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Subscribe to RSSThe pirates were brought aboard the U.S.S. John C. Stennis, the same ship Iran's navy threatened on Tuesday. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Casting aside current tensions between the U.S. and Iran, the U.S. Navy on Friday rescued 13 Iranian seamen who were being held captive by Somali pirates in the Gulf of Oman.
A Navy helicopter from the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, responding to a distress call from a merchant ship under attack by pirates, chased the pirates to their "mother ship," an Iranian-flagged dhow that had earlier been hijacked.
U.S. Navy
A sailor aboard a safety boat observes a "visit, board, search and seizure team" from USS Kidd on Thursday, Jan. 5. The Navy boarded the Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Al Molai to rescue 13 Iranian seamen held captive by Somali pirates.
A heavily-armed counter-piracy team from the Navy destroyer USS Kidd met little resistance when they boarded the dhow where they found 15 armed pirates and the 13 Iranians who were being held hostage. The pirates were taken into custody. The Iranians were set free in their dhow.
The rescue occurred about 175 miles southeast of Muscat, Oman.
It came less than two days after Iran threatened never to allow the USS John C. Stennis back to the Persian gulf following its departure last week for the Gulf of Oman and North Arabian Sea.
U.S. Navy
The USS Kidd responds to a distress call from the Iranian-flagged fishing dhow Al Molai on Thursday, Jan. 5. The Navy boarded the ship to rescue 13 Iranian seamen held captive by Somali pirates.
An Iranian surveillance plane last week video-recorded and photographed the vessel near the Strait of Hormuz, in a bid to cast its navy as having a powerful role in the region's waters.
Iran has threatened to close the route in possible retaliation to new U.S. and European economic sanctions, a tactic the U.S. already has said it would not tolerate.
About one-sixth of the world's oil passes on tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, and analysts have warned the price of Brent crude could temporarily jump to as high as $210 if the strait is closed.
Reuters
Iranian military personnel participate in the Velayat-90 war game in unknown location near the Strait of Hormuz in southern Iran Dec. 30.
U.S. officials have said the Navy's Fifth Fleet, based in nearby Bahrain, is prepared to defend the shipping route.
White House officials said Iran's threat showed Tehran was increasingly isolated internationally, faced economic problems from to sanctions and wants to divert attention from its deepening problems.
"It reflects the fact that Iran is in a position of weakness," White House spokesman Jay Carney told reporters Tuesday.
State news agency IRNA quoted Iranian army chief Ataollah Salehi as saying: "Iran will not repeat its warning ... the enemy's carrier has been moved to the Sea of Oman because of our drill. I recommend and emphasize to the American carrier not to return to the Persian Gulf.
AFP/Iran state media
The USS John C. Stennis, pictured as it allegedly went "inside the maneuver zone" where Iranian ships were conducting war games in the Gulf, according to Iranian officials who supplied the image.
"I advise, recommend and warn them (the Americans) over the return of this carrier to the Persian Gulf because we are not in the habit of warning more than once," he said.
Britain's defense secretary warned Iran Thursday that any attempt to block the key global oil passageway the Strait of Hormuz would be illegal and unsuccessful — hinting at a robust international response.
During his first visit to the Pentagon for talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon
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NBC's Jim Miklaszewski and msnbc.com staff contributed to this report.
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It was the right thing to do but don't expect much in the way of thanks.
unfortunately, it's a lot of our foreign policy in a nutshell- trying to help the citizens of other countries despite the fact their governments hate us...
I wonder if this will be reported on Iranian TV? Hard to give it a negative spin, unless they're claiming we boarded the dhow to obtain Iran's military secrets.
Completely agree with cronewinter-1656821
Billofrights
Don't be surprised if this doesn't even reach the ears of the public in Iran. Officially, anyways.
The iranian people are actually pretty pro-american but they have a nationalistic streak and unfortunately, that only translates into some level of support for their govt. The iranian govt understands the core of all tyrannical govts; deliver enough goods to enough people to suppress the rabble and stay in power.
Good Job USA!
Scary how much that sounds like a description of the United States.
Actually, it sounds nothing like the United States. Maybe you should visit the U.S. sometime, because you're obviously not a patriot or a citizen of the U.S.
Breaking News: Iranian Leaders release a statement that the US rescued fake Iranians and that the American are still dogs, because no great Iranian sailors would ever be captured by pirates. (I could so see this on The Onion)
AP: said, they could hear background noise on the audio tape asking if the Iranian people will really believe their report.
:) Yes, it was the right thing to do. America has her faults, but most of her citizens are upstanding people.
The hell I'm not.
We should not have gotten involved. If they had been killed in an exchange of gunfire, it would have been a prelude to war with Iran as the would have blamed us for the incident and would have used it as a pretext to strike at US resources.
Black Knight: We cannot let our fears stop us from doing what's right.
Well so much for the Iranian navy that can't even protect their own men from pirates.
I believe it is international law that any ship within distance is to help another ship in distress.
Sure.... except for the "enough goods" part ;-)
Seriously though, we do the job of their own Navy and we still may not be able to earn any brownie points with them. Just let Iran know that based on their wishes to have us stay out of every nation's business, we will be happy to just let their merchants tough it out with the Somali pirates next time.
News flash for Saturday: Iranian crew rescued by American navy executed for consorting with American military.
We all may not like it but it was the right thing to do ...........
Joe 125-
Please get real, American having a strong nationalistic bent is admirable. The difference is we get to elect our government and are not a theocractic dictatorship which is and has been the world's largest sponsor of terrrorism since 1979.
