Iran+pirates+US rescue=PR bonanza
By Larry Shaughnessy
The Pentagon's public affairs apparatus put on a full-court press Friday after the U.S. Navy rescued 13 Iranian fishermen from a group of suspect pirates. But for all the back-patting of U.S. efforts to save sailors even from an "axis of evil" country, it turns out the true hero in the whole incident was the quick-thinking Iranian captain.
Not always known for being forthcoming, the Pentagon press office nearly went into a shock-and-awe operation with the story, in likely recognition of the goodwill it hoped to demonstrate to the Iranian people.
Rear Adm. Craig Faller, commander of the USS John Stennis Strike Group, and Cmdr. Jennifer Ellinger, commanding officer of the USS Kidd, held a conference call with reporters that went past midnight in their time zone to discuss the incident.
The call came hours after the office of the Navy's chief of naval information released two videos and numerous still photos of the incident.
Shortly after the call was over, Pentagon reporters were sent an e-mail letting them know that Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta had called Faller to congratulate him and his team for a "well executed effort."
The initial news release about the rescue came hours before the conference call and said little about the captain or "master" of the Iranian dhow, the Al Molai.
But during the call, Ellinger said that when the Navy established radio contact with the Al Molai, the captain used some trickery to let her crew know what was happening.
"When he had the opportunity, he would tell us in a foreign language that they were physically abusing them, they had pirated them and that they were five to 15 people on board and that they were scared," Ellinger said. "We reassured them that we would be on our way."
He risked his life, using a dialect of Urdu which is primarily spoken in Pakistan. "He did convey that he was trying to talk to us hoping that the Somalis did not understand him," Ellinger said. The Navy happened to have an Urdu linguist on board who was able to talk with the captive captain.
It's not clear why a fishing boat captain from Iran would be familiar with Urdu, but it's similar to Hindi, which is common in Indian movies that are popular throughout that part of the world.And fishermen in the region often pick up dialects through interactions with other high sea farers.
The captain didn't just tell the Americans about the pirates, Ellinger said, he also used the approaching American warship to threaten the pirates who had held his vessel and crew hostage for more than 40 days.
"He increased the threat to the pirates, saying that we were coming on board, and that we knew they were there, adding tension to the pirates to the point where they were willing to surrender their weapons," Ellinger said.
After the pirates were taken into custody and moved to the USS Stennis, the U.S. sailors began sending food and water over to the dhow.
Ellinger said the Iranians were extremely grateful. "When we left they expressed their sincere thanks for helping free them."
Faller said they are now on their way back home. "Once we released them today, they went on their way - quite happily, I might add, waving to us wearing USS Kidd Navy ball caps. We believe they are headed back to Iran to their home port."
The Pentagon public affairs organization, which can at times be glacial in its response to reporters' questions, was so quick to blow the military's horn in part because of to recent tensions between the United States and Iran.
"We wanted to turn the temperature down on the situation," said a senior defense official who would speak only on background. "We want this to be an example for the Iranians to follow."
At the State Department, the chance to show the United States took the high road was not missed.
"This is an incredible story. This is a great story," said State Department spokeswoman Victoria Nuland. "The very same ship and set of vessels that the Iranians protested on its last voyage through Hormuz, the John C. Stennis Carrier Strike Group, just rescued this Iranian dhow from pirates."
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fyi, Russia has been forthcoming in this arena [technology] and there is no raseon for her to alter her behavior for both commercial and political raseons. – Surely you jest The Chinese want oil from as many sources as possible. And their primary objective will be to make certain that their economy can ever be starved of oil. Thus the cold-war framework of US-Iran relationship will be fine with them for very similar raseons as with that of Russia’s. Furthermore, the Chinese expect Iran to resist on her own and not need much direct overt Chinese help. But just like Pakistan, China will need to keep US and her allies out of Iran; given the political games that US is playing in Central Asia. – It is absolute lunacy to assume that China will get into a confrontation with US over Iran. China's primary objective is domestic tranquility and economic growth. It follows from this that it is of utmost importance to have close cooperative relations with the US. Recall how at US urging China reduced its oil imports from Iran and started importing more from Angola. As Flyntt Leverett points out what China really wants from Iran is to eventually draw pipelines through Iran to connect it to the Gulf and reduce its dependence on maritime commerce. But China has pipelines from Russia, and Kazackstan is dramatically boosting its production capacity. China is also looking to import natural gas from Turkmenistan. So there really is no need for this right now. It is also far from certain whether Iran even lacks the will to do this at all. If it did it would move to shape Afghanistan and Tajikistan to its liking but its clearly not doing this. The Iranians are also very unstable, ungrateful and chants deaths to their only friends and so they may well be more trouble than they are really worth. And again China realizes as many do that the Arabs just have so much more oil. And the Saudis are so much more polite and hospitable 🙂
I belive we should have traded with Iran, they give us our retard that visited Iran back, we give them their fishermen.
http://michaelfury.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/some-stunt/
this great rescue and the PR bonus will all quickly be forgotten when iran closes the straits....then the fur is really gonna fly!!
God bless America, land of the brave....leader focuses on building and saving lives despite US isn't liked...US is patient and overlooks whatever conflict but focuses on priority..this makes US the greatest nation because we do not sweat small stuff.
I love it! The commander of the rescue was a woman, too. That will probably be what they use to make it into another 'us vs. them' thing. I bet there are meth freaks that aren't as paranoid as the Iranian govt.
This is just great!, one step at a time, the United States, will secure the confidence and trust of Iran's citizens. Iran's "1%", will soon see the "light", just as the US's 1%. Just one more "small step", toward world peace.
You know that the Iranian crew is lucky it wasn't the Iranian Navy that came to their rescue. The Iranian Navy would probably have killed the crew and then hired the pirates to attack the Iranian citizens that want Democracy and fair elections.
Now all we need is for Obama to come out like Bush Jr did and say, "well, looks like we were wrong all along, those Iranian fellas aren't making nukes after all, we had it all wrong", and we can get back to our lives.
OK, Enough of the patting one's self on the back. You will bore a hole in your back. Move on now.
Kissing Iranian ass will take us nowhere.
Thanks for saving us on the US tax-payer expense, just to fight another day!
Basically every one believes all Iranians are ill people. They are not given a choice where they are born. All people function in the same way. We are are born and die, bleed and bruise, cry and laugh, work and play. The world needs to open their eyes and stop categorizing. Muslims , Christians , and Jews have slightly different beliefs but we can work harmoniously together. Kodos to the navy for helping the Iranians. This might seem plain but ut it the basic truth but humanity needs to recognize this
Go Team America!
Wow, cool story.
I remember 911– while many "Palestinians" were caeebrlting the terror, many people around the world held demonstrations of sympathy for the U.S. Amongst the largest, even in many small towns, were in Iran. Unlike many other countries with a violently anti-American totalitarian gov't, much of the Iranian population is extremely pro-American, and pro-democracy. (And its true, they are not Arabs, but rather they are direct descendents of the ancient Persians).
O.K. Somali pirates are hemmorhoids for everyone. Take 'em out one crew at a time and turn 'em over to whoevers ship they grabbed (oh what fun in this case). It justifies our being in the area...it provides a positive response to a problem...respects the rights of other nations...uses money we're already spending...and no "boots-on-the-ground". Ever hear of "win/win" situations ?
Wow, great PR but there's the problem. The Somalis pirates are now buccaneering how far from the Gulf of Aden? And there are currently at least 7 vessels being held for ransom in Galmudug or Eyl in Somalia. Piracy is out of control. Its time to bail on Somalia as a country and start supporting the seperate countries forming there, or face a Barbary pirates situation in North Africa again. I really don't think we want to have to engage in another Somalian ground war.
