Agreed...I'm sure Ahmadinejad will say that we set fire to the boat and the US Navy is using the rescued as hostages.

Or that we rescued them only to learn about their nuclear facilities.

The US rescues sailors where the Iranians would torpedo the boat to put out the fire. At least that's my impression of Iran.

And this is why we are better than they are.

How true. If it had been reversed, their navy would have fired on the boat to finish the job, claiming the Americans were spies.

They are spies planted by the Iranian president!!! Lock them up for a year and then demand ransoms from the Imperialistic Dogs in Tehran..........

Iran hasnt been a sea power since the Battle of Thermopylae. ;)

Maybe if these Iranians that were rescued could tell their story to their countrymen the general population might start to wake up and realize they are being fed a bunch of BS about the US by their leadership. Unfortunately, it is more likely that the Iranian government will get a hold of these sailors and force them to make propaganda statements about being treated poorly and abused by the Americans in order to help the government spread more lies.

Another example of our "Empire Empire" hard at work for the rest of the World. Big thumbs up! GO NAVY!

Perhaps the Iranians can learn a lesson of civility from this incident.

KUDOS to the US Navy for the rescue; but I'm curious, was this rescue required right after the Navy test fired their new laser weapon?

Lets be honest, Iran would love to have rescued our sailors and use it for propaganda purposes so lets cut all the "they wouldnt do the same if it was us" talk. Either way, great job by the Navy!

Now if it was Ahmadinejad and the ayatolah sailing a boat together, a torpedo would suffice.

Yeah Chumpbra, like those peace loving boats carrying Fruit loops, and Pop Tarts. Good try, now go enjoy Ramadan. Go Navy!!

And will continue to be that way!! Despite what groups try to overpower us they won't succeed. We do the Will of God. Maybe Iran should do the way of Allah!! Bring peace to the world and help those who need our help. Blessings will flow!!

Are Americans not allowed to enjoy Ramadan? Just curious.

And the Iranian Navy rescued a US cargo ship from pirates in March. It's not unusual for ships to aid each other regardless of nationality; it's part of maritime culture. Only the childish keep score.

thechupacabra, the difference is these Iranians didn't attack the American sailors. When you attack first by trying to run a LEGAL naval blockade you get what you asked for. A military response.

Yea, but wait until they see the bill our healthcare system sends them. I'm sure their insurance will cover it though. I'm sure their healthcare system is far better than our healthcare system that is stuck in the middle ages /sarcasm

Actually getting basic medical care in Iran is very cheap compared to the US. So cheap there really isn't health insurance, most people can self pay. I know someone who has dual citizenship and she waits to get medical procedures when she is in Iran. However, they don't have things like advanced contact lenses since they have to be imported.

Nice job Navy!

@Sawyer:

"We are not better than they are. No one is better than someone else. Our thinking that we are better than others is part of pur problem as a nation."

No, but our actions were more moral than what we expect their actions would have been.

[my edits for the original poster in italics]

It should be reminded, however, that we have no way of knowing what their actions would have been if this situation were reversed.

Just watchout, this may be a way the iranians are spying, you never know.

Sailors helping other sailors - that is a universal maritime code. Good job!

This just goes to show that the people of our country can be friends with the people of Iran. It is our LEADERS who are warring with one another. I have no hard feelings against any Iranian civilian whatsoever.

But will we help the Iranian people next time they rise up against their masters?

Yeah Chumpbra, like those peace loving boats carrying Fruit loops, and Pop Tarts. Good try, now go enjoy Ramadan. Go Navy!!

TPack - Actually they might very well be carrying such goods. In Bandar Abbas (a port city in southern Iran) you can buy all kinds of western goods in the supermarkets (Oreos, Corn Flakes etc). It all comes from Dubai on these small dhows.

This just in from the Iraninan News Network: Ten brave Iranian sailors helped save a crippled US Destroyer from crashing into an abandoned burning ship in the waters of the Gulf of Oman and then gave medical help to a US carrier based in the region. When asked the Iranian goverment said "that is our purpose to help the infidels in times of crises we save many US sailors every year".

Wakehead

Yea, but wait until they see the bill our healthcare system sends them. I'm sure their insurance will cover it though. I'm sure their healthcare system is far better than our healthcare system that is stuck in the middle ages /sarcasm

Actually getting basic medical care in Iran is very cheap compared to the US. So cheap there really isn't health insurance, most people can self pay. I know someone who has dual citizenship and she waits to get medical procedures when she is in Iran. However, they don't have things like advanced contact lenses since they have to be imported.

