Just because a person is an American Citizen does not mean it is a get out of free card when visiting other countries and breaking their laws.

On a side note, one should also check the Current Travel Warnings before leaving the comfort of the USA:

Travel Warnings are issued when long-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable lead the State Department to recommend that Americans avoid or consider the risk of travel to that country. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government's ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a drawdown of its staff. The countries listed below meet those criteria.

• Philippines 01/05/2012
• Central African Republic 01/04/2012
• Republic of South Sudan 12/22/2011
• Syria 12/21/2011
• Cote d'Ivoire 12/16/2011
• Afghanistan 12/01/2011
• Burundi 11/25/2011
• Eritrea 11/04/2011
• Kenya 11/04/2011
• Guinea 11/04/2011
• Korea, Democratic People's Republic of 11/03/2011
• Iran 10/21/2011
• Nigeria 10/13/2011
• Lebanon 10/12/2011
• Mauritania 10/12/2011
• Mali 10/04/2011
• Libya 09/22/2011
• Algeria 09/19/2011
• Iraq 09/13/2011
• Yemen 09/02/2011
• Somalia 08/19/2011
• Chad 08/16/2011
• Haiti 08/08/2011
• Pakistan 08/08/2011
• Niger 08/05/2011
• Saudi Arabia 08/05/2011
• Colombia 07/22/2011
• Congo, Democratic Republic of the 07/19/2011
• Israel, the West Bank and Gaza 06/22/2011
• Sudan 06/22/2011
• Mexico 04/22/2011

Antiamericanism runs high in some of these countries. It is better to say someone is from Canada than US. They are paranoid about anyone from the US, especially in a country like Iran that has US drones flying over their country while someone takes a piss outside.

[Just because a person is an American Citizen does not mean it is a get out of free card when visiting other countries and breaking their laws.]

How did this man break any Iranian laws?

From what I saw, he was visiting his grandmother. That's still legal in the blue provinces, you know.

Just because a person is an American Citizen does not mean it is a get out of free card when visiting other countries and breaking their laws

But being an American citizen automatically makes you a spy according to Iran. Perhaps they realize that only a spy would ever want to visit their sh-thole country to enjoy a climate filled with hate and fanaticism.

I agree with tom

Iran starts to sweat everytime an American crosses their borders.

As for sentencing him to death, it just makes Iran look a little less civil, and confirms how paranoid they are.

If they were truly interested in any talks with the west as they stated last week, they'd rethink this decision. There's no sense it driving tensions up when you're willing to negotiate.

If he was spying he got caught. If not he wasn't too smart. A US marine formally working in the intelligence sector goes to visit family in Iran. What could go wrong?

I hope he doesn't get executed, but what was he thinking. An American citizen, born and bred in US, casually goes to Iran to visit his family. Iran has paranoid entrances and departures in its country especially someone from US that has Iranian background. They are thinking, they are sending Iranian American (not easily identifiable because of appearance) to Iran to spy on Iran and he leaves the country. Iran is pretty much in militaristic, paranoid mode like North Korea.

That is all okay if it isn't you or a member of your family. I am a dual citizen and it would tear my family apart at the seams if I was arrested in the other country. It is not right to take away the rights and freedoms given to us by our courts and our international courts and then scoff at them.

He may be an American and an Iranian but he is a human being and an American citizen.

To belittle him and his family does nothing for your image. It only provokes others.

Wars were started over women in older days, because they did not have as many religious differences. What is so striking is that mankind has progressed as far as a spinner on a table top, teetering to the edge.

If the US uses this to go to war then it is only an excuse. The real threats from Iran are in their treatment of their own people that are held captive inside of the country. It is not the nuclear threat that so many keep harping on. It is their inhumanity toward their own citizens and everyone who believes differently than they do.

tom111: I say, whether you are talking about the President of the United States, or of a hobo living in the woods, a citizen is a citizen and THERE CAN BE NO SUCH THING as "blowing this out of proportion" when it comes to how we defend a US citizen, or seeking retribution for his murder at the hands of these vile deranged pigs. I can only hope the next US citizen they seize and sentence to execute is YOUR father, brother, or son. If this man dies, then we need to start carpet-bombing, and keep it up until he comes back to life. Got it?

The place should have been turned into a glass parking lot 32 years ago. But it's not too late.

Can we at least shoot some missiles at them or something?

I can't believe their are idiots in this country who actually think what Iran says is true,are you kidding me?

Anyone gets caught in Iran today with as much as a Kodak Camera, the same will happen to you!

As for Tom and Mike the two pansy's, it must be easy for you to agree that one of your fellow citizens get executed so long as it's not you, huh!

He may be an American and an Iranian but he is a human being and an American citizen.

To belittle him and his family does nothing for your image. It only provokes others.

You've just restored my faith in human intelligence. :)

Devils son you took my words.

What was this former marine doing in hostile territory? Does he think that just because we bailed out the other tourists we will do it again? Did he clear his trip with the state department or did he not know how to read his GPS and hike across the border (sarcasm)

PLEASE don't send another dollar to Iran to free this fool. Yes I feel for his family but how many times have we got to pay before we learn? Set an example not only for people thinking we will pay for their adventures but to Iran that we won't play the $$$$ for people who can't read the signs that say "Americans will be violated then shot."

Tom111 – What story are you reading exactly? I didn’t see anything about "going to war" anywhere in this article, and to my knowledge no country in history, including our own, has EVER gone to war to save a captured asset. Spies on both sides know going into it that death is a likely outcome of getting caught. We have certainly executed our own share of spies and traitors here in the States. Of course we don’t accuse them of "plotting against God" before we do it – I just had to laugh when I read that bit. Anyway you are probably right that Iran will still be there thousands of years from now but it will cease to be a threat to anyone long, long, before that without us doing a thing. The hardliners will die off eventually, more reasonable minds will prevail, and the people will choose their own leaders. All countries "mature" (psychologically speaking) over time.

I am not a blood thirsty person but I hope that when we ‘catch” an Iranian on our soil, spying on our nation, we show him the same amount of mercy Mr Hekmati received in Iran.

When America's CIA secretly assassinate disloyal American citizen living abroad

I spoke out against that... Over and Over again. Only Leftist I remember coming out on my side was Paul Tenny. So, I'm going to say that the left don't have a problem with killing Americans as long as the head Coach of their football team is calling the orders. At least that is what I was to conclude by the nice and wonderful Newsvine Leftist League who seemed to be cheer leading the measure... except of course Paul Tenny who I praised for not switching their stance depending on who was or wasn't the President.

Iran certainly has every right to assassinate an American citizen charged as a spy.

And we have every right to go over there and kicking there living mother@!$%#ing ass for doing so. I hope the U.S. begins taking that Pledge on our Passports a little more seriously. Those who have a Passport can now bring it out and read it and those who can't need to go out and get one. Yeah, that means you keyboard warrior.

You TeaPatriots can all breathe easy - Obama just doesn't wage unjust, immoral wars to boost his own ego and prop up the industrial war machine you so dearly cling to...

All of these negative Iranian stories making the headlines recently. Looks like the US has their war propaganda machine in motion. Just like all of the lies they fed us about Iraq and their WMDs, which they never found. So they can control the worlds oil supply. When are the American people going to wise up. Spend American tax payers money, and American lives for oil interests.

I see people attacking the left on here, about hostile dictator killing millions (exaggerated number) but we never hear righty talk about the millions killed in non oil producing countries. Funny how the lives of the murdered in oil producing countries hold a higher value than those who live in non oil producing countries. And what about the innocents the US killed in Iraq?

89.9, Yes but I expect you would be the first one to holler about collateral damage. I'll bet you even knock Truman for Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Can you not understand that this is our strong suit in politics both homewise and international. We kick everything around, sometimes for far to long, before acting, but in politics haste truly makes waste. Thank your lucky stars that we have 530 minds mulling over a lot of decisions instead of one lest we repeat Hitler's and Saddam's and Khadify's fate. We have survived and prospered and proved to be man's crowning glory not because of any one man, but because we have so many scratching, pulling and tugging in so many directions which makes our progress slow but sure and enduring. Its a good thing I'm not in charge, I probably would have made Iran a parking lot in 1979, and history would have ultimately proved me wrong. The difference in me and you is I know I'm not qualified to make ultimate decisions, no one man is. Better to have 530 semi idiots trying to figure out what to do than anyone man who might be wrong.

Can we at least shoot some missiles at them or something?

Hey, last week we had the perfect opportunity to let some smelly, dirty Iranian thugs on a boat sit and rot. Too bad we blew it.

Damn! Is it really so hard for some of you people to understand?????

Let's look at the facts from the article, because some seem to not actually read anything but headlines and start making comments based off of that.

1. He got caught by Iranian authorities.

2. The dude ADMITTED to being a spy!

3. They sentenced him to death.

It ain't rocket science people! I would hope our government would do the same if they captured an admitted Iranian spy.

It's amazing, it is this governments policy that, WE DO NOT NEGOTIATE WITH TERRORIST'S, or those that support terrorist act's, even if a U.S. citizen is held hostage, but we saw that in the last fiasco with those 3 stupid students who somehow lost their way and ventured into Iranian territory.

Common sense dictates:

1. If the United States is in conflict with a country (any country) that supports ideals that are not in the interest's of the other nation's of this world, of course we will be the whipping dogs and be the first to cause discord. And with such instances we as American citizens are not to enter countries of this type, or we above all should at least use common sense not to.

2. If you are mentally dysfunctional you should not enter said countries, nor if you have been in the military even think of entering such countries, as you will be, if they take you as prisoner, and suspected as a spy. Hence which was the fate of the 3 students when they were captured ( suspected spies, C.I.A. remember).

3. If you are caught the best thing for you not to do is (this is where common sense comes in) not even mention you were ever in the military. Only a idiot would tell of his military excursion's, nor state they had special training in intelligence, such as this schmuck did here.

4. If you have family in these countries, it's safer to send a letter, or use email, as I am sure that they have the internet, or cell phone towers.

5. Common sense, if you do go to these countries, a smart thought is don't pull out a camera, or snap a shot of the local life with your smart phone, more than likely if you are spotted, you will be harassed, you will be slammed against some hard object, and this is almost a given you will more than likely meet a really big hairy man in a dark place that you never ever want to be, and his intent will be to get information on to the why you were in the country in the first place.

Lastly, it's best if you are of a person of decent from these countries, and can speak the language, and know the customs, blend in, do what every one else does, keep to yourself, keep your eyes down, don't stare at the police on the corners( they have guns), and most of all you don't travel to these areas in time of conflict or tensions, it's just not done.

So what we should have learned here is either that this person is probably indeed working for the C.I.A., and was not that well trained, because he was stupid or did something stupid and was caught, or he wanted maybe to defect, and was arrested to look like he was caught, and putting him to death is a way to cover his integration into their society, as a spy for them, and he would have a bounty full of information to give in as so much as equipment, satellite's, techniques used in order to retrieve information that is gleaned when they do obtain it. What transpires in the next weeks or month's will tell on what truly is the deal with this individual, but again common sense here, he was aware what happened to the 3 students a year ago, so he should have knew going in that the threat risk level was HIGH. DUH!!

SO what does this say about his parents, or his own intelligence, since he was college schooled? That no matter how much college or training, if you still have sh*t for brains, common sense will not help you no matter what situation you get yourself in, because you still have sh*t for brains.

I spoke out against that... Over and Over again. Only Leftist I remember coming out on my side was Paul Tenny. So, I'm going to say that the left don't have a problem with killing Americans as long as the head Coach of their football team is calling the orders.