In these dark days of 2012, the onslaught of Iran continues under the leadership of an indescent and corrupt man. His over-trained and blindly obedient army continues to ravish what is left of Iran. While Mahmoud Ahmadinejad grasps for his place, as this wicked Axis tries to dominate the world, President Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron gather the Allies in defense of the free world, the evil Axis power plunders across the middle east. Mankind is being threatened by these despicable villians. Thee only hope for Freedom and Democracy is WONDER WOMAN!
you and mr. Wood can stop plagiarizing this paragraph on every comment section you happen to logged into , moron;s
One thing is for ABSOLUTE sure: if a REPUBLICAN or CONSERVATIVE leaning moron was in charge of this US Navy Vessel, they would most likely have fired on it and killed "all the terrorists" instead of recognizing these are PEOPLE and not political toys. God truly help this world if we elect yet another Republican War Mongering Dangerous Nincompoop.
Pretty over the top eh Daniel? You think a "Conservative" captain would have blown em up? Are there CIA agents following you too? Grow up.
"Are there CIA agents following you too?"....HMMMMM
Don't be so one sided and biased. One US President doesnt start a war alone. I blame Democrats and Republicans for both major conflicts. War is hell, but we forget that every time and just end up going to war again, nomatter the era's political leader's affiliations.
As I agree with you mostly, statistics show that Democratic Presidents who have started wars is at 16 while Republican Presidents who have started wars is at 10, my source of information http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20061003172851AAZgpzV
I didnt even think Public Relations when this story broke, all I thought was what a great opportunity to show Iran we want peace, that we or us are not enemies and can talk more.
Oh but you, stupid article writer think i terms of PR.
Foolishness.
Exactly! I wish we would take advantage of the situation to calm tensions between us and them, bringing about peace without another costly war.
Just sink every pirate ship, and send the pirates home in a rubber raft....let God decide their fate...
Who would pay for the rubber raft?
The ships owners might foot the bill or the ships insurance company might, I bet either one would do it if we through in some spiked golf shoes for the pirates, or a free lighter and a pack of cigarettes....the whole package would be pretty cheap compared to the ransom for the ship...
Make them walk the plank, just like the good ol' days.
ARGH send out on the plank, them straight to Davy Jones Locker...ARGH and I don't mean that cute and hairy member of the Monkees and his cute Daydream Believer song either...ARGH....That cute hairy hippie freak ruined the pirates tale till Captain Jack Sparrow brought it back to life...ARGH...Captain Jack Sparrow, a real pirate me boy...
This message was brought to you by the self-appointed rep for God...
Cold...
I try to explain why the Samilian's are pirates...I get called a Psychobabbler,
I take a different stand get called a nut acting out Gods commandments...but if God plays a part in our lives he would spare them right...sarcasm is always under valued in all it's forms.....
Many critics...but few offer up any ideas of their own, maybe because they are afraid too, and don't have any, anyway...
This just in: A long trail of USS Kidd hats was seen floating in the water hours after the ship was observed heading back to port.
Iran needs to use this situation politically to turn the relationship with US. This may give them enough to calm down the testy rhetoric and gradually make deals with US to give assurances with no development of a nuclear weapon allowing UN monitors to verify but in return demand Israel to stop playing dirty with the rest of the region. The problem is not only Iran. The real problem is Israel acting like a big dog using US money and weapons to threaten the middle east region, while we keep borrowing from the world to support Israel. This is pure and simple STUPID. Israel needs to contained and should be required to abide by UN resolutions. We attacked and destroyed Iraq for the same reasons, not abiding by the UN resolutions.
Your rose colored glasses are a bit smudgy......
Sure, never fail to throw some hate at Israel, even when the story HAS NOTHING WHATSOEVER to do with Israel.
Israel is surrounded by nations which not only openly hate them, but have attacked the unprovoked before. If you knew a single thing about the history of Israel, or had had to live like they do, under constant seige, you wouldnt make such idiotic remarks. But hey, last time we ignored the Jews, things went great for them right? ...asshole
The British SAS in 1980 stormed the Iranian embassy and freed the regime's diplomats who were being held hostage after one was killed by a group who hated the Khomeni regime. The Iranians have since seized British sailors and held them hostage when their patrol boat was in the gulf. A few months ago Iranians stormed the British embassy in Tehran. Do you think saving these Iranian sailors is going to change relations between the US and the Iranian regime? Think again!
By the way, it is interesting to know that the very plopee who were directly involved with the republicans to work for them against Carter during the hostage crisis, the plopee who actually went inside and took over the embassy are all in the reformist-green camp today. Two prominent names are Saeed Hajjarian and Abbas Abdi. Abdi was also the interrogator of Mr. Amir Entezam! The very same plopee who made under table deals with Reagan during the embassy take over (it is an amazing thing that that criminal of a president actually is being glorified in USA!), later on, under the leadership of plopee such as Mousavi and Karroubi, committed one of the biggest treasons against Iran during the Irangate scandal again in league with Reagan's gang (and Israelies)!Pretty much all of those Irangate guys turned into reformists later on! And all those guys are today green , I am truly curious to know how much their connections with their former masters (in my opinion they are still their masters!) have made the US government give such substantial support to the greens .
Dan Cooper,I very much agree with you that Iran would not attack Israel ulsens Israel attacks first. Iran would be reluctant to attack Israel in any event. There is a cultural element here: art, architecture, history, topography, not to mention millions of Muslims and Christians would be hurt in one way or another. And Ahmadinejad has made clear the Iranians are not enemies of the Israelis.
The tone of the article is a bit cynical. While I don't disagree, I do think it's ok to "blow one's horn" when something positive happens between two countries that hate each other.
This story is perfect example of real charity.
Proverbs 25:21-22
"If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,
for you will heap coals of fire on his head,
and the LORD will reward you."
And as Paul wrote to the church in Rome...
Romans 12:18-21
If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people. Do not avenge yourselves, dear friends, but give place to God’s wrath, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. Rather, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing this you will be heaping burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
It's fun to get mad at Iran and we should deal with them with streness over their nuclear ambitions, but these guys were just out fishin and we should be kind to all. If God loves them, then we need to as well.
AUSTIN 3:16 – All Iranians should bathe on a regular basis using soap and warm water. and their president should change out of his 1973 leisure suit.
Amen, brother Billy! Tell it like it is! Hallelujah!
observer status,
You and I read the same Bible,which, obviously is not the same one as they bully, intimidate and bomb them now Christians read.
Re: "for you will heap coals of fire on his head"
In this day and age, that would be considered a felony assault. Talk about the potential for second and third degree burns....
Bravo...
Careful Observer! You are speaking well of Christians and that is not allowed! One time I was talking politics with a liberal and he sarcastically asked if I had met Jesus. I told him he was a bigot. If I had been Jewish or Muslim he would have bent over backward not to insult me. But Christians are fair game. But somehow this is not bigotry.
This cant be making Israel happy,, especially if Iran decides to send gifts for the nice gesture by the US.
People keep bring up Israel, but Saudi Arabia is under a bigger threat from Iran, than Israel is...those Iranian Missiles can hit Saudi Arabia easy, can not reach Israel...Why do people worry so much about Israel and Iran....If Iran did use nukys on Israel they would kill more Arabs then Jews, contaminate the neighboring Arab lands for decades, and destroy the Golden Dome Temple, holly to Islam...
This is just one more example of Obama's superior use of force to achieve a positive result. Obama rules the land, now the sea!
Aye! Capn' Obama be the Master of the Seven Seas.. ARGH!
