Sigh. Here’s a thought the Republican field and the right wing media do not have the maturity to have.
The Iranians acted properly.
They found two boats, one disabled, in their territorial waters. The boats were from the military of a foreign power, a foreign power which with their own nation has had considerable conflict. Just like if an Iranian military vessel broke down in our waters, it made sense for them to first disarm the crew, and make sure their own people were safe, and even if the process was less than dignified, it was certainly without violence.
After the hands-on-their-heads part of the procedure, when it was ascertained that no espionage or act of war was taking place, they brought the Americans to shore, checked out their stories, fed them, gave them blankets, and communicated with our government.
And it was over in 14 hours.
I say this as somebody who is not particularty inclined to defend Iranians, but as someone who can interpret the evidence in front of his eyes. The Iranians acted properly and like honorable people, here, and pretending that we would have acted any differently — if we did not end up doing it worse — is ridiculous.
Here’s a thought: is it possible that it’s only because Obama’s been acting as a firm but rational and reasonable adult that representatives of this nation predisposed to hate us also felt safe in acting like firm but rational and reasonable adults?
Comment By: Sharon Foster
January 17th, 2016 at 11:19 am
Unfortunately, there are few adults in D.C. outside of the White House. Adulting has fallen out of fashion. See for example today’s op-ed about Jeb Bush.http://mobile.nytimes.com/2016/01/17/us/politics/manners-fit-jeb-bush-if-not-an-uncouth-race.html
Comment By: Jen Bredell
January 17th, 2016 at 12:19 pm
One of the hallmarks of adulthood is doing what has to be done, regardless of how the kids are tantrum-ing around you.
Comment By: Drew Bittner
January 17th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
I’d like to agree but no amount of adult behavior has corrected the juvenile asininity of too many on Congress.
Comment By: David Vineyard
January 17th, 2016 at 4:19 pm
The only thing sabre rattling achieves is the noise of rattled sabres usually. It does have its time and place such as the show of strength we have made in the past against Putin and are now making against North Korea, but to choose it as the first and only option in every situation is foolish and dangerous.
Reagan ‘ s sabre rattling language against the Soviet Union very nearly led them to launch a first strike until Margaret Thatcher intervened and convinced him to talk to Gorbachev which ultimately led to disarmament talks.