Joining an enemy force as a combatant and engaging in hostilities against American citizens and allies, especially as a high-ranking officer or official, is considered to be a de-facto resignation of citizenship.

There are a variety of things that one can do which results in the loss of citizenship, those listed in official US-code are 'gray area' types of infractions which require an overt statement of intent. The wording of US-code though says the list of infractions only 'includes' those gray-areas... which indicates that such OBVIOUS intent as shown by Anwar need not be spelled out since it is so far beyond the requirements for loss of citizenship.

why on gods earth would you go to Iran...If you can geta ticket in the grandmothers can geta ticket out

Okay, so a couple of thoughts here:

I didn't in the article read ANY denial by the State Department or the Military.

What the HELL WAS HE THINKING if he was innocent. He is a marine!!?? And he goes to a hostile country like nothing is going to happen!!!??? Come on. I'd be sad at another senseless (because this stupid pseudo war is senseless) death, but come on. I'm not in the military. I wasn't born here (I migrated) and I STILL wouldn't go to Iran if I had family there. We'd have to meet or Kuwait or something.

And for all of you outraged that Iran arrested this guy...remember what we did to Japanese-Americans during WWII - you know, people born here that just happened to have Japanese ancestry...so chill with the double standard.

It will be interesting to see what Obama does about this.

I am postponing my hiking trip to Iran

2. The dude ADMITTED to being a spy!

3. They sentenced him to death.

It ain't rocket science people! I would hope our government would do the same if they captured an admitted Iranian spy.

Everyone admits to being a spy if that is what they wish you to do. Our government would not do the same...we have 20 million people in this country whome we know nothing about.

You better go back to rocket science school.

momus2009,

Just where did the article say he admitted to being a spy? I see he admitted to receiving "special training" He is a translator so YES he probably did receive training. Just about every GI who graduates basic goes to school to receive training in some specialty. He supposedly admitted on PLANNING to say Iran was supporting terrorists abroad. That is pretty much the USA party line. His mistake was he entered Iran in the first place and opened his mouth once he was detained.

Please get your facts straight no matter what side of the debate you are on.

Any American entering a nation KNOWN to be at odds with the USA deserves what they get. Sort of like smearing yourself with blood and jumping into shark infested waters.

Being honest here, what if the man was a spy? The fact that we hate Iran so much probably mean we have plenty there. As much as nobody wants the man to be a spy, he may be. Put it this way, because of the lack of evidence either way, there two options here. 1) He is a spy, 2) he isn't a spy. both are equally as likely.

We should give the Iran government the prisoners at via Guantanamo in fact give them all our murderers and Peds.

Just another way for Iran to "toy" with us along with their nuclear program.

kill all "a;-quuds" forces captured in iraq and afghanistan

al-quds forces.....iranian republican gaurds......kill them all. if we captured you in iraq you need to be execute.

.

.

allah auakbar mahmood......death to mahmood ahmadenigad and the whole iranian regime.

we will support the kids in iran.....they will win.....then they will hang you mahmood.

As much as nobody wants the man to be a spy, he may be.

My thinking, too. I hate to think he's being unjustly sentenced, but I don't know what the evidence is in the case. The article says he claims to have been working for the CIA. I'm sure the CIA will deny it just as adamantly as the Iranians claim it's true. Either way, sorry, but it's not worth a war.

Tom,

I'd settle for a half a million dollar cruise missile at the next convening of Iran's ruling powers. No need for an invasion.

Good logical post Kenith C.

1. If he was workin for da Agency, G-d bless him and give his family a million if they wack him.

2. If he wasn't workin for the Agency then he is one dumb individual and deserves what the Iranians want to do with him.

Kornfed and trust....You two are what's wrong with the educational system in this country. C'mon man! Read the article people.

The dude ADMITTED he was "appointed to break into Iran's intelligence system" on Iranian State TV back in December and by those standards, whether the United States government sent him to do it or not, whether he really was trying to do it or not, the idiot ADMITTED to crimes against Iran which are punishable by death. What part of that don't you two understand? You people are impossible!!!!!

Some things will never change...I remember as a kid in the late seventies or early eighties, radio stations played, "Bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran." It was a parody to the Beach Boys, "Barbra Ann." I wonder if it will be revived?

What are people talking about war for? Were not going to war over this.

At the most...the reverend Jessie Jackson, Hillary Clinton and maybe others will make a (probably useless) attempt at having him released.

This isnt the first time a U.S. spy or falsely accused U.S. spy have been put to death.

The key piece here is Iran doesn't give a @!$%# about the truth or finding it. Human rights are beyond despotic regimes.

Waht I thought the U.S. did negotiate with terrorists, afterall Reagan did in 1979 with Iran to hold the hostages until after he was elected president. (Iran-Contra) was their pay off.... So unAmerican are the republicans.

HotTicket (post 1.24) That is exactly what crossed my mind. Just last week we rescued two kidnapped Iranian sailor crews and liberated one of their ships from Somali pirates...gave them medical attention , food and their ship back..allowed them freedom to return safely home. The Iranian government called it a "humanitarian act". (Closest thing we'll ever get to a "thank you".)

OK...good enough, so now we hear this......actually, the whole world is taking notes. America....good enought to rescue Iranians from pirates....and Iran, murdering an American for visiting grandmothers....

I imagine that if there are any countries that had qualms about sanctions against Iran, this would be a big deciding factor....

My sincere and heartfelt best wishes go out to the family of this Marine, and for his safe return home. Semper fi.

The U.S. government has called on Iranian authorities to grant Swiss diplomats access to him in prison. The Swiss government represents U.S. interests in Iran because the two countries don't have diplomatic relations. Hekmati is a dual U.S.-Iranian national. Iran considers him an Iranian since the country's law does not recognize dual citizenship. It is not clear exactly when he was arrested. Iranian news reports have said he was detained in late August or early September. Hekmati's father, Ali, said in a December interview with The Associated Press, that his son was a former Arabic translator in the U.S. Marines who entered Iran about four months earlier to visit his grandmothers. At the time, he was working in Qatar as a contractor for a company "that served the Marines," his father said, without providing more specific details. Read more: http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2104013,00.html#ixzz1iyCwoaoW

Besides, maybe Iran has their own NDAA laws making it OK to jail and kill their own.

First: If he was a spy, then we should do everything possible, including war, to get our operative out. If he was not a spy, then we should, do nothing. Iran is a country we are continually warned against going to. If an individual makes a choice to go where the State Department tells them not to, then the U.S. should have no responsibility to get them out.

Second: Why are so many assuming that ending these wars (not saying I like them) is going to help the economy? By cutting defense spending and the size of the Army and Marines, we are going to be flooding the hurting job market with thousands of former Soldiers and Marines. The private sector will have to dramatically cut back on jobs as well. Companies like Boeing, Lockheed, GE, Northrup Grumman, and hundreds others will not need workers if they are not building weapons. World War II was what ended the Great Depression, not any of FDRs policies.

Hey, I don't like war either, but it seems to me that the defense sector is the only thing holding our country up economically right now.

We should sentence all foreign spies to death as well. Including those who spy for Israel.

"Although I was appointed to break into Iran's intelligence systems and act as a new source for the CIA, I had no intention of undermining the country," Fars quoted Hekmati as saying. Current and former U.S. government officials told Reuters in November that Iran had succeeded in uncovering the identities of several CIA informants.

Do some research people.

Ahh more leverage for Iran

Perhaps we should start abducting Iranian citizens and charging them with erroneous charges as well.

Or, start to up our language towards Iran and play the brinkmanship game with them. They have a lot more to lose than we do at this point.

We do not need to invade, just take away some of their toys.

Yeah, like there are ANY credible 'reports' coming out of Iran.

Send in S.T. 6 to extract him, then follow their exit route with napalm. Hasten their introduction to their 'virgins'.

But of course, this will never happen. The life of a Marine means absolutely NOTHING to the current administration. The only thing coming out of the District of Corruption will be"You better NOT do that... or we'll... we'll... say more bad things about you... YEAH, THAT'S what we'll do!!!"

RE: #1.30

It will be interesting to see what Obama does about this.

Start warming up Air Force One to go back to Hawaii.

Seriously? Has any real spy ever admitted to being a spy? Aren't they all out visiting Grandmammy, or hiking? There isn't a one viner naive enough to believe the US has no spies in Iran. Maybe they're actually right!

Wow, some of you are really dense, just fall for all the propaganda countries like Iran spew! I would guess without being an Iranian affairs expert that Iran engages in torture, that being said, aren't most of you the ones that have come on here claiming that torture does not work and that it makes people just give wrong information, in other words lie so that the torture stops, so if that would be the case, then this individual would more then likely say what ever he has to so that they stop torturing him! Oh wait a minute please don't tell me there are some of you that believe Iran would not torture him?

Momus, he admitted to being a spy, it ain't Rocket science, so it's a slam dunk after all, the Iranians have to be telling the truth, I think you should do some catching up on Iran before making such a stupid comment on someones life!

Obama doesn't think on his own. He has to ask his puppeteer what to do. Knowing his handler, he will not do anything.

"Ok he got a death sentence. It is a tragedy, but that is not an excuse to spend another 1 trillion dollar for another country to topple Iran."

How far would you want the US to go and much would you want to spend if it was your child?

@Ken 1.15...When you say we have executed "our share" of spies, to whom do you refer? I can only remember john Andre, Benedict Arnold's Brit go-between, who was hanged (during war) and the Rosenburgs (again, a wartime crime). I'm sure you have many others in mind. Please elucidate. (Movie characters not acceptable!)

Well if he really is guilty of "waging war on god" well then that's pretty serious. That's right up there with corruption of a Bigfoot and misuse of pixie dust.

When in Rome................

This is a sad state of affairs but the young man could have stayed home, going to a place like Iran now is tricky business for anyone especially someone coming from America. As to whether or not he deserves the death penalty we'll probably never know all the facts, if in fact he was a spy.......case closed, the risk goes with the territory!

However, I wouldn't bet the farm he's guilty, this is definitely a face card for the Iranian's to draw in an ongoing poke hand with the USA>

lets just go and find some iranian diplomats to kidnap

Well Momus (and many others out there), "admitting" to anything while in Iranian custody doesn't mean squat. You would admit to being a "real" man if tortured for endless hours and days by a people who have specialized in torture for thousands of years! Their torture is none of this weak ass water boarding crap either, its the real deal, indescribable acts! Whether he is or is not a spy is of no consequence, The US government needs to do everything in its power to save him! If he truley is a spy, then Iran has the right to execute him and the US has the duty and obligation to protect him, by any means necessary (including military action)!

As a soldier you are property of the US government, and are privy to its full protection. Our government sent him there to get information in the interest of national security, not like he had a choice in the matter, once you sign up you do as your told. This is a concept many Americans know nothing about, they just sit their fat lazy asses on the chair/couch behind the keyboard (keyboard warrior, I like that phrase) and speak like they know something about foreign policy and what it takes to keep our country safe and allow you to play the video games you so love to play! The majority of Americans don't have a clue about what its takes to be a soldier. To put your life on the line every minute of every day, watching your friends/brothers die infront of you, and just keep driving on because thats what soldiers do! Most of you on here would know very little of what it takes to be a true patriot, when a soldier/agent gets caught, for citizens to say "thats too bad but not worth going to war for" well,let me ask you, what is worth going to war for if not to save American lives? Many of our country's elite fighting forces live and die behind the idea of "never leave a man behind". This concept is beyond many of yours conprehension, and i'm not trying to put anyone down, you just haven't lived and practiced it. It means that we are willing to give up our lives and the lives of every member of your unit just to only bring home the body of our brother in arms, to sacrafice every one of our lives to bring a sons body home for his mother/wife/child. If thats what it takes to bring this soldier home from Iran (dead or alive), then so be it.