Ye skallywags, best not be a'blamin' Mr Obama for yer troubles. He be a kindly man with a big heart and he be a-lookin' out fer all yer children too... ARGH!
Unless obama boarded with an m-16...the thanks goes to the military
Much agreed. For a man who's probably never even held a gun, he's quite adept at efficient use of the military.
Aye Aye Captain President, Arggggg.
You do realize the President doesn't micromanage the military? The Navy simply followed their standard protocols for dealing with distress calls and pirates. It just happened to be Iranians on the dhow.
The Warlords of Somalia run the pirates....kill the warlords and the pirates might stop...Somalia is a real mess...no economy no businesses, but these pirates are left...the people are animals..just read up on Black Hawk down....
The Clinton administration really screwed over our operations there.
War lords are fungable, one replaces the other. The real trick is to make the captured pirates simply disappear. Western jails resent a comfortable option to the priates. Disappearing at high sea is far more effective as a deterrent.
And in Vietnam the U.S. forces were told not to fire on the enemy unless they were sure the bullets would land inside the base perimeter, I guess they did not want any jungle wildlife getting killed by accident....but those were the rules for some bases anyway...
If you knew anything about the pirates you might not sound so arrogant. Most of the pirating started because the shipping industry was killing their fishing grounds, so since the ships wouldn't stop coming, and they couldn't fish, they started taking what replaced them. Which is a global problem – when big industry kills small industry and leaves people and land desolated. It's a shame all around.
Mahhn
This story is about an Iranian fishing boat you know...so what were they doing fishing where there are no fish?
Hakimeh,I read the abstract you leknid, and did not see any mention of the US presidential race in it. The Iran hostage crisis was actually a somewhat contrived device of mainstream TV networks to increase news show viewership. It was Roone Arledge, president of ABC News who coined the phrase America Held Hostage , and used the same techniques of sports broadcasting, where he first made his reputation, to rocket ABC news to the leader among the 3 major networks of the time. Arledge denied his sensationalist coverage of the Iranian hostage story was intended to humiliate Pres Carter and help Ronald Reagan win the presidency, but it did just that, intended or not. The american people were bombarded by competing news divisions of the 3 big networks with the most sensationalist stories they could come up with, true or not, and all of them unbalanced. Afterall, they were reporting a sporting event , and cheering for the hometeam. Yellow Ribbons started with the hostage incident, and are still with us in other jihgoist campaigns on other issues. The beginnings of political bombast as style of broadcasting began with Arledge's treatment of the crisis', and led directly to the creation of the cable news netowrks.
Mahhn
No more fishing right, that is the reason the country went to war with itself, and all the international companies left Somalia...If fishing was the real reason why did they not start fish farms inland? Raising Fish is not that hard you know...dig a big hole and throw them in....raise a little corn and feed them that or raise frogs feed with all the flies Somalia has, and cut up the frogs and feed the fish.... Our U.S. fisheries produce tons of fish every year...
"But for all the back-patting of U.S. efforts to save sailors even from an "axis of evil" country, it turns out the true hero in the whole incident was the quick-thinking Iranian captain."
You putz. Just can't bring yourself to give the U.S. Navy credit, can you? Yes, the Iranian Captain should be commended, but if not for our men and women in the Navy, the Iranians would still be hostages.
"It's not clear why a fishing boat captain from Iran would be familiar with Urdu..."
Some people don't sit at a keyboard all day passing judgment on others, as CNN bloggers do. Some people actually go out and taste the world. Get over yourself. Putz.
Dawn, the best slap in the face to the Muhalla's is to hand all the credit possible to the Iranian captian. It challenges the Muhalla's to behave the same way and they can't. It also let's the Iranian's know wea re not afraid to say something nice about them and treating them well under the right circumstances.
Restraint can provide the best PR victory.
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Well said!
Maybe if we had more people interacting with others internationally, rather than governments interacting, more good things would happen.
Jason: You wrote that maybe the world would be better if people interacted with people, without government involvement. Unlikely. Let's remember that this event was successful because the U.S. Government, by and through the U.S. Navy, was the party involved. It wasn't a person-to-person event.
Nice thought,however repressive regimes don't allow that.
Jack Leon – Actually the US and other countries, some not so friendly to the US, participate in Student exchanges, There are also other humanitarian organizations that help in many countries, again some places that aren't exactly friendly to the US. These students and humanitarian organizations interact not at the government level. Generally it's at the government level where there problems exist, not at the citizen level where most people tend to show a level of respect towards each other.
It is hard to relate on a normal way to people who smell like goats.
Psychobabble (e.g. our next door neighbor was pleasant and friendly, we had NO idea he was a serial rapist / killer) and justifciation (e.g. political / socio economis) for the Pirates actions will perpetuate this behavior.
It's time to bring in the drones BEFORE the attack and start reducting the world's deviants.
If caught we DON'T RELEASE them but put them on trial / either incarcerate or execute.
MOE
If you study problems in the world you can find the reason many people turn to violence...I'm not supporting the pirates...you can go over there and gun them down if you want, or sign up as a security force member for the ships...go for it...We could use our drones to blow any Somalia ship out of the water that threatens a ship...maybe that is the way to go..but the seas are vast and hard to cover every ship in the area, and many ships now have security forces on board..
The sanctions on Iran up until now are a lot of the rsaeon that their economy has struggled. The usual circular rsaeoning' has been applied against Iran with gusto. Gee, look how bad their economy (that we have been crushing with sanctions) is! This kind of circular rsaeoning takes a particularly macabre and demented twist when westerners mock Iran for the tendency of its planes to fall out of the sky; our sanctions have denied those planes needed maintenance, indirectly murdering many.Regarding Cuba, Cuba's economy is by some measures a very successful economy. It is possible to imagine a world where the best aspects of different systems are combined into one better system, but this will never happen as long as the world's Capital of Imperial Capitalism, the US, continues to demonize any nations that presume to try a different way. We, as citizens, should demand that this demonization cease.Regarding Clinton: as horrible as it is to read comments like this “[R]emember, when President Obama came into office he extended his hand. I mean very clearly and quite unprecedentedly to the Iranian leadership and said, ‘We would be willing to have a diplomatic engagement with you.’ I think the sanctions that have been endorsed and now are being implemented by the international community, you know, demonstrates our engagement because, you know, we’ve said to the Iranians all along, ‘We have two tracks. We have the pressure track and we have the engagement, diplomatic track.’ And we still remain open to that diplomacy. But it’s been very clear that the Iranians don’t want to engage with us.” where the august US Secretary of State (who could perhaps be aptly nicknamed The Obliterator) appears to want us to believe that it is enough for Obama to just say that he is reaching out a hand', without actually reaching out a hand; where the august US Secretary of State appears to want us to believe that brutal sanctions against Iran somehow demonstrate Obamian engagement with Iran (!!!!!) as horrible as that is, it's expected at this point. Most of us still living in reality, or near it, recognize that the US Imperial Foreign Policy emanates from a kind of Nietzschean would-be platonic reality, a would-be meta-reality. We expect this kind of stinky stuff from the Gods of the Potomac. But how disturbing in it when voices held up to us as MODERATE voices say things like this “while a negotiated settlement acceptable to both Iran and the rest of the international community would be a hugely difficult undertaking, it is achievable”. it really makes one's head spin. What rest of the international community ?! Only Israel and the US care enough about this whole Iran confrontation to get worked up over it, and even with Israel and the US constantly flogging it, devotion to the issue is reluctant where it occurs at all, while most of the world's countries appear to support Iran overall, appreciating its defense of its sovereignty. One longs for just one lonely voice, somewhere, somehow, some naive and innocent voice that speaks the truth without restraint, to say the daggone Emperor HAS NO CLOTHES! The whole fuss is really about nothing.' Maybe then we could wake up from this horrible nightmare?If negotiating a settlement with Iran is hard, it's because no one can state, or cares to state what the real issues actually are. What exactly does Obama want? Does anyone actually know? Does Obama even know? As far as one can tell, Ahmadinejad gave a far more coherent account of what the issues between the US and Iran are, when he was talking to Charlie Rose the other day, than any US leader has ever done; the US has been after Iran for three decades because it resents the fact that Iran escaped US domination and continues to stand up against US domination. That's about the best explanation that anyone seems to be able to come up with. There are also subsidiary explanations (eg. the military industrial complex needs a new enemy after the Cold War, etc.).Meanwhile, Iran's Ancien Regime lurks by the throne of the Hegemon, awaiting its opportunity to return to glory, to return Iran safely to the loving embrace of its wronged Master, the benign Empire, the Pax Americana (where we won't attack you if you do what we tell you to do)
Can u say setup to give obama PR so he doesnt have to deal with irans nuke sites? oh come on....this is too neat, too coincidental.....
