World

US Hikers Freed from Iran Speak: Thank Penn And Chomsky, Blame Mutual US-Iran Hostility for Detention

US Hikers Freed from Iran Blame Mutual US Iran Hostility for Detention

Two American hikers held for years in an Iranian prison came home Sunday, declaring that they were detained because of their nationality, not because they might have crossed the border from Iraq.

Joshua Fattal and Shane Bauer arrived in New York on Sunday morning, ending their diplomatic and personal ordeal with a sharp rebuke of the country that sentenced each to eight years in jail for espionage and illegally walking into Iran. They say they may never know if they actually stepped across the border while hiking and getting lost.

“From the very start, the only reason we have been held hostage is because we are American,” Fattal said at a news conference at a Manhattan hotel. “Iran has always tied our case to its political disputes with the U.S.”

The two 29-year-olds were freed last week under a $1 million bail deal paid by the country of Oman, where the hikers were greeted Wednesday by relatives and fellow hiker Sarah Shourd, who was released last year.

The men took turns reading statements, surrounded by relatives at a packed a conference room at Manhattan’s Parker Meridien hotel Sunday. They didn’t take questions from reporters. Fattal said he wanted to make clear that while he and Bauer “applaud Iranian authorities for finally making the right decision,“ they ”do not deserve undue credit for ending what they had no right and no justification to start in the first place.”

The hikers’ detention, Bauer said, was “never about crossing the unmarked border between Iran and Iraq. We were held because of our nationality.”

“The only explanation for our prolonged detention is the 32 years of mutual hostility between America and Iran,” said Bauer. “The irony is Sarah Josh and I oppose U.S. policies towards Iran which perpetuate this hostility. We were convicted of espionage, because we are American.”

The Washington Times reports that the two hikers specifically named Venezeulan dictator Hugo Chavez, Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu, Code Pink’s Cindy Sheehan, liberal writer Noam Chomsky, actor Sean Penn, and other world leaders and public officials that they believed helped them gain their freedom.

Bauer went on to describe how he believes US actions towards detainees effected their prison treatment in Iran:

“In prison, every time we complained about our conditions, the guards would immediately remind us of comparable conditions at Guantanamo bay. They would remind us in other parts of the world and the conditions that Iranians and others experience in prisons in the U.S.”

“We do not believe such human rights violations on the part of our government justify what has been done to us. Not for a moment. However, we do believe these actions on the part of the U.S. provide an excuse for other governments, including the government of Iran to act in kind.”

In July 2009, the three say they were hiking together in Iraq’s relatively peaceful Kurdish region along the Iran-Iraq border when Iranian guards detained them. They always maintained their innocence, saying they might have accidentally wandered into Iran.

The two men were convicted of spying last month. Shourd, to whom Bauer proposed marriage while they were imprisoned, was charged but freed last year before any trial.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.

Comments (231)

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  • Speak without Fear
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:56pm

    If Iran is so great…..why didn’t these two POS…..just stay there or why don’t they living under the rule of Hugo.

    I could have cared-less that these 3 “WORLD CITIZENS” were there being detained anyways. Your DUMB enough to hike over there……you deserve what you get.

    Report Post »  
    • drphil69
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:03pm

      AMEN to that! Nearly took the words right out of my mouth! Please, you losers, give up your U.S. citizenship and go AWAY. We don’t want or need you here!

      Report Post »  
    • Old Truckers
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:04pm

      Hiking in Iraq/Iran?

      Why hike there when you have Yosemite?

      Report Post » Old Truckers  
    • Pujols
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:09pm

      They had to blame someone else. They were not Stupid for hiking there. Our Country is stupid because we don’t want a hostile Country to have Nukes and they want to blow Israel of the map.

      DUMB AZZ KIDS COULD HAVE STAYED THERE. _____THEY’RE IDIOTS!

      Report Post »  
    • THE.GATEKEEPER
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:12pm

      Sounds like a set up. Who benefits? and to think, we prayed for their release.

      Report Post » THE.GATEKEEPER  
    • firedupinpa
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:19pm

      Wow! That’s harsh. Why so angry?

      Report Post »  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:53pm

      Amen!!! If they liked it so much why did they leave?

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • capitalismrocks
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 11:11pm

      In Gitmo… f-ing terrorist murders get dates and other meals from their native countries, they are given brand new prayer rugs and korans. So are these two losers saying that in Iran they were given Big Mac’s, got Bibles and were treated humanly? I think not… what a pair of aholes… if they like Iran so much, then go back, we neither want, nor need morons like these two, what a waste

      Report Post » capitalismrocks  
    • artistskeptic
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 11:27pm

      Agreed, something does not compute, a “strange” threesome “hiking” in an area that any idiot sould know better… what’s missing?? They all should have been left to fend for themselves.