That may be but their infant mortality rate and some other items are dismal in comparison to what we would consider the norm.

Just because 85% of the population has access to "health houses" doesn't guarantee the level of treatment given is necessarily commendable.

The United States Armed Forces has detained 10 Iranian spies found sneaking across the ocean in an obvious attempt to infiltrate the US homeland. We have imprisoned them and they have confessed to this illegal subterfuge. We will release them to Iranian custody on the condition of continued surveillance and a posted bail of $1 million USD for each prisoner. We hope that this matter can be resolved quietly and in a manner befitting two sovereign nations.

~signed, US Representative Ahmadinejad (I)

Yeah, No. You just took a backhoe to any moral high ground we were standing on, JUST LIKE THAT {snap}! Thanks for nothing.

Lets be honest, Iran would love to have rescued our sailors and use it for propaganda purposes so lets cut all the "they wouldnt do the same if it was us" talk. #1.12 -

Excellent point and so very true. You clearly understand how Iran's leaders think, unlike some posters here.

In any event, great job by the US Navy!

Can't wait to read how the theocratic dictatorship of Iran 'spins' this act of heroism on the part of the US Navy. One thing is predictable: the official Iranian statement will be reactionary and accusatory nonsense. Wait for it.

All the people wanting violence in Iran shouldn't be wasting time on this message board. Go join up and be first in line for combat. Have a nice day.

STexan, you should remove the letters "Texan" from your display name since it's quite apparent to anyone who goes to your Newsvine home page and reads some of your comments will know in which state you reside.

Sorry for the poor wording; I meant to state "quite apparent that anyone"

If the rolls had been reversed, the Iranians would have said our mariners were spy's and put them in prison for 10 years!

Actually, Kev, five months ago Iranian mariners did for some of our merchant mariners exactly what the Navy did for these ten--rescue them. Just because you want their people to act like villains in a cheap comic book doesn't mean they always do...

RE: K Truant- I hope so !

Re: Ophot foot- No I think I'll recruit suicide bombers to do my dirty work for me.

OK IRAN..here's the deal... lets see if you care about humans! We swap your ten Iran citizens (HUMANS)... for our one drone (machine)!!!!

TIDDUBAI you came to this party late. I wasn't refering to the Iranians, before Chumpinabra was collapsed, he was comparing the Iranian boat, which caught fire to the "flotilla" incident with Israel, basically implying, that this was similiar. Anyway, I'm sure they have fruit loops in Iran. They have 1 for a leader, and as far as Pop Tarts go.......

If you think about it...if there weren't so many problems in the middle east we wouldn't be there to rescue them...we are spending too much time and money over there...period

If you think about it...if there weren't so many problems in the middle east we wouldn't be there to rescue them...we are spending too much time and money over there...period

Exactly right. We waste blood and money on savages who want to kill us and we're always suprised when it bites us in the a$$. We never learn.

The Navy should have just sailed along it's merry way and let the ship burn.

Iranian people are not the Iranian government. Iranians, like Chinese and Indians, are all over the world.

They know who the American people are. They know our relatively luxurious standard of living, they know our humanitarian nature and generosity, they know our ignorance about the rest of the world, they know our conceitedness in truly believing we are number one in everything, they know we are equally blinded by religious fairy-tales.

What they don't know is that we are suffering more and more every generation as all kinds of different nationalities enter and live. I can't think of any other country where little kids are abducted and chopped into pieces and the public tsk tsk for a couple of days and then move on. They don't know we are controlled by, and having our lives ruined by, the two worst groups of people in existence: the money and weapon bastards.

So, let's not call Iran 'Iranians'. It's the crazy Iranian government and the rest are normal people, just as we are usual folks with crazies in control.

STexan Comment collapsed by the community

Yea, but wait until they see the bill our healthcare system sends them. I'm sure their insurance will cover it though. I'm sure their healthcare system is far better than our healthcare system that is stuck in the middle ages /sarcasm

.......Yeah, yeah, sarcasm...yuk, yuk. Strut'n 'round yer house now feel'n proud, call you momma and tell her what you said? No wonder people make fun of Texans.

K. Truant

KUDOS to the US Navy for the rescue; but I'm curious, was this rescue required right after the Navy test fired their new laser weapon?

...............Hmmmmm, it would be nice to think so!