A set-up? Oh my heavens, Bear.
THIS WOMAN NEEDS TO GET A DIFFERNT JOB, SUCH AS WASHING BATHROOMS IN STATE DEPT..THE SHIP THAT THE IRANIANS WERE TALKING , BY NOT TO RETURN TO PERSIAN GULF WAS THE AIRCRAFT CARREIER..IDIOT
English please.
hey crush, better get back to work washing those dishes, and stop using your bosses computer, or else you will get fired again, and your counselor from the sheltered workshop will have to come down and beg for your job back so that you can feed the 3 kids you fathered with your cousin.
The Iranians were referring to the Carrier Group and the Stennis is a part of the group.
Yeah, because the U.S. gov't has been so competent, organized, and cooperative among themselves lately, that they would be able to set something like this up without anyone leaking the information beforehand.
Great job, Captain Al Molai! Great job, US sailors. We should offer to hand over the suspected pirates to Iran. It was their people who were violated and subjected to mistreatment.
Mr. Shaughnessy
Don't think we didn't notice the needless digs at the US military and the Pentagon. It's that pointless attack that creates an atmosphere of distrust between the miltary and the press. You should take a long hard look in the mirror at yourself.
James, Rybakov puts the matter ntlaey. One might note, however, that most Americans are too ignorant to be aware that Iran opposes nuclear weapons on religious grounds. Some Americans may be ignorant of Iran's religious grounds, but even if those Americans joined the ranks of those who do understand Iran's religious grounds, I don't think it would count for much. After all, I think there's a passage in the Judaeo-Christian Bible that reads: Thou shalt not drop atomic bombs on thy neighbor (or something like that I can't remember the exact words), but that obviously didn't stop the US. While religious prohibitions may count for much more to Muslims, few if any Americans will assign much weight to those prohibitions.
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Who in their right mind wants a president whose name is synonymous with bung hole foam? A freak who brings a dead baby home to sleep with? Christian conservatives!! Evangelicals!! That's who !!
And this has to do with the article how? Please crawl back into your hole and hibernate for another 20 or 30 years.
I know it's already been done on a limited scale, but I think the best way to deal with these pirates, is to simply make it "open season" on them. Allow them to be slaughtered, or culled, like the animals they are, by anyone of legal age (in their native country) who has had some basic firearms training. Think of all the revenue avenues this would open up! Tour boat owners could run hunting trips, those seeking adventure could hunt some real-life bad guys, and the waters would be made safe in the area without the world's militaries and governments having to expend their own valuable resources. No? OK, well we could all just get together and nuke Somalia, or force Italy (it was their colony) to go back and clean it up...
Good PR with Iran though. Hard to find fault with that, although the trolls are pulling out all the stops in an attempt to do so!
Somalia has no real government, it's run for real by the many Warlords, that order their people to high jack these ships and give them the weapons, even RPG's, The Warlords than use the money paid for high jacked ships to line their own pockets and buy food for people loyal to them, and more weapons...the Somalia economy is now based on high jacking ships...some economic plan...
@dreamer96 – So I take it you have no objection to my solution. Why we could even make it open season for private armies to go in there and wipe them out. The one thing about mercenaries is that they will instill order and discipline and clean house like Popeye at the same time!. Had mercenaries never been internationally outlawed, we would not have 1/5 of the world's troubles today.
RadioResearch
I think sinking their ships would do the job...If they have no warlords or ships they can not be pirates anymore, can they, I pity those people they have no way to survive...they have run every one that had a business there out...
The old Soviet trick with the pirates was to simply get to open ocen and drop them off. It is amazing what fear of becoming shark food or propeller debris will do to get the bad guys at bay. The problem with the current approach it that for most of the Somali's going to jail is a better deal that even being a pirate. And now they can count on going to jail.
Nukes are most effective in urban areas rather than rural aeas where the populations is spread out. so Nuking Somalia really isn't an effective solution. Not to mention the radioactive fall out. Carpet bombing might be a more effective strategy.
The idea of using mercenaries, more commonly known these days as "private security forces" is some what flawed as well. What prevents the high seas "hunting trips" from targeting friendly vessels once the know hostile population is reduced? The PSF is eventually going to want more money (extortion) to patrol and hunt.
WOW you should be a general in Syria's Army with that line of thinking...
All it will take for the war against Iran to start is, for example, a single bomb in a US shopping mall, built and set up by rogue elements from a US government agency, with a fake Iranian signature. Some dead and injured American citizens will be the collateral damage, but the public will be so enraged with "Iran" that the war will get overwhelming support from Congress and the US public.
I've seen Sum of All Fears too.
Nik: Your theory is without merit. No high-level person in the U.S. government wants war with Iran. The U.S. military certainly doesn't want it. If such a war occurs, it won't be because of a crime in a shopping mall.
Like the rogue elements in the government had Jack Kennedy killed, I suppose?
CNNSIPROPAGANDA – be a man and identify yourself...also – learn to spell you moronic idiot
Nothing wrong with a bit of good press particularly in this case.
While politicians get us in and out of wars, the men and women who serve.. do so with distinction, often under incredibly difficult circumstances with very few accolades for their efforts. It is those men and women who deserve the credit and I see no reason why we shouldn't tip our hats to them in a big way.
Man helping a fellow man is not only a good story...its a BIG story.
Jobs are hard to find for a 16 year old. Most places eepfrr to hire people over the age of 18. The best thing you can do is apply to as many places as possible. You'll have to really play the numbers game. My first job was in a pizza restaurant and they were pretty good about hiring 16 year olds. The job was also a lot more fun than I thought it would be. Since you are still in high school, I wouldn't recommend working more than 10-15 hours a week. You might be able to get a job in a supermarket as a bagger until you have enough experience to make cashier.
Let me see if I have this straight. The Iranian 'Navy' recently conducted war games in the vicinity of the Straits of Hormuz, threatened to close the Straits, and essentially threatened military action against the United States Navy yet they lack the ability to rescue their own citizens from Peter Pan's Lost Boy's posed as Pirates. Does that pretty much sum up what has happened in the region the last couple of weeks?? Maybe the Iranian 'Navy' should go back to patrolling the protected waters of their presidents bathtub and leave the open waters of the Seven Seas to those that Do It Best.
Best post ever
Brilliant!
Best post all day!!!
Awesome stuff.
No, that doesn't sum it up. The American ship just happened to be in nearest to the pirated ship. If an Iranian ship had been closer, you would have your foot in your mouth right now.
If this is the best that you can come up with in defense of your nation's alleged superiority, it is truly pathetic.