Letting Iran "deal" with their own pirate problem is a satisfying idea, as lon gas it doesn't happenn right under th US navy's noses, in which case I can see n o end of baching of the US as "do nothings," even encouraging the pirates to attack their fearless Iranin sailors (LOL) and cruelly sitting by and watching them take over one of those cutting edge Iranioan dhows (???) I seem to have read many years ago that a "dhow" was kindn of a primitive almost canoe you would find in the wilds of China (where rivers are of course) or some other then-third world country. Guess that hasn't changed for Iran, at least. Probably they were sea-sick and caught off their guard by the pirates while they puked overboard. Not much for the water, Iran.
What do you call giving people a few YEARS of unemployment? What do you call welfare? Democrats dole it out to the poor so they get votes, and Republicans dole it out to businesses and the wealthy.
If you dont think this is a bought and paid for country then you need to wake up.
There are more lobbyists in Washington then politicians.
I hope subduing their turn of the century pirates, and escorting them back to "dhow", will help to reveal some of "dwhy" we love being Americans.
Black Knight: The information in the article hardly allows for the interpretation that the US Navy would have known prior to boarding the dhow the nationality of any potential hostages on board.
However, I doubt the nationality of hostages would have altered the USN's response. The political saber rattling at the macro level on boths sides rarely has much to do with the operational actions of anyone's navy in a situation like this (e.g.: China, England, etc.). Nor should it.
Imagine the embarrassment those 13 Iranians will face. Being rescued by the Great Satan must be untenable. I'm sure they told the Americans to go home, they'll wait to be rescued by the "good" guys.
Joe125 & Lolly1192- I'm sure that since the United States is not good enough for you, your friends in Iran would welcome you with open "rattling sabres".
Good riddence.
And yet you live here, must be something you like.
A picture of the "dhow" in question is provided in the article. It is hardly comparable to a canoe. While it does not appear to be a particularly large or particularly modern vessel; I don't think you'd find it to be far off the viability of fishing vessels from many, many countries.
I've seen the equivalent along the gulf coast.
See, us and Iran have some common ground, we both hate our government. Do not confuse that with not loving my country, they are 2 different animals. I am a vet and would die for my country! My government on the other hand ...
Mike said it...the Iranian government will never admit it. At least those 13 rescued Iranains know what happened.
jimreaper
What's the matter? The soap residue left on your brain making you a little irritated?
Mike has the right line on this...Iran doesn't care if they are depicting the US rationally or not. The Iranian government sees us as a antithema to Islam, and it wouldn't matter if we swooped in and saved the entire population of the middle east from some major disaster, we would still be the "Great Satan".
There are a large number of Pro-Western Iranians, but the Ayatollah has already killed a large number of those who have pointed out the phalacy of the "Supreme Leader". They are labelled as traitors to Islam and imprisoned, never to be seen again. Very similar to the Soviet leaders in the former Soviet Union.
jimreaper, next time you have anything bad to say about any of our citizens, our government, or anything affiliated with this country remember what you said here. i don't care whether you're a republican or democrat, there's something about this country you don't agree with and telling someone who expresses what their disagreement is to get out is worse than childish, it's moronic and hypocritical. how does anything get better unless someone says it's not working? if no one complains about what's wrong then nothing gets changed. blindly agreeing with everything your country does is not patriotic, trying to fix something about your country you don't like to make it a better country is.
Not yet. But passing a bill which allows the US to imprison someone, without trial and without the benefit of due process, simply on the suspicion of being a "terrorist". That looks like the beginning of some future leader's dictatorship to me.
You know the U.S. Navy did the right thing. Of course the hardcore right (yes I am a republican) would say let 'em die, which to me shows that all these evangelical candidates spewing their O' God Almighty crap is just a show. The rescued Iranians were human beings and should be treated as such.
TK - do we really elect our govt, or does our media? I think lots of people on both sides of the aisle would fundamentally argue that we are not in the least, electing our politicians.
There's a million things I could list that make our elections just as rigged as anywhere else.
The mere REALITY that some on the right want to rule our nation from the christian pulpit, makes us very much NOT UNLIKE other nations like Iran that rule their people via their religion.
and frankly, I believe 1/2 this world is dead rigth that AMERICA are the largest sponsors of terrorism since it's inception...we are the only nation invading and occupying other nations, on such a large scale...we are the only nation that asserts how other nations can operate - via sanctions (note, no other nation can place sanctions on us and starve our people, in order to get our govt to do as they please)...we are the only nation that by and large sends massive amounts of money, weapons and people in regions of the world for the sole purpose of disrupting their progress to keep them mired in conflict so they cant appear like a competent nation (these are mostly socialist countries)...
I could go on and on...from our colonial ways of the past, to our current colonial ways of the present in Iraq and Afghanistan.
I understand, YOU would never see america as the terrorists...just like Iran doesnt seem themselves as you see them.
That doesnt make you, or most americans perception the correct one. not in the least.
I would have loved to hear that meeting as the commanders decided to go in.
General1: Do we go in?
General2: If we go in, all the IRANIAN hostages may be killed.
General1: Settled, we go in.
I still believe in the decency of most ordinary people in the world, who simply want to live and work in peace. It is the good deeds of these ordinary people which ultimately have the power of changing the world. American Navy helping ordinary Iranians is the best example of what America should always stand for.
It is time to just blast these scum pirates out of the water, Why wast time and money taking them in to custody
Undoubtedly we will be blamed for the piracy and burned in effigy by the families of the saved Iranians. Yep, all is right with the world today.
