Does this mean they'll sentence another US citizen to death for spying?

I think the Persians should probably just stay away from the ocean.

Hold them hostage and trade them for the US citizen that was accused of espionage and is sentenced to death.

We shouldn't give them back until they set that guy free, although that guy if he wasn't actually a spy was pretty stupid to go visiting Iran.

we don't take hostages, we take enemy combatants.

Headso: We shouldn't give them back until they set that guy free, although that guy if he wasn't actually a spy was pretty stupid to go visiting Iran.

He was visiting his elderly grandmother.

FTA: a civilian interpreter aboard the Monomoy quoted the captain of the Iranian coast guard vessel as saying he "sends his regards and thanks to our captain and all crewmembers for assisting and taking care of the Iranian sailors. Wishes us the best and thanks us for our cooperation."

Smart naval captain. In case my superiors were hellbent on starting a shooting war, I'd want the opposing naval captains to think well of me and maybe radio in a surrender request before they blew me out of the water.

Hearts and minds. You're doing it right.

/Watch Ahmadinnerplate spin this so it was the Iranians that rescued American sailors.

\Props to anthonix fer the image
\\you bet it's hot

alternative girlfriend: Headso: We shouldn't give them back until they set that guy free, although that guy if he wasn't actually a spy was pretty stupid to go visiting Iran.

He was visiting his elderly grandmother.

in Iran

Too bad our government will have us at war with Iran within the next 12 months.

The drumbeat has begun, just like with Iraq after 9/11.

The MIC must be fed.

"That happened just days after Tehran warned the United States to keep its warships out of the Gulf. The fishermen were sent on their way and the 15 pirates were taken aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, and never heard from again."

What I can't figure is why that former marine would even travel there knowing his situation and the current Iran situation. It just not add up. I know he had elderly dieing relatives from the news reports but it just was not a wise decision period.

Kant Lavar: Hearts and minds. You're doing it right.

/Watch Ahmadinnerplate spin this so it was the Iranians that rescued American sailors.

They actually released a surprisingly decent statement the last time.

They do seem to keep finding themselves in dire straits lately.

They absolutely should hold them pending the outcome of the guy who was arrested.

Put them in the brig and put a webcam on them.

All the same, I think it's an opportunity to remember that people can act humanely towards each other despite the intransigence of the respective governments. Super-scared fishermen rescued by our Coast Guard and are thankful, then repatriated to home nation's Coast Guard, who say "thanks for rescuing our people." This is just basic human decency, which is unfortunately so often forgotten when people start talking geopolitics. Or hell, even domestic politics for that matter.

What if all of the posturing is nothing more than an Iranian plot to trick the Americans into becoming the life guards of the Persian Gulf, to cut back on Iranian rescue expenditures?

Nogale: They do seem to keep finding themselves in dire straits lately.

At least they found some brothers in arms.

Nogale: They do seem to keep finding themselves in dire straits lately.

That's what happens when you get your money for nothing and your chicks for free.

Here's the boat my dad served on. (Not really relevant, but just because)

USS Decatur-DD936

Jz4p: FTA: a civilian interpreter aboard the Monomoy quoted the captain of the Iranian coast guard vessel as saying he "sends his regards and thanks to our captain and all crewmembers for assisting and taking care of the Iranian sailors. Wishes us the best and thanks us for our cooperation."

Smart naval captain. In case my superiors were hellbent on starting a shooting war, I'd want the opposing naval captains to think well of me and maybe radio in a surrender request before they blew me out of the water.

It's kind of telling when the military is acting more reasonable than the civilian leadership. They don't want to be out there any more than our guys do.

Jz4p: Smart naval captain. In case my superiors were hellbent on starting a shooting war, I'd want the opposing naval captains to think well of me and maybe radio in a surrender request before they blew me out of the water.

There are politics and then there is life at sea. Sailors help sailors and thank sailors for their help.

Everyone hates piracy, thats why the Americans, Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, Indians, Russians, British, Australians, Saudis and everyone else is operating off the east coast of Africa to fight piracy.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piracy_in_Somalia#Current_fleet_of_vesse l s_in_operation

Headso: alternative girlfriend: Headso: We shouldn't give them back until they set that guy free, although that guy if he wasn't actually a spy was pretty stupid to go visiting Iran.