Many of you won't agree, you won't agree because you were never a soldier, are not a true patriot, it might interfere with your ever so important miserable day-to-day exhistance, or heaven forbid raise gas prices so it costs more to get to McDonalds to get your double quarter pounder with cheese!!! I'm not saying to rush to war, but I am saying rush to save this man, this human, this soul, this SOLDIER who has risked his life to save yours!! US government, if you're looking for volunteers, I'll be the first to go!!!

I just did a search of his name + jew jewish. Seriously the 3 hikers in Iraq that wandered over the border to Iran where jewish , and now this guy who was in military intelligence. Jews only make up .2% of the population so the chance that all 4 where jewish is 1/125000. There is a jewish population in Iran that is not zoinist, but they are more like the hellenistic jews that the orthodox jews in the slaughter celebrated as hanuka.

everyone look! this man was born and raised in this country. went too school in this country and joined one of this countries finest fighting force;US MARINES!

now i hope the idiots in Washington get this right,this man life depends on it. i know people out there will say another trillion dollars spent to get him. now, as marine that has retired,i will be glad to sign up too help get him. Marines never leave Marines behind. this guy went home too see his grandmothers.he does not deserve this from some rag tag people whom refuses to let its country come into the new century.

the president better get it right with this guy. lets get this guy out and put a stop too these fools over there,put the might of the usa on them to get him. hit this country with anything that can carry a missle!

time has come and is at the door too put up or shut up!

NOW, I KNOW THERE WILL BE LOTS WHOM DO NOT AGREE WITH ME OR CAN NOT SEE WHAT I AM SAYING; TOO YOU I DO NOT GIVE A RATS ASS!

SEMPER FI

DANNY P

USMC RETIRED

Max108.

What a fine patriot you are. ..coming all this way-not to defend a fellow american that served as a marine, but rather to troll flame along your highway of hate to foist your anti-israel rant. Obviously reason does not fuel your passion. I am sorry that life somehow delivered a blow to you that leaves you feeling that you have no appparent recourse than to assuage your emotions by hating Jews, Israel etc.

Iran is going to kill an American hero- a Marine. Too bad grandmama doesn't live in Isarel.

ixor,

I looked back and the only post I saw from Max108 was the one on executing all spies. That did not seem very anti-Israel or anti-Semitic to me. He just mentioned to treat them all the same. We know Israel has spies in America, spying on us. Many nations do. His point was that even an ally that spies on us, is gathering information to possibly use against us. Allies are only allies as long as it is in their best interest.

I'd settle for a half a million dollar cruise missile at the next convening of Iran's ruling powers. No need for an invasion.

If the Supreme Court of the USA was the problem, what good would it do to destroy the Congress? Perhaps their system is structured in such a way as to keep their politicians somewhat blind to military activities. Again, what good comes from killing ignorant politicians, rather than those truly in power over there.

Sadly, it has become rather clear how the people/population can be lead by their collective nose -- both here in the USA, as well as in Iran.

The truth of the matter is, we're supposed to be HELPING Iran build its nuclear power technology. It's not that we 'may' help them, but the wording of the treaty is 'shall'. That's why they agreed to it in the first place! In exchange for not producing nuclear weapons, the nuclear powers agreed to help non-nuclear signers build up their nuclear power infrastructure.

@ Patriot9/74

Well Momus (and many others out there), "admitting" to anything while in Iranian custody doesn't mean squat. You would admit to being a "real" man if tortured for endless hours and days by a people who have specialized in torture for thousands of years!

So you're admitting that water boarding was nothing more than useless torture?

Their torture is none of this weak ass water boarding crap either, its the real deal, indescribable acts!

Easy to say sitting at your computer in your comfortable home. You really think that the US is second to anyone in the torture business. Get real.

We can send in a S.E.A.L. team to rescue this guy. No need for a full scale war with citizens who have nothing to do with this.

Something tells me that we will never get the whole story on this.

And if any of us were in that cell, we would care less about the cost of getting us out. Same goes if it was one of your family members.

Iran has been doing their best to start a confrontation with the US. And from what has been reported, we have done what we could to avoid it.

Sooner or later, it will happen thou. And when it does, it will be messy, cost a fortune, and many lives will be lost in the process.

Its a loose loose situation, and Iran keeps pushing the Loose button.

What happens when it does start, will depend on which countries side with Iran, and which ones do not. Any country that gets their oil cut off will probably side with Iran.

You do the math, nobody is going to win in any of this.

@ Tom F. Id agree with you except North Korea and China must've missed that memo. Not all countries will mature. true totalitarianism can only be defeated by an outside source. Of course Iran's grip is more akin to a cat with yarn, while china and russia have a death grip on their people.

Im tired of hearing this BS about Jews. Jews this, Jews that. All you Islamic bastards need to look in the mirror and understand that a crusade will occur when you murder and oppress peace loving ppls. what peace you say!? last time i checked, israelis weren't crossing the border into palestine to wreak havoc with rockets, IEDs and terror. Go back to Iran Morons!

BTW army 385. max 108 could've left it @ all spies. but he had to mention Israel, not mexico, not canada, not china, not britain...Israel. seems a little biased to me.

I'm with you Patriot9/74! I'm a Veteran myself these idiots don't understand jack, unpatriotic bastards that will agree with any of these jack a s s countries, unless of course it was their hide or one of their kids, bunch of cowards!

This is for the fools that are questioning mine and so many others line of thinking on this page. Military veteran here that has served 3 tours on the front lines. Rank, name, serial#. Anything else comes out your mouth if captured by the enemy, then you put the lives of other Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen and other DoD officials lives at risk. You do it and you deserve what you get! It's that simple and if you disagree with that, then you're not much of a "patriot" after all.

While your service to your country is honorable and I'm sure everyone is grateful for your three tours of frontline service and can't imagine what that is like, I just have to ask one question - were you captured and tortured by the enemy during that time?

His heritage has NOTHING to do with it. If he is a U.S. citizen we should act accordingly. Reward this man in the best way possible by doing everything possible to get him back on U.S. soil. Actually, if it is true that he was getting intelligences for the U.S. (regardless of his residency status) the U.S. should have the same care as if he were a U.S. citizen. If the U.S. didn't do that, what incentive/inspiration would ANYONE else have to "report" to/for the U.S. ?

You must not be American. The US will fight full strength for this man, he was born and raised here and is a full right citizen, regardless of his ancestry. All Americans didn't come over on the Mayflower, yet America just rescued Iranian hostages at sea not considering them less worthy of living. Got it?

The US is not in the habit, nor should it get in the habit, of bailing out citizens who violate the laws of other nations. Paying "bail" for yet another "lost hiker" sets a precedent. That precedent taken to the extreme means we should be bailing out the pedophiles in Thailand.

I'm wondering if he or his family is of the Islamic faith and not because I do not like it as a faith but merely to address the fact that if they do practice that religion, how do they reconcile the fact that he is being tried under the so called guidelines of that faith. I am thinking that Iran would more than likely want to get rid of one of its older citizens, why didn't they send for the grandmother instead of him visiting her. I don't know if he was sent to spy on Iran or not, but I would be suspicious of an Iranian citizen coming to America to "visit" a relative. There is some commonsense logic which is not being explained in this report. I don't have any connection to the American intelligence community and have been out of the army for fifty years but I know I wouldn't visit anyone of the two dozen Countries on the State Departments watch list. I stopped going to Mexico three years ago, just as a Joe Blow tourist. I'll also bet a lot of Moslem's are watching and waiting for the other shoe to drop, because there is a stark difference in the Iranian Islamic system of jurisprudence than in the American system. In the final analysis Iran's show trial will convince a lot of our Arab brothers that America has it hands down when it comes to Countries to live in. Iran's high handed death sentence will do more to hurt Islam than anything we can say about it.

saeid...WRONG!

This man is most likely a spy and let's remember the backward Islamic regime executes women for adultery,having said that we owe this man all our diplomatic efforts to free him and if necessary bribe or pay a fine. War would be stupid as we have spies all around the world and it is a risky business.

Bobl head - WRONG!!! You get a month of detention in the library as you research and write a 10,000 word paper on terrorism and the other human attrocities performed during the last 5000 years in the name of Allah.

Saeid - RIGHT!!! You get a green star and a seat at the front of the class.

I just did a search of his name + jew jewish. Seriously the 3 hikers in Iraq that wandered over the border to Iran where jewish , and now this guy who was in military intelligence. Jews only make up .2% of the population so the chance that all 4 where jewish is 1/125000. There is a jewish population in Iran that is not zoinist, but they are more like the hellenistic jews that the orthodox jews in the slaughter celebrated as hanuka.

Mark T.

haha very nicely put. You're obviously a good teacher or would make one. Saeid is exactly correct while Bobl head is obviously very confused on the situation.

Hey Mark, perhaps you should study all the terrorism that has gone on in the name of Christianity and Judism. This is about spies and Iran, not Islam.

Five thousand years? Really?

If the man was spying for another country, as claimed, he should be treated as a traitor. If he was willling to fabicate tales of Iranian involvment in terrorism, as claimed, which would potentially bring great harm to Iran, he should be dealt with as a traitor. He is also a citizen of Iran and traitor is worse than a spy.

the white house better get off their butt and do the right thing to get back this Marine as soon as possible. the h@@@ with long drawn out talks, lets get him now!

SEMPER FI

DANNY P

Why do we take so much crap from these little crazy ass countries for? I say enough is enough, we need to take action now before its to late.

Wait, you mean if you work for another country against a country in a war, join same country's intelligence organization and then return to that country for a 'friendly family visit' they might suspect you or even try you for treason? What? That makes no sense!

Maybe death is a bit much but that's their law. Seriously, what was this guy thinking? How would we feel if someone with dual citizenship who worked for a terrorist organization that actively fought against 'allied' soldiers and then worked in Iranian Intelligence came over here for a 'friendly family visit'? Would we be crazy to suspect they might be trouble? We might not execute them but I bet they'd find a room in Guantanimo Bay in the middle of the night pretty quickly.

War's a pretty ugly business. When you join it you can't complain when the cards don't play to your favor. I'm sorry for the guy, it sucks, but it's a bit naive to not think this might happen. I can only hope the CIA didn't send him there, because that would mean they are accountable.

My freedom as a US citizen doesn't depend on the CIA or all these damned crazy actions by our military establishment. I have to wonder who is really benefiting from our presence in the middle east.

kcolmore, "we?" I'm not taking any 'crap' from any country. In fact, when I went to Starbucks today I didn't see any Iranians waving AK-47's around at all. And if you feel so strongly about it all perhaps you should go over to Iran and do something about it, or at least join the military. I already did my stint in the military and after having some experience of my own I think we have no business or real need doing most of the things we do overseas. Guys like you would have fired missiles at the former USSR. But what happened to the USSR? Or even better, what happened to our war with Communism? Did we 'win'? When you consider China is our largest trade partner and we are in massive debt to them AND that they are still a Communist regime then can you tell me what the Red Scare, the Vietnam War, the Reagan military build up (Star Wars initiative), the Eastern Bloc spying and counterspying was all about? How many people died and were tortured just so we could end up trade partners with those who supplied the Vietnamese? How many will die just so we will eventually end up trade partners with Iran?