It was the right thing to do no matter what nationality or flag the ship was under. Further, our difficulties with Iran are not with the people, they are with the tyrannical government that rules them. I am sure that the news will reach Iran either through our propaganda stations or through third party Arab television and radio, but how it will be spun by their government afterward will be interesting to see. The John Stennis will undoubtedly return to the gulf after resupply and then we will see if Iran has it in them to make good on their threats. If not the Stennis other ships will move through the gulf. I only wonder if Iran realizes that even from the gulf of Oman the planes on the Stennis can reach them easily enough without much warning?
Don't be surprised if the Idiotic Iranian Govt tries to twist this around and say that the US was trying to illegally detain and seize the ship and that somehow their 13 sailors miraculously out smarted and escaped capture from the evil US navy. It's only a matter of time until we sink every last navy ship they have in the straights. Iran is a barking dog without any bite.
GregDog - Spot on.
Trust2112 - Actually some of us Americans don't hate our Government. Is it imperfect? Definitely. Could it be improved? Definitely. Is it better than in many countries around the world? In my opinion - definitely. The political bickering on both extremes and focus on singular, devisive issues ignore the enormous number of things our state and federal goverments do that we all count on every day. I wish the neysayers would all go do a little research on what happens when you don't have a reasonably strong centralized government - try say maybe... Somalia. As far as I can see they have a perfectly open free-market system in Somalia. Seems "self policing" doesn't it?
I'm not being overly facetious here people. Seriously, what do you think happens without true government? Do you think clean water shows up magically at your house? Do you think police, paramedics, & fire show up for traffic incidents magically? Do you think schools get constructed magically? Do you think people within corporations would implement hiring practices "fairly" magically? If you really think our system of government is so bad, maybe you should travel or at least read a little more.
Interesting how so many people seem to assume that the Iranian fishing vessel was a warship of some sort and that the crew were not fishermen but sailors of the Iranian Navy.
Of course, there's always the possibility that it really was employed by the Iranian government; they'd hardly be the first ones to ever conduct reconnaissance using what is ostensibly a fishing trawler, but odds are good they'd also be looking the part of fishermen and not sailors - I doubt there'd be a uniform anywhere on board. Most likely there would have been no weapons, either.
Until we learn otherwise, though, there's no reason to believe that this was anything other than a civilian vessel and crew who were trying to earn their living when they were hijacked. We would have done the same thing for anyone else, and I imagine the crew we rescued would have also come to the aid of any other boat or small ship in distress they might encounter at sea.
And do you know how many Americans also see themselves as enemies of Islam?
Do you know how many people will question your patriotism or your intelligence if you don't consider Islam to be the enemy?
battsman, without government you could still have utilities and police and other similar government run sevices but they would most likely cost a lot more per use. the police would still come to catch a burglar but they would give you a bill for their services.
Jessica - honestly, do you really believe what you are saying here? The U.S. is the ONLY nation invading and occupying other nations? Please, by all means express your OPINIONS, but please make some attempt to separate your OPINIONS from FACTS. Let's just deal with recent history - WW II - Germany invaded and occupied nearly all of Europe and committed atrocities beyond anything imaginable. Moving on, Post WW II the Soviet Union annexed all of Eastern Europe, and, under Stalin, slaughtered tens of millions of its own people. The United States set Europe free. We came, defeated, helped to rebuild and left. Same in Japan. Can you please provide a list of the countries that "since our inception" we have invaded and occupied and still retain as our territory. We are not perfect by any means, and our government is a complete joke regardless of who is in power. But I cannot believe anyone would willingly want to live under the Iranian regime. Anyone that says they would are lying. I feel bad for whatever has happened to you in your lifetime to have such a negative view of our country. It truly is a sad commentary on where we stand today.
Two of the rescued Iranian sailors, have already put one of their eyes out; one of the American sailors was a female, and they saw her ankle exposed.
The Iranian people may never hear of this, or they'll be told they were rescued from us, instead of by us.
All this tension, yet we are reducing our military. Real smart.
HATR_HURTER - Yes, they would cost more. But also, how would those utilities be delivered to my house? There wouldn't be a public water distribution system, a public waste-water system, etc. - it would all be private. If I had a dispute about service with X on a private system what could I do about it? I could chose not to pay and they'd turn off service, but there wouldnt be a legal framework to sue them to make the system better (no courts after all).
If someone sold me tainted food and my kids got sick, what would be my legal recourse? Oh again, no legal recourse - I could chose not to buy food from X company (welcome to Ron Paul world), but what would that do to their bottom line. Oh yes, I could try and complain in the media, but they sure as hell wouldn't report it because their advertising revenue would probably be tied to X company.
Let's say I did call Joe's security company to come investigate my burglary (without government there is no "Police"). Joe could pull fingerprints and maybe he could go to a private database and find the suspect - what would be the net result? I guess Joe would go find the suspect and beat the crap out of him. That's assuming the suspect didn't pay a different company / group of organized thugs to protect him and beat the crap out of Joe.
Anarchy isn't for me.
knowning when & how to Flex Muscle, is good thing..Using Muscle as a Bullying tactic, is totally ABSURD...the ARENA, from the Vantage Point , Views ; Complete Immaturity in DISPLAY...who is in Charge of Growning Up Countries ???....
It helps the government of both countries to have a villain that its people can unite against.
I don't think it's unpatriotic in the least to question our leadership. In fact, I think it is unpatriotic to suppress dissent.
May God bless our Navy and everyone else that serves OUR country and who willingly risk their lives every day.
BTW, where was the Iranian navy???
Joe125 -I think this guy pretty much summed up my point. And for anybody saying that we are have the right to say what we want, I whole-heartedly agree. Your governmant might not, though.
They were going in circles...they lost one of their oars.
