[Allegra]

Well, I have sympathy for these guys simply because I'm sure Iranian prisons make ours look like country clubs. And I feel for their families. The compassionate side of me hopes they can appeal this and be released, although it doesn't look good.

I do, however, have to question what on earth these people were thinking hiking in Iraq (and then "straying" into Iran???)

The Kurdistan region of Iraq is not as insane as Baghdad, Basra, Anbar Province and well....the rest of Iraq. But it certainly isn't a safe place and has not been for a long time - especially for Americans.

If these people wanted some hiking adventure somewhere, they could have gone to Nepal or Argentina or any number of other places that could be considered somewhat "exotic."

Why on earth they would choose Iraq is beyond me and they should have had some expectations of something along these lines happening.

So, I hope they can get out of Iran, but they shouldn't have been playing around that area of the world in the first place.

[xp38]

Thanks