      Report Post »  
    • CatB
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 12:34am

      I agree .. what American goes to HIKE in the Middle East? .. three FOOLS! Save it … now they will write some wimpy little books .. blaming America .. go back to the Middle East and this time when you get captured don’t CALL US!

      Report Post »  
    • kryptonite
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 12:59am

      What did Iran get in exchange for these three liberal morons?

      What were you after when you crossed over to Iran? Fame, adventure, the coveted Pulitzer Prize? Take a hike to Gitmo, you three pieces of human waste, and see how comparable it is to your prison in Iran.

      Report Post »  
    • chalkdust
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:10am

      I saw a story on some network a year ago on these three. I got the feeling they were young and idealistic. One was a photo journalist and the girl was volunteering (I think) in Iraq or Afghanistan. It seemed they thought the US was acting unfairly in our policy towards middle eastern countries. OK, fair enough they disagree. Then they found out just what kind of people the Government in Iran really has. They go hiking near the border of Iran because nothing will happen to them, the Government in Iran is just miss-understood. Shocker, they get to close or cross the border, does it really matter, and get thrown in jail on ridiculous charges. They get released because someone else payed their ransom and come home and say….“The irony is Sarah Josh and I oppose U.S. policies towards Iran which perpetuate this hostility. We were convicted of espionage, because we are American.” I really think the irony was lost on them.
      Then they have the nerve to say…“We do not believe such human rights violations on the part of our government justify what has been done to us. Not for a moment. However, we do believe these actions on the part of the U.S. provide an excuse for other governments, including the government of Iran to act in kind.”
      If they really believe that we mistreat prisoners in the war on terror and this was the reason for there incarceration, I’ve got ocean front property in Colorado they can buy for a nominal price. They were political pawns, nothing more.

      Report Post » chalkdust  
    • RabidPatriot
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 4:50am

      They seem quite anti-American. “Hiking” on the border of two hostile countries for the fun of it? Logic would tell me that these three were up to no good. A Muslim country put up the bribe money to get them out of prison. They are either spies, criminals or ignorant liberals on a scale that cannot be understood by intelligent people. We should have permanently traded them to Iran for a barrel of oil.

      Report Post » RabidPatriot  
    • Sheepdog911
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:41am

      “The only explanation for our prolonged detention is the 32 years of mutual hostility between America and Iran,” said Bauer. “The irony is Sarah Josh and I oppose U.S. policies towards Iran which perpetuate this hostility. We were convicted of espionage, because we are American.” How‘s about you were imprisoned because you were stupid enough to be someplace you shouldn’t have been … the the arrogant attitude that “A’m an American, I can do as I please”. Now, it‘s all America’s fault. You’re an idiot. America is hostile towards Iran because Iran want’s us destroyed – they used to be our friends. Chomshy, Penn, Chavez? You’re truely an idiot … Sheehan, really? We should have left you there, or at least make you pay back what it cost us taxpayers to get your sorry butts home. Normal people would have been denouncing Iran’s regime, not the U.S., but then from who you identify as your saviors, America was never anything you held close. With any luck, the “I gotta look good in the world’s eyes and follow foreign laws” will send you back when Iran revokes your bail. You should have gotten home, thanked God for your freedom, walked over to the Ground Zero mosque, and relieved your bladders on it.

      Report Post » Sheepdog911  
    • AJAYW
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:54am

      Agree -

      Report Post »  
    • Zorro6821
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 5:55am

      Typical, many Blazers don’t read beyond headlines. The hikers never said that, and they were only stating the obvious. They also clearly stated the oppression in Iran and the sympathy they have towards all the political prisoners in Iran. Too bad so many on this site give conservatives and independents a bad name. These are the same folks who thought Perry was just swell, because Beck said so. Yikes!!!

      Report Post »  
    • Zorro6821
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 6:00am

      To Speak…if your dumb enough to make such a post, maybe you should …..forget it, Dumb is Dumb..can’t change that. No point in trying

      Report Post »  
    • SpankDaMonkey
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 7:51am

      .
      One day they will get a call from a teacher wanting an explaination to this….

      One day a fourth-grade teacher asked the children what their fathers did for
      a living. All the typical answers came up – fireman, mechanic, businessman,
      salesman… and so forth. However, little Justin was being
      uncharacteristically quiet, so when the teacher prodded him about his
      father, he replied, “My father’s an exotic dancer in a gay cabaret and takes
      off all his clothes to music in front of other men and they put money in his
      underwear. Sometimes, if the offer is really good, he will go home with some
      guy and stay with him all night for money.”The teacher, obviously shaken by
      this statement, hurriedly set the other children to work on some exercises
      and took little Justin aside to ask him, “Is that really true about your
      father?”"No,” the boy said, “He worked for the Democratic National Committee
      and helped to get Obama elected, but it’s too embarrassing to say that in
      front of the other kids.”