Jessica, at least you have the courage to speak out. This "government" here has pushed the tax rates here including licenses, excise taxes, property taxes, and 30 to 40 other charges to basically become a socialist state for the "government" and all the "government" employees, some teachers are now retiring at up to $100,000 a year. How do I know, one told me. Colleges are charging outrageous fees for students, and administrators and professors are being paid more than ever, some retiring at hundreds of thousands a year. Public employees retire as high as several hundred thousand a year; while those on social security are doing extremely well if they get in the $20,000 range. Wake up!!!!!!!!!!! We don't have a democracy, but an oligarchy composed of lackeys for the corporate rich and for themselves.
Your taxes pay $20,000 plus per year to each citizen of Israel evidently, yet that country of apartheid and total mistreatment of the inhabitant Palestinians has illegal and criminal nuclear weapons and spies on the U.S. repeatedly.
We should be working with Iran, which has citizens who have always favored America, and has been pro-America on the streets, and is known to be one of the politetest countries towards visitors from the U.S.
America should not try to make Iran a cornered, friightened counrty, but an ally, as all countries of the world should become. This so-called "God" driven country has caused, in the name of Imperialism and Fascism, hundreds of thousands of deaths around the world. It is time to learn how to live with rough and tough diplomacy, not favoritism for certain "religions" even if they become barbaric in their application.
This post will become meaningless to most "posters", because people will come out of the woodwork to denounce it and me, and suggest I move to another country or worse, while "they" retain the right to support fascism, imperialism, torture, killing on a large scale, Hypocrisy, and the rest of the b.s. that passes for foreign policy here. This "country" needs to become the ideal it purports to be, not the "my way or destruction to all who do not follow the Hypocrisy practiced here in the name of their killing and hypocritical "God"".
And had the media been at Normandy we might all be speaking German or maybe Japanese if we'd have given up after Pearl Harbor or maybe spending Pounds instead of Dollars had the colonists decided to stay home by the fireplace.
cronewinter-1656821 wrote:
From my experience, I would think the Iranians on the boat would have been very thankful, and expressed that to their rescuers. Many of the ordinary citizens of Iran are not anything like their government. But that can be said of the citizens of many countries...
I think it was a waste of time saving those guys. I bet when they get back to iran, they will be shot for being saved by Americans. I don't know for sure, but it wouldn't surprise me if they wouldn't plug them for associating with Americans even if its by accident like this. Well good for them anyhow, even if they do get plugged by their own people, at least it won't be by the pirates. And this way, they get to go to heaven and get their 40 virgins.
It was the right thing to do. And anyone who spins this politically for the U.S.or against the U.S. is in the wrong. Just leave it as representatives of one nation doing what is right regardless of any political considerations.
The Iranian Navy couldn't row fast enough.....
I agree that the Iranian ruling council will have their puppet Amajihadi once again spin this as a Zionist plot against the freedom of Islam.. Would you expect anything less from these idiots.. These sailors may be imprisoned or just disappear to keep the secrete.. If they were doing surveillance the boarding party may have noticed something like a sophisticated radio but it would have made no difference in the outcome.. Why are we not beaming radio and TV psyops into their propaganda controlled media anyway.. Can you imagine over ridding their TV show Islam Tonight with a Baptist revival show.. Send a few drones to drop bibles as they are what these fools fear most..
"We should be working with Iran, which has citizens who have always favored America, and has been pro-America on the streets, and is known to be one of the politetest countries towards visitors from the U.S". What??? have you not seen the demonstrations and the flag burning?
Let me be the first to nominate "truthin" as ambassador to Iran where he will have plenty of sand to stick his head in because that is what he obviously has been doing as far as Iran is concerned.
"There ya' go you troublesome kids. Now,go back to your boat. We'll be here waiting for you to attack us."
@Joe1072601,
Its never a waste of time to save a life. Who knows what good may come of it and at least they have a chance. The moment we turn a blind eye to anyone in that situation is when we become truly evil.
Great Job.............GO NAVY!!!
That's right, Joe and Lolly, jimreaper, or whatever he is, doesn't speak for us Americans. We will defend your right to say whatever you want. That's what America is all about. Jimreaper apparently thinks that America is like Iran, where you have to hide your opinions, but you better believe it's not. I may or may not agree with what you say, but I will defend your right to say, goddamnit.
Jimreaper, what you said is an embarrassment to American freedom and values. I don't know why you would think you have the right to speak to Americans that way. Don't you believe in freedom of speech or the right to redress grievances with the government? Please, read and learn to love the US Constitution. And as for your opinion, I definitely don't agree, but I will defend your right to say it, too. But I'll respond to it for the nonsense that it is.
Iran must be talking to North Korea about scare tactics. So they don't normally say it twice? How about never! What do they have Iraq's version of the elite navy. I am sure the Pentagon is spending, what five minutes about their threat. Bring it on, weel keel you!
So far the story hasn't made it to IRNA's English web site yet. Are you surprised?
Good for the US Navy! It was absolutely the right thing to do, and somebody in Iran will notice, even if the supreme poohbah, Ali Khamenei, feels a need to keep it hidden.
Truthin:
Where did that $20,000 number come from?
To be clear, I think our support of Israel is questionable and speaks volumes about power / wealth in the US. However, if you are going to throw out easily demonstrably false information I have to call it.
@BillofRights1789
Iranian citizens won't learn anything about this because all media is controlled by the State and this story will never be told.
Iran would put the people who saved the 13 Iranians in jail for being "spies". A trial and execution. It is possible the 13 will "Defect" to the US. Wait and see.
Yes, United States Citizens are Humanitarians. Other countries all see us as the Enemy.
@alwaysanother -
I'm not even sure what direction you are even trying to come from. Other allies in the region: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, etc. - so I'm not sure what you are trying to say or even what you mean by "that region" beyond the assumption of the "Middle East" in general.