I'm fairly certain if we had a ship hijacked off our shores, we would notice and do something about it. Does Iran have the capability to do that? I think so, if not, maybe we are superior in that area. Is it wrong to realize that?
The dhow was hijacked "40-45' days ago! Iran couldn't have gotten oen of their naval ships there sooner than the Americans?? Speedy boats they have, huh? And these rowboats they command are going to shut down the Strait of Hormuz? Not likely.
Well put.
I spent some time on an American frigate in the Gulf during the hostage crisis, when American embassy personnel were held captive for 444 days by the Iranians. Excuse me, but these people are not going to maintain free shipping in the Gulf as the U.S. Navy does, even if they had the capacity to do so. So why would anybody in their right mind think Iran should be allowed to develop nukes on ANY level? Does "HOSTAGES, TERRORISM and NUCLEAR CAPABLE" not bring up a very large red flag to anyone with any sort of rational consideration of the reality of the Islamic Republic of Iram?
Amazing to see how this draws out the anti-American sentiment in the comments. "America did an act of kindness and decided to use it as leverage towards peace, lets go troll the comments on their news sites."
These pirates are a problem for every nation that ships in those areas...the Russian's have ships helping too....Many of these pirates come out of Somalia because they have no other way to raise money to feed their families, Somalia is a real mess,...Yes some are professional criminals, but some are just starving too...the money received may feed a whole village...sad state of affairs when you have to turn to crime to feed your family. threaten other peoples lives to take control of ships......
Seems like you're justifying or rationalizing Piracy.Like all crimes we can add the psychological elements, which imo are totally useless : e.g. we always thought our neigbor was pleasant....who knew he was a serial rapist / killer?
Pirates should be captured, tried and either imprisoned or executed depending on their crimes.
Anything else is just feeding into the psycho babble of "proverty breeds proverty" / while we're sorry about the loss of your wife, mother and children it is the result of socieconomics! BS!!!
If you study problems in the world you can find the reason many people turn to violence...I'm not supporting the pirates...you can go over there and gun them down if you want or sign up as a security force member for the ships...go for it...
i wanna be a pirate
2 Wars I don't think so...Just keep printing money like you always do...
The people of maritime nations all know that sea-farers, regardless of flag, help other sea-farers in distress; that's just the way of things. To attempt to make a big PR splash out of simple human kindness only serves to announce that this episode has now been officially taken out of the realm of reality, becoming just another political football. Just let it go, Washington poll-addicts - people on both sides know kindness when they see it - without your help, thankyouverymuch!
I served in the Navy for 6 years and I would agree with you but I totally understand what they are trying to do. No one wants an incident in the Persian Gulf so stories like this serve an important purpose.
What problem do have with the U.S. using the incident to better relations with Iran? ... or do you just like maligning the U.S. when they do good things...
"... because of to recent tensions between the United States and Iran."
Proofread much?
I don't think the US should have made a lotta noise about this. The PR impact of our deeds would have been much more effective had we acted as if this is everyday business. "Hi Iran, here are the fishermen, have a nice day". If we make too much fuss, we would sound like North Korean rhetoric.
Nothing wrong with making the knowledge that we were willing to help our enemy public. And by the way, North Korea's rhetoric never contains anything about acts such as that.
Since this really happened it resembles the rhetoric of the DPRK in no way.
Coflyboy, I believe you are mistaken. If the U.S. hadn't publicized the event it would have gone unnoticed.
The world is quick to blame the U.S. whenever we do something unwise. In this case, where the U.S. acted flawlessly, we deserve some good press.
Common Americans this is BS don't believe everything you hear on T.V.I know you guys are dumb enough to vote for bush twice and probably not vote for Ron Paul.
Just think about it as soon as Iranians warned them that they shouldn't be in those waters Americans just happen to smoothly rescue Iranians from pirates.
Don't let jews run your country you guys ae christians!
From Vancouver B.C
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot????
He's from Canada what do you expect?
You give Canadians a bad name with your racist drivel.
K youll see when usa invades iran and destroys the worlds economy for israels safety. I just dont want WW3 to start.
As a proud Canadian happily living in the US I am appalled at the racist views; however, idiots live all over the world. Would love to meet this guy on the street – a bashing is what he needs.
Go live in Iran, stop bothering Americans and Canadians.
Change your handle to POTTY MOUTH.
It is CRAP PROPAGANDANS like you that takes away from all of us who would like to enjoy life.
You must be a member of the Quds Force.
god your a moron go fuck yourself
CNNISPROPAGANDA, you are a racist and a bigot! Shame on you!!!
Seriously? If not for the USA being located where it is, all Canadians ould hae been Russian a long time ago. Enjoy being our neighbor and keep out of our business.
Don't inject your apparent dislike of Jews into a story with which they have not even the slightest connection.
CNNSIPROPAGANDA – be a man and identify yourself...also – learn to spell you moronic idiot
@ CNNISPROPAGANDA :: I guess you'll have to change your name. I saw this story on Fox News earlier this morning, and BBC News is running with a story about Iran's foreign minister acknowledging the US Navy rescue as a "humanitarian act"... I haven't checked Rueter's or the AP news wire yet; but I somehow doubt this is a fake story.
Now- go back to your hole in the ground for another six weeks of winter. ( Yes, I am a couple weeks early... Couldn't help myself. )
You probably have a bridge west of the island for sale, right? That would make more sense than your drivel.
This is BS? Wake up. When I was in the Navy, we ran into a small craft packed tight with Vietnamese boat people hundreds of miles from ANY landmass, just floating around out there. Had we not found them, every one of them likely would have died.
An important aspect of this, somewhat unnoticed, is the fact that either the Kidd or the Stennis had an Urdu linguist on board. Usually this is the result of intensive training at DLI (Defense Language Institute) in Monterey.) Their language programs have been turning out some of our brightest military personnel. My daughter happens to be one of them–a Russian linguist in MI. Thank you to them.
A few weeks ago, it was a drone captured by Iranians, now it is our saving of Iranians from some pirates...what game are we playing with the dumb American citizens? Are we preparing them mentally for something in 2012??? Of all people in the world? Why go and save Iranians being hijacked by pirates? What am I missing? Is there a trick here? How many people are being hijacked by pirates? Where is the US navy that would save them? This is just a stunt to tell the world that "we're good too" even though it is well known and documented about our constant escalation of rhetoric, threatening war with another nation that does not want to bend its will for our greed. Let this be a warning to Iranians. Take care of your country and protect yourself.
Your sooooo right but their is very few people who 'think' like you and Americans believe and worship their beloved tv. So unfortunately they will soon attack Iran and think they are doing the right thing just pray.
"We're good too"? When has Iran done good deeds such as this? Somebody seems to have forgotten that Iran routinely threatens to wipe Israel off the face of the Earth. Oh wait, you probably believe Israel is evil as well. Well, go suck a camel.
It's clear that you really want to be an American, but can't. What the matter... run away from the U.S. to Canada during 'Nam and can't get back in? Deal with it, loser.
It's not like the Iranian ship captain is setting national policy. He's probably just a guy making a living. He deserves rescue as much as anyone, and more than some.
These two posers (USAExtremism and CNNISPROPAGANDA) are the same. Part of a shrinking minority that when completely gone the world will be a much better place.
I have participated in rescue missions before and this is not the first time we rescue restrained iranian fishermen. We did it in 2010 and trust me, I didn't watch it on TV, I saw it personally and I was surprised on how well we treated them. Stop being so stupid and thinking that everything is a conspiracy.
it is well known and documented that the US has not started wars because nations did not want to bend their will for our greed.
COMMUNIST!
