Hm mm. I have been pondering this one. I have friends who have made a lot of money out of their book sales for deeds done behind them, mainly Special Forces tales of daring doe, in many cases rightly so, history needs to be told through eyes that live it. We all like a good heroes home tale. But. I cant help thinking its all gone a bit too far, that was until I figured this was a smart tactical move by our Government and Ministry of Defence. The publicity this will generate in all facets of the media and all of which that will be negative to the Iranian authorities has to be a good thing. These stories will include moments when weapons were cocked behind the blindfolded heads of the captured sailors and tails of hoods, shackles and solitary deprivation and sensory denial. This is great reading for all the liberal hacks back home reading the ever intellectually dwindling tabloid press. It bolsters our case immensly against the regime in Tehran.
But its still not morally right. I would never sell my secrets (and shit I have plenty) nor would I discuss the ordeal in detail for all to paw at. This story is not secretive and its not sensistive so does it matter that they tell their tale and profit. The worlds press has implied and inferred that these servicemen and woman did not act appropriately and pandered to the Iranians Early on, these guys feel they want to have their answers heard and their critics thereby answered, it is their free right as defenders of it to do so. I wasn't there I could not comment, their arrival in Iran would have been unnerving and highly concerning, they made the right decision to NOT engage the 6 heavily armed gun boats when all they had was assault rifles and 7 marines in a inflatable boat. discretion is the better part of valour i have learnt after years on service in conflict zones. The Iranians set out that day with a clear objective, capture British Servicemen and commence an international incident.
Under normal circumstances selling of stories would be wrong but I cant help thinking this is a important component of modern spin doctoring and diplomacy. Iran's behavior has not strengthened their position merely enlightened us further to the mockery they make out of their governmental power and statecraft.
Now guys, hand over some of the cash you make selling your holiday story to me, Ill spend it on worthy causes......
Kevin Godlington - Sunday
1 comment:
My first reaction was a sort of dismayed anger. However, I can see your points and have changed my mind a bit. Specifically this one:
Under normal circumstances selling of stories would be wrong but I cant help thinking this is a important component of modern spin doctoring and diplomacy. Iran's behavior has not strengthened their position merely enlightened us further to the mockery they make out of their governmental power and statecraft.
that is very true. Even our enemies understand that winning in the media is more than 1/2 the battle these days.
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