War On Reality Part 16 ; No-One & Everyone To Blame For Iran Sailors

Just to confirm, if anyone was still wondering, no-one has been found to blame for the mess (what else would best describe it?) of the British Navy personnel held by Iran in March.

The UK Defence Secretary Des Browne said, in perfect political fudge language while talking about allowing the freed sailors to sell their stories, that there had been a ''collective failure of judgment'', that's one of the few parts of the report released to the public.

To protect current soldiers, in the Gulf area, the report is to remain classified. This is the same tactic the government uses to give out scant details about alleged terrorist plots. ''We can tell you the really scary details, but not all of it, because we don't want to scare you too much, by the way, don't have nightmares''. You know the type of thing.

Tell The Truth ; If the government were to put up their hands and say they made a total hash of the entire situation and were even suspected of hijacking it to ratchet up anti-Iranian feelings, then they may gain more respect and perhaps some trust from the public.

War On Reality Part 7 ; Propaganda Is Alive And Well In The UK

After the UK Navy service personnel were released by Iran and flown home, then the abuse and mudslinging really started.

It was first announced that the sailors were to be allowed to sell their stories to the media since this was an 'exceptional case'.
The reason given for the 'pay and tell' of the stories was to allow the real story to be gotten out there.

One question quickly jumped to mind. If the 'real story wasn't really getting out' then what 'truth' were we told in the press conference that this blog reported on once the personnel arrive back at their UK base?

But then the Defence Secretary Des Browne, after the lone female of the group Faye Turney had sold her story to The Sun newspaper (owned by News Corp's 'Mr Burns' media-baron Rupert Murdoch) and ITV's Tonight Programme for a six figure sum, said long after the sound of the stable door banging shut very, VERY loudly, ''Clearly with hindsight... I could have made a different decision''.

The Truthiness Blog Says ; No matter how badly this has been handled, in terms of trying to spin a story to the benefit of the UK and US position that Iran is the enemy, its been at best a half-hearted success. But the efforts to squeeze every drop of anti-Iranian feeling out of this situation were exhausted. Its clear the UK public aren't as gullible as some officials think, this wasn't an 'exceptional case', military hostages have happened every couple of years since the dawn of time.

So please don't hijack this situation to ratchet up tension toward Iran.

You tried to sell the story to the public ; but not everyone 'bought' it (accept Mr Murdoch).

Iran Captives Tell Of Treatment

The UK Royal Navy Personnel have told the press the way they were treated by the Iranian authorities during their captivity.

Over thirteen days the sailors were kept in solitary confinement, were given no news from the outside World, indeed one serviceman said that none of the guards 'spoke English'.

Clearly still shocked and overwhelmed by the experience, the press conference at Royal Navy Base Chivenor, Devon lasted about fifteen minutes and details of their treatment was small in detail and questions about the Navy's reconsideration of procedures for this type of situation in the future were met with a 'we can't comment on that'.

The personnel have ben given two weeks compassionate leave but say they look forward to returning to work.

The Truthiness Blog Says ; Lets sit back and watch the spinning of this story from everyone involved begin.

This is part of the press conference, it is Fox News though, so watch through a 'news' filter. But the feed is almost identical to BBC News 24, so its not that bad.

UK Navy Captives ; Bush's Sound & Fury

We're happy to announce this is The Truthiness Blog's one hundredth post.

And not to disappoint anyone our century post is about that old chestnut. President Bush.

He made comments on Sunday about the captured UK Navy personnel, he seemed quite happy to call them hostages, said they should be returned and added '' they're innocent. They did nothing wrong.''

Maybe it would be helpful to all them diplomats working all day and night behind the scenes to have Mr Bush keep from potentially inflamming the situation. He could do well to tone down his language.

On this occasion the UK do not need him throwing in his two cents worth. They have become stuck in this themselves and can sort it out on their own.

The Truthiness Blog ; On this issue, it's what doesn't get said publicly that's important. That applies to President Bush as well as anyone.

Iran Hostages Chess Pieces In A False Flag Operation?

Despite dissent from commentators in the media, the possible hijacking of the Iran hostages crisis by the US and maybe the UK seems to be increasingly likely as the US moves more military hardwear into the Persian Gulf for an exercise its been said.

Now where have we heard that before?

The US will find it incredibly convenient to have two aircraft carriers near Iran if the situation with the UK's Navy personnel doesn't turn out peacefully.

The Truthiness Blog Says ; Anyone want to go out on a limb, wave a white hankerchief and send in the diplomats for talks?

Letters From Iran ; But Written By Whom And With Who's Interests In Mind?

The British Navy hostages saga continues uncomfortably, with more letters and video apologies issued, it seems, every day.

Speculation has been gathering that the letters written, we're told by Iranian television, by the sailors themselves are not quite as they seem.

Two ideas are being followed this weekend, either the letters have been written by the hostages (but under duress), or that the letters are out and out fakes by Iran.

Another theory about the captured service personnel is gaining ground is that the story looks like a textbook 'false-flag' operation to stoke anti-Iranian opinion.

The Truthiness Blog Says ; As oil prices begin to rise, who will move first?

What Would The US Have Done? We Got Our Answer

With the hostage situation of 15 British Royal Navy personnel continuing today, we wondered what would have happened had this happened to US troops and what reaction would there currently be?

Well now we know.

Thanks to a comment made by Lieutenant-Commander Erik Horner, the US would have fired on the Iranian Guard if they were in the same situation. He added he was 'surprised' the British Marines had not defended themselves.

Meanwhile the former First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir Alan West made clear what UK rules of engagement were, ' very much de-escalatory, because we don't want wars starting''.

The truthiness blog says ; Because they don't want wars starting, hmm, perhaps the US should try that for a few years, see how different things turn out.

War Of Words With Iran Escalates Over UK Navy Personnel

Tony Blair today called the detention of 15 Royal Navy service personnel ''unjustified and wrong'' as the government in Tehran shows no signs of backing down.

Speaking at the European Union Summit to mark the fifty year anniversary of the creation of the EU, Prime Minister Blair said it was false that the marine forces had been captured in Iranian waters, they were in Iraqi territorial waters.

The Prime Minister added that he hopes the Iranian government can understand how fundemental this is for the UK Navy.

The Truthiness Blog Says ; No complicated 'spin', no revisionist talk, Mr Blair says they were in Iraq waters, Tehran says no.

Who's going to blink first?

PS This video is just for a funny start to the new week.