With regard to what we get for the aid - just like aid we supply to just about any other country in the world the aid generates some sort of expectation of reciprocation and comes with a certain degree of bagage. I'd say that as an example, Great Brittain is a more reliable ally than Israel, but Israel gets the largest chunk of US foreign aid of any other country.
So basically, I corrected the demonstrably false statement:
"Your taxes pay $20,000 plus per year to each citizen of Israel..."
and I stated my position that our relationship with Israel should be subject to scrutiny at times, but isn't likely to be because a significant portion of the political elite are pro-Israel. (Be they of Jewish ancestry, neocon warhawk, Christian, etc.)
Sounds like we just replinished those dozen or so spies we lost in Iran a few months back...
Good job, peanut. That's it exactly. And Persia (Iran) is not reacting to anything but its own history dealing with the U.S. Not knowing any history at all is a sort of freedom that Americans almost insist upon so that they can bray their ignorant hostility without any sense of irony. If all of you kneejerk America defenders read only a little world history and a little American history you would not sound so silly to the rest of the world where lessons learned in the past actually have value in the present. Especially sad are those of you who "don't trust" the 'government' yet parrot every bit of negative propaganda put out by our corporogovernment and corporomedia about, in this case, Persia, but practically every other political agenda of interest to our murderous, rapaciously greedy thieving elite. Persia is not our enemy nor is Bukhan (North Korea) or any of the other small relatively weak countries we self-servingly vilify to convince the weak minded and illiterate to give up their children and wealth to mass kill women and children in order to steal what these small countries may have that we want. The 'nuclear' threat is just stoopid. No country wants to be literally erased and that is what we would do to ANY country that used nuclear weapons, period. Well, except for one, the source of all current pathology in U.S. relations with the rest of the world, that is, with those outside of the asylum (and here 'asylum' means anything but "place of safety").
The Navy did, for once, what we would like our Navy to do. It is what we like to think our Navy is for, to 'help' people. That, in reality, it is to "project force" in all that the term implies is the reality and this act is rare indeed. It is an interesting diplomatic move but, in its rarity, clearly only that and has nothing to do with past or future policy. And those 15 'dangerous' Somalis. Hmmm. More like the crazy kids they really are. If this action were the Navy's typical response, the 'piracy problem' would have been gone long ago.
But, again, WE, in the guise of our very own CIA, created the Ayatollah because, to a freedom minded people, even religious domination was preferable to the absolute brutality, murder, and military fascism that we installed (the "shah", whose son recently killed himself in Boston) after we destroyed Persia's freely elected democratic government because it was not cooperative enough with our oil corporations and actually wanted a fair price for Persian oil.
America, itself, has been lying to its children for generations now in order to foster a 'reality' of American fairness and the rightness of American democracy. But our relations with the world have been 100% corporate since ca. 1900. These rapacious machines of the elite have in the last generation or two taken much more interest in doing to us what they have, with the protection of "Send in the Marines!", been doing to the rest of the world. Soon, as we begin to wake up to our own plight and attempt to restore democracy here at home, we may discover that the Marines have been sent in yet again, but to Montana, Oregon, Idaho, Illinois, et cetera. (for my Marines in particular, see "My Thirty Years as a Thug for Capitalism: War is a Racket" by MajGen Smedley D. Butler, USMC, most decorated soldier in U.S. history who is deliberately 'unremembered' for what will become obvious reasons if you read his book)
Again, the only thing that can help us is if more Americans investigate our own real history. You will discover amazing things. WWI and WWII, pop history is almost entirely a lie and, especially WWII, a great shame upon us. For example, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were completely unnecessary and, in fact, the war was prolonged until the bombs were completed (including the savagery of Okinawa) only so that we could demonstrate convincingly to the World (not Japan) who was now THE BOSS. Go see the museaums at the 'Ground Zeros' in either city and read the original American documents on the walls. From the horse's mouth...
The American who knows not his own country is not an American but just a corporate tool as we see so much of here. Propagandized into kneejerk, thoughtless reactions completely harmonius with the current corporate line, almost as if written and salted here by corporate agitators but, alas, real people speaking thoughtless lies built into them by our greed-fueled leaders at the orders of their masters, our parasitic elite. Just two examples to get you started. At 0631 on 07Dec41, the USS Ward spotted, identified, and sank a Japanese midget submarine firing the first shots of our part in WWII. No alarm was raised for 'plausible' reasons and, technically, we started it. At 0755, the first bomb drops. During the Egyptian 'Pearl Harbor', a surprise attack on a completely quiescent Egypt and other countries called the Six-Day War, our 'friend' and 'ally' israel, identified, attacked and attempted to sink with all hands the USS Liberty. When help was sent from a carrier, then pres lyndon johnson called them back. A full b.s. cover story of 'oh we made a mistake' and 'oh we were confused' was constructed but the truth is obvious, that is, if you believe the guys that survived on the Liberty. Maybe they are all liars. the zionists have never apologized nor have we retaliated as I pray that one day we will do.
There are thousands of things in American history that look completely different when approached from a true historical perspective. But kneejerking is so much more fun and sending our kids to die for the benefit of monsters is so much more satisfying. One warning, if you are taking stress reducers or blood pressure meds or are prone to fits of rage or want to keep 'trusting' our corporogovernment and what you think you know about who controls what in America, avoid learning history at all cost, but, be warned, the cost of such avoidance has already been great and will only worsen.
The US did absolutely the right thing here. As long as this country is good She will be great. No thanks are required. We are Americans, not thin skinned praise seekers.
Hand them a bill for services rendered at the next secession of the UN. I'd say 1 million US dollars would cover it. Or if they prefer all US citizens in their custody. BTW don't take the cash in rials they're almost worthless.