And if you don't see that day of trade with Iran coming, trust me, that day will come. For all their crazy religious ideological 'leadership' imposed upon them they still have a very educated populace that can work for much cheaper wages than the same educated professionals work for over here. Tech companies will be contracting out of there by 2030, perhaps even as soon as 2020. Then who will remember all those who've died in Iran and Afghanistan, much less all the 'intelligence' work of the CIA and NSA?

Iran is really pushing it here, they are relly asking for war against us!!

Charged for "Corruption on Earth" and a "War against God?"

Is he going to plea bargain down to witchcraft and minor heresy?

WTF is wrong with that little country? We might as well be looking at charges levied by the Spanish Inquisition in the 1500's!

Ok people, THIS is why we need to stop buying oil!

We could put these lunatics right back into the bronze-age where they deserve, instead of them building up a modern military and parading around in diamond-encrusted Rolls Royces

@ProudNeighbor

It will be precisely his heritage that the U.S. may blunder into a quagmire without thinking through how best to play with this outright provocation. A white Anglo-Saxon American would not get the attention nor help from the State Department because they will be accused of being bias. If one is an African-American, Arab-American, Bangladesh-American, Chinese-American, Ethiopian-American, Indian-American, Indonesian-American, etc., one would be afforded unfair preference. But not if one is a "white" American. This is political insanity that is rampaging throughout Western Europe and the United States.

Having said that, Iran, the subject matter, is asking for trouble, given that Saudi Arabia has already been plotting and prodding the U.S. to take military actions against that oligarchy of ayatollahs and would even provide the financial incentives. It is touch-and-go whether Mr Obama might do a pre-emptive re-arrangement of the status quo, and do away with the nuclear threat in the process.

u.s. psy-ops putting out a lot of hate iran crap in media prepping you flag waivers for jew s. a. attack coming...you've seen it all before wma's...outrages... blockades...savage tyrants... it's too bad iran didn't execute the hiker trio/spies last year...get ready for $8 -$9 gas as soon as attack happens,most likely in oct.

This man is probably not a "spy" and Iran probably considers all Americans to be agents of the US government but it was the man's fault for traveling to a hostile nation. All Americans should say out of Iran or they would obviously risk execution.

No the saying goes. "No good deed goes unpunished."

If you are caught with drugs in some Asian countries - you get the death sentence. If you are caught spying in some countries - you get the death sentence.

It doesn't matter if you are an American or not, you need to heed the laws in the countries you travel to.

Abelioscruxthymn...(#3).....

They weren't sailors....they were fishermen......The entire Iranian Navy was just a short distance away conducting their make believe closing of the Straits of Hormuz....They couldn't do it??

We've known Iran had this guy for quite some time .......Obama should have had the Iranian fishermen arrested and charged with spying on the U.S.Navy and sentenced them to death......then we could trade prisoners....Diplomacy at its finest.

If only Barry would have kept his 2008 Campaign promise and had those face to face pow-wow's with Achmdinnerjacket, we wouldn't be having all those problems with Iran.....The Cairo speech obviously succeeded in having the rest of the Middle East fall in love with America......(sarcasm: off)

Mike in Delray

Abelioscruxthymn...(#3).....

They weren't sailors....they were fishermen......The entire Iranian Navy was just a short distance away conducting their make believe closing of the Straits of Hormuz....They couldn't do it??

We've known Iran had this guy for quite some time .......Obama should have had the Iranian fishermen arrested and charged with spying on the U.S.Navy and sentenced them to death......then we could trade prisoners....Diplomacy at its finest.

If only Barry would have kept his 2008 Campaign promise and had those face to face pow-wow's with Achmdinnerjacket, we wouldn't be having all those problems with Iran.....The Cairo speech obviously succeeded in having the rest of the Middle East fall in love with America......(sarcasm: off)

Why do you guys insists on calling him barry? Did you know that was hes nickname growing up? You must love the president so much that you call him by hes name growing up.

I thought his name was AHMADININGONMYTORTUREVICTIMS.

Barry = Barack .. I knew a few Muslims when I lived in Texas and they like to play with their names.. One guy called himself Rodger but his name was Raja.. He had 2 wives and one would call him Makmood.. People with 10 different names as the mood suits them and you wonder why us Yankees don't trust them..

Well I guess everybody knows him by a different name. I thought it ahmadinewackjob.

According to the Koran it is a sin and a crime against Islam to consort with Zionist, Christians or any other religion under penalty of death.. It is also a sin to take a name that is not of Islamic/Muslim tradition as you would be considered a consort of infidels.. This also is punishable by death, kind of a theme in the Koran.. What else would you expect Islam is a cult... Barry just wanted to look good for Amajihaddi..

I just did a search of his name + jew jewish. Seriously the 3 hikers in Iraq that wandered over the border to Iran where jewish , and now this guy who was in military intelligence. Jews only make up .2% of the population so the chance that all 4 where jewish is 1/125000. There is a jewish population in Iran that is not zoinist, but they are more like the hellenistic jews that the orthodox jews slaughtered, now celebrated as hanuka.

Roadrunner- the koran allows muzzies to lie to infedels(any one not them) or to promote islam. Keep in mind they worship a guy who had multiple wives under 10 years old.

Its called Taqiyya-Falsehoods told to prevent the denigration of Islam, to protect oneself, or to promote the cause of Islam are sanctioned in the Qur'an and Sunna, including lying under oath in testimony before a court, deceiving by making distorted statements to the media such as the claim that Islam is a “religion of peace”. A Muslim is even permitted to deny or denounce his faith if,in so doing, he protects or furthers the interests of Islam, so long as he remains faithful to Islam in his heart.

Kind'a like our Manchurian candidate President Obama.. For that matter seems like all politicians in general.. Yep I forgot about the lie-cheat-steal clause in the Korans cultic rules of disciples behaviors.. I would think they allow small pockets of infidels in these hard line countries so they can have someone close at hand to use as bad examples and whipping boy or maybe just training objects for the keepers of the faith.. And if you look into the past of all these religions including Jewish and Christian you will find horrible atrocities that are glorified.. But many obscure them or have just cut them out completely to sanitize their modern interpretation..

where do you people get your info on islam? muhammad is not "worshipped."

Its true in Islam one can do whatever it takes to undermine the infidel's, lie ,cheat, steel, drink alcohol, any thing they want, when in Rome do as the Romain's do. Islam is a two way street, they can go whatever direction they want so long as they do it in Allah's name, Includes murder, rape, false witness, you name it. that's why we will never be able to get along with them. The only exception is women they are property and property cant think for themselves.

Roadrunner0" - So I guess NOBODY else in America has nicknames.

Or hey even screen names!
Perhaps roadrunner0 is YOUR real name?

SAEID Amajihaddi is just the puppet for the ruling Islamic cleric revolutionary council of Iran.. Or religious extremist Inc.

My name is Margaret. I'm fifty years old and most people call me Peggy. Am I being duplicitous? At any rate, roadrunner, your point becomes moot by your own statements. The fact of Mr. Obama having an 'infidel' nickname would tend to dispute the contention that he is in fact Muslim, by your own definition. People are such jerks. Makes them feel big to name call, even when the subject couldn't care less.

Probably. But as he said, he had family there. Blood is thicker than water.

They have to create a boogyman to keep their people distracted. Their government feeds the people's feeling of nationalism by claiming the world, especially the Americans, are out to get them.

We are out to get them, and he probably is a spy. So what. If Iran executes this guy it will be by far their biggest PR blunder to date. Maybe Iran feels just like Sadam Hussein just before we invaded Iraq: Recall Sadam on CNN saying something to the effect of "It doesn't matter if we deny the U.S. claims, they seem pretty much ready to invade no matter what we do." For everyone's sake, just let this poor Iran/US kid go home. He's a pawn. Executing him is the only thing that would make him important to the United States (or dare I say it, certain to be falsely labeled an anti-semite, the real party in interest, Isreal.) The Iranian leadership really needs new PR people.

Chris in all your posts you keep describing the USA. All you have to do is reverse the countries named.

Yeah! Probably waterboarded. Oh wait, that is just an enhanced interrogation technique, right? My bad!

Probably is rather a mute point, you can almost guarantee that he was tortured. Any American that has root in Iran, my advice is to stay out of the country. They will be waiting at the boarder to charge an American as a spy.

If I was a super religious person, I would say that Iran is the root of all evil in the world right now. Should we spend a lot of money on him, no if it is tax payers money. If some private investor to buy his freedom (which they are doing this just for the money people!), then fine, we won't stop them. But tax payers money, none should be spent!

Mike-399184

I would say that Iran is the root of all evil in the world right now.

Geez. What an American thing to say. Seriously.

Iran is a beautiful country filled with nice people who lead normal lives like you and I do and who would like to be happy and have picnics and go to movies and play with their kids and hate filling out their tax forms. And who you would probably like if you actually met them.

Yes there are all kinds of problems. But look at the US! You have war mongers and societal problems and cultural weirdness as well. And if anyone want to point fingers for bomb-dropping or war-starting those fingers definitely wouldn't be pointing at Iran.

But noooooo Iran is the root of all evil. Just like Russia was. All Muslims and Communists!

Pfft. Get some perspective.

tyconaut

Nice out of context quote there.

If I was a super religious person, I would say that Iran is the root of all evil in the world right now.

The reality is that Iran is saying that very same thing about the USA.

Pfft. Get some perspective.

Some of us have perspective but obviously you are as biased towards the USA as the USA is towards Iran.

How naive of Americans to think we don't have CIA contractors and spies in Iran. Some get caught, such is the game of espionage now and in the past. This isn't new and denial is always the first step. If you don't get caught big cash rewards is the next step. I don't think people do this sort of thing anymore just for patriotism. Now that would generate sympathy!

Even worse if you where of iranian origin and jewish. I just did a search of his name + jew jewish. Seriously the 3 hikers in Iraq that wandered over the border to Iran where jewish , and now this guy who was in military intelligence. Jews only make up .2% of the population so the chance that all 4 where jewish is 1/125000. There is a jewish population in Iran that is not zoinist, but they are more like the hellenistic jews that the orthodox jews slaughtered, now celebrated as hanuka

steveaae: You've posted this 3 times. We get it, stop already or come up with something to add to the conversation!!

Ya steveaa, we got it!

I have to agree, someone like this is just asking for trouble., especially someone with a Marine background.. sheesh... It would be a lot easier for grandma to visit him in the US than the other way around.

Besides, Steveaae, you're a little mixed up about Hanukkah. Hanukkah is a celebration of a miracle of the oil lasting for the menorah in the Temple lasting after the Temple was purified following the desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes IV. Antiochus Epiphanes IV was Syrian.

Encyclopædia Britannica
Antiochus IV Epiphanes, ( Greek: "God Manifest") also called Antiochus Epimanes (the Mad) (born c. 215 bc—died 164, Tabae, Iran), Seleucid king of the Hellenistic Syrian kingdom who reigned from 175 to 164 bc. As a ruler he was best known for his encouragement of Greek culture and institutions. His attempts to suppress Judaism brought on the Wars of the Maccabees

from britannica.com

According to I Maccabees, the celebration of Hanukkah was instituted by Judas Maccabeus in 165 bce to celebrate his victory over Antiochus IV Epiphanes, the Seleucid king who had invaded Judaea, tried to Hellenize the Jews, and desecrated the Second Temple in Jerusalem. Following his victory in a three-year struggle against Antiochus, Judas ordered the cleansing and restoration of the Temple.

from britannica.com

Historical sources referring to Hanukkah include the Talmud; the Septuagint, which was completed 100 to 200 years before the birth of Christ; and the the Megillat Antiochus, which dates to between the second and the fifth centuries.

