Devil's advocate for a moment, but I mean it seriously:
Why are we so sure that the Brits were not in Iraninan waters? I certainly don't find anything objectionable about spying on the Iranians. And I seem to remember something about a U2 plane over the USSR in the 50's. Maybe they were spying...
What say you?
Posted by: Yehupitz at March 30, 2007 07:50 AM
Yehupitz:
Fair question. My reply is not authoratative, but from what I understand of these situations on the high seas, the following is supposed to be the playbook.
1. If the Brits mistakenly strayed into Iranian waters, and they did not, then the Iranians can halt the ship, communicate with the Iranian govt. who will then lodge a protest with the British govt.
2. Permission to board and search the British ship is requested, and either confirmed or denied. From there, the British troops, always a pawn, are released and sent back to Britain.
Getting into it with the Brits should be a losing proposition from anyone in the world as we know it. The Persians are counting on the English to roll over and play the appeasement card.
The Persians are also counting on the EU, the European Union, to abandon one of its prime members, and carry on as if the Islamic threat were but an hallucination. This makes their job so much easier.
Anyway, these Brits were not spying. It's quite clear that the Iranians are, once again, trying to "change the conversation." They are pulling focus from their failed domestic government, and their increasing world isolation, to the usual "we're the victims of world aggression."
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.seraphicpress.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 30, 2007 09:58 AM
Jack:
I fear that the Brits are determined to got Chamberlain on this. Already they are working through the UN Security Council; exactly what the Persians want them to do.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at March 30, 2007 11:21 AM
Jake:
A protest is all well and fine. But that will not drive Iranian policy. Only mlitary action will solve this and future problems.
There is no necessity for ground troops. To hit the Iranians where it hurts we will only need the Air Force and our carrier groups, already stationed in the Gulf.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at March 30, 2007 11:26 AM
I've quoted you and linked to you here: http://consul-at-arms.blogspot.com/2007/03/re-british-hostage-crisis-in-detail.html
Posted by: Consul-At-Arms at March 30, 2007 01:19 PM
Only mlitary action will solve this and future problems.
Nothing is going to change without applying our boot their neck. Wish it were otherwise.
Posted by: Jack at March 30, 2007 01:30 PM
Consul:
Thanks so much for the link. You run a wonderful blog. I'm honored.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at March 30, 2007 01:39 PM
Jack:
And the sooner the better. Time is always on the side of the terrorists for it saps the will of Democracies.
Posted by: Robert J. Avrech at March 30, 2007 01:43 PM
The honor is all mine. Thanks for letting me steal your best lines (with attribution, naturally).
Posted by: Consul-At-Arms at March 31, 2007 04:52 PM