Iran Hostages allowed to sell their stories

[lankeela]

Cannot believe what I just heard on the news - the hostages (or their families) are to be allowed to take money for selling their stories to the newspapers.

This is disgusting - it is also very disrespectful to those of our service personnel who have not returned alive.

[stokeace]

i agree 100% lankela but newspapers want to sell stories and unfortunatley there are people who want to make a quick buck on the back of other peoples misery.but if military personnel and their families want to cash in on their capture its a disgrace and a slur on the people of this country whose money pay their wages and if they make money out of being taken hostage they ought to be taken to court martial.as it is they have disclosed sensitive information these personnel are not heroes they have merely carried out the job in which they have been trained [at the taxpayers expense] to carry out.

[Lonnie]

It was always going to happen, in my day, talking to the press was a chargeable offence, how things have changed, for the worse.

Can't fault stokeaces answer one bit, he/she has got it just about right.

[mike1222]

They most certainly are NOT heroes - in my opinion they are a disgrace! After their spineless behaviour that has not only brought shame on our armed forces and, ultimately, their country, they should have the decency to slink away and keep quiet. How must the families of servicemen who have made the ultimate sacrifice feel?

[jno]

they've already started to make the most of their stories. I thought we were going to be executed! (But we weren't.) I thought someone's throat had been cut! (But it hadn't.) They're going to be exaggerating what they thought might happen to them in hopes of maximising the money paid to them. In fact, they were blindfolded and given cheap suits; which is a lot better than anything that happens to captives in places like Abu Ghraib (the ones who were stripped, tortured and photographed by US soldiers). It all sticks in the throat a bit, doesn't it.

[Oneeyedvic]

Personally, I now think that the whole thing is being staged arranged and that the chances are they were in Iranian waters.

They are only allowed to speak to the press after being briefed and now they are allowed to sell their stories.

I mean come on - quotes like "someone said, this is it, we are going to die" must be a lie. If someone did say it then why hasn't that person said so - and the quote would be: "Jones said "we are all going to die".

Reeks of a cover up and Labour spin.

[stokeace]

thanx lonnie it turns out that the mod has given them permission to sell their stories now it is a disgrace.i agree with every post on here wise words indeed from everyone involved.

[Le Chat]

Calling them heros is an incorrect use of the word used constantly in the press. What exactly did they do that was heroic? Did they save anyone? Did they actually do anything except be captured, agree to everything the Iranians suggested and/or told them to say and then leave? It beggars belief. One of the marines is from Southport where I live and no doubt our local paper on Friday will be full of it!

[THECORBYLOON]

It is VERY easy to criticise at a distance and in the comfort and safety of yir yir own home but think on, how would you feel if one of them were yir son or daughter, husband or wife?

Would yous have been happier if they had put up a fight and been killed in the process or put in gaol for God knows how many years?

[brionon]

I will buy no newspaper or magazine that buys one of these stories. anyone with me ?

[kwicky]

Max Clifford says that these sailors have been encouraged to put forward their expeiences in Iran by the defence establishment. It does make sense! All the positive publicity given by the Iranians with the free suits, hampers and friendlyness overshadows our abortive attempts to create a peaceful Iraq and the mishandling of prisoners.

[garner]

I agree witj brionon dont buy the papers with their stories in thats the only way to show how disrespectful the whole thing is

[souldriver]

disgustin... but its simple! don't buy the papers magazines.

i dont anyway i get all my news off the internet.

[Beria]

I'm going to stop buying the Internet as well, in protest.

[stewey]

I would think that the military careers of these 15 unfortunate individuals has come to a grinding halt.. In a few months time, when the dust has settled, the will be given a discharge with a good pension and "Goodbye, thanks a lot. And don't come back." Their immediate superiors might be allowed to stay on, but their service records will have no "promotion pages" left.

[jno]

TCL, I'd distinguish between what happened to the sailors and the question of their right to make money from their stories. If my children had been killed in Iraq, I would not expect anyone to profit from it financially. And I'd be cross if others made a profit from surviving.

[lankeela]

Well folks, seems the majority agree. Very good point that they were trained and already paid for by our taxes.

[johnlambert]

Ditto stokeface and Lonnie,
150% disgusting, I hope they choose NOT to

[johnlambert]

brionon
Im with you

[THECORBYLOON]

It may be that it was decided that it was better for the sailors and marines to put their side of the story rather than it come out piecemeal or second hand. I stand by ma comments regarding those who have criticised the actions of those sailors and marines whilst in Iraqi waters and later in Iran.

[Lonnie]

After it turns out that they've been given permission to talk tothe papers, and I agree with brionon's sentiment, I don't think not buying newspapers is the answer, even if it makes you feel better, letters to the papers daring them to print would be better, and reach a wider audience.

I also feel that the Commander of the Cornwll should be Court Marshalled.

As for shame, most definately, I said in a previous post, that the world esteem for this country, because of the handling of this incident, is at its lowest ever.

Any Argentines monitoring this site, tell your goverment that if they invade the Falklands, nothing will happen.