So the way I am reading this? Any Iranian, who immigrated to the U.S., pursuing better economic opportunities, and later returns to visit family, can be branded a spy against his own Country. This is a damn disgrace!

A higher Court, which translated, means the Iranian government, will in all probability stay an execution and keep him alive for propaganda purposes and or future trade potential. There is a GI of Arab origin being held also as a prisoner, and it is my guess that they both may end up being bargaining chips in some trade for a high ranking Iranian intelligence operative. Israel recently freed a couple hundred Arabs to secure the release of one Israeli soldier being held captive by Hamas. The Islamic Jihadist don't value life, to them a dead Arab is just that a dead Arab, a captured Arab is to them a dead Arab. They hold prisoners alive just for their bargaining power and propaganda potential. Arabs view our treatment of prisoners as a weakness. Islam is founded on the philosophy of take no prisoners except as slaves, which incidently was the Roman philosophy during the era of the Caesars. You can only know your enemy by studying his history. Until our leaders are schooled in this and apply this knowledge to their dealings and plans can you ever hope to overcome the type war they are waging against America.

saeid-2995079

This nothing to do with the people of Iran, Iranian people are in the side of USA as long as Obama IS NOT ON the side of AHMADINEJAD

Repeating yourself or something over and over doesn't make it true. Repeating the truth over and over without presenting a valid argument makes it blend into the rest of the background noise.

If the Iranian people support America they have a funny way of showing it, and Ahmadinejad is a puppet of the Ayatollah so why don't the people of Iran stand up against this Ayatollah?

@ D Buck-2239568

Why don't the people of Iran stand up against this Ayatollah?

They tried, they will try again.

The problem is that unlike Libya and Tunisia, Iran has a much bigger military force and NATO didn't get involved.

Iran will likely implode like the rest of these corrupt, extremist regimes, but it is going to take time, particularly in this case because religious extremists hijack a belief system to suit their agendas...to go against Iran is to go against Islam and vise versa.

I think the problem with Iran is that they already had their Arab (I know Iranians aren't Arabs) spring - back in 1979. They did stand up to their dictator (the Shah) and the current regime is the result of that revolution. The situation in Iran is completely different than the situations we're seeing in these countries with pretty much secular dictatorships. Iraq, Egypt, Libya, Syria - these countries are Islamic, but their dictators were pretty much secular. Not so with Iran.

Indeed and agreed.

But the Green-movement in Iran was certainly quite big. I think Iran is going to see a wild swing in politics as their demographics shift away from the fearful, ignorant and violent extremists in their 50's through 70's to the younger generations that are much more connected and actually have an idea how the rest of the civilized world goes about daily life...not in religious oppression or subject to arbitrary religious edicts lacking any basis in reality.

Too bad that shift is AT LEAST 30 years out...if ever

Agreed.

Agreed.

This is really going to be a trying time for Americans with families in Iran.

Out here in CA, we have a very large community of people from Iran, whether they call themselves of Persian or Iranian descent. Each and every one of them will be reconsidering whether they want to risk traveling to their families this year.

Iran is quickly becoming North Korea in terms of paranoia.

@Seriously, I know you do. My sister just worked with a Urology resident in Brooklyn from a wonderful family in LA from Iran and I can't imagine what he's feeling right now with family back there.

Double Agreed.

Kathy what if you are insulting him and he prays to Allah?

It is sad but that is exactly what we would do with a spy - we would put him/her to death. I have no doubt that he is a spy for our CIA - remember the amount of money that was announced for covert ops in Iran? Well, what did you think it was?

Kathy, you are just so naive. Do you really think we don't have spys in Iran or all other places around the globe?

They caught one of our spys, and spys are executed. Let's just be real here.

It's because of your God that the world is the way it is. So keep praying! I'm sure sooner or later that invisible man with a beard in the sky will help!

Sad part is we had an excellent inside operative in Iran until Cheney blew her cover because her husband said Iraq did not have nukes before we invaded them. Her name was Vallery Plame and was getting Irans Nuke info. for us. Thanks bungling retardican nazis......

Who's your mind controlling...I mean barber frank?

Trust- Don't worry about him praying to alli. I just did a search of his name + jew jewish. Seriously the 3 hikers in Iraq that wandered over the border to Iran where jewish , and now this guy who was in military intelligence. Jews only make up .2% of the population so the chance that all 4 where jewish is 1/125000. There is a jewish population in Iran that is not zoinist, but they are more like the hellenistic jews that the orthodox jews slaughtered, now celebrated as hanuka.

I'm glad to see this comment. We should all hope for his safe return. Either he is innocent and broke no laws and must be returned home, or he was there for our country and we owe it to him to bring him home.

I believe those insisting he was foolish to go there have no family abroad. If it were my sister captured on a trip to Korea while getting too close to the border, I would hope that all of you would want her returned safely. Oh wait, because she's a young white American college student, that makes her more valuable than a Persian-American man who served our country by translating in the marines and encouraging culturally-sensitive communication.

I would go to the ends of the earth to visit my family. If that means Iran, that means Iran. We have no reason to assume his guilt based on a corrupt legal system that denies basic human rights.

Trust_verify: I hope you understand that all Abrahamic religions believe there is one God that they all pray to. I may not believe in that God, but Kathy does, as do all Muslims.

Don't you mean Allah!

This really is sad. This American will die because America doesn't have any guts in the white house at the present time. If he has to die at least let it be because we were trying to rescue him. The Iranian government (not the Iranian people) is a world problem and we need to show the world we won't back down. We need to try and save this American and liberate the Iranian people by sending the full force of our military and stick a "Toby Keith" size boot up their ass! If we don't go over there and KNOCK THEM OUT then it won't be long before they come and bring it to us.

DRHolley, who is going to pay for that? Raise your taxes to pay for it, not mine since you want to screw with my social security I paid into for years.

this is ridiculous.

It is sad but that is exactly what we would do with a spy - we would put him/her to death. I have no doubt that he is a spy for our CIA - remember the amount of money that was announced for covert ops in Iran? Well, what did you think it was?

Are you kidding me or are yu working for the Iranian government? Oh wait, you're pointing a finger at this kid. Lest not forget, you have 3 pointing back at you.

I'm tired of all these religious idiots who have to bring their god into everything. I hope for this mans safe return, but I will not pray for it.

PRAYER DOESN'T WORK SO INSTEAD OF CLASPING YOUR HANDS WAITING FOR MAGIC SKY DADDY TO MAKE YOUR ANSWERS FALL OUT OF THE SKY WHY NOT EITHER ACCEPT THAT YOU CAN DO NOTHING OR FIND A WAY YOU CAN DO SOMETHING. I'M TIRED OF ALL THESE PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO THINK YOU'RE DOING SOMETHING BECAUSE YOU'RE CLASPING YOUR HANDS TO AN IMAGINARY MAN.

I will hope he comes to America safe, but prayer does not work.

Allah is the Arab word for God people... Sheesh.

I can't recall the US killing any spies recently, some one out their have a updated list mine is over 50 years old and ends with the Rosenthal's. all nations spy on each other that's just the way it is, but not every nation executes spies, Iran added waging war against Allah to his crimes does Iran believe Allah would need their help?

Somebody needs to clean up the mess. Better to undermine it from inside, like what happened with Libya...

OK, saeid, I'll respond now.

We did watch as the Iranian people held elections, and we saw how Ahmadinejad corrupted the elections. We saw the Iranian people rise up and protest...The wearing of the green....(made the Irish in me proud to see all that green!)...We recognise that Ahmad (etc) has held this country hostage as much as this Marine. We get it!!!!( And I admire what the Iranian people tried to do to win their democracy. ) Too bad it didn't work out for the citizens of Iran.

WE GET IT!!! Now what else can you offer for insight into this? ( Because you keep cut and pasting the same message...people think you might be a troll in disguise)

MOBSTER. I mean really. What happens after we blow up your fellow mobsters and you, because youz guyz pissed us off once too many times? Or do you think that we might just bust your knee caps instead because you're american?

America, one of the most corrupt and stupid countries in the world. CAN'T WE JUST BOMB OURSELVES AND GET IT OVER WITH?

Master...Wow...You sure have a bag of hate that you want to sell. I don't care if people pray to whatever God that they see fit. It is called freedom of religion. I do agree that if your boat is sinking that it is fine to pray to God...but for heaven's sake..row for shore while you're doing it. If you hate this country and those that practice their religion freely, why do you live here? One of your freedoms is that you are able to move around freely in this country and go to other countries if you so choose. Hate is not the answer--as is religion is not the answer to the problems in our secular nation. However, we are dealing with a country that is not secular and their political policies are tangled into a web of religion--as it suits them. We have to deal with what is--not what we want it to be. Get off the hate wagon and offer a productive solution. Allow others their right to worship or not as they choose.

Mobster; If it was politically correct they would have been taken out 30 years ago! we have no desire to bomb the people of Iran only the leaders. If a nut job was trying to push you off a cliff, would it be right to shot you to prevent him from pushing you off?

Master bob; Where in the he!! did you come from, when you decide to do a mass murder suicide please start with yourself.

Mobster

Can we just bomb this god forsaken country and get it over with?

Ha! That's real funny Mobster.

Good point they need a bargaining chip and he is it.

You only get virgins if you murder infidels while committing suicide. (they continue to twist and misuse the word "martyr" in these suicide instances).

He will not get any virgins for being put to death since he will not be a "martyr". After all, how could you possibly confuse murder / suicide with innocent but executed???

Actually, you don't really get 'Virgins' per se. Muslims believe in that the way Christians believe in harps and clouds. The only time virgins ever appear is in a single very disputed Hadith of Islam.

It's pretty much the standard 'paradise' package as far as Islam is concerned.

Still, I really can't think of any version of 'paradise' this guy could be offered right now that will make what he's going to go through easy for him.

The religious gurus of all faiths, have to have something to promise those of who are alive in an afterlife or why else would we believe. What confuses me is why are so many of them, the gurus, concerned with living the good life while they are alive at present. I may rot in hell for saying it, but to me, each man up to his ability creates his own heaven or hell while he is alive. Once you are dead if you haven't amassed a host of friends, you will be forgotten by all after the first shovel full of dirt. A man's immortality is in his remembrance of him by the friends and family he leaves behind. That's as close to heaven as any man will ever get or hell for that matter. There are no golden harps, no singing choirs, no virgins waiting, they are all right here in the here and now and widely sought after by the host of "messengers" telling us about what to expect after we are six feet under.

chefaz-1319563

You only get virgins if you murder infidels while committing suicide. (they continue to twist and misuse the word "martyr" in these suicide instances).

He will not get any virgins for being put to death since he will not be a "martyr". After all, how could you possibly confuse murder / suicide with innocent but executed???

Virgins? Infidels? From where did you pick up this nonsense?

You seem to have a lot of esoteric information to share...Please do, in Jesus name, with citations and references so as to make them authentic not just another Christian malicious lie to shame Jesus name.

Thanks...

Radical Islamic thought.

Hamzsque El Sid313!*

Virgins? Infidels? From where did you pick up this nonsense?

Either you are deliberately blinding yourself or have been living in a cave for the past 20 years. The line being fed to the Islamic suicide bombers is all about their going to Islamic heaven as a martyr and receiving their 7 or 42 virgins depending on the line being fed.

I agree it is nonsense that anyone would believe that were true.

Virgins are vastly overrated...I had one once. It was like having a cucumber and watercress sandwich at a tea party.... I had to hit McDonald's on the way home. LOL!

