Tied up, blindfolded, waiting to die: the truth about the hostages' ordeal

The Independent | April 7, 2007 | Terri Judd

[Kaslin]

Article can ot be posted as per publisher’s copyright complaint.

Click here to read article

[4yearlurker]

Rosie said it was all a ruse to provoke Iran into a war with the USA. This article must be more American propaganda.

[doc1019]

Amazing how McCain et al survived years of things worse and yet somehow managed to maintained (for the most part) the military’s code of conduct.

[fso301]

As I understand it, the vessel the Brit’s were inspecting was some type of ocean going vessel. Why did the British officer order a retreat from the “high ground” to the undefendable zodiacs?

[Prokopton]

The information in the article is the same as the press conference. The captives were scared. However, in reality, there were no fake executions. There were no threats except trial and imprisonment. They were fed three times a day and given cigarettes. They were given clothes and slept on blankets. There certainly was nothing “brutal” about their treatment. The soldiers, and one must keep in mind they were soldiers, decided to roll over and cooperate with their captors almost immediately with little evidence of overt coercion.

I guess the code of military conduct must now be amended to include “being scared” as an allowable reason for cooperating with your captors as a POW.

[stm]

I wish someone would skewer that fat pig on a spit and roast her big ass over an open fire.

[doc1019]

I would not be surprised if the Lt. that was in charge doesn’t soon decide to leave the service for better opportunities.

[stm]

He did not maintain it nearly to the extent you might think. I have a good friend here in town, Bill Hardman, who was an A-6 Bombadier. He was shot down over Vietnam in 1968 and spent several years in the Hanoi Hilton with McCain. According to Bill he was a weasel of Biblical proportions and was generally shunned by most of the Americans in that camp. He was good friends with several of the guards, however. I will leave the rest to your imagination.

[stm]

Like a book deal?

[doc1019]

That’s why I said …”for the most part” …

[doc1019]

LOL!

[doc1019]

By the way, have any of the folks that spent time with McCain ever written a book that included this information? Needs to be broadcasted in the greatest way, especially now.

[rogator]

“I wish someone would skewer that fat pig on a spit and roast her big ass over an open fire.”

Not anywhere within several miles of me, I hope. The smell would gag me.

[HeartlandOfAmerica]

"We did our utmost to de-escalate the situation but our words fell on deaf ears.

So while you were de-escalating, the enemy was escalating. Tell me who's going to win that confrontation.

They had come with a clear purpose and were never going to leave without us."

In other words, the enemy completed his objective and you didn't complete your objective. Tell me who's going to win that confrontation.

It's a good thing that the UK has a BIG reputation, but that's being squandered at a pretty rapid clip.

[gpapa]

The truth shall set you free?

[rbmillerjr]

“I would not be surprised if the Lt. that was in charge doesn’t soon decide to leave the service for better opportunities.”

The fact that these hostages interviewed in this article seem to think that they did well not to embarass their country says little for the standards they hold for themselves.

It’s incredible to read those things out of their very mouths.

[doc1019]

I agree.

When I was in the military (68-78), this kind of conduct would never have been tolerated.

We looked to our officers for leadership (obviously none here), we were instructed to never and I mean never cooperate with the enemy.

Can’t wait to see what happens to this despicable LT., leader … not!

[Pure Country]

American POWs who had flown with Stockdale had no doubt as to what was expected of them as prisoners. The knowledge, however, was a two-edged sword--on one hand, the captives were glad to understand the guidelines. On the other, when they "broke" (which inevitable they did), immense guilt and shame ensued. Eventually, as they communicated with one another, everyone understood that they had only to do their best. It was not possible to resist utterly and survive. A few who cooperated with the enemy "above and beyond" what was considered appropriate, received special treatment from their guards in return. These men were despised by other POWs who were doing their best to adhere to the Code of Conduct. Upon his return, Jim Stockdale accused two POWs of mutiny. Official charges were never brought against these men, or any others similarly accused.

You might have to copy and paste this to get there, but here is the scoop on a real leader and hero..James Stockdale Highest reanking POW in Nam http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/s/s118.htm

[RDTF]

“I would not be surprised if the Lt. that was in charge doesn’t soon decide to leave the service for better opportunities.”

You mean like this??
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1813838/posts

[Harrius Magnus]

laugh your ass off before you weep.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1813838/posts