Their on board Meth Lab blew up from the night pictures. I bet you could see the glow for 20 miles.

ozmosis,

That's why they don't have driver's education and sex education on the same day in Iran .... it's too hard on the camels.

Thank you, denver bill 2. I needed that.

They were Iranians. We should have just let them burn.

The comments on this topic hardly sound human. You all realise that the vile, ignorant mood here is exactly what a government with military intentions wants its public to have. I'm going to start looking for another news site where the operators delete such disgusting displays of mental retardation. And I wouldn't be surprised if you are all proud of yourselves and strut to and from church.

Holy cow, this is the worst of humanity, right here.

Take your liberal point of veiw brit in the pit, and stick it where the sun don't shine. Iran has become a snake pit. If we had any backbone the would be hot and glowing in the dark already. Sure, lets let another bunch of crazy's have a weapon of mass destruction! Humanity? Evidently, you know nothing about Iran or human rights. So, carry your tired ass to some other site. Do us all a favor!!

Brit in the pit

The comments on this topic hardly sound human. Holy cow, this is the worst of humanity, right here.

So, apparently this is the first site you've ever visited. And you've never read any British news. Try Googling "Puppies and Peppermints/comments." They'll likely fit your high standards for commentary.

David, don't waste your time. Marc is either a kid or a very disturbed adult. Nobody in their right mind would make ridiculous comments. The haters will always be here and if they're not promoting killing, the NRA, running the President into the ground or making dumb comments, they'll always feel compelled to show their stupid side and embarrass the nation. It's a good story and a positive one. Try to leave it at that and take the good from it. Have a good day and don't get stressed or caught up in other's craziness.

Something good in the news and the morons come out to preach, never fails!

Think...., judging by your response to Marc, it looks as though you have your share of prejudice as well. Pot meet kettle.

ThinkWise: " It's a good story and a positive one. Try to leave it at that and take the good from it. Have a good day and don't get stressed or caught up in other's craziness."

THANK YOU! I seriously needed your positive and constructive words of wisdom. I notice I often "get stressed or caught up in other's craziness" so I sincerely appreciated your comments.

Hard 2 starboard--you'd best turn to port side--if that's the @!$%# you got from ThinkWise' words of wisdom. ThinkWise (*friendly wink*) you're right! Yet another "crazy" looking to stress out others. But after your words, all I feel is pity and peace...

Smile away!

Think, WWJ: You guys need to lighten up.

Dave? Don't you know? That's when they remove all the facts from something. Our politicians do it every day! Remove the facts and insert soundbites and rhetoric.

The haters will always be here and if they're not promoting killing, the NRA, running the President into the ground or making dumb comments, they'll always feel compelled to show their stupid side and embarrass the nation.

WWJ999, why did you leave out the above in your defense of Think? That doesn't sound prejudice to you?

Exactly. At the time the US Navy pulled up, they were not Iranians, they were sailors (people) who were in trouble. As the Klingons said in Star Trek, "no one fights in a burning building." Way to go, USNavy.

Think Wise (wow, what a misnomer): Iran released Americans and you reference the hikers. Do you recall the drama and time that elapsed leading up to that release? Are you so busy trying to think left-leaning warm and fuzzy thoughts that you somehow equate their arresting, imprisoning, threatening and then begrudgingly releasing some innocent American hikers that may not have actually strayed into Iran at all with our Navy's rescuing 10 of their citizens from a burning ship? Just exactly what color is the sky on your planet?

Because slaying deer is SO much wiser!

;^)

Wiser than you WWJ. At least he has something intelligent & factual to add.

WWJD999: It is a literary reference. Nathaniel Hawthorne... read much? I mean... Other than the crap handed out by the Obama campaign?

Deerslayer, why don't you try James Fenimore Cooper? Read much? Other than the crap handed out by the Romney campaign. Doofus.

Hey, what about Natty Bumpo? Way good job Navy.

AMEN!!! My hubby spent 21 years in USN but sometimes he still thinks he is still there especially when barking orders to me :-)

I know what that's like. Both my bosses are retired Navy and they don't know how to treat people in the civilian world.

well Duchess1 stand at parade rest and wait for the orders of the day(lol) i am navy too

I'm a 10-year Navy veteran and a small business owner. I know EXACTLY how to treat people in the civilian world: expect them to do what they're supposed to do, when they're supposed to do it, and how they're supposed to do it. But that seems to be way too hard for most civilians, but they do want their pay checks on time, lots of vacation time, benefits, etc. Not to mention all the other "perks"...