I just did a search of his name + jew jewish. Seriously the 3 hikers in Iraq that wandered over the border to Iran where jewish , and now this guy who was in military intelligence. Jews only make up .2% of the population so the chance that all 4 where jewish is 1/125000. There is a jewish population in Iran that is not zoinist, but they are more like the hellenistic jews that the orthodox jews slaughtered, now celebrated as hanuka. Google (black jews treatment in isreal) so see that not all look alike.

Actually, I learned (in a university class) that the text in question has a very questionable translation. The language it was written in left out key letters that would determine what a word really means. The segment about virgins is in the middle of a description of an oasis filled with fruit. The phrase most likely translates to "70 grapes" that would be given daily in heaven. It's a controversial translation. Bin Laden-style extremists would like to kill Islamic academics who suggest that it means grapes.

Hamzsque El Sid313!*

Oh, I'll share but it will not be in the name of my Savior. No "malicious Christian lies". I'll share in the name of islam.

This one for starters. Infidels? From where did you pick up this nonsense? I believe infidels starts about a minute and a half into this.

http://vimeo.com/16779150

Virgins?

http://wikiislam.net/wiki/72_Virgins

You seem to have a lot of esoteric information to share One could say that about many of your posts. Care to share???

Today's latest:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/45928572/ns/us_news-security/

Is there anything specific to Mr. Hekmati and how the government of Iran is "treating" him that you would like to say???

Thanks...

What do you do with all the virgins. ....if you are dead....!!!

Thatkrazy I would love to see the expression on their face when they find themselves stuck in a Oasis with nothing but a bowl of grapes. my message to them don't eat all your grapes at once.

Grapes??? Are you sure it wasn't "cherries?"

chefaz-1319563:

Oh, I'll share but it will not be in the name of my Savior. No "malicious Christian lies".

I'll share in the name of islam.

How come? You are a Christian. It has to be Jesus or you are a hypocrite...

This one for starters. Infidels? From where did you pick up this nonsense? I believe infidels starts about a minute and a half into this.

The relevant reference source for citations is the Noble Koran not some dubious websites and wiki...this is really absurd and silly. Try and educate yourself and differentiate between reality and make belief hate slinging. Read a book...take a course, polemic websites won't do it, as you will find should you choose to take an adult class...

"Infidel" is NOT a word used by Muslims. It is a Christian concoction, first used in the previous Crusades...more Malicious Christian Lies in the Name of the Saviour!

Lies are the de-fault position of the PaulineChristians - The Christianistas.

Have a nice day.

Great point. What Ron Paul, and Neville Chamberlain before him, fail to realize, is that the reason you concern yourself with the behavior of a despotic nation like Iran today, or Nazi Germany eighty years go, is rather simple: If a despotic nation treats its own citizens like dirt, just what sort of behavior can you expect in how they treat the rest of the world? Of course, Ron Paul doesn't give a damn what a neocon like you has to say, Mr. Levine ("con" stands for "conservative" and "neo" stands for Jewish).

Live long and prosper.

Actually, if you are old enough, and educated enough, I am sure much can be attributed to our own CIA financed puppet/dictator that ruled Iran with an iron fist for many years.

We are still paying the price for our evil actions done by the hand of the Shah of Iran.

Uneducated morons like you, who can't even pronounce Ahmedinejad without sounding like a fool, come out with both fists swinging at Dr. Paul whenever you read any news about Iran. Iran hates America because the CIA over threw their democratically elected government and installed a ruthless dictatorial monarch. The kind of blowback Dr. Paul keeps warning us all the time is what you see today, thanks to our idiotic actions 60 years ago. Deal with it.

If indeed this guy was a spy, and we sent him there...then Ron Paul is correct ! If we stayed out of Iran's business he would not have been there in the first place!

11.2, newt is spelled with an N not a Z, The fact that we didn't have a presence in Nazi Germany as an intelligence operation is what allowed many Americans to be taken in by the Aryan philosophy. The hatred of Jews is an age old philosophy fostered by the Christian Church to deflect the inadequacies of Christianity. The Hebrew people have given us many of our most modern concepts and technological advances. Because in the main they did not have a homeland to call their own, they were outsiders in most Countries up until 1948. Tolerated in some cases, second hand citizens in others. The Jews have been used as scapegoats for every Countries ills since the Roman era and even before that lest you forget Egypt. This concept of Jews being outsiders and manipulators is more or less a built in fault mechanism fostered for over two thousand five hundred years. Hitler carried it to the extreme while the world closed a blind eye to his hatred. Yet evidence exists proving that Hitler had at least one quarter Jewish blood flowing in his veins and he knew it! Jewish hatred was convient to distract the German people from their problems after a failed war, WW1, If Hitler hadn't been the leader of the German people, he would have been rounded up and sent to a concentration camp right along with the other Jews. Ironic some might say but all it really says is that Jewish persecution, is a trained, over more than two milleniums response. The Jews are no more responsible for the worlds ills than the Eskimo or the Australian aborigine. They belong in your own mind right along with every other prejudice you might have.

Ron Paul is one of the few who are not screaming for another war. He gets my vote and I want him to be an Independent candidate if he does not get the Republician vote. We have had enough of war - we simply cannot afford another trumped-up war to get a country's oil. Enough said.

what do we do, install another Shaw? Yeah that worked real good for us.....

Right on, Warren!!!

Ron Paul gave words that had less weight than Barry the Kenyan. What Iran does is treat jews sneaking into its nation like dirt after isreal killed several of its scientists, and policymakers. England condemned isreal for using fake UK passports to kill assassinate iranian citizens.

I just did a search of his name + jew jewish. Seriously the 3 hikers in Iraq that wandered over the border to Iran where jewish , and now this guy who was in military intelligence. Jews only make up .2% of the population so the chance that all 4 where jewish is 1/125000. There is a jewish population in Iran that is not zoinist, but they are more like the hellenistic jews that the orthodox jews slaughtered, now celebrated as hanuka. Google (black jews treatment in isreal) so see that not all look alike.

If this man was a spy...So what? We need all of the intel we can get out of Iran in order to make our decisions wisely. Covert ops is the name of the game and, if he was a spy, he was serving the interests of our country. You don't think Iran has spies here? How naive that thought would be. Particularly, since we have arrested clerics in our country for sending info and money to the ME. Of course there are spies here. We would be daft not to have spies in Iran and other countries--especially countries that are constantly threatening us and spoiling for a fight. I just hope this man makes it home safely and that our govt. does whatever is necessary to save him. He knew the risks to be sure, but that doesn't mean we should abandon him. Information is a very valuable commodity these days. It should not be underestimated or ignored. If we can we should save him. If we can't, we should honor him.

I'm enlisting in the Army this month. ( As a 19D, Cavalry Scout.)

...It's funny, a captain buddy of mine and I were just talking about how unlikely it is that we'll go to war.

Somehow I think you're right... but I hope you're wrong.

Israelis will be the ground forces in Iran, the US will just send drones and 5,000 tomahawks.

It's never that simple with Middle Eastern combat.

You can't just blow up their crappy towns and expect them to 'give up'. That's like threatening to make a child's room dirty if they don't do what you want. They don't care.

If Iran dropped a few missiles in your town, would that be 'THE END OF THE CONFLICT' for you or would that be just the beginning?

Think about it.

I have many Israelis friends who were in the military in Israel and from what i hear Israel and Iran have always had war. Especially with Israeli warplanes attacking secret locations in the middle of the night. Thats why i believe Israel will be leading this war. I t benefits them more than anybody else.

Our government has already deployed troops to the Middle East again. It has not been reported in the papers yet or on the internet.

October would be my bet

Jeffery #12.5

It has indeed been reported. They are there for joint Isreali/US missle drills.

alex cali

Israelis will be the ground forces in Iran

Israeli ground forces are a paper tiger, cup cake actually, as Hezbollah so effectively demonstrated, not too long ago. Killing rock throwing Palestinian children does not a soldier make...

No wonder, fearing Israel's impotence against Iranian resolve, the US has sent them 15,000troops and additional missile systems, and propped up Saudi and other Arab Military for their support and protection.

Wishful thinking and make belief is not good tactics. Only the US can face the Iranian tiger at some cost unless China and Russia decide to come out on their side - and decide that WWIII is inevitable and preemption necessary and mandatory.

Doubtful Russia or China would bother at this point. If the US faces Iran, that would not be literally face to face - it will be from the air.
If only Iran would make this easy, and attack first.

Alex the national anthem of isreal is "onward christian soldiers"

Russia would not, in no way shape or form, approve of anything threatening the security of Iran. Russia has a $5 nuclear material trade deal with Iran on top of a $1 billion annual arms sales trade. Russia makes too much money off of Iran, no way would they let anything happen.

News Flash, Chris: We are not going to war over the fate of one man, who rightly or wrongly has been convicted of espionage.

I'm sure that every possible diplomatic effort will be made to secure his release, or at least to save his life. But ultimately, his fate is in the hands of Iran.

This is a very chancy time for even people with legitimate reasons to visit Iran. Their government is scrambling for bargaining chips to use with the United States and anybody with an U.S. Passport is probably fair game.

Preston Asher:

Having no brain...those parts are irrelevant, don't exist, unless Dr. Ron Paul is allowed to install it, and we are again able to think rationally and NOT bend to the beck and call of our ZioNazi Overlord.

China and Russia like Iran. It was a russian mobile jamming station that took down our stealth drone over there. Do you think China would want to test their new silkworm missile thats designed to take out a US carrier.

Iran took over computer control of the drone at its control headquarters in the US by entering through a back door loop-hole in its computer code.

A second one was lost during this take over bid, in the Indian Ocean as the controllers resisted and let it drop into the ocean - NOT reported in the US.

Exactly. There is not an attorney in Iran that wants to "represent" him--not legally or morally. They are either scared to death or agree with their own government personally. Those people are messed up in the head; have been for thousands of years. You can't breed it out of their genetics. They are ALL NUTS!

The US may not have a great legal system (if you have enough money you're legally untouchable), but it's way ahead of what Iran has.

Chi-town Vet

Why do they even bother with defense attorneys...their legal system is still in the stone age. And I'm sure their interrogation techniques make waterboarding look like a day at six flags

They had a rational organised sophisticated legal system before the Americas were discovered and colonized by the Europeans. The US legal system is at the behest of the highest bidder...legal verdicts are often overturned depending on the moola in the kitty.

Nothing can match the enhanced interrogation, advanced torture techniques, of the US team as taught to them by their Israeli Mossad instructors, the Christian Inquisition and the Gestapo-SS are poor runner ups in comparison.

I so totally agree with you Chi-town vet!! If their god promotes or condones or OKs their actions then he is more evil than Satan and Lucifer!!! And like you, I am proud to be an infidel!! And if trying to do good to my neighbor and trying to put others first and myself last, is against their "allah" then I also am most proud to be infidel!!! If their "allah" tells them to do the things that they do then he truly is most Evil and Wicked!!!!!!

Hey Hammie - if you are in the US, please book your flight out today. The Iranian secret service needs you.

What Iran does is treat jews sneaking into its nation like dirt after isreal killed several of its scientists, and policymakers. England condemned isreal for using fake UK passports to kill assassinate iranian citizens. There is a non-zionist jewish population in Iran and there are even pictures of Irans leader meeting with them.Google (black jew treatment isreal) to see how isreal treats darker skinned jews, the(pure blooded) iranian jews are only one step above black jews.