The US should hire the Iranian boat captain for his fast thinking and cleverness. Better get him before the Iranian government throws him in the hoosegow for conspiring with the Yanks.
Let me add that this rescue clearly shows how impotent the Iranian Navy is! It is they who had the responsibility for looking out for their own citizens and they failed.
study iran iraq war and youll see how iran fights its wars. Iraq was funded by usa, germany, france and uk. Iran lasted 8 years and in the end iraq didnt win and got into debt with the usa. Iran pretty much fought NATO that war study it and look it up. If usa dosnt attack iran, they will fall apart themselves with a revolution.
Imagine the Chinese navy, 40 miles out from New York City, rescuing a boat full of trapped Americans. "Well, it's good we were here right?" Justifying their further presence right next to the American coast. Just a thought experiment that predicts why the Iranian gov't will not be thankful about this. Neither would the U.S. gov't I believe.
Imagine pirates holding U. S. citizens hostage off our coast for over a month and us being too impotent to respond.!
Well to expand on your thought. If the US had in the past boarded ships, planted mines and otherwise endangered civilian lives and commerce from hundreds of countries 40 miles from our shores. And if we regularly threatened to do it again. Then I wouldn't be surprised at all if China or another country stationed a presence there. I am not always in favor of US intervention but lets be fair here.
Not one country needs to operate warships near the U.S. coasts in order to maintain free transit for their, or other nations, merchant vessels. Might that also be said of those nations who depend to some degree upon free trade through the Persian Gulf? Should nations trust Iran to protect international shipping in Iran's sphere of influence? Too many people fail to realize America's protection of international waterways benefits everyone.
Iran will deny it,like everthing else.
The 'PR' effect from this action is already over.
We still hate each other as much as possible but at least,for a moment,evil did not triumph over the Iranians and the Americans too.
Nice to see we can help each other and not make a big deal about it.
Great job to our Navy for rescuing the Iranian sailors.
sometimes I wake up at night and can't recall if I brushed my teeth. it's really annoying and frightens me. what else did i forget? is the trash out? is the front door locked? di i have clean underpants for tomorrow? then i get so worked up i can't sleep so i get up and look around the kitchen for some food. if i find some, i eat it. then i ususllay get a drink, but if i drink too much my bladder will be full so i'll have to use the restroom. if i go in there, well you know, sometimes it can take a while so i try not to do all those things.
You’re on the wrong site, I believe you are looking for Alzheimer’s web site.
try a shrink ,you're in the wrong forum
I think your problem is you're worrying too much about clean underpants.
"We wanted to turn the temperature down on the situation," said a senior defense official who would speak only on background. "We want this to be an example for the Iranians to follow."
Doesn't "on background" mean the reporter agrees not to directly quote the source?
None of this will appear in ANY State Run Iranian Media. If Iranians find out about it, it will be through the Internet.
sanjosemike
Good point
The responsibilities of governments (just like parents) are simply to protect the welfare and the future of their people. That's it. So by sanctioning Iran, we (and by we, I mean the US) are hindering the Iranian government from performing their most basic responsibility to their children. Yet we think we are "right" for such actions. What a crock! Maybe if we all had a little faith in the good nature of people we would see that we are all doing what we think is right. Maybe then we could find peace. Unfortunately, we are all so concerned with what is right for us that we don't care who we wrong in the process.
Excuse me Imam al-Mad in the Head – why dont you go back to your home land and keep your mouth shut.
You are hateful. You should try kindness for a change. You'd be much happier.
As far as I see it...governments ( and those who run it) are public enemy # 1.....people are just people until you get the government agenda's going...thats when the trouble starts
That's the paranoia speaking. Of course, it's not like all governments adhere to their basic responsibilities, therefore you are just in your beliefs. People aren't just people, though. Humanity has matured to the point that people can speak out from behind our governments. For example, while our governments work extremely hard to show the Arab world that our wars are with terrorists and not with Islam, we the people tell a different side – antagonizing our enemies with events like Draw Muhammad Day. Maybe if we put our collective voices together to show forgiveness for our enemies, we could actually do some real good in the world. But as "Seriously" above showed us, it seems that humanity is much too hateful.
I have plenty of faith in 'the good nature of people," until they prove otherwise. Ahmadinejad and company have demonstrated only their desire to consolidate their power and push a religious agenda that is truly foul.
This is for Adam too. You both make excellent points. There really is no right or wrong here though – only perspective. The challenge is finding what is right for all, but most of us in the world are not willing to make sacrifices for the rights of anyone but ourselves. As far as Ahmadinejad goes though – I like the man. He is absolutely a hypocrite, but no more so than most of us. Call me a fool if you want, but I truly believe Ahmadinejad regrets calling for the annihilation of Israel, but just like our own politicians, he's too proud to admit he was wrong. He's also a scapegoat. The person with the real power in Iran is the Supreme Leader. Ahmadinejad may be the face of the nation, but his only real purpose is to take the heat off the real leadership. He knows this, and that's why he and the Supreme Leader have been at odds of late.
Imam al-Hahdi, Going with your analogy about governments looking out for their "children", the sanctions placed on Iran are to protect the "children" of the US government. The US believes Iran is trying to create nuclear weapons, and the sanctions are created to make life more difficult for the Iranians in an effort for them to get their "politicians" to make a change. I think we understand who we are "wronging" but by believing that everyone is good hearted and has nothing but good intentions would be foolish, especially considering the rhetoric Ahmadinejad spews.
Yes, but to the Iranian government, part of that patrimony is to kill any citizen who disagrees with the govt. Some patrimony huh!...................
#Yes, but to the Iranian government, part of that patrimony is to kill any citizen who disagrees with the govt. Some patrimony huh!...................
Imam: I disagree with a large part of what you wrote, but I respect your thoughtful and non-inflammatory way of presenting your views.
"Draw Muhammed Day" is an interesting point. It is easy for a Muslim to see that as a hateful American effort to needlessly insult someone else's religion, but Muslims should understand that freedom of speech is absolutely central to Western ideas of freedom and democracy, and is an icon of American thought. The U.S. Supreme Court even allows Americans to publicly burn American flags in demonstration against the U.S. Government. That being so, the Islamic effort to suppress all speech that might disagree with the Muslim religion is extremely offensive to Americans. It challenges something central to our beliefs. Thus someone suggested "Draw Muhammed Day".
The US Navy should have done nothing. It was an Iranian fishing boat so let their navy handle it. Suppose there was a firefight with the pirates and some of the Iranian sailors had died? The mood would be far different! American taxpayer dollars and American lives and equipment should not be risked on people whose regime cries,"Death To America". Iran has a navy. They can save their own people and risk their own lives defending their people from pirates,
does that mean Iran wont conduct excersizes in Feb.? i think not. And why hasnt the Somolia pirate problem being dealt with? Park the 5th fleet there and everyone would be happy. Maybe thats just common sense but we all know thats a farce.
The situation here involves our navy just doing its job. That the job done worked out so well is commendable and illustrative of the skill and training our naval personal get and use in their daily duties. The problem here is that the Pentagon just had to blow its own horn like a bunch of adolescent school kids who found a dollar on the bus, turned it over to the driver and want everyone to know how good they did. Now, the incident looks simply like a PR stunt created for the sole purpose of blunting Iran's anti USA PR – showing how much we just love to help Iranians. One thing that people who do PR should automatically know is that the best publicity is the unsolicited kind that others create for you. Should have put out the press release describing simply what happened and let the media do the rest: "America Does Right Thing – and Is still Humble and Modest too!" As it is now, we are only reminded that the people who the US Gov. hires for this work supposedly for intelligent leadership, are just dumber than snot.
Well said.