You may be lucky he isn't a retired Marine D.I.

You are absolutely right

The US Navy does this sort of thing all the time.....no big deal to them....

Ahhh.... keepin' the hate alive... Nice..

The rest of us are hoping this gets some positive press in Iran...

Events like this can break a lot of ice in a situation with already strained international relations..

I like the idea of positive press on this one, but it isn't going to happen. That requires a free press, and there is no such thing in Iran. Some hot-head in the Iranian government probably WILL blame us. That has absolutely NOTHING to do with our political beliefs, it only has to do with THEIR lack of a 1st Amendment, which, by the way, also allows all the less-than-informed comments seen here daily.

Radiological alarms are on US Navy ships for a reason.

IOW, we should act just like them. And then try to claim moral high ground. Brilliant...

You act as if they have some form of intelligence in them.

They have some pretty good meds for schizophrenia. Check into it.

They were more than likely airlifted off or small whale boats used. A US Destroyer is not going anywhere near a burning ship.

Ah, I see Al got his tinfoil shipment today...

You mean something like an official 'thank you' ?

How about this: the Iranian government and people were happy to hear that the US Navy rescued their loved ones. We are not at war with these people so why must we always think so negatively about them?

"Why must we always think so negatively about them?" are you kidding? Where have you been? You act like we are talking about Canada or Denmark here. These people are dangerous pariahs. They behave much like North Korea. Can you seriously be seeing something positive about Iran? Really? Something like "they love puppies and sunsets and long walks on the beach"? Good lord man, put down the bong and check back into the real world.

The people seem quite nice and sane. At least the one's who know how to get around the govt firewalls. ;) wink wink.

They behave like the Tea Partiers and President Obama's birth certificate conspiracy theorists would if they could and if they had guns. Oh, wait, many of them do own guns and have shown up with some of those guns at events quite near to where the President resides, subsequently spitting on a black congressman. What's the difference between the Iranians and most of these fruitcake minded idiots who cannot stand to see a African American President of the U.S.A.? Is that why they using voter suppression? Or, trying to insert vaginal probes inside women without their consent, because we're such an open minded and rational thinking society who did not freak out half as much as when G.W. Bush and Dick Cheney sent over 3000 men and women to a war that was based on a lie, or was it the time our U.S. soldiers posed in photos with Muslim prisoners with their behinds exposed and and heads covered? Yeah, we are so much better than they are with our gluttony and our own versions of Christianity, hence, theocracy. We don't blow up World Trade Centers, we just lie about blowing up things and people and call it a war, depending on which natural valuable resource we're trying to get away with stealing; some of us just blow up buildings in Oklahoma City and randomly shoot Arizona female politicians and random theater goers and shoot black men on the street for no reason and leave the people of New Orleans stranded for days after Hurricane Katrina. As our country (the U.S.) tries to move backwards in time but with iPads and 24 hour new cycles, we are trying to bring countries like Iran, Afghanistan and North Korea up to the forward, 1850's ways of thinking. Boy, we sure are so much better than Iran and the rest of the ignoramuses of the world. Our ignoramuses are so much smarter, more insightful, an better educated, too. Just don't interrupt our garage sales and kid's baseball games; let the "others" fight on behalf of us so we don't have to think about it too much, then, let's blame President Obama for everything bad that has happened for the past 10 or even 4 years.

Hoo boy... I think you may have wrapped the tinfoil around your head just a little too tightly this time but hey, it will keep all those alien mind-probes out.

Ken, Ahmanutjob is pretty much nothing more than a figurehead and mouthpiece. The real person those sailors, and anybody in Iran for that matter, need to fear is Ayatollah Khameni. He is the one with the real power. The people of Iran in general like Americans and I have no problem with them. It is the fundamentalist and hate filled radical fanatics that run the government that are the real problem

You got the wrong handle - should be A$$hole Rich.

Tell me about colrful ideas of ship CO's. The captain of the Gator Freighter I was on wanted to go water skiing off the Great Barier Reef while being towed by one of the ship's two UH-1N's! Fortunately the XO convinced him it was not a very sound career move!

"If you have them by the balls, their hearts and minds will follow." ---Charles Colson

Until they get their balls loose, at which point it's your ass that's toast. Ruling by fear should not be the default position of a government which seeks to be a moral leader...

Conjuring Cat,

The job of government is to govern, not to be a moral authority. Machiavelli wrote about the difference between idealism and realism in government long before you or I were born.