I just did a search of his name + jew jewish. Seriously the 3 hikers in Iraq that wandered over the border to Iran where jewish , and now this guy who was in military intelligence. Jews only make up .2% of the population so the chance that all 4 where jewish is 1/125000. There is a jewish population in Iran that is not zoinist, but they are more like the hellenistic jews that the orthodox jews slaughtered, now celebrated as hanuka. Google (black jews treatment in isreal) so see that not all look alike.

Cassandra, who knew?

Hey Hammie - if you are in the US, please book your flight out today. The Iranian secret service needs you

Sorry, the US asked first...I keep my commitments.

As for your concern, a rational analysis does NOT mean allegiance, except to the mentally immature, intellectually challenged, and the insecure jingoist.

I have to assume you have never studied Game Theory, or been exposed to war games, or high level corporate conflict. Or ever had capacity for logic, chess, math or science either...thus the puerile conclusion.

Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel...!

steveaae:

Black Jews are the real Jews, most of the others with other than dark hair, skin, and eyes cannot be Jews except through a genetic cross, as in rape - Jews are PROHIBITED by the Torah to marry outside their race...they are the most rascist people on Earth. Marriage out side their race is punishable by death in their Book. Raping people of other races is acceptable, is no crime, carries NO punishment! Check their Book , interesting reading: Rape, murder, fornication, incest, homosexuality, genocide, whathaveyou...

Anthropologists have conclude that Jesus was dark with woolly hair.

Hamzsque,

Dude, you do not have a clue to what you are talking about. The Jesus and the Jews had (and a majority of them still do) a Mediterranean Arabic look and appearance. Dark brown to black hair that was semi-straight to wavy and olive complexion. Although, because of marrying outside of the race a lot of them have changed in appearance.

Obama's not going to do anything. His public approval conditions DEMAND that he let Iran take the first shot in anger. If he doesn't, he'll get more whiny anti-war bull@!$%# against him.

Thats why i believe no US ground forces will go into Iran at least not until the president wins reelection.

Agree Jackal. How long before the United States aircraft carrier John C. Stennis and its escort ships go back through the Straight of Hormus?

Unlikely.

That's a nice idea, but if Iran attacks American forces (our carrier, for example), it won't really be up to Obama to decide to wait around to do something about it until reelection.

The reality is that it really doesn't matter who goes first. If Iran loses its @!$%#, the United States AND Israel are in trouble and will need to go after Iran together.

Dave,

No idea. I'm not sure it would help, anyway. Iran is testing the boundaries. I'm pretty sure they're looking for a war. If it's not the Stennis today, it's someone else (probably another innocent American tourist) tomorrow.

Actually it's hard to change Presidents in the middle of a recently started war. Maybe a nuke test in the middle of the Iranian desert will give them a taste of our seriousness without hurting anyone and low cost. I could see our Prez being that creative. He is very creative I think. Then Iranians themselves would topple the regime and the world can get on with the business of living decently before dying. I think the Environment would forgive us for it as it would be softer than oil tankers spewing crude all over the place.

Iran has to take the first shot in anger, otherwise it would be a pre-emptive strike. Considering how badly it went with Iraq on so many levels, there's no way America could afford to invade another country without them attacking first.

You guys are living in fantasy land. The U.S. is not about to a) drop a nuke on Iran, b) invade or c) start unilaterally bombing sites in that country.

When a U.S. Navy air craft carrier returns to the Persian Gulf, if the Iranians make some demonstration against it of other U.S. ships, we will certainly retaliate, and maybe even fire off a few missiles at sites in that country. But our preference would be that Iran does nothing but talk, and that no shots are fired.

OBAMA is not defending this country, He is Idle, passive. He is not a strong leader.

saeid - There's a man named Osama bin Laden, whose remains are resting somewhere at the bottom of the Indian Ocean, who might argue with you, if he could.

OBAMA is worse than being Idle, he wants to keep or even open DIPLOMATIC relations with Iranian Mullahs whom came to WAR with USA.

He wants to "keep or even open DIPLOMATIC relations". Horrors!!!

This should have been covered either in English 101, or in any college-level logic course, but, if we have diplomatic relations, we don't need to open them. If we don't, we can't keep them.

So which is it? Do we have DIPLOMATIC relations, which Obama wishes to keep, or is Obama about to open DIPLOMATIC relations?

Or do you have any idea?

The answer, of course, is neither. We are not in the process of opening DIPLOMATIC relations with Iran and we have had no official diplomatic relations with Iran since 1979. We are, without a doubt, in regular contact with their government through unofficial channels. This was as true under the Clinton, or Bush administrations as it is under Obama's presidency.

Get a grip.

you will have to forgive saeid-2995079 as this is his first post that is not a repeat of what he thinks is the truth. It is difficult for him to form a real thought.

Spartan, we militarily invaded Libya not too long ago....forget that already? As for Iraq, we ran them over in record time and took out Hussein. Occupying a hostile country like that for many years is the problem.

save the environment

Maybe a nuke test in the middle of the Iranian desert will give them a taste of our seriousness without hurting anyone and low cost.

You mean like Russia or China sort of drops a Nuke in the middle of the Nevada desert as a taste of seriousness without hurting anyone and at low cost!

Where did you people go to school if at all...was logic, science, or math in your path anywhere along the way?

With the war against rationality and science waged here...this what you get!

I worry about the Stennis. I wonder if that carrier is going to be the pawn that starts this war. They will send them into harms way (The Strait of Hormuz) and let Iran blow them out of the water so they have a plausible reason to bomb Iran. There are thousands of sailors on that carrier and I hope they return safely to port when their mission or rotation is done. It isn't just a piece of metal we are talking about, but thousands of young lives that are being played with by our politicians. I don't have the right answer, I admit it. Still, it worries me.

That's because most Americans' education is what box do I check.

Americans are not taught to think for themselves, just answer the question with the answers we give you.

That's public education for you.

Spartan, we militarily invaded Libya not too long ago....forget that already?

Puddingproof - To invade a country it is necessary to actually set foot in it under arms, which we have never done in Libya, or did that detail escape your attention. To enforce a no-fly zone is no more than we did in Iraq under the Clinton administration, and nobody called that an invasion.

As to the Iraq War, yes we rolled over Saddam's third-world army in a matter of days. The issue here is the why, as in why did we have to invade, and why didn't we realize the titanic post-Saddam problems we were incurring.

saeid - I see that you've chosen to ignore my friendly advice (Get a grip). So be it.

Just touching a couple of the statements from your current post:

Iranian regime has vast resources of a state, Economically, Politically and Ideologically. They have organized billions in organizations that Osama bin Laden is nothing to compare to their power of destructions.

There are only about 1.5 billion Muslims on this planet. So leaving aside the sectarian divisions of these 1.5 billion people, between Sunni, Shiite and other , less known sects, where Iran is going to find "billions", as in 2 or more billion, to organize is anybody's guess.

The Iranian Mullahs will kill everyone against them in any way and every way they could!! A thousand times more dangerous than Osama bin Laden.

If one occasionally picks up and reads a newspaper, or listens to nightly news broadcasts, you may be aware that Iran has not overtly attacked any nation in the last 200+ years. So, just maybe, it is time to loosen your grip on your stuffed animals and come out from underneath the bed.

...or not, just as you choose.

Way to stay on message, saeid.

Don't think that I'm not impressed, in one way or another.

Yeah. WHY ARE we spying on religious fanatics who desperately want to establish nuclear power and provoke us into a war to the death over their theocratic insanity?

That's just crazy.

Iran having a nuclear weapon will be the biggest threat to the world since Hitler. Attacking or spying on Iran will not be the same as attacking Iraq. I really do believe that once they do have nuclear capability Israel will be the only thing in their mind. Bush f%!%@%, he was supposed to go into Iran not Iraq.

oh oh...i know, i know. Why are we spying...mr. Seraphim Jackal? So our campaigner-in-chief can figure out whether its time to to finally have that sit-down with Achmindinnerjacket, or he can keep taking vacations and playing golf! Bada da bing! Can I get a rimshot?

They're only defending themselves against us because we support Israel, a country that has often incited conflict because of ITS policies, and because we've indicated to them in the past that we will continuously support only Israel over a shared Israel/Palestine state.

Leo, i know many people think: why go and start another war and this and that, but Iranian leadership needs to be completely wipe out. Iran has been trying to develop nuclear weapons since the 1980s but Israeli warplanes have destroyed everything since then. Thats why all their factories are underground now. We know where they are but how do we get to them? A few years ago there were reports of how somebody got a computer virus into their computers and shut them down for a few months.

Leo Mejia

They're only defending themselves against us because we support Israel, a country that has often incited conflict because of ITS policies, and because we've indicated to them in the past that we will continuously support only Israel over a shared Israel/Palestine state.

After Israel who do you think will be next?

Steve Taylor-4944269

oh oh...i know, i know. Why are we spying...mr. Seraphim Jackal? So our campaigner-in-chief can figure out whether its time to to finally have that sit-down with Achmindinnerjacket, or he can keep taking vacations and playing golf! Bada da bing! Can I get a rimshot?

A sit down???? DUde go back to your medication. I don't think the president has anything to prove about this situation.

It'll be our fault if we get attacked because of our close ties to Israel, and Israel's unpopularity in the region. Radical thinking to blame ourselves for what we sow? No, just logical. Yes, some of these people may be extreme in their convictions, but how would we feel if we were constantly being bullied; we'd be pissed off beyond any limitations. Are we seriously a nation so blinded by nationalism that we've forgotten our humanity?

ALL of them need new management, including Israel. They're ALL bigoted extremists who like nothing better than to bomb the @!$%# out of each other.

Make no mistake: Israelis are not the good guys, they're just bad guys who happen to work for the good guys.

What Iran does is treat jews sneaking into its nation like dirt after isreal killed several of its scientists, and policymakers. England condemned isreal for using fake UK passports to kill assassinate iranian citizens.

I just did a search of his name + jew jewish. Seriously the 3 hikers in Iraq that wandered over the border to Iran where jewish , and now this guy who was in military intelligence. Jews only make up .2% of the population so the chance that all 4 where jewish is 1/125000. There is a jewish population in Iran that is not zoinist, but they are more like the hellenistic jews that the orthodox jews slaughtered, now celebrated as hanuka. Google (black jews treatment in isreal) so see that not all look alike, iranian jews are only one step above black jews in isreal.

WEll then Jackal we should be spying on the religious extremists in this country who want to start a civil war and turn us into a theocracy... That group would be the extreme right G.O.P. and Tea Baggers.

Just America, actually. Not that the Iranian government deserves to run things, mind you.

Where were you when we ran this same extortion racket against USSR during the cold war? LOL. This is pretty common within the spy community. Some get caught, some get the job done. If the agent is worth the trouble, they work out an exchange. If not, they just use the cover story like visiting-my-grandma, or lost-my-way-during-a-desert-hike-and-ended-up-in-the-wrong-country, or privately-investigating-black-market-cigarette-peddling, or whatever other BS story they feed the media.

deleted

If, only if, if you believe and trust the CIA, an agency that employs people who are paid to lie.

Leonard...And you think that would solve the whole thing. Iran would just cave in and believe whatever the CIA says. Unless, of course yours was a tongue in cheek post...If so, you have my apologies. We need to know what is going on in Iran and we had better be sending spies so that we can learn what they are really up to--Their plausible deniability disintegrated when they threatened our carrier and put all of their nukes under tons and tons of dirt--Not to mention the fact that they RANSOMED three hikers.

The CIA also employs drug dealers as well, not just liars.

He's visiting his grandparents for God sake. That's normal and respectful, that's a good boy!?

