Comments on: And they talk about American arrogance

By: Neil G

Neil G — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 04:40:26 +0000

The weird quasi-alliance between the hard left and the islamofascists seems kind of odd but one thing this kidnapping shows is that the two groups share a kind of “boy was the revolution cool” nostalgia.

These are no longer rag-tag student groups holding Westerners hostage but men in charge of a government. Yet the films, the propaganda all seem right out of the Carter years. Our government and the British government should be pointing out that there are real consequences to be had and Iran can’t hide behind a chaotic situation this time. The Iranian government itself chose to act and it will answer for it. Not just now but until this government is replaced by a more responsible one.

As a member of Generation X I’m not fooled by the Jane Fonda types reliving their glory years and I’m sure younger Iranians are not fooled by this either.

We should be united and strong until these soldiers are brought home. If Iran perceives this as a propaganda victory against the West these Brits will be there for a long time. If they perceive us as being united they will release the soldiers rather than see things escalate. After all, nostalgia has its limits.

By: John F. MacMichael

John F. MacMichael — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 01:47:57 +0000

If Western leaders had the guts to use the overwhelming power available to them, this act of piracy would never have taken place.

By: Michael Lonie

Michael Lonie — Sun, 01 Apr 2007 00:35:53 +0000

Since the British sailors and marines were in Iraqi territorial waters when the Iranians attacked them, as shown by the first set of coordinates the Iranians gave which matched the ones the British had for their people, it was Iran that was the aggressor. They captured uniformed service personnel of another country in the waters of Iraq. This is an act of war. Of course, Iran has committed many other acts of war against the West without having to pay any penalty.

The Iranians are at war with us and Britain. They have been since the Islamic Revolution. They delight in “asymmetrical warfare” which means, for them, terrorism and criminality. Britain has not got the conventional strength to fight Iran, and even US participation may not be enough. If Iran wants asymmetrical warfare let us give it to them. I suggest Britain and the USA (and Iraq if possible) give Iran a short ultimatum to hand back the sailors and marines, cease its terrorism, and cease interfering in Iraq or face dreadful consequences. When Iran’s Pharaohs arrogantly refuse, I suggest that Britain use one Trident missile to destroy several high-value targets in Iran, including the U enrichment facility and Iran’s single gasoline refinery, using nuclear warheads. Asymmetry works both ways, if Western leaders have the guts to use the overwhelming power available to them.