TRUTHIN
You are the one that is asleep if you truly believe that what is going on in our government isn't going on in all the other governments of the world. If you haven't noticed things are done the same way everywhere with minor visual differences.
Come on do you really want to talk about mistreatment due to religious preference. Christians are being beheaded in these Islamic ruled countries, because they won't denounce there faith in Christianty. Please know the facts before you open your mouth just saying whatever. Our country may do some underhanded things which they all do, but this the greatest and better off country in the world as long as we stay one nation under God. Thats really how we got in the position of being the it country. This country bullies the bullies that are overly abusive to there own citizens. Alot of people think we have it bad, but we have choices and oppertunity we it comes to everything. And in return all we do is abuse our rights and demand more when we already have it all
Sure Joe, clearly you don't know much of anything about the people or Iran a opposed to your perspective of the government of Iran.
Battsman $1 to Israel IS TO MUCH! So his figures may have been off. But his point is correct. Just my opinion but Israel is a puppet regime for the U.S.A.
We need to let these countries fight their own battles. We cant afford to pay for others protection. I have no interest in religious wars. They never get solved no one wins them. And if God is that petty to allow humans to kill for him. Then he sounds more like Satan then a loving God. So let them wipe each other off the map.
It all comes down to the fact that everybody is Human and we did the right thing. Regardless of the political issues. Even if the news is not spread to the Iranian people, the rest of the world will see it.
It was the wrong thing to do, you don't put US troops in harm's way for Iranian nationals.
I just don't believe that is part of the official rules of engagement and the commander who gave the order should be disciplined.
The Iranian government would have done the same thing if it had been 13 American seaman. With one small exception they would behead them after they rescued them.
They probably weren't pirates it was a arms deal gone bad..But way to go NAVY ELITE !!
Didn't we shoot down one of their civilian A300 Airbus', saving 19 is the least we could do.
Nah, they would hold them prisoner for 2 years and claim that they were spies, releasing them only after being paid several million dollars to secure their freedom.
WkeupAmerica:
Puerto Rico. When we invaded in the Spanish war it was part of Spain, now is part of USA.
I agree with you. Don't get mad at me, but we kept something for ourselves after all......
I wonder where the vaunted Iranian Navy was? I thought they were baaaaad and even had a missile or two?
Holy Moly, where to begin? First things first: "BZ to crew of USS Kidd". Dispite what the anti-military people would say, we are not a lot of baby killers, and, typically, when people are in trouble in international waters, the United States Navy and Coast Guard will always render assistance.
As far as the Iranian threat to the USS Stinnis (CVN-74), I would say to the Iranians: "Jump if you feel froggy, Big Boy." I remember a simular threat leveled against Battlegroup Foxtrot, lead by the USS Enterprise (CVN-65) in 1988. How did that work out for you? Maybe you can send a wing of Iranian F-14s out to engage the fleet. Oh.... thats right, they don't fly anymore, no spare parts. Perhaps you can use some of the vaunted Soviet era hardware that you bought? Maybe you will have better luck than Saddam had with it (or not). Or maybe you can shut the hell up because there is NOTHING you can do.
State media: Iran to hold military drills in the Strait of Hormuz in February!!!
They have already answered this gesture with their own!
I like how their "military drills" involve a soldier with an open sight rifle (no scope) sitting on a cliff a mile above the Straight of Hormuz. Not very intimidating if you ask me.
This is the greatest news story of the day.
Greatest news story of the day. More like the greatest movie of the day. They know how to do it better than Hollywood, so good you almost think it's real. Way to convenient to be real. Don't forget that we(USA) are masters of illusions. Make you see what we(USA) want you to see, but thanks to our savy trick we won't get the rod shoved up any further at the pumps, hopefully.
They probably weren't pirates it was a arms deal gone bad..But way to go NAVY ELITE !!
Throw them back
They Navy should have just left those savages there in the first place.
There would have been thirteen less nutcases for the world to worry about.
and if you went away there would be 14 less...
I agree totally.
Hotticket, you are obviously either very stupid or very ignorant. Who are you to decide who lives or dies? The Navy was just doing a good thing and helping protect people. Besides, even if they were nutcases, 13 less of them wouldn't make much of a difference. And on that note, define nutcase? There really is no right or wrong when it comes to war. Everything is based on opinion. Given your extremely annoying comment, I am going to stick with my first guess and assume that you are entirely ignorant. That or you just like telling other people what to do and then blaming them when it turns out wrong.
"Savages"? Planning on having tea with Queen Victoria anytime soon?
Our military does their job regardless of your political affiliation. Citizens of a country are individuals and one person does not speak for the country at large no more than American nutcases don't represent all Americans. Unless HOTTICKET personally knows these people it is wrong to call them savages. They may be fishermen just trying to feed their family and may not even care about governments or politics. Not all Iranians hate America or even think about America, just like most Americans don't think about other countries on a daily basis, unless they read a newsstory. When is the last time any of you thought about Canada?
Funny how quickly the right sinks to the level of an Ahmadinejad or a Taliban, isn't it.
Actually, I was thinking about Canada today. Nice place, good people, but their beer sucks.
That's pretty sad. The Iranians probably used our old P-3's (or a Russian equivalent) to monitor the hijacked craft but seemed unable to effect a rescue. That's what you get when you build a surface navy designed around simple sea denial.
Perhaps we should've held onto them as "hostages" or "Al-Quds Force spies"? Or is that a one-way street?
It's a one-way street. We want the rest of the world to think we're better than our enemies, and we can't do that by descending to their level.