      Report Post » SpankDaMonkey  
    • jhonjhonson1
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 8:05am

      I knew the first time I saw them, I didn’t like them!!!

      Report Post »  
    • rightwingheroes
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 9:50am

      “The irony is Sarah Josh and I oppose U.S. policies towards Iran which perpetuate this hostility.”

      We just payed $1.5M for the release of terrorist sympathizers. Unbelievable.

      Report Post »  
    • ishka4me
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 10:43am

      something odd with this story. Our country has great hiking , Canada has great hiking. If you want to travel, Austrilia, Austria, Germany, Spain, many places inSouth America that are all tourist safe. Why would you hike on Iran/Iraq border? Something sinister in their motives. Future press confrences will show this. If they are spies, they are propaganda spies for Iran.

      Report Post »  
    • lillymckim
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 11:57am

      If I were these kids parents or close friends of them I would remind them that SOMETIMES its just best to… SHUT UP!
      Sounds like Sean Penn and the GPS illiterate wanderlust children have a movie in the works.
      I’m sure they granted Penn the rights to all movies and books… $$$$

      Report Post » lillymckim  
    • ACLUHater
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:01pm

      I could care less whether these dumb arses ever got out. Their stupidity got them what they deserved. Now with them thanking every flaming, America-hating leftist, I am actually outraged that they were freed. They should have been shot on site for violating borders – just like what should happen on out southern border.

      Report Post »  
    • Bluefish49
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:21pm

      @old truckers…it‘s because at Yosemite you don’t have an oppressed population under the thugged bootheel of the US….I wish they had been left in prison…I also hope the couple getting married don’t decide to have children as not only will the children be ugly but stupid as well.

      Report Post »  
    • chazman
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:28pm

      … they should have been made to serve out their sentences, the little commie punks …

      Report Post »  
    • NC1
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 2:26pm

      Send them back. Iran can keep Sean Penn’s million dollars too. They can have Sean Penn too for all I care.

      Report Post » NC1  
    • PATTY HENRY
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 9:20pm

      AH YOUTH…those dopes…why don’t they check with the people their AGE who are enslaved by those bastard Iranians over them? IF I were in state dept. I’m make these brats take a tour of Guantanamo and then open their childish mouths. But they are doing what they were told to do by our enemies and that included PENN. Glad they are free for their parent’s sake…but GOOD GRIEF!!! Can’t they look around and see how those fighting for freedom fare with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad? Murdered. Arrested. Thrown into jail…but now your captors are your heroes? SICK.

      Report Post » PATTY HENRY  
  • Charles
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:53pm

    since these fools think the US should just let iran be iran why did they want to leave? They should go back. Right away.

    Report Post »  
    • Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:20pm

      Indeed, or be given a one way plane ticket (in baggage) to whatever destination they want in a communist or Islamist Extremist nation. And they do not come back.

      Report Post » Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}  
    • netmail
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 12:54pm

      I believe this is the first time I have been unhappy that Americans were rescued from a hostile country.

      Report Post »  
  • Speak without Fear
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:51pm

    WHY would Oman pay a million to free these two? Something stinks!!!!

    Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:54pm

      Pocket change to Oman, and it earns them goodwill points which I am sure they will use to their advantage.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • broker0101
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:07pm

      Obviously, George Soros paid Van Jones to contact Frances Fox Piven, who called John Holdren, informing Richard Trumka of his desire to empower the Tides Foundation, in collaboration with Bill Ayers, to enlist the help of the Muslim Brotherhood in order to coerce the government of Oman, who, as we all know, is run from behind the scenes, by the SEIU to free the hikers in hopes of creating an Archduke Fredinand moment. ALL of which was very clearly a diversion to hide the REAL conspiracy. WATCH THE OTHER HAND!!!!

      Report Post » broker0101  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:19pm

      Occam‘s Razor really doesn’t mean anything to you guys, does it?

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • Exrepublisheep
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 11:04pm

      Lol broker.

      Report Post » Exrepublisheep  
    • MARCH4HIM
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 12:57am

      @islesfordian
      I have to diagree with you on their motive on this one.
      Them being from berkly, they would have to have known ( my opinion).. .
      By their own omision the conflict…
      between us and Iran “32 years of hostility…
      On other hand …
      If they were given that speech to read..
      from a member of code pink, or
      Sean Penn and Co. Just before they went to the micrphone….
      I’ll give it to you….
      Nieve kids… thats were just used…
      And Joseph Stalin had a name for them…
      actualy writing this, I think we might agree on this..
      either way they were used…
      From Berkly to micophone scripted speech…
      well anyway…
      They got out of there with their skin..
      It would have been nice…. to here them to say thanks…
      to the one …..who realy did keep them safe….God….
      And maybe a honorable mention
      to the people who prayed for thier safe return.
      But I wont hold my breath….

