Does Anyone Care there are 3 American Hostages in Iran?

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wavegirl22posted 12 years ago
No more Lies, Hostages in Iran

http://www.asafeworldforwomen.org/en/ushostages.html
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  Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  The regime's days are numbered. The people of Iran are not going to put up with them for long. I wish our government was pressing harder though.
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I personally hope that America leaves Iran well alone, American involvement is precisely what the dicatorship desires.... another expensive war to further deplete the strength of their 'enemy'. It is best left to Iranian people to rebel before meddling in their affairs. The progressive Iranian minority is a growing minority, bombing their cities will see that movement shift straight back to the radicalists.
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  Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I meant pressing harder for the hostages' release. I agree that US involvement in Iran's internal affairs would be counter-productive. It certainly was in the 70's.
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  Don Wposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  "Does Anyone Care there are 3 American Hostages in Iran?"
  
  Should we care because they are hostages? Or because they are AMERICAN hostages, as your title implies? Are you aware of the number of prisoners of all nationalities currently being held for spurious reasons by various regimes and organisations around the world?
  
  How about Birtukan Mideksa, Ethiopian woman, life imprisonment for criticising the election result in Ethiopia? Or Saeed Torabian, Iranian man, organised a workers union, taken by the authorities, whereabouts unknown? Or Khun Bedu, Burmese man, released balloons and paper boats in protest at the regime, 35 years imprisonment?
  
  So my question to you is do you care about the thousand upon thousands of prisoners held all over the world, who don't happen to be American? Or should we care only about those born in the US?
  
  Where are the international headlines for Birtukan, Saeed and Khun? Are they not also sons, daughters, brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers, wives or husbands?
  
  Perhaps you could extend your care to them also, even though they don't happen to have 'United States of America' written in their passports.
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Ohmaposted 12 years ago
I certainly do. I just wish there was a way to offer some real help for them.
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  wavegirl22posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I always find it interesting that no one but you my dear sweet Ohma comes in to a post like this, . .well Cags comes in too. .
  
  thanks for your support Ohma. . .
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livelongerposted 12 years ago
It's a horrible regime and let's hope that they get released soon. Without any direct relations with Iran, however, our government's options are relatively limited.
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ryankettposted 12 years ago
That is global politics for you unfortunately, even developed and 'progressive' countries do this with prisoners (use them as bargaining chips or to gain an upper hand). These people are just the 'pawns' in a chess game. Hence the reason diplomats have to 'negotiate' the release of prisoners. I have read about Sarah Shourd before...

If it makes you feel any better, Iran almost always releases hostages after 12-18 months and they are being treated humanely. All 3 are fit and healthy, and were even afforded a visit by their mothers.

The likelyhood is that they will wait until they a few more unwise Americans cross the border into Iran, in which case they get to release these pawns and replace them with a few more chess pieces. A French journalist was recently released after 11 months, these Americans have now been held for 11 months... it won't be long.
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  wavegirl22posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  If it makes who feel better? The mothers of these kids.
  
  If it were your kids, would you so nonchalantly go to bed at night more comfortable in the knowledge that sooner or later the government that is holding your children in one of the worlds most notorious prisons will soon set them free?
  
  Where is the outrage at the Iranian government for doing something like this?
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  To the contrary, the mothers of those three hostages expressed a great deal of gratitude at the treatment they recieved from Iranian authorities. They were treated with a great deal of respect and given unsupervised access to their children.
  
  Of course there should be Western dissaproval at the Iranian authorities for the capture and imprisonment of innocent Americans without any real crimes being committed.
  
  Just like there should be Arabic/Middle East outrage at the capture, imprisonment and TORTURE of many innocent Iraqis, Afghans and IRANIANS in Guantanomo Bay.
  
  Like I said, unfortunately all governments use people like pawns in a giant chess game. I will withold my personal outrage until I hear reports of beatings, torture, interrogation, bags over their heads. As things stand Iran are acting humanely and within international law. It is more than acceptable for a country to detain those who enter onto their land illegally and without a visa.. It just so happens that Iran detain people for a year or more, whilst if I overstayed my visa in America I would probably be detained for a week before being deported.
  
  I would be interested to see how American authorities would deal with three non-English speaking Iranians being discovered near a military base in America with no visa, and probably no form of identity. I don't think that they would simply place them on a flight home. I suspect that they would be interrogated, incarcirated, and labelled as 'terrorists'. I also doubt that America would grant their mothers visas for a visit in a luxury hotel
  
  I sympathise with the detainees, although mostly their families as it is in their own silly fault (they were educated people, knew the risks), but I can also put a bit of perspective on this.
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  thisisoliposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Yep, straying in to a country with such intensly unfriendly relations with the US is not a good idea, and something they should have been aware of.
  
  I wasn't aware of how they had been treated, but the Iranians are, along with most middle eastern cultures, hospitable to vistors, welcome or otherwise. It is a real shame terrorist and violence give these countries a bad repution. It's even worse that the US government sanctions and invades countries such as this simply because they refuse to sell oil in dollars any more.
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I too have had a friend visit Iran recently on a 'cultural tour', he only paid £1350 for the whole thing as a group of ten.
  
  It is somewhere that I may visit before America blows it up. I wish I had visited Iraq pre-war.
  
  I would only do these places on fully organised tours with a comprehensive itinary though, I wouldn't exactly walk around on my own!
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  thisisoliposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  My friend from Ireland (the one in india doing probono legal work) went there with a friend and wandered around, he met some fantastic people, and saw the beautiful architecture which exists in these areas.
  
  Alas the American influence in these areas may soon destroy these cultures past their 'building for beauty' architecture, and already the skylines of these cities are dotted more with glass walled skyscrapers than uniquely painted and constructed buildings.
  
  I would definitely go and visit it now before America tries to extort it's inclusion in the dollar oil trade once more.
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  wavegirl22posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Are you kidding? They were given "unsupervised visits"? You are kidding when you said that . . correct?
  
  DO you how long it took them to get permission to see their children . . .and since their children are still sleeping in Evin prison tonight .. do you think these mothers would say anything bad about the evil mongers that are holding their children.
  
  Here is a good one. . the latest news coming out of Evin prison tonight . . Iran executes leader of Sunni rebel group
  http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE65J0BJ20100620
  
  So again. . I ask you. If these were your kids being used as a pawn . what would you say and what comfort would you feel as you went to sleep tonight?
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Are YOU kidding ME?
  
  wavegirl22, you don't sound like a very logical or reasonable person, so this conversation should end. Don't let your more than apparent hatred for Iran stand in the way of reason.
  
  They executed somebody who admitted to orchastrating a bombing which killed "dozens of people" in Iran. America have executed people for much less.
  
  You are comparing the imprisonment of trespassers to the execution of a bomber. Sorry but that just makes you look a bit silly, take your blinkers off.
  
  If my child got arrested for stepping into Iran without a visa, near a military base, having already written articles about Iraq, I would tell them that they were stupid.
  
  Who are you to speak for the mothers of the 'hostages'? I think that they have spoken perfectly well for themselves:
  
  "We know that this is a great humanitarian act that they have given to us," said Hickey. "Our reception was wonderful when we came into Iran."
  
  Like I said, take off your blinkers. Stop watching Fox News. There are other cultures out there, countries with legal systems which differ, boundaries to be respected. And consequences to be paid when those laws and cultures are not respected.
  
  Good night.
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  TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  i think it is more of you guy's attitudes towrd the US that is tyhe problem.
  
  Iran should be smacked into line.
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  That is always the American answer isn't it? Just destruct everything which doesn't conform to ideals.
  
  I have nothing against Americans, I have everything against American politics. And reading this board, it feels like most Americans do too.
  
  If Iran opened up its markets America would have no problem with it.
  
  Everything that this man says I agree with http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4OI0GUCI_A
  
  There you go.
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awareposted 12 years ago
travel advisory don't visit Iran
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Or indeed Iraq, where for some strange reason they chose to live in the aftermath of a war...
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awareposted 12 years ago
like there wasn't war there before
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Pardon? I think that you may have misunderstood me. I was simply pointing out that being American and living and working in Iraq in 2009 without security protection, like the 3 hostages, is also incredibly unwise.
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awareposted 12 years ago
the Iranian people on the whole are just like the Iraqi people. their good people and certainly not deserving of strife
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TMMasonposted 12 years ago
The left doesn't give two shits about them... it might mean confrontation.
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awareposted 12 years ago
the left? who the heck is the left?
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  Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Anyone who expresses thoughts unsanctioned by the FoxNews overlords.
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  The opposite to the right, a similar relationship to that shared by 'up' and 'down'
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  TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  No.. the ones who are in control right now... Obama... Polosi... Ried... am I missing something? They are the left... and they don't care. Lets not forget Clinton.
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Bill Clinton is your best leader of the last 20 years. At least the rest of the world saw that.
  
  You can say what you want about Obama though, we have all seen his true colours. All talk, no action. Labelling him as 'left' would be an insult to the true 'left'.
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  Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Only the LOONIEST of the wingnuts would think of Obama as a leftist.
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awareposted 12 years ago
is there a middle ?
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  It depends, on a SNES controller there isn't, only a 'left', 'right', 'up' and 'down'. But there is a 'left', 'right', 'up', 'down' and 'middle' on a pizza. The middle is the best bit when it is hot. 'Hot' by the way is the opposite to 'cold', the 'middle' of which is 'warm'.
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  Doug Hughesposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  "Is there a middle?"
  
  Yes, and it's pretty much Obama. He stood up for the 'small people' in the Gulf - I appreciate that. But he's continuing a path in Afghanistan that's dangerous. In the end I hope he's right and I'm wrong, but it's a conservative-leaning approach to the problem. Obama has continued a lot of policies from the Bush administration re holding detainees without charges or a trial - which is a violation of human rights.
  
  There are a lot of wingnuts with anti-Obama blinders, and a few people with pro-Obama blinders. But those who score Obama impartially, generaly score him as a moderate.
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  Uninvited Writerposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Not in TM's world.
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  Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Sadly, he believes he lives in the middle.
  
  The middle of WHAT is up for debate.
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  TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Yes... that would be the independents... like me.
  
  lol Ahh it is good to be an independent.
  
  And of course there is a left, we are talking politicians here. Who else is going to barter with Iran? C'mon.
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awareposted 12 years ago
ryan you lived in Iraq a? a few words to describe your time there?
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  No, I didn't live in Iraq. Neither am I American.
  
  The 3 hostages, to whom this thread relates in its entirety, were living and working in Iraq in 2009. They then took a stroll into Iran.
  
  I am simply pointing out that taking a stroll in Iran, whilst incredibly unwise, was no more stupid than living in a warzone.
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  wavegirl22posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Just to clarify the facts .
  
  Shane Bauer 27, was living in Damascus, Syria with Sarah Shourd since late 2008. They were not living in Iraq. And they were not hiking in Iran.
  
  They went hiking in Kurdistan.
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  Ron Montgomeryposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Is the border clearly defined? Most commentators I've heard state that the group did briefly enter Iranian territory.
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  wavegirl22posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Borders are not cleary defined. It has been said that someone gave the Iranians the heads up that there were americans in the area hiking .. there are some of the most beautiful springs there .. .
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  thisisoliposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  People still visit Iran on visas without any real trouble, it was only because they entered the country minus a vsa and away from any major roads that the Iranian authorities were suspicious. America has a lot of Mexicans in jail for illegally crossing the border, where is the outrage?
  
  Iran is a beautiful country, and one that I have not had the pleasure of visiting yet, and unfortuantely with the nuclear powers trying to stop its nuclear power program (Cheap power in a country which has few other power sources) it seems increasingly unlikely that I will get a chance. however I have two friends who have visted the country in the last year and one of them will be returning this year after doing some humanitarian work in India.
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  TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Doesn't matter... they are in Iran now and that an ugly reality for anyone.
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awareposted 12 years ago
hmmm makes sense to me lol
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awareposted 12 years ago
lets not attack each other writer . pretty please
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Do you feel as if you are being attacked by me? I certainly haven't intended to convey any aggression in my posts.
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awareposted 12 years ago
didn't i say that first tho? whos on first?
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awareposted 12 years ago
no i was posting to univited writer
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awareposted 12 years ago
im registered as a INT too but i never vote on party lines. i do tend to vote republican so i guess i have conservative tendency
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wavegirl22posted 12 years ago
thanks for stopping in here livelonger. Its so true that there is little that our government can do. . but we as individuals can speak out . .. and have a united voice that this is just not to be tolerated. .
as Helen Keller once said

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much."

And these kids need our voices united to say IT IS ENOUGH ALREADY . Iran needs to send them home.
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awareposted 12 years ago
wave i agree with you there a impassioned plea is in order . it good to see that your still passionate about this situation . your the coolest .
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ryankettposted 12 years ago
I will also add that the female is a keen writer, she will soon have the perfect opportunity to write and publish a bestseller
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TMMasonposted 12 years ago
It doesn't matter to Obnama it gives him an excuse not to back Isreal when they blast that Nuke facility. Of course we could tell Iran release our people or face the consequences... but what would that be, a groveling apology for trespassing from the pres himself to Ahmi.

Yeah that'd show em
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thisisoliposted 12 years ago
For the record the Iranian borders are very clearly defined, because they were defined by the western world.

It was also more than clear that they were in Iranian territory, and close to Iranian military facilities.

Infact I think a good question would be what these hikers were actually doing in this kind of area?
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wavegirl22posted 12 years ago
Wow. .. you have a lot to learn about the world and kindness, tolerance and any other trait that goes along with humanity.

And never ever assume. . fox news is the last thing I would ever give my attention to.
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wavegirl22posted 12 years ago
For the good of the world and all the good Iranian people that are in the world. . I agree that Iran should be smacked into line.

It is not the American answer .. it is the answer from humanity.

"There may be times when we are powerless to prevent injustice, but there must never be a time when we fail to protest."
~ Elie Wiesel ~
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
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  Mrvoodooposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  'Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it.'
  ~Adolph Hitler
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  Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Should we release the hostages we have? Or are Americans to be treated differently than those we keep imprisoned? What about their children?
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  wavegirl22posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Are the Americans holding 3 kids that were out hiking to see the beauty that has graced this earth? Or are you just trying to change the subject?
  
  Right now this thread speaks of 3 Americans. Sarah Shroud, Josh Fattal and Shane Bauer. And maybe we can send good energy towards this situation and unite in our voices towards making this world a safer place. There are some that would like to spin this thread in a way to voice their opinions on whatever...
  
  all I am saying is . . .
  
  If you have anything to share about the safety of Sarah, Josh and Shane I would be gracious in thanking you in advance for your thoughtful words.
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  TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  It doesn't matter that three American kids are being held.. as the left sees it there is someone on the suppossed other side who has done it before.
  
  So... it is okay.
  
  It what they do... equate and justify.
  
  It is the prevailing liberal progressive philosophy.
  
  Either that or they will say they deserve it because they are Americans... or America has done something else before.
  
  So... it is a no win with them.
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  thisisoliposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  The Americans are holding young people from all over the world without charge.
  
  How do you know that the Americans over there even were Hitchikers?
  
  They crossed in to Iranian territory without papers, it was probably a mistake, but in the current heightened Iranian/American tensions it was an incredibly stupid mistake to make.
  
  Iran does not just imprison people without cause, there are thousands of visitors to Iran every year, none of which have any trouble.
  
  While I do not believe that many parts of Iranian culture are correct, there are just as many things wrong with westernized culture. I am also glad that different cultures permiate throught the world, which allow us to see the world from a different perspective if you immerse yourself in their lifestyle.
  
  I have lived in several parts of Europe, I am living in America right now, I doubt I will ever live in a muslim country, but I definately want to visit one and see how they live.
  
  The United States has a maxiumum prison sentence of 10 years for illegal immigration by the way, and there are illegal immigrants in US jails who have spent years in prison waiting for their eventual deportation after their sentence is over.
  
  I think this is jsut as wrong as the Iranian's holding these three backpackers, however they broke the law, and they should have respected the borders of countries which have had a huge amount of territorial conflict in the past.
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  wavegirl22posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I usually like to make any comments after I read what the topic is about, that way I dont say anything that may show I havent bothered to read the issue at hand. I find it interesting that you havent bothered to read but yet you comment.
  
  Again I ask you, being part of the human race and taking the facts of this story into consideration . .
  
  As a fellow human being, is this is ok with you?
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  Doug Hughesposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  WG22 - I'm sorry, but it's not as simple as "Is it OK with you?"
  
  I have travelled from Hong Kong to Africa to Russia, some of that courtesy of the US Navy. When I was in the service, they made it clear that there were countries we might visit who would find it advenagous to have Americans in jail as bargaining chips. The policy of the USN was clear - if we got arrested on phony charges, the State Department could usually bring pressure to bear for our release. However, if we were guilty there was a lot less - close to nothing - that the government could do.
  
  Bottom line - if you wanted to get drunk and stupid, do it on US soil, or a country friendly to the US. Get legitimately busted somewhere hostile to the US, you will rot in jail. That's reality - and it's been that way for decades.
  
  Thisisoli may not have asnswered the question the way you wanted, but it's one of those "Do you still beat your wife?" kinda questions. Nobody wants them in jail - nobody thinks they had evil intentions (over here) but they did the equivalent of the drunk-and-stupid-saior-routine. It's not fair, but it's totally legal - and the reaction of Iran was totally predictable - so why did they put themselves in the situation???!!!!!
  
  They are stuck - the State Department is looking for the opportunity where Iran might be perusaded to release the Americans as a gesture of good faith. That's not the reaction you want, but it's the international reality.
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  wavegirl22posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Drunk, I have a feeling these kids were not drinking anything but water from their canteens. Stupid to be hiking in that part of the world . . . YES. But that is for their parents to scold them for if and when they get home.
  
  I am not looking for any reaction from the State Department. I am asking you as a person, someone of the world community, of the human race, how you feel about this issue.
  
  So tell me Doug Hughes. .
  
  If it was your child who went hiking in Kurdistan and were picked up for hiking on a border that is not so clearly defined . .and then they were thrown into Evin Prison,
  
  how would you feel tonight?
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  Doug Hughesposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  My oldest brother did his graduate year at the University of Madrid. Franco, the dictator was still in power. I remember my father warned my brother - this was the 70s - not to partcipate in any demonstrations. "The police just set up machine guns."
  
  That's how a parent handles the situation in advance.
  
  As an adult, I had the choice of visiting my internet girl, now my wife, in her native Belarus or Russia. Belarus has the reputation of the last dictatorship in Europe. The US has a chilly relationship with that country, and I elected to meet her in Moscow, rather than Minsk.
  
  This is how an adult handles the situation on advance.
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  psycheskinnerposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  So what is your response to the fact that the US hold people just as young on the same basis (being in a disputed area). Should other countries 'smack' the US 'in line'? If not, why not?
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  TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  You could try... lolllllllllllolololllllllllllll
  
  We might even help you, or them, up after you try. lolllllllllllll
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  Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  "We"? How many sock puppets are you speaking for, TM? Has anyone elected you to speak for all Americans? "We"? Sarah, is that you? LOLOLOLOL!
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  TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  "We".. you know... those Americans who would smak back.
  
  And yes... the mind set of those who are tired of being spit on while we talk to our enemies and coddle them with leant leftist diplomacy and bribery.
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  Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  No, I don't know who you mean! More like bark biters it seems. You know, the bark worse than the bite comparison! And I still do not believe anyone has given you permission to threaten violence in their name! But perhaps you can prove me wrong.
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  TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Well let see what happens when another country, "smaks", us.
  
  We'll see whether we bite or not.
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  Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Or if we "bite" them even when they do not "smack" us, as in the case of Iraq. It is those, such as yourself, who beat their chest and fails to care who we bite as long as Fox News tells you what to think! Much of the garbage you post here is favored by this comedy show!
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  It is illogical, inappropriate, and unproductive to tell people that they are "told what to think" by this or that just because you disagree with what they say.
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  efeyasposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  lol right on
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  Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  In case you think I do not have any sympathy for the errant hikers I will tell you this. My good friend was an Iranian hostage during the ill-fated rescue attempt by Carter. They were subjected to much worse treatment than the hikers. Fake firing squads to name just one tactic.
  
  I do feel sympathy for the hikers but I wonder about the real facts as some things are disputed and seem not to make sense. it would not be the first time the US used civilians for spy purposes. I can understand the suspicion because of the threats to destroy their technology by us and Israel.
  
  And posters who say Iran needs to be "smacked back in line" are indicative of the mindset of some no matter our involvement in the area!
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  wavegirl22posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I do not think that the anyone is making a poster saying that iran should be smacked in the head. . i do not think that comment was meant to be taken literally. It was more in answer to some of the comments to others who are either uninformed and/or they have not read the details of the topic and rather use this as a soapbox for whatever they feel like ripping into americans for.
  
  Do you really think for one minute that these kids could possibly be spies?
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  The female was a freelance journalist.
  
  Journalist/Spy.... same thing.
  
  She had written some rather deep articles about Iraq. Remember that Iran and Iraq have been at war. In my opinion any journalist entering into Iran is treading a thin line.
  
  Don't think that they have been targeted as Americans either. A French journalist was released last month after 11 months in prison for precisely the same thing - entering without permission.
  
  Why would a journalist enter a country without a visa? When those visas for travel are pretty easy to obtain through the proper channels? Because she would have known that it would be rejected. The Iranian government would only have to google her name to see the potential for trouble.
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  psycheskinnerposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  You said: "I agree that Iran should be smacked into line." So I guess you meant smacked in areas other than the head?
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  thisisoliposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  No it is the American answer, why should every country try to conform to American culture, the world would be a boring place of everywhere was the same, it would be even more boring if everywhere was like America.
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  TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Spoken like someone who truly doesn't have a clue about what America has done for this world.
  
  Don't worry I get my way and they will all be cut from the titty. They won't have to worry about pleasing us at all... cause we will have nothing for any of them. All foriegn aide gone... all suppport of any kind gone. You know quite a few countries would not exist at all tomorrow if America ceased it's foriegn aide.
  
  Think of that... what a wonderful world it would be.
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  And many many more would be lifted out of poverty if America reduced the unfair interest on its third world debt, and its corporations operated with some degree of corporate responsibility.
  
  What you say is significantly flawed. America gave just $12.3bn in foreign aid in 2003 and 2004. Japan gave $9.2bn in the same time period. Several other countries gave $5bn. Japan's GDP is one third of the size of Americas.
  
  You can paint pretty pictures but I can tear those pictures up. The 'Eurozone', which doesn't include the UK, has a total GDP of around $16tr against Americas $14tr. Germany, France and Holland alone gave $14bn in foreign aide in that period.
  
  Add the other 13 countries in the Eurozone, and the aide given by the US actually pales into insignificance.
  
  But its fine, keep dreamin' that old American dream, you always save the world remember at least you do in the movies..
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  TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Good, then you don't need ours.
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Lets face it TMMason, the US has practically bankrupted itself through its wars, with debts of almost 100% of GDP.
  
  Its ok though, you can apply to the Eurozone for aide Oh, wait.... you already owe the British over $300bn
  
  I will happily donate £10 a month to help feed an American child, as long as Google survives
  
  I wonder if the $3bn a year that America gifts to Isreal to persecute Palistinians is counted in that $12bn
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  "And many many more would be lifted out of poverty if America reduced the unfair interest on its third world debt,"
  
  Unfair?
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I think you are confused because you think that nothing 'counts' that doesn't come directly from some government. A fundamental difference in thinking.
  
  http://www.america.gov/st/foraid-englis … 97553.html
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  "Add the other 13 countries in the Eurozone"
  
  Sure, just keep 'adding' countries until the numbers work out the way you want.
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  psycheskinnerposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Speaking as a man who doesnt realise all the good *and bad* the US does in the world--including defaulting on promised aid, defaulting on debt to the UN and having the lowest rate of charity as a proportion of GDP in the western world..
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  US the MOST charitable nation in the world:
  
  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19409188/
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  wavegirl22posted 12 years agoin reply to this
  who is saying anyone should conform to the American way.
  The point is that there are 3 innocent people sitting in the most notorious Evin prison in Iran tonight. .
  
  Tell me. . .as a fellow human being, this is ok with you?
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  psycheskinnerposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  As long as they are well treated and accorded due process, yes it is. I doubt they will be there as long as some of the people in Guantanimo--some of whom were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  What America is "like" is not so simple.
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TMMasonposted 12 years ago
Yes.

I agree.

You liberals have all been brain washed. It is a sad state of affairs when so many can not think for themselves.

You really should shrink that though... it is kinda big for a avatar. A lil egotistical, if you know what I mean.
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Cagsilposted 12 years ago
It appears as if people simply refuse to leave politics out of the conversation and find the compassion for those who are held.

I find it appalling to say the least. There has been nothing said that they were indeed in Iran, as indicated. Since the borders were not clearly defined, Iranian(police/security) could have seen an opportunity for leverage and took it.

No one knows the truth about it. Yet, bunches of people continue to bicker and banter over things that are simply not relevant to the point of the thread.

It asked if anyone cared? There was absolutely no reason for the continued onslaught that has ensued, at Shari's expense, because she wanted attention brought to this problem.

Is it a problem? Yes, it is. However, politics are involved, but that shouldn't mean that people themselves, the individuals cannot have compassion about the situation.

Half the people in thread disgust me. I was seeing my way out of the forums anyways, effective a couple of days ago, but to see a friend of mine, be torn through because ignorant people who have no compassion want to run off at the mouth, just because they can.

How pathetic is that. Have a great day.
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  You really bore me Cagsil, you should have been banished with your friend Lyrics. The best thing about my forum ban between December-March was that I didn't have to participate in this forum when your little clique bossed and bullied. And I'm not the only one to think that either, I have dozens of emails from people that were driven away from these boards as a result of the atmosphere that the aforementioned clique created.
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  Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Interesting how you say that, considering you are one of those who has no compassion. And, I bore you? You are not funny.
  
  Bossed and bullied? I do not bully anyone. If you cannot hack the truth about your own pathetic actions, then I would suggest you think more about your actions.
  
  Enough said.
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  You don't need to state the obvious Cagsil, I knew who your reference was pointed towards.
  
  Funny? I never claimed that I was funny. I write hubs about free blackberry applications, flexible keyboards, free backlinks and can vending machines. I have never attempted to be particularly 'funny' on this site.
  
  Yeah enough said, I don't like you and you don't like me. I am glad that is out in the open and firmly on the record.
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  Cagsilposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Hey Ryan, just one thing....what exactly was your purpose for entering THIS thread in the first place?
  
  Did you even bother to answer the question posed? Or did you attack political B.S. before you actually considered it?
  
  Again, I have no detest for you. I have no ill feelings toward you whatsoever, it is your actions that disgust me. You could have entered the thread and simply said No and been on your way.
  
  But, no, you couldn't go and do that. That isn't good enough. The "Americans" must be told they are wrong and that their government is sh!tty too.
  
  Talk about sad. You don't like me? Join the club, there are plenty of people who don't like me and adding you to the list is nothing new for me to do. If you cannot handle the truth, then you will not like me.
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  ryankettposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  It looks like you who cannot handle the truth. I have already clearly stated that I have no ill feeling towards American people, only their politics. To be more precise, your foreign policy. Cagsil, sorry to break it to you, but you do not have any real influence over American foreign policy.
  
  I will enter into any thread that I like. The topic is made public, it interests me, I comment on it. Or are you trying to dictate which threads I should or shouldn't be permitted to comment on? Reminds me of that old clique again Cagsil, only your 'friends' have all gone away.
  
  Those three Americans have committed an offence under Iranian law, will soon face trial. They are prisoners not hostages. Soon the Iranian legal system will decide whether or not they are guilty.
  
  Do I have compassion for them? No to be honest. They did something terribly stupid, have paid the price, soon they will be out to sell their stories. They are not being tortured, have not been sentenced to life. The Iranian government, in detaining those Americans, are sending a clear message to other stupid people that they will not tolerate people entering their country illegally.
  
  Sounds pretty simple to me.
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  "The Iranian government, in detaining those Americans, are sending a clear message to other stupid people that they will not tolerate people entering their country illegally."
  
  So, you would support strict border control in America and your homeland as well, right?
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  "I have already clearly stated that I have no ill feeling towards American people, only their politics"
  
  You really can't separate the two. That's the first thing you need to understand about America and perhaps its distinction from your country.
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  psycheskinnerposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Sure you can, not all of the people support the political decision made by the nation state--they are different things. It's one of the things I like about the US.
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  It's one of the things that outsiders most often misunderstand about the US. Of the people and by the people and all that.
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  efeyasposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Cagsil- I agree with you
  RyanKett -Obvioucly you di have a problem with Americans because you have done nothing but bash thewm in this entire thread
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Rafiniposted 12 years ago
I wish I had something better to say, but.... I care but choose to leave the fight for someone more worthy than me. I'll lend my support in a silent way and donate whatever it is I can when I can. I don't accept pressures for advocacy, but I will accept updates and news releases with open arms. (umm, this goes for any of these kinds of social issues)

I hope the hostages stay well and are released soon.
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lightning johnposted 12 years ago
My heart goes out to those kids that are incarcerated in Iran.
It seems like Iran is just being excessive. Couldn't Iran just have turned them around to be on their way after it was obvious that they were no threat.
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Randy Godwinposted 12 years ago
I do not know if they were spies, trying to get a good story, or were just careless. Do you know these "kids" personally and how old are these "kids"? Do you know personally they were innocent, or just what you have read?
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  So...you give the benefit of the doubt to ... Iran? ???
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  Randy Godwinposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I do not give "the benefit of the doubt" to either side! I have no solid evidence to support either the hostages or Iran. Many gave the benefit of the doubt about WMDs to Dumbya and you certainly did I suspect. How did that come out?
  
  The benefit of the doubt is worthless in any case! Do you doubt these Americans were risking too much, especially since at least one of them was reported to have written uncomplimentary statements concerning Iran?
  
  I spoke with my friend about this yesterday. He was one of the hostages during the Carter years. Even he was not surprised at the suggestion they had ulterior motives in the area. He might know more than you about these types of things. He certainly knows more about being an Iranian hostage!
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  "I do not give "the benefit of the doubt" to either side! "
  
  That's not what it sounds like.
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wavegirl22posted 12 years ago
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  Mrvoodooposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Thanks for becoming my fan and all, but I suspect you'll unfan me once you realize that the above Hitler quote was not meant to support your argument, but was in reference to your own statement:
  
  'For the good of the world and all the good Iranian people that are in the world. . I agree that Iran should be smacked into line.
  
  It is not the American answer .. it is the answer from humanity.'
  
  Wrong, it is the American answer.
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wavegirl22posted 12 years ago
and so your brother graduated a from the U Of Madrid and you married someone from Belarus. . thank you for sharing more of your bio.

But I am curious. . what has that to do with the topic at hand? Were you privy to any conversations that Sarah had with her mom and what her dad may of told her of the dangers in the world?
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  Chris_SafeWorldposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Thanks so much to wavegirl22 for the posting here.
  Could I suggest that further comments refer back to the original 'Safe World' article?
  
  http://www.asafeworldforwomen.org/en/ushostages.html
  
  Sarah, Shane and Josh did not cross the border into Iran, but are in fact hostages. Furhter details will soon be released by an independant source.
  
  Chris Crowstaff
  Founder, Safe world and The Women for a Change International Foundation
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  TMMasonposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Dude you can't come in here advertising and promo-ing your shit.
  
  You could probrably post your article here as a Hub.
  
  But I don't think joining to promote commenting to your site is going to fly.
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C.J. Wrightposted 12 years ago
Ryan,

"They are prisoners not hostages."

That say's it all. These three had absolutely NO business even going close to the border. They were begging for trouble and now they have it. I certainly hope they are returned safely. I also hope that the State Department suspend's their passports upon returning to US soil.
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  psycheskinnerposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Indeed, hostages are seized purely to make a point and have a negotiating chip, these people were seized for being in a dispute area. They will be repatriated eventually i am sure, but it is not the same thing.
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  ru blogposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Ryan. Your comments are very rude, Why the hostility? Just because a person has compassion doesn't make them brain washed. You would have us believe the Iranian government as legitimate. I think a whole country of Iranians would disagree.
  And pointing fingers at america is the same as pointing fingers at the U.K. You sound like someone on a high horse when you criticize a country that has bled for yours. Show some respect.
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  alternate poetposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Emotive language just hides the reality - the three are prisoners for breaking the laws of the country they, supposedly, accidentally wandered into.
  
  Putting themselves into this position was their own choice - I can't imagine there is anyone who could think that taking a stroll along a sensitive militarised border is normal. Given that - I would wish them released and sent home as soon as possible.
  
  Your description of Iran as a government without the support of its people sounds exactly like the US at the moment according to the views expressed in these pages by your right wing christians.
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  Maybe you weren't paying attention to what happened after the last 'elections' there?
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  alternate poetposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I did - and I paid attention to the fiasco of the previous US election and the whingeing of the right wing christian morons who want to attack everything - lucky y'all can't really afford it any more I guess.
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  Sab Ohposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  I must have missed the Americans protesting en mass in the streets and being gunned down for it. Or were you just fabricating something as an excuse to voice your anti-religious bigotry again? Is this the part where voting machines were 'manipulated' when Bush won (twice) but worked perfectly when obama won? I think I've seen this movie already.
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  efeyasposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  ru blog, I agree a little respect has been earned.
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  ru blogposted 12 years agoin reply to this
  alternate poet, your name should be ultimate irony. You realize attacking people's religion and intelligence whilst calling them attackers is ironic. Beyond infantile.
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fresnaveeposted 12 years ago
To answer the topic of this title, which was "Does Anyone Care there are 3 American Hostages in Iran?", yes. Someone cares. Their families care. Their friends care. Their employers very likely care. The United States government cares. I am absolutely sure at least a few thousand people care world-wide.

The fact that they are American does not constitute a response of, "Oh. They're American. They deserve it." That is one of the most ignorant and dumbfounding attitudes I have seen that prevails amongst the international community.

Doesn't it sadden you that people who are reporters, pole whose sole job is to bring information to other people, are being held hostage and have the outstanding possibility of being killed in the most heinous of ways? Or have you briefly forgotten what the word "compassion" means?
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Does Anyone Care there are 3 American Hostages in Iran?

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