Jack Jacobs Dead Wrong About British Captives' Behavior

[babylonsister]

http://scoop.epluribusmedia.org/story/2007/4/8/163320/6987

Jack Jacobs Dead Wrong About British Captives' Behavior
by Jeff Huber
Sun Apr 08, 2007 at 04:33:20 PM EST
Sometimes it pays not to play Rambo.

Several voices in the media have been critical of the conduct of the recently released British service members captured by Iran. Among those critics is retired U.S. Army Colonel Jack Jacobs, MSNBC military analyst and Congressional Medal of Honor Winner.

On Friday, Jacobs castigated the British sailors and marines for allowing themselves to be captured without putting up a fight, and for cooperating with Iranian propaganda efforts.

I'm very glad Jack Jacobs wasn't with that British boarding party.

Pavlov's Dogs of War

Right wing blog NewsBusters provides a partial transcript and a video of one of Jacobs's Friday interviews:

I don't know where to begin, I've gotta tell you, that was the most disgusting, disreputable, dishonorable performance I can remember in more than forty years of my relationship with the military service. I think every man, every woman who wears the uniform, or who has ever worn the uniform of his country, no matter what country it is, ought to be disgusted by this... And I can tell you that my feelings are almost undoubtedly echoed by everyone I know who's worn the uniform.

Well, no, Colonel. Some of us think that the British sailors and marines played the situation as smartly as it could have been played by anyone.

At a press conference with six members of the recently released boarding party on Friday, Royal Marine Captain Chris Air said, "Let me be absolutely clear: From the outset, it was very apparent that fighting back was simply not an option... We were not prepared to fight a heavily armed force who, it is our impression, came out deliberately into Iraqi waters to take us prisoner."

The "heavily armed force," according to Air, consisted of eight Revolutionary Guard speedboats armed with heavy machine guns and rocket propelled grenades. "We realized that had we resisted, there would have been a major fight, one we could not have won with consequences that would have had major strategic impact." (Italics added.)

Bingo. By committing themselves to a battle that would have led to their certain slaughter, the British boarding party would have created a far more shocking international incident than the one that actually occurred. Mr. Bush might have used such an incident to justify a full scale naval and air strike on Iran.

more...

[lligrd]

1. I Am Appalled That USA Pundits Are Talking About This At All

Who the hell do they think they are? They are the embarrassment not the troops. And I fail to why they would care what anyone who is taking hostage says while captive. Only an idiot would take any heed of what is said under duress, so let them say whatever they think will work. In fact, I still take no heed of what they are saying and won't until I believe they are completely free and not brainwashed by the British government either.

[izzie]

2. From my point of view these young people did no wrong.

I guess I see no point in riding in to the valley at the head of the troops for this madness in Iraq.

[babylonsister]

3. Jacobs' point, which he made ad nauseum last week, was that the

Brits should have not given in, should have fought to the death, which is what he was trained to do. :eyes:
Now, doncha think that might have started another war?

[Kagemusha]

4. But starting another war would have been the point.

Hence the charge of cowardice.

[rasputin1952]

5. Precisely...for one thing, they were being caught up in an incident

that could have had major consequences. It turned out fine for all involved, and we got more info anyway. No one was killed or maimed, and Jacobs in his own insolence, is trying to talk for the Brits, and that just ain't gonna happen.

I have no question as to his MOH or the circumstances under which it was earned, but that doesn't make him spokesman for the US or the Brits.

[izzie]

10. Does any one recall the Pueblo and Capt. Bacher?

I think that is how it is sp. He was not looked at as to good for giving up either. I, as a women, may look at this not right but I would think one has to pick what you are willing to die for and not let some navy looking at Nelsons days have the say. I frankly see no reason to want my son to died and would wish they do as these men did. This is hardly a fight for the rights of man and seems to be a man made problem of a few nut cases is DC. I am not in tuned to doing as Bush and Co, want or Blair. Hard to find it good to die for an un-just war for any one.

[bellasgrams]

6. I also heard Jacobs a couple of times

I couldn't believe what I was hearing. I also believe it would have given Bush a reason to get us involved with Iran. Jacobs also made fun of the 'shiny plastic suits' Iran gave the boys. I use to think Jacobs was pretty good but I have sure changed my mind. I guess if they had all been killed they would have been heros. For what?

[babylonsister]

7. bellasgrams, welcome to DU! And I also heard the wardrobe

commentary; what did that have to do with anything?
Also, he moaned about the commerical flight they took home vs. a military one. But he wasn't aware of any of the 'whys' anything happened there.
I know there are people who like and respect him, but I think he was way over the top on this issue.

[bluerum]

8. Jacobs would have them get their heads blown off rather than spend

easter with their families.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

9. Apparantly, to the Colonel, suicide as a tactic shouldn't be limited to Jihadists.

Maybe he would favor having videos made of the dead "heroes" to be before sending them on missions. It would, no doubt, boost troop morale, and increase recruitment.

[Jeffersons Ghost]

11. K&R publicizing-it-4-peace

[fedsron2us]

12. Some people seem awfully disappointed

that this did not end up with bloodshed.

I wonder why ?

[Swamp Rat]

13. The British sailors and marines are alive.

ALIVE!

The medal has gone to Loco Jack Jacobs's head.