He was visiting his elderly grandmother.

in Iran

You're right, he should have just left her there to rot. Screw honoring your elders.

alternative girlfriend: Headso: alternative girlfriend: Headso: We shouldn't give them back until they set that guy free, although that guy if he wasn't actually a spy was pretty stupid to go visiting Iran.

He was visiting his elderly grandmother.

in Iran

You're right, he should have just left her there to rot. Screw honoring your elders.

How do you honor your elders by ending the bloodline with your own beheading? I'm pretty sure gramma would have understood.

ZzeusS: "That happened just days after Tehran warned the United States to keep its warships out of the Gulf. The fishermen were sent on their way and the 15 pirates were taken aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, and never heard from again."

They aren't supposed to. Pirates are supposed to be killed at sea. Period.

I especially appreciate the helpful map of Maryland. Damn Iranians are stealing our FEESH!

AmazinTim: I love how the Iranian military held these naval exercises in an effort to display naval power, and they are failing so miserably that their enemy has had to twice rescue their pathetic sailors.

Not that Iran is a great sea power or anything but these weren't military ships. What I love is the US media spin, "The incident was another reminder of U.S. efforts to demonstrate the humanitarian value of its naval presence in the Gulf..."

jayphat: ZzeusS: "That happened just days after Tehran warned the United States to keep its warships out of the Gulf. The fishermen were sent on their way and the 15 pirates were taken aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, and never heard from again."

They aren't supposed to. Pirates are supposed to be killed at sea. Period.


We took 4 pirates off a Thai fishing vessel in the GOA. Then we turned them over to a Navy ship who then turned them over to Thailand. I can only imagine how their lives ened. up.

What is the US Coast Guard doing in the Persian Gulf?

alternative girlfriend: Headso: alternative girlfriend: Headso: We shouldn't give them back until they set that guy free, although that guy if he wasn't actually a spy was pretty stupid to go visiting Iran.

He was visiting his elderly grandmother.

in Iran

You're right, he should have just left her there to rot. Screw honoring your elders.

He is a Marine, he is a US citizen, it was a bad idea because of that not because visiting your elders is a bad idea in general.

ISO15693: [upload.wikimedia.org image 640x506]

Here's the boat my dad served on. (Not really relevant, but just because)

USS Decatur-DD936

Props to your dad for serving on a ship carrying the name of one of the greatest and most badass naval officers in United States history. The man sailed into an enemy harbor filled with eight marines in a mission to burn down a captured US Navy frigate to deny the prize to the enemy. Yep, Badass. The man basically told the Barbary Pirates to DIAF, and they stopped bothering US ships in the years following. The Pirate Coast (new window) has a great account Decatur's exploits if you or your dad are interested.

/wrote a 50 page paper on the Barbary Wars years ago
//really an engineer, history just kept me sane in undergrad.
///not relevant either, but just because.

Maud Dib: [anthonyjosephevans.com image 640x512]


\Props to anthonix fer the image
\\you bet it's hot

I have nothing to add. I just felt like I should post.

Seacop: jayphat: ZzeusS: "That happened just days after Tehran warned the United States to keep its warships out of the Gulf. The fishermen were sent on their way and the 15 pirates were taken aboard the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, and never heard from again."

They aren't supposed to. Pirates are supposed to be killed at sea. Period.


We took 4 pirates off a Thai fishing vessel in the GOA. Then we turned them over to a Navy ship who then turned them over to Thailand. I can only imagine how their lives ended. up.

FTFY

Nogale: They do seem to keep finding themselves in dire straits lately.

Actually they seem to keep finding themselves gaining more knowledge of American Navy ships.

SurelyShirley: What is the US Coast Guard doing in the Persian Gulf?

we've been there since 1991, we have perma Port Security Units, as well as patrol boats there. They're there for vessel boardings, port security, and oil terminal protection. We also send 378's over with Navy Battlegroups and ESG's...

God-is-a-Taco: civilians with no ties to their government.

Just like the guy Iran sentenced to death.

finster: Nogale: They do seem to keep finding themselves in dire straits lately.

Actually they seem to keep finding themselves gaining more knowledge of American Navy ships.

I have a funny feeling the USN and CG didnt give the Iranians a guided tour of the ships.

Headso: We shouldn't give them back until they set that guy free, although that guy if he wasn't actually a spy was pretty stupid to go visiting Iran.

Stupid for going to visit his family?