Yeah, and notice how Machiavelli turned out! Or any other nation or empire that decided to rule through fear. Fear is a short-term expedient which always fails in the long run. England tried that on Ireland ("Stone dead hath no fellow," according to Cromwell), and the result is the Irish Republic. They tried it on us, and the result is...well, U. S. Fear eventually generates the resolve to no longer live in fear--with the result that the authority is defeated, especially when that authority finds it impossible to keep up the terror...

Yeah, that makes us so much better than them, genius...

why? it is incidents like this that will help turn the tide amoung the Iranian people once the sailors go back and tell everyone how we helped them and are not the big bad satan they were told about.

The world is too open now, I'm sure Tweets are already flying in Tehran about it.

Of course the Iranians will be great at conspiracy theorizing about it...They may be sequestered for fear they were brainwashed. Of course they could be right, as an infirmary on a destroyer would be quite adequate at patching and bandaging some burns, so why exactly did they need to board the carrier? Hmmm?

Seriously though, quite proud of our forces when they don't screw up and have great leadership, we need many more examples of the good guy USA armed forces to balance out the torture and brutality to innocents stories which we are quite guilty of.

The iranian people already know that. They're on the internet too. Iran isnt north korean.

You don't need to wonder.

On May 24, 2012, the Iranian Navy rescued an American ship (the Maersk Texas) under attack by Somali pirates. Despite what right wing wackos say, the Iranian people are not unlike you & me.

Right on IP! Remember propoganda works both ways. We have our own brainwashing media stories--as have the Iranians. If we could just meet as human beings--how wonderful that would be.

Wow

Thanks. I did not know that about the rescue. I am going to look right now.

Hey Implacable: Here's a thought, get your facts straight. The Mearsk Texas was NOT rescued by Iranians. Here's the story:

Maersk Line, Limited confirms its U.S. flag vessel, Maersk Texas, thwarted an attack by multiple pirate skiffs at noon local while transiting the Gulf of Oman, northeast of Fujairah. All hands onboard are safe and unharmed, and the vessel is proceeding on its voyage. Numerous skiffs with armed men in each boat quickly closed on Maersk Texas. Maersk Texas activated defensive measures per the U.S. Coast Guard-approved Vessel Security Plan. Despite clear warning signals, the skiffs continued their direct line toward Maersk Texas and the embarked security team fired warning shots. The pirates then fired upon Maersk Texas, and the security team returned fire per established U.S. Coast Guard rules of engagement. Many small craft and fishing boats were in the area and were not involved in the incident.

suck on this, deerslayer:

As reported by Bloomberg News (no, not Faux News):
Iran Navy Helps U.S. Ship Attacked By Pirates In Middle East

By Michelle Wiese Bockmann - May 23, 2012 10:24 AM PT

Iran's navy helped a U.S.-flagged cargo ship that was attacked by pirates off the United Arab Emirates, according to the vessel's owner, Maersk Line Ltd.

The Iranian navy was the first to respond to the initial distress call from the Maersk Texas, Kevin Speers, senior director of marketing at Maersk Line, said by phone today. The vessel was attacked by several skiffs and armed guards on board returned fire, the company said in an earlier statement.

The incident happened at about noon northeast of Fujairah, the biggest port in the Middle Eastfor refueling oil tankers, Maersk said. Iran's navy provided guidance to the crew of the Maersk Texas by radio, Speers said, declining to comment further pending a debriefing.

Someone once told me: you do the right thing because it is the right thing to do. Not because of anyone else or what they may (or may not) do.

I'm unsure: Are they now qualified to receive US social security since they've accepted free health care?

Dave, if they didn't like the current regime, why don't they do anything about it? I have heard this BS all my life, "It isn't the many, it's the few". No Dave, if you aren't part of the solution, you ARE the problem.

Recall the Iranians rescuing some American hikers a couple years ago? That's what they are like, and they aren't like us.

@ Steve the Dog:

Recall the Arizona Minutemen militia & how they deal with brown people near our southern border?

Yes, Iran has their crazies. JUST LIKE US.

http://newamericamedia.org/2011/02/death-sentence-for-arizona-minuteman-who-killed-girl-and-dad.php

Terrible when technology is so far ahead of the knuckledraggers and mouth breathers, who then like the monkeys they are manage to operate the keyboards enough to spread their vile hatred far and wide. going viral it is called these days. Needs a shot of Raid, methinks.