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.

[parkesquay]

kwicky. You don't need to take a guess. The apprehended sailors boats were 1.7nm in Iraqi waters. Nowadays one only has to transmit on an emergency frequency for it to show up on screens around the world via SAT link.
There is no way that the UK Government could hide the fact
from other countries if these 15 sailors were not operating legally. Has any other country come out in support of Irans statement of where they were captured. No.
Also, there are hundreds of ships sailing through these waters so their chances of getting searched(assuming that they have something to hide)are slim.

[Whickerman]

Why would any paper be interested in buying a sory that reads:

Got surrounded, surrendered, played ping-pong, ate, played chess, got a new suit and went home?

[Whickerman]

...story

[THECORBYLOON]

What would be yir reaction if 15 coffins had arrived rather than 15 folk gald to have got out alive?

[bundleone]

Surely the laughing and chatting of the prisoners could not have been 'put on' they are seen eating a decent meal, smoking, and when they were released they did not appear to be traumatised, I do not think they were as badly treated as they make out. and what on earth is one women doing on a ship with fourteen men.

[pussnboots]

I think that all the poor families of the soldiers sailors who have died in Iraq must be devestated by this media fiasco. Shame on these people who are gaining money for being in a job that is 'dangerous' they volunteered, and what a surprise their lives were put in danger. The poor sods who were killed in the 2 great wars did not have the comfort of their loved ones getting loads of money from the Daily Mirror.

[NJOK]

Here's an idea. Write a list of all the things in the world that make you angry.

Then let me know if you still think this story is worth getting het up about.

[Ollie_P]

Can someone help me out. These guys are getting dogs abuse for selling their story about an experience in their lives which came about as a result of serving in the armed forces. But when Andy McNab (and others) write books like Bravo Two Zero, stories about experiences in their lives which came about as a result of serving in the armed forces, they become international best sellers & stupidly wealthy to boot. That does strike me as a bit of a double standard.

[sifellis]

Many of the remarks made above are typical of civilians who have no first hand experince of what these people went through.

I honestly believe that this country woul've rather had 15 martyrs than 15 servicemen returned safely.

I personally know Faye Turney, or Faye Boswell as she was known when i was on HMS Chathm with her. She has a moral obligation to tell the truth about what happened during her 'captivity'. It may also intrest you to know that a large sum of her money has been donated to the ship and it's various affiliated charities.

If you are not happy with the whole situation then don't buy the paper, but please don't sit their from the comfort of your armchair criticising these service personell when you know precisely nothing about what they had to go through.

I suppose you all hate simon weston? and i bet none of you can stand Andy McNab?

Typical civvie response, you all make me ******* sick!

[kwicky]

I get a feeling in this country when ordinary working class people make easy money they are severely criticized. Just take the case of Diana's butler. This time they were only putting their own lives on the line and should be free to discuss what happened to them.. In fact they were let down and should not be held to account for their capture.

[cascarelli]

All these sailors and marines had the chance to tell their stories at the news conference when they returned. Faye Turney decided not to attend the news conference as she was selling her story to the press.

No harm in telling what happened if it's not classified, but selling the story for cash? Sorry, but it's just wrong.

[sifellis]

further to my above post

Something that people seem to be over-looking is the fact that the RN is, when all the dust settles, a job. Something that most of us do to earn money. The more i have thought about it the more i'm in agreement with Faye Turney.

If i had an opportunity to earn a large amount of money to secure school, medical care, clothing, food and further education for my child i'd do it in a heartbeat. Most of what we read in todays papers and magazines is purchased literature so i fail to see the difference between Faye's story and the likes of Jordan or any other celeb selling a story.

[geo0939]

Sifellis, I think you meant to say "EXTRA" school, medical care, clothing, food, and further education for Faye Turney's child. I'm sure that ,as a serving member of HM Forces, her child will receive all the help that other children of service personel receive. You can do a lot with six figures.
Also, please don't think that we have always sat in our armchairs, criticising. I'm sure that many of us (myself included) have served in the military, and are still entitled to our view.
I'm sure that the majority of the criticism here is directed toward the Brass rather the personel concerned, for allowing the paid interviews.

[jedimistress]

I'm glad they sold their stories, it's good we can all share in their traumatic experience. Especially when Faye heard those carpentry noises. How horrific, that's a dreadful thing to happen to anyone. Those Iranians shoud be ashamed of themselves, sawing wood like that.