Lady needs to be replaced, she is tring to smile but, had better go back to school and learn how to report news. she sure is confused,
The lady (Victoria Nuland) is a distinguished Foreign Service officer and was Ambassador of the United States of America to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
Her below par performance (appeared distracted) in this particular event may be treated as an isolated case.
Sayan.
While being distracted by the new leader in North Korea, threats in the waters near Iran, and now the saving of
the Iranian fisherman by the U.S.A. why haven't we heard about the impending Central and South American visit
by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad to include Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Guatamala.
CNN should investigate the purpose of these visits.
The Iranian people are still being squeezed unmercifully by the American led sanctions......simply because they want the right to process their own nuclear fuel supply for civilian purposes. Every other country in the world that has a civilian nuclear program demands that right. But the west even refuses Iran to have that right. This is not about whether Iran is building a bomb. The west blocked Iran from any part of the process. For example: They refused the deal that would have allowed Iran to exchange fuel on it's own soil.
Instead the west would rather risk all out war. They need to accept that Iran has every right to civilian power. The way it is now...the west is not even allowing that to happen.
Iran hasn't attacked anyone in a long long long time... literally centuries. The two nations leading the charge against them, though.. Israel and the US have a bad habit of starting wars. In fact the US has started wars and occupations on both sides of Iran, backed one of those countries in a war against Iran, and previously overthrew Iran's government to reinstall the Shah.
Iran attacked the Us embassy in 1979 and held its staff for 444 days. They funded and supported Islamic Jihad which blew the American Embassy and Marine Barracks in Beirut. They layed mines in the gulf so oil tankers and US ships escorting them would hit them. They seized British sailors a few years ago in the Gulf and held them hostage. In 1988 during the Vincennes incindent Iranian naval surface vessels fired on a US helicopter patrolling the Gulf. A US ship was engaged by the Iranians and the Vincennes went in to support and was engaged herself in a naval battle during the airbus tragedy. The Iranians also equipped the the AL Sadr militia with IEDS that killed American soldiers in Iraq! They also stormed the British embassy a few months ago. NOT ATTACK ANYONE?
Yeah.... it's not like they have oil or anything to burn for power!
And why do you think that is? Seriously, why? Do you think it could have something to do with the fact that their looney leader wants to kill all Jews and Americans and won't allow UN inspectors in to ensure their nuke purpose is for good, not bad?
Exactly.... good point!
The US and other countries have offered to sell fuel rods to Iran. They refused. Why did they refuse? The only logical reason is that they are really only interested in enriching uranium to make a bomb. But naive cretins like Deryk Houston just love to drink the republiClown Kool-Ade!
Shaughnessy, realizing full-well that CNN has writers whose sole purpose is to try to push the liberal agenda, I just want to say that you should be ashamed of yourself for taking the position you do in this article....same with CNN for even giving you space on the internet to present it. You know, just once in awhile the military gets some things right (actually quite a bit, but our citizens are so narrow minded that they are unable to look past/beyond mistakes made, becasue American society is so frigggin perfect). Shaughnessy, you know darn well that CNN would pound its chest if it did something right for a change, be real and change your format, stop looking at such accomplishments as though the glass is half full.
Besides Shaughnessy, one of the US Navy's missions is to perform duties like the one accomplished here, this isn't just a PR moment, they're just able to capitalize on all the saber-rattling that's been going on.
Well Shawn, I agree with you that this is just an 'everyday' job for our navy(that they do in excellent fashion), but you are still an idiot!
Shawn,
You seriously need to get over yourself. To suggest that sole purpose of CNN " is to try to push the liberal agenda" is simply ludicrous. Also, to say previously that "Some of you Liberals are amazingly naive" smacks of some kind of laughable and misplaced superiority.
To understand the world from a liberal position is not inferior, it is simply different than the conservative set of priorities. To hold America's traditions (and myths) as the highest moral virtue, does not cohere with standing up for the oppressed. To critique America's actions is not to be anti-American. It is simply to say that things could be better, for everyone.
I am liberal. I am a veteran. I have a college education. I work for a living. I am an American. I am your equal and I am not going anywhere. I will always be here to disagree with you.
You have a right to express your opinions but treating other people with distain makes you look pompous.
What a fake news piece – first they said it was Iranian navy soldiers then Iranian sailors now its Iranian fisherman. They are just trying to get good PR because Iran is kicking us out of the area and were trying to make it look like our presence is needed to the US public. Ask anyone in another country about this story and they will tell you they havent heard about it – BECAUSE IT NEVER HAPPENED!
They report the story with available information, in this case press releases. It's not like CNN has a destroyer on location filled with SEAL journalists.
In my days, the punishment for piracy was to be hanged for the crime, savvy? Why haven't these blokes been hanged?
Because they are without doubt the worst pirates I've ever heard of.
Nice job, way to go,US Navy!
one of two things will happen-the Iranians will make no mention of this at home OR (and quite more likely) they will spin this such that it was THEY who captured the pirates, dumped them overboard into the sea to drown, and will accuse the US of siding with the pirates. OR, it will be that the US illegally held the Iranians on thei ship, and the Iranian Navy came to their rescuse and chased the Americans out of the area.
All very possible, knowing I'madinnerjacket's mentality.
Ughhh.. it was a fake news piece, people. Stop being so gullible.
Right because it's not possible that the US could do anything good. We're all sinister băstards that eat our children when no one is looking. Is that your point?
You mean just like Elvis and Jim Morrison are still alive?
Let's see how long it takes for the forever angry, cranky, hateful mullahs to expectorate some ungrateful spiteful response.
In worst case scenario may charge the 13 fishermen on grounds of (potential) CIA agents.
Sayan.
It wont' make any difference. Iran's intelligence will accuse the US Navy of being the pirates and that the real pirates were just victims of US agression.
We should have blown the boat out of the water....."Two birds with one stone".....
That's what separates us from them, but I guess the obvious escapes you.
One step closer to inferno, missed opportunity for diplomatic solutions.
Sayan.
Its a shame the republicans hate the US Navy. Too damn political to pat our Navy on the back.
First they get Osama, now they save Iranians from pirates. I say "Yaaaay for you US Navy. Thanks for being the best in the world!!"
Republican hate the US Navy??? Can't really connect the dots here bonehead!!!
Well Missy.....here are a few dots for your simple brain..........................................
Iran+pirates+US rescue=PR bonanza = STAGED
Uh...other than the fact that someone took a photo...how is this staged?
Because how else can the US defuse the situation with Iran without resorting to military action? Nothing is coinicdence
Gee... someone had a camera!!!!! Imagine that!!!
If your allegation is true few deserves nominations for Academy Awards ;).
Sayan.
That's not what I mean. Yes the sailors were sailors and yes they were hostages. But the US knew of them long before they were rescued. Someone (Pentagon think tank) finally realized that this would be a good way to give the Iranians a black eye without actually hitting them and put the US in better favor with the locals. Hence... it was staged – spurious, not genuine. If the Iranians hadn't started their tough talk, those sailors would still be captives. Hence... STAGED. Thank you
Or another way to put it would be, I question their motives. Something a good American will do from time to time. I suspect this would be a good way to put an aircraft carrier in the area without looking like it was there to kill someone. Which it is.
Who here thinks the US cares about a few errant Iranian sailors? The Iranians, if they wanted them back, could have easily have gotten them without assistance.
Looks like that wh0re is going to have an 0rgasm.
Nothing is coincidence? Hmmmm...how, then, do you explain that fact that you're ignorant and stupid at the same time?
