[americanophile]

I have to say, I'm shocked by the callous, smug remarks on here. These were simply idealistic young people with a passion for the environment, hiking, photography, and an interest in foreign cultures; at worst, these kids were foolish, which is hardly a crime. They are American citizens, with families, who have been abducted for purely political reasons and badly mistreated by that monstrous regime. Shame on some of the people on this site who said they get what they deserve - no innocent American citizens deserve to be abducted, imprisoned and brutalized.

[Kevin in California]

What would drive a person(s) to decide to go hiking in a country as unstable as Iran? What did you expect? There’s plenty of places to hike in the US alone.

Like the saying goes, “you can’t fix stupid!”

[treetopsandroofs]

“I have to say, I’m shocked by the callous, smug remarks on here. These were simply idealistic young people with a passion for the environment, hiking, photography, and an interest in foreign cultures; at worst, these kids were foolish, which is hardly a crime.”

The people who are posting the “callous, smug remarks” simply are not believing Big Media’s line that they “were simply idealistic young people with a passion for the environment, hiking, photography, and an interest in foreign cultures.”

[Retired Greyhound]

These were simply idealistic young people with a passion for the environment, hiking, photography, and an interest in foreign cultures;

Hahahaha. Good one.

These kids spent four years at Berkeley listening to and participating in America-hatred. They were taught (and believed) that America was the big evil in this world, and that if they only go to Iran, they can maybe apologize for big bad America and show the Iranians that, "see, all Americans aren't evil".

These kids had an agenda, and it backfired on them.

It's similar to Rachel Corrie and the Italian guy that went to Gaza in solidarity, only to find himself beheaded.

I don't think these kids are much different than John Walker Lindh.

[nuconvert]

“I have to say, I’m shocked by the callous, smug remarks on here.”

I’ve been here long enough that it doesn’t shock me, but it still disgusts me - especially when people haven’t followed a story closely & are talking out their butts

[Chode]

they could of done all that AND stayed farther away from the border... or did their GPS just quit working or something???

[christx30]

Know how I avoid being kidnapped/ransomed/murdered by an insane regime? I stay the hell home. I don’t know anywhere near the borders of crazy countries.
As my old Gaffer said “Don’t go looking for trouble, and trouble won’t find you.”

[cblue55]

Agree 100%. This is an outrage and should not be tolerated by the U.S.

[driftdiver]

These aren’t kids who got into trouble while kayaking. They walked into a war zone and into the hands of America’s enemies.

So you’ll risk your childs life to go rescue these idiots?