AG who cares what the world thinks ,from what I've read they all hate us anyway.
wlee-
People only hate us when we get involved and make everything worse. All of the countries that we leave alone could care less.
It's not a matter of what the world thinks. We( the US ) did the right thing.
100% spot on Dot!
You know I travel quite a bit including the middle east. It's pretty clear I'm an american but somehow I keep missing all these people that hate me. You reading newsmax or some such?
AG who cares what the world thinks, from what I've read they all hate us anyway.
You cannot believe everything you read, I have a friend who visited Iran two years ago and she said the people she met did not say anything about hating Americans.
The U.S Navy did a good and right thing.
@wlee- the world does not hate us all. Just those among us with your superior attitude.
Being a former Coast Guardsman, this pains me to say, but way to go Navy.
I guess we trained you well. :)
Wlee, Bush Jr isn't president now. President Obama has restored a great deal of our credibility and respect in the world. While Bush was prez, we were seen as bullies and fools. Now we once again look like a reasonable country which won't attack without provocation. After another 5 years of being reasonable, we should be able to hold up our heads again.
Of course, we'll still be paying for Bush's stupidity for the next 15 years. Nevertheless, we no longer look like a country run by a man with brain damage from alcohol abuse. I'm down with that. Cowboy Diplomacy hasn't worked in this century but Dubya clearly didn't get that memo. Before he got into politics he ran 6 oil companies into the ground and into bankruptcy and he did the exact same thing with our country. We're paying the price now and will be for more than a decade to come.
Our Navy did the right thing. The right thing isn't done for thanks or kudos, it's done because it's the right thing to do. Whether or not it's acknowledged by the Iranian government, those 13 fishermen know that they're alive right now because of the United States of America. That's enough for me.
Aginn, you know me huh? You know nothing about me, yet you feel as though you are able to judge me, who has the superior attitude? Based upon UN votes I would say there isn't much love from Govt. of foreign countries, as far as the people ,in my travels I too have found them to be friendly. I also believe we did the right thing as I was once in the Navy
Yeah we showed them, take that Iran.
Before the day is over the Iranians will have some negative statement about the rescue.
Lol I can imagine that.
"After the Americans gave them food and water, they forgot to give them blankets! How rude! If a U.S. Navy ship rescues Iranians gain WITHOUT BLANKETS, there will be hell to pay!"
LOL
I think you're correct. They might say we never asked for help and was going to do it ourselfs..but the americans beat us there first.
Actually, I'm betting the Iranian gov. won't even mention this incident. I don't know much about Iran, but given some past incidents of civil unrest and yearning for democracy, I believe the actual people of Iran are good. But they have these ancient religious zealots running their country with an iron fist, much like Syria. A lot has changed since '79 and the Death to America b.s., which was probably also staged by the evil turbaned Yoda's rocking and mumbling on their rugs.
I believe you guys have it all wrong, Iran will more than likely say that it's Navy successfully rescued the saliors after an ineffective attempt by the U.S. navy.
Let them know that any action that Iran tries to interfere with the US fleet will result in immediate destruction of their biggest oil depot for shipping oil as a lesson to be learned . Further Iranian actions could end up with the complete shut down of Irans ability to ship oil out. I am sure their are enough other countries that would gladly pick up the slack. Then Iran can regress to riding camels vice four wheel gas operated vehicles.
I disagree, Ed. I think that we should make it as easy as possible for these Camel Countries like Iran to extract and distribute their oil, because once it runs out they are over - permanently. Unless they can figure out some way to sell sand and dust.
Unless we get busy taking care of the energy goals for our future we will be done as well. Take a look at what the Spaniards are doing and ask yourself who our oil companies are looking out for. Off topic? Yes. But a very important part of what your point was.
Ed, haven't you learned anything from the last years of war in 2 countries?
I vote you pay for it. We'll be paying for Bush's unfunded wars for the next 10-15 years, Ed. Do you really want another expensive war on another front? If you do, you aren't very bright.
The photos in the article says it all. We have an aircraft carrier. The Iranians have what looks like a bunch of fishing trawlers and a guy with a rifle. Who wins?
I'm just trying to figure out what the guy with the rifle is doing....Enjoying the show? lol
Mike
He is "guarding" the entrance to the port where the Iranian "fleet" is harbored.
Come on man! It's duck season.
The guy with the rifle is providing, as part of a military drill, sniper cover for the vessels that would be laying the mines in the Strait. Of course there would be many more such snipers. All of whom would quickly be taken out, along with the boats shown in the picture, by a couple of fighter jets or drones. But it is all a silly show to try and puff up the Iranian leadership in the eyes of the Iranian people and the rank and file members of their military.
Wabbitt season!.....so says Daffy Duck.
Besides, the guy has a non-scoped rifle w/ no bipod for stability. I'd like to see em even hit even close to anything he's aiming for from up there. Good (?) photo op though.....for them, that is.
no it's wabbit season. Actuall being serious for a moment doing whats right and helping those in distress no matter where they are from or who they are only shows that we as Americans are in fact a kind and caring nation. Yes we have our problems we all do but have shown time and time again our compassion for others.
What the photos don't show, are the 12 guys standing behind shooter guy with big rocks they can throw down the cliffs! Imagine how devastating that would be to the "Western Evil Empire", if one were to hit us in the head! Ouch! Ok, ImindeedImmad! We surrender!
lol I know, right? Is THAT the Iranian Navy in the photograph, a bunch of wooden dingys? Iran is the Wile E. Coyote of naval powers!