Even still, having been in the U.S. military puts him in jeopardy that would, likely, mandate a different decision about visiting his grandmothers in Iran. The situation is altogether sad, but I have to agree that this gentleman did not make a very wise choice. The article states that CIA agents have been outed in Iran. If that's the case and the CIA is bumbling and fumbling their responsibilities in that regard, then it would seem reasonable to avoid going to Iran during these tenuous times altogether. The man is human and, I'm sure, has deep family ties and has likely visited them before, considering his dual citizenship status. I pray that a compromise can be negotiated as it seems to be Iran's default position to demand payment in exchange for the accused and convicted. I can't see any reason to continue to escalate tensions for the purpose of going to war against Iran, so whatever measure of diplomacy is warranted, I trust we will take that approach in lieu of putting Americans in greater danger here at home and abroad.

The 3 hikers and this guy where all jewish. Jews are only 2% of the US population so the odds of that happening is 1/125000. Isreal was condemend by England for using fake UK passports to kill off several Iranians in Iran. There is a non-zoinist jewish population in Iran but they are treated almost as bad as black jews in isreal, google (black jew treatment isreal).

If he was CIA, then it is ok with you for us to abandon him? He was doing a service to the USA and was caught...or maybe just visiting relatives. Either way, you think he deserves to be the sacrificial lamb? I hope they can save him. If not, I hope he is given the proper honor that he deserves. We have a "need to know" what is going on in Iran. They are threatening our nation and have been doing so for months.

It wouldn't be the first time, we've abandoned someone. The US has a long sad tragic history of disavowing those that are captured. Long silent list on a unspecified memorial wall on that account...and everyone that plays the game knows the rules and conditions.

Any American citizen who has relatives living in Iran needs to be warned that the US. will not let them back into America if they go there to visit their relatives.

Either you find a way to get your grandma out of there or you visit her. Plain and simple. The latter is probably easier, but clearly not by much.

What kind of grandmother allows their grandsons to come to a country that is accusing everyone from America of being a spy? Dual citizenship be hanged. If I was a grandparent I would forbid them to come to Iran. Too much selfish emotional thinking on the part of the grandmothers and not enough rational thought.

I still think it is time for the American gov't to severely restrict travel to these crazy countries. We have enough problems without this and if they decide to go then it is on their on head. Enough is enough.

freedom- the fact is, he's probably a spy. His granda probably lives there, but she's just an excuse to save his life should be caught.

Those people who were 'hikers' and 'wondered' over the Iranian border, are probably spies too.

Those who sacrifice freedom in the name of security deserve neither.

I wouldn't say he's a mass murderer. Just a complete idiot that's hopelessly deluded in every aspect of life.

dude. you are an idiot. mass murderer? really? stop smoking the weed.

Actually he has been charged for war crimes and genocide in the Hague. Interpol would take him if he went to Europe...would have extradited him but for the US world dominance.

The fact that he is a mass murder has been documented and I have copy of the details of the charge against him...No weed. Just photos and facts!

Oh bulldung! He went there knowing the risks, now he should have to stay there.

Actually, just start a riot and support the protesters. It worked in Libya, it'll work in Iran.

Don't be asinine..we've had enough war- or maybe YOU could volunteer to give your life's blood- arm chair quarterback. Enough is enough. The arabs will eat themselves if we just leave them to it.

Obey...I don't think "staying there" is an option. They want to kill him there. Well, I guess that would amount to staying there, but not in the sense that you posted. All of our soldiers know the risks. So, they deserve to be abandoned if they become prisoners of war? I don't think so...

Amen!!

but only after Anonymous hacks all their networks and does some seriously evil s*** to them...

but they're probably accepting paypal donations from Iran!

Hit Mecca and you'll be facing way more than just Iran. You'd have to answer to ALL Muslims in the world.

By the way, you can't get much more insulting than biting the hand that feeds you. If Anonymous is funded by Iran and hacks into the Iranian government, all the better.

Where, do you suggest, we get the money to wage another Crusade there? Please, enlighten me with the location of this secret stash of epic treasures that will fund your contemporary crusades. $16 Trillion in debt and counting, and you are itching to start a crusade so you can watch CNN play all the juicy war footages. Fu#king ChickenHawk.

The leaders of Iran are itching to put an American to death even one who has dual citizenship will do. I suspect they consider they are building morale as well as scaring the hell out of any detractors of their religious theocracy. There are probably some discussions going on right now by Iranians who are complaining about the nuke program and the economic sanctions. Without a doubt the Iranian people are beginning to question their leaders judgement so it would be logical to see this pathetic attempt at control the Iranian people by killing two birds with one stone. First to suppress dissension in their own country through fear and secondly to thumb their nose at the US and build the morale within their military.

eric house

Maybe the time has come for America to say alright ya want a Holy War ya got one and lets hit the enemy where it would really hurt them. The only thing these people care about is their religion and so lets use that as a weak point for them. Hit Mecca and Meddina and blow up the dome of the Rock and let Israel rebuild their temple. That would be a Holy War. It would hit them where it hurts.

There is NO concept of Holy War in Islam, none in the Noble Koran. Holy War is a Christian Concept as in the Papal Bulls, The Crusades and The Inquisition.

Mecca and Medina are in Saudi Arabia where US communication and Spy installations are situated. US fifth fleet is stationed in Bahrain. Air force in Qatar. US Army in Kuwait. Egypt controls the Suez. These are all US allies and united against Iran.

Hitting Islamic heritage sites and Muslim places of worship will have no military advantage. However the Suez will be closed immediately at one end by Egypt. Oil and gas supplies would be curtailed for Israel...it will die on its own. And world oil resources will be shut down. Europe and the US will suffocate, freeze, and cannibalize itself.

Pakistani Nuclear Missile systems will be distributed to all Muslim countries and will target US Navy in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and the Straight of Hormuz and US Nuclear bases and bomber command in Diego Garcia.

Since Mecca and Medina would have been destroyed. Ever available weapon, nuclear or otherwise, will be immediately used on Christian and western targets. No second thoughts here.

This will not be discussed, ordered, commanded, or restrained...all Muslims would know exactly what to do and would want to die trying to do it. Islamic law would require all Muslims to retaliate everywhere with all their might with whatever they have where ever they are. Personal survival would be irrelevant for even the most peaceful and non-violent of them.

Now what was your strategy in destroying Mecca and Medina? Where did you go to school, if at all? Your vitriolic and venom suggests you are a Christian...and a ignorant sicko psychopath one at that.

Have a nice day.

Russia and China will have to wade in to dismember the carnage of the west and pick up choise pieces, if any remain, for itself,

"Europe and the US will suffocate, freeze, and cannibalize itself." - That's funny, ha ha.

Love it when the religion of Peace trolls throw their propaganda into the fray, too funny, because they really believe their bull.

Nice Taquiya an' vitriol you got goin' Hamzseque

They have been catching jews like this guy and the 3 hikers ever since isreal used UK passports to kill off Iranian citizens in Iran

Ham, I agree with you that attacking Mecca and Medina would be horrible ideas; however, I don't think you have ever read the Qur'an. Either that or you are spreading misinformation. I have my own copy with commentary and have read suras in three different English translations. Consider this:

Sura VII
7:2Sahih International
[This is] a Book revealed to you, [O Muhammad] - so let there not be in your breast distress therefrom - that you may warn thereby and as a reminder to the believers.
7:3 Follow, [O mankind], what has been revealed to you from your Lord and do not follow other than Him any allies. Little do you remember.
7:4 And how many cities have We destroyed, and Our punishment came to them at night or while they were sleeping at noon.
7:5 And their declaration when Our punishment came to them was only that they said, "Indeed, we were wrongdoers!"
7:6 Then We will surely question those to whom [a message] was sent, and We will surely question the messengers.
7:7 Then We will surely relate [their deeds] to them with knowledge, and We were not [at all] absent.
7:8 And the weighing [of deeds] that Day will be the truth. So those whose scales are heavy - it is they who will be the successful.
7:9 And those whose scales are light - they are the ones who will lose themselves for what injustice they were doing toward Our verses.

from quran.com

Sura 8
8:15Sahih International
O you who have believed, when you meet those who disbelieve advancing [for battle], do not turn to them your backs [in flight].
8:16 And whoever turns his back to them on such a day, unless swerving [as a strategy] for war or joining [another] company, has certainly returned with anger [upon him] from Allah , and his refuge is Hell - and wretched is the destination.
8:17 And you did not kill them, but it was Allah who killed them. And you threw not, [O Muhammad], when you threw, but it was Allah who threw that He might test the believers with a good test. Indeed, Allah is Hearing and Knowing.
8:18 That [is so], and [also] that Allah will weaken the plot of the disbelievers.
8:19 If you [disbelievers] seek the victory - the defeat has come to you. And if you desist [from hostilities], it is best for you; but if you return [to war], We will return, and never will you be availed by your [large] company at all, even if it should increase; and [that is] because Allah is with the believers.
8:20 O you who have believed, obey Allah and His Messenger and do not turn from him while you hear [his order].
8:21 And do not be like those who say, "We have heard," while they do not hear.
8:22 Indeed, the worst of living creatures in the sight of Allah are the deaf and dumb who do not use reason.
8:23 Had Allah known any good in them, He would have made them hear. And if He had made them hear, they would [still] have turned away, while they were refusing.
8:24 O you who have believed, respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life. And know that Allah intervenes between a man and his heart and that to Him you will be gathered.
8:25 And fear a trial which will not strike those who have wronged among you exclusively, and know that Allah is severe in penalty.
8:26 And remember when you were few and oppressed in the land, fearing that people might abduct you, but He sheltered you, supported you with His victory, and provided you with good things - that you might be grateful.

from quran.com

8:39 And fight them until there is no fitnah and [until] the religion, all of it, is for Allah . And if they cease - then indeed, Allah is Seeing of what they do.
8:40 But if they turn away - then know that Allah is your protector. Excellent is the protector, and Excellent is the helper.

also from quran.com

Many have said that these refer only to the time period in which they were written, when the Muslims were being persecuted and that may be true; however, note that Sura 8:26 is referring back to a time when Muhammed's people were small and were being persecuted to encourage the people to be grateful and to fight in the present time. Also, many have said that the Qur'an cannot be translated into English but can only be understood in Arabic. Then one must look to how Arabic speakers have interpreted the Qur'an, for surely they know what it says. I have read a number of memoirs by Arabic speaking Muslims who said that Jihad referred to Holy War meaning an outward war against infidels. One of them, who was Egyptian and was now a moderate Muslim, said that she had never even heard of the concept of "internal Jihad" until she came to the West. I am not denying that there are likely many moderate Muslims who dislike the acts of violence that are done in the name of Islam. I have read the comments of moderate Muslims on this forum. I am also not denying horrific acts of violence by Christians and others. I certainly don't hate Muslims. My point in this post is simply to point out suras in the Qur'an that could possibly be used by some as incitement to violence or "Holy War."

I wouldn't let my kin visit that nutso place...

And what places in the world outside our borders are safe for Americans to visit? One of the few duties the Fed has is to keep our people free from stuff like this when Americans venture abroad. How many Yanks should Iran be able to condemn before it is worth our while to intervene? How many Iranians over here should we kill if the Iranians kill this guy? None? All of them?

tom...Good questions. I wish there were a right or wrong answer to them. Thought provoking posts are the best kind. You left religion, jews, Israel, Bush, Obama, and every other scapegoat out of your thoughtful post. Thank you. Refreshing and appreciated.

Come on guys, he probably went there to perform his CIA duties and unfortunately got caught. Grandma is just the excuse. I hope we can cut a deal and get him back.