      Report Post » MARCH4HIM  
    • Chuck Stein
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:40am

      @ Islesfordian
      That observation could be made on sooooo many strings of Blaze commentary.

      Report Post »  
  • Thatsitivehadenough
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:51pm

    Socialists helping anti-American Americans? What else is new? They should all three move to Venezuela. But, they’ll probably go home to the USA and get paid millions for their stories. Maybe they’ll turn over all that money to Obama 2012?

    Report Post » Thatsitivehadenough  
    • slr4528
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 11:58pm

      The word should get out on all social media sites to ignore the 3 idiots and not to acknowledge them in any way,whether it’s watching them on TV shows or buying their stupid books or paying to listen to them speak. They are useful idiots of dictators like Chavez ,Castro and Company!

      Report Post »  
    • ooskerDoo
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 12:12am

      Turn over the money? It’s not theirs. They didn’t earn it. It was the USA and local governments that will allow them to make their money. The streets, the cops, the teachers they had that allowed them to learn how to write, the fuel that powered the planes that allowed them to come back to the US…

      Report Post » ooskerDoo  
  • Ironmaan
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:48pm

    A couple of useful idiots, with the emphasis on idiots.
    http://guerillatics.com

    Report Post »  
  • Joseph28
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:48pm

    Oh geez these guys are morons, any chance we can send them back?

    Report Post » Joseph28  
  • sgallion1
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:45pm

    I Praise God that they are home with their families. It’s sad that they have become a propaganda machine for Iran.

    Report Post »  
  • Rickfromillinois
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:43pm

    How about blaming someone who is stupid enough to take a vacation hike on the border between Iraq and Iran? Frankly I have always had a hard time generating any concern for these people.

    Report Post » Rickfromillinois  
  • Little Johnny
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:41pm

    How very kind and warm of you. Are you a Christian, out of curiosity?

    Report Post » Little Johnny  
  • Little Johnny
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:39pm

    I’m glad they are home safely with their families. Thanks to all who might have helped get them out, regardless of political persuasion.

    Report Post » Little Johnny  
  • Fina Biscotti
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:38pm

    “Two American hikers held for years in an Iranian prison came home Sunday, declaring that they were detained because of their nationality, not because they might have crossed the border from Iraq.”

    ************
    Three American TRAITORS who were living in SYRIA – speaking out gainst the US Government – knew exactly what they were doing = when crossing the border into IRAN.

    They intended to set off an international crisis.

    Report Post »  
    • Little Johnny
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:57pm

      Uh, calling them traitors is a bit extreme, no? You speak out against the government here from time to time, I expect. Are you a traitor?

      Report Post » Little Johnny  
    • booger71
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:10pm

      Little Johnny
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:57pm

      Uh, calling them traitors is a bit extreme, no? You speak out against the government here from time to time, I expect. Are you a traitor?”
      —————————————————
      Not at all. Syria is an enemy of the U.S, and funds terrorism against the U.S.

      Report Post » booger71  
  • sean_m.
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:37pm

    They should’ve stayed gone.

    Report Post »  
  • cassandra
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:35pm

    Where’s their next hike afghanistan ? It’s to bad these morons came back to our country

    Report Post »  
    • Little Johnny
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:46pm

      They are Americans, first. I am relieved they are safe at home. Same as if they were of ANY political persuasion.

      Is there a part of hate that feels good to say or act out, I wonder? Sure is a lot of it here. Is it religiously founded….?….I mean, are the comments here how Jesus would respond upon seeing the young men hugged by their families? Why the venom about this? They suffered for over two years……..let them be.

      Report Post » Little Johnny  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:58pm

      Little Johnny, there are many who claim the name of Christian who know nothing of his love and mercy. their “faith” is expressed in moralism and harsh judgments. They hate the sin and the sinner equally. Flaws in others they are quick to condemn while admitting none of their own.

      We should pity them as well.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • M 4 Colt
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:59pm

      Hay little johnny they suffered because of THEIR OWN STUPIDLY and i hate to tell you there is no cure for stupid! You know i understand freedom of speech but i have got to tell you i am sick and tired of snot nosed kids talking crap about our country when it’s the country that AFFORDS THEM THE FREEDOM to be able to talk like that.

      Oh ya by the way i want to point out to them and YOU that freedom of speech that they are so willing to use AGAINST our country was bought and paid for with the BLOOD of our soldiers fighting country’s just like Iran WHO DO NOT ALLOW THERE CITIZENS FREEDOM OF SPEECH, these three are a bunch of obtuse idiots

      Report Post »  
    • Little Johnny
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 11:51pