The former British captives' behavior while in Iranian hands is coming under sharp criticism inside Britain and outside it, with American war hero Col. Jack Jacobs calling it "disgusting and disgraceful." Meanwhile, the British government has given the 15 sailors and marines permission to make a personal profit by selling their stories for publication. The hostages are expected to earn as much as £250,000 between them. Faye Turney, 26, the only female among them, could profit by as much as £150,000 from a joint deal with a newspaper and ITV.
Ministry of Defense officials claimed that the decision to bypass the ban on military personnel selling their stories while in service was justified because of the “exceptional circumstances” of the case, using the awarding of a Victoria Cross for heroism as an example of such circumstances.
The "Frightened Fifteen"
The former captives' behavior while in Iranian hands is coming under sharp criticism inside Britain and outside it, from people who think they should have maintained a more respectable demeanor. One former British commander said the released hostages were behaving like reality TV contestants. Others said they allowed themselves to be used as pawns in the propaganda war with Iran. Some weblogs have taken to calling the sailors the "Frightened Fifteen."
Liam Fox, the British opposition's shadow defense secretary, said: “Many people who shared the anxiety of the hostages’ abduction will feel that selling their stories is somewhat undignified and falls below the very high standards we have come to expect from our servicemen and women.”
John Tindell, the father of Joe Tindell, one of the hostages, said the marines were planning to sell on eBay the vases given to them in their “goody bags” by the Iranians.
Video footage released by Iran showed the hostages partying and horsing around after being told they would be released. One sailor explained in a news conference after his return that "from the outset it was very apparent that fighting back was simply not an option. Had we chosen to do so then many of us would not be standing here today."
Col. Jacobs: 'disgusting, disreputable, dishonorable'
War hero and business leader Col. Jack Jacobs, who is also a military analyst for MSNBC, called the Brits' actions and words "the most disgusting, disreputable, dishonorable performance I can remember in more than 40 years" of being involved with the military.
Jacobs earned the Medal of Honor in 1969 for exceptional heroism on the battlefields of Vietnam. He also holds three Bronze Stars, two Silver Stars, and two Purple Heart Medals. Jacobs was an advisor to a Vietnamese infantry battalion when it came under a devastating fire that disabled the commander. Although bleeding from severe head wounds, then 1st Lt. Jacobs took command, withdrew the unit to safety, and returned again and again under intense fire to rescue the wounded and perform life-saving first aid. He saved the lives of a U.S. advisor and 13 allied soldiers.
Jacobs is the sixteenth Jew to receive the Congressional Medal Honor.
Ministry of Defense officials claimed that the decision to bypass the ban on military personnel selling their stories while in service was justified because of the “exceptional circumstances” of the case, using the awarding of a Victoria Cross for heroism as an example of such circumstances.
The "Frightened Fifteen"
The former captives' behavior while in Iranian hands is coming under sharp criticism inside Britain and outside it, from people who think they should have maintained a more respectable demeanor. One former British commander said the released hostages were behaving like reality TV contestants. Others said they allowed themselves to be used as pawns in the propaganda war with Iran. Some weblogs have taken to calling the sailors the "Frightened Fifteen."
Liam Fox, the British opposition's shadow defense secretary, said: “Many people who shared the anxiety of the hostages’ abduction will feel that selling their stories is somewhat undignified and falls below the very high standards we have come to expect from our servicemen and women.”
John Tindell, the father of Joe Tindell, one of the hostages, said the marines were planning to sell on eBay the vases given to them in their “goody bags” by the Iranians.
Video footage released by Iran showed the hostages partying and horsing around after being told they would be released. One sailor explained in a news conference after his return that "from the outset it was very apparent that fighting back was simply not an option. Had we chosen to do so then many of us would not be standing here today."
Col. Jacobs: 'disgusting, disreputable, dishonorable'
War hero and business leader Col. Jack Jacobs, who is also a military analyst for MSNBC, called the Brits' actions and words "the most disgusting, disreputable, dishonorable performance I can remember in more than 40 years" of being involved with the military.
Jacobs earned the Medal of Honor in 1969 for exceptional heroism on the battlefields of Vietnam. He also holds three Bronze Stars, two Silver Stars, and two Purple Heart Medals. Jacobs was an advisor to a Vietnamese infantry battalion when it came under a devastating fire that disabled the commander. Although bleeding from severe head wounds, then 1st Lt. Jacobs took command, withdrew the unit to safety, and returned again and again under intense fire to rescue the wounded and perform life-saving first aid. He saved the lives of a U.S. advisor and 13 allied soldiers.
Jacobs is the sixteenth Jew to receive the Congressional Medal Honor.