Tyler, you must be one of the many conspiracy theorists who has nothing good to say about the country you live in, or the people who defend your freedom to say it. I know...if you are so unhappy and unsupportive with you country and government/military, move to Iran, or maybe Syria, or maybe even Egypt. Same with boob Shaughnessy who writes the article from a position that he would take advantage of an advantageous opportunity. Some of you Liberals are amazingly naive.
Shawn, you had me until you generalized. Why would it have to be liberals that are naive? Are you saying that all so-called conservatives aren't? That's rich...
Shawn..... good post... except for the liberal thing. You DO reaize that it is the conservative brain, damaged though it is, that usually comes up with the conspiracy theory. Actually, this is EXACTLY the type of story that liberals love and contards hate!!! "Where is the 'war'?" they complain.
Kris + Tyler = MORON
Duh, I KNOW this is staged but I DON'T know how to spell diffused. Dickwagon.
Defused is the right word – one would de-fuse a bomb or other touchy situation, not diffuse it.
Staged...what a waste...maybe you'd be more at home in a place like Iran. Oh wait, those same sailors that "staged" this whole rescue give you the freedom to be an idiot.......jerk
Drone+Iran+Obama=weakened national defense.
You just have to find something to speculate weakness. How can you claim this weakness when there's been no evidence of it. Have you seen evidence of it? Have you surveyed the Joint Chiefs of Staff and gotten their honest opinion on the matter? Or are you just listening to Romney, McCain, Graham, Faux News, Rush and the rest of the insecure losers that wouldn't give this president credit if he cured all cancers?
Methink so 🙂
There's no PR bonanza. A month from now this won't mean a thing. Iran is Iran, you think this will matter?
not really. but will it hurt to make the effort?
U.S + rescuing people in distress = the right thing to do.
No PR bonanza. We don't do it for PR bonanza.
Doing whatever we can to thaw tensions between the West and Iran is the right thing too.
"After the pirates were taken into custody and moved to the USS Stennis" -- You mean they could have not accidentlly fallen overboard?
So, now Pakistan knows the 5th Fleet is monitoring their radio transmissions.
United States enjoy multiple means of monitoring (audio, visual, electronic etc. etc.) Pakistan.
They range from high-altitude Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) over flights in airspace to sleuths on ground.
Sayan.
LOL seriously, you think they didn't know that already? Furthermore, the distress signal was sent out for 40 days. And since you are totally ignorant about Iran I'll clue you in that it's not unusual for Iranians to speak Urdu .. the two countries are neighbors.. it's like how some Mexicans may know English or Americans may know Spanish. Comprendez?
You sounded smart until you ended with a z...entiendes?
As if that is news to them or any other country. With ECHELON, NATO has been monitoring EVERY radio and telecommunication signal the world over for years... I am quite sure that actual ears are on every radio transmission in the Gulf is no surprise to anyone, and probably common knowledge.
MILLIONS TO BE ASSASSINATED FOR THE SAKE OF $$$ LIABILITIES(mk-ultra, chip implants, electroshocks etc. performed on them) AND NEW WORLD ORDER(multiculturalism = terrorism) POLITICAL AGENDA KNOWN AS "YOU ARE NEXT"(financial liabilities are 2 expensive for the government and it is cheaper to get read of you instead) !!! IF YOU WERE TREATED WITH ELECTROSHOCKS OR DRUGS USED FOR WIPING OUT MEMORY(numerous Americans and Europeans were and are) AFTER ENDURING FORCED CHIP IMPLANTS(or to retard individual = how homeless people are produced), YOU ARE SCHEDULED NEXT !!!
NOW YOU KNOW WHAT ORWELLIAN UNITED STATES CONGRESS(USSR#2) IS SOOO BUSY WHEN PLAYING/CLOWNING(acting) IN FRONT OF CAMERAS ONLY HOW SOMETHING HAVE TO BE DONE(deliberately omitting/delaying facts of genocide as seen on this complain) !!!
http://myshortbiography.blogspot.com/
LEARN TRUTH ABOUT UNITED NATIONS, AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL AS WELL AS NEW WORLD ORDER(MULTICULTURALISM = TERRORISM) GOVERNMENTS(Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) !!! NOT THERE TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS, BUT TO DENY YOUR RIGHT TO EXISTENCE !!!
ABDUCTIONS / FORCED BRAIN CHIP IMPLANTS / BLACKLISTING / FORCEFUL UNEMPLOYMENT / MK-ULTRA BRAINWASHING AGAINST WHITE(under "NAZI" lie) CIVILIAN POPULATION TODAY IN 2011/2012 ACROSS THE EUROPE AND NORTHERN AMERICA !!!
http://myshortbiography.blogspot.com/
WHY TO ACCEPT LIABILITIES FOR CRIMES COMMITTED WHEN WE CAN SIMPLY ASSASSINATE OUR VICTIMS(YOU) THANKS TO HUMAN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS AND FREE PRESS/MEDIA(most severe censorship of genocide ever !!!)!!
http://www.youtube.com/user/BostjanAvsec OBAMA'S HEALTH CARE RECORDED LIVE IN 2009 !!! These are hard facts about lunatic Obama/Bush's twilight zone administrations(HORROR) or genocide against whites per ZIONIST Washington DC and in complete agreement with communist Moscow !!!
EXILING WHITES(US citizens) WITH EXTREME PREJUDICE AND IMPORTING NON WHITES IMMIGRATION REQUIREMENTS FREE !!!
Have yourself well treated in a reputed psychiatric institution followed by a couple of years rest in a pleasant natural (free of electronic gadgets) location to soothe your nerves.
Thereafter feel free to “come back”/repost. Give both you and us a much needed break.
Sayan.
Needs to get back on his meds.
This is why letting inmates access the internet from their psychiatric ward should be prohibited.
No limit to the paranoia in that rambling..
Well the World is far smaller than usually anticipated and more than often may benevolent instincts triumph.
The Iranian establishment should display maturity and use the incident to initiate diplomatic norms to resolve contentious issues.
Sayan.
Well said.
stop the hypocrisy...all you want them to do is to turn over their oil assets, national treasures over to the corporatist class of America. Hence, we threatened them with wars, we destroy their currency, impose economic sanctions on them...etc....and THEY SHOULD INITIATE a dialogue and diplomatic relations with you..Gadaffi did that, where is he today? States that show themselves to be malleable in front of the GREAT SATAN will suffer the consequences! Follow the example of Cuba, Venezuela, Iran...and protect your countries instead of turning them over to the greed of corporatist in America
Yeah I like that level of communication better. What's the sense at yelling, gets you nowhere.Cooler heads could very well prevail with such a global awakening. when you get right down to it. People are people, we all want happy lives.
But I still feel like saying "Nyah, nyah ! See? We're not so bad !" to the Iranians...
Lets be clear. This changes nothing. As much as the capture of the drone was a PR dream for Iran, this is nothing more than a feel-good story on a slow news day. Iran still wants the bomb, our 5th fleet still travels freely in the Gulf and Iran still wants to wipe Israel off the planet. In the end, Iran will have the bomb, Israel won't do anything about it, Iran won't block the Straits and we'll have to listen to Ahmadinejad mouthing off in the UN for quite a while.
Ho hum
Wow ! You nailed it on every angle !
Missed one thing, how the Iranians are going to spin this.
"The US paid the Somali pirates to steal this vessel. It's all the Big Satan's fault."
Iran ain't going to mess with the U.S. Everyone knows that if there is as much as an attempt to blow a dirty bomb in the U.S., we are going to create a big parking lot. It does not matter who the President is, because the people will want to know what is the point of all the stash we've got after decades of stockpiling. Everyone knows this and so will not mess around. As for nukes, its all a trophy for all the countries in the world. And that is what it'll remain.