I was thinking the same thing. This is their powerful navy? Hope the weather doesn't get bad. Maybe compared to the other Navy's in the area but come on Iran, who do you think you're foolin? The only thing these would be good for is to load them with explosives and hope to hit something, though again vs our Navy, that has fighter/bombers, it would be a turkey shoot as we methodically sink each one. Oh well this is basically what I expected but just even funnier that I see it in a photo.
Related to the article, good job Navy (though I think the Somali pirates should've been sent adrift) after they rescued the Iranians. Hopefully, this will get thru to the people of Iran. Can't wait to see what spin is put on this or if it is even acknowledged.
It is time
This was the right thing to do and at least there will be a dozen Iranians who will think twice before swallowing the PR coming out of their government.
I'm sure the Iranian news agency will spin it as the brave Iranian sailors maneuvered themselves in between the powerful pirates and the weak American forces and were taken hostage. Their bravery saved the American lives, blah blah blah blah...
I chuckle at the pics of the Iranian naval military exercises showing Iranian soldiers "on guard" with nothing but rifles. In a theater where distances are measured in miles, and hundreds of miles, riflemen are worthless. Even the narrowest part of the strait is miles across! Good luck Iran.
That and their wooden navy.
Say what you want about the Iranians, but the Dhow is one cool-looking boat.
The funny thing is that a supertanker going through the Strait wouldn't even feel a bump as it ran over those Iranian barges... I mean battleships...
Here is an idea. Turn the pirates over to Iranian gov. Let Iranian justice take care of them.
I suppose if you were being held captive by pirates you would rather let the Iranian Navy handle it as well .....
Perfect Drew.
Why didn't we kill the pirates so there's one less threat to potentially return to the seas?
yes, that is terrific idea. i would buy a ticket too see that!
SEMPER FI
DANNY P
RETIRED
They won't do that, because they paid them to take the ship over to help ease tensions after we swoop in for the rescue. Textbook. I can't believe no one else is seeing whats really going on. I sure the Iran wasn't fooled, but there going to play along anyway. The rule is deception rules who ever is the best at it wins. As it stands US 1 Iran 0.
"The infidels invaded our ship and kidnapped 15 of our Somolian bretheren, but 13 of us managed to fight them off and escape! Death to the infidels!"
Blasted Americans !!!
The irony is Iran supplies and supports the Somalian terrorists. So your statement is probably going to be the "truthful" version of what happened on the Tehran news tonight (which is taking place at around noon our time). The Iranian (Farsi) meaning of "SOS" is "Same Old Satan".
The Iranian Government will claim that they were just about save those poor people and the US Navy swooped in and meddled if their affairs again. Dang US Navy stealing our glorious rescue!!!!
Okay, so maybe the proper thing would have been to let you people have your "glorious rescue" Then when you got your asses whooped, we would swoop in "meddle in your affairs" and save your asses as well. If all of you were still alive by that time.
we should always remember what happen to goliath and king david, and never under estimate anything that comes your way. this can repeat itself
Gotta love it. When will Khamanei and Ahmadinejad issue a formal thank you to the men and women of the Stennis and Kidd for their bravery and courage in rescuing the Iranian sailors?
The check is in the mail, and I'll call you in the morning.
They will issue a thank you when little green monkeys come out of your arrrs
What are they going to do with the pirates now? Send them home so they can get another boat and do it again?
How about a burial at sea ???
Mathuin,
GITMO!!!!!!
Well there are now 13 Iranians that know first hand how the US reacts to pirates, and if you block the strait you are a pirate.
Couldn't agree with you more Eric in Oregon, if they try to block our access to that strait it will be an act of war and then maybe we can stop pussy footing around the Iran issue.
Not to mention that I doubt Oman and the others that use the strait will let Iran block things. They'll probably issue a formal call for us to come into their waters and spank their unruly neighbors. Iran is so INCREDIBLY stupid to think they can pull this without making the rest of the Middle East mad as hornets.
This just shows that the US cares more about saving the lives of innocent Iranians than their own government does. Piracy is an international problem and we're working with other countries to deal with it. Wonder how far the Iranians have gotten on that front.
I'd like to think that in this day and age of technology (facebook, twitter, etc...) that the Iranian people do know what the US did to save the Iranian seamen, and understand that the US is trying to help the people of Iran in spite of the Iranian government. Once again, thanks to our US military men and women for the sacrifices they make and their continued dedication to doing a job well done.
God Bless the US Navy- A force for Good!
The paradox here is the Iranian people, although they dislike the government, are still Persians and would join together to fight us in any military engagement. If we inflict collateral damage, any possible future of peace would be jeopardized. Best we can hope for is to avoid conflict and hope Arab Spring will take place in Iran. Those who want freedom don't need others to fight for them.
Did I hear Iran wanted Nuclear weapons? Perhaps we could lob one over there - right over Tehrain. The frustrating thing is that the Iranian people are some of the best and usually are very friendly toward the US. Its the leadership and college students who aren't.
No more than 10 percent of the students!
Nice work boys. Take the high road!
As a curiosity, I went to wikipedia's Islamic Republic of Iran Navy page. Their 'fleet' is pretty hilarious. A couple hundred light ships and only half a dozen heavy ships. I wonder how much of that a single aircraft carrier could take out.
All of that.
about ten times what they have...and in the afternoon they could.....
Screw the aircraft carriers, fire up one of the old Iowa class battleships and have it go clean them out.
Iran has just announce that 13 of it's brave sailors has just rescued an US destroyer and aircraft carrier from Pirates. "The brave actions of our Iranian citizens to risk their lives to save the antagonistic American dogs from Somali Pirates show the true nature of our peaceful country"
Bahhahaaaaa ...that is good gtouch.....very good.
Is Johnny Depp on that boat. It looks like a castaway from a movie set... but then so does their navy.
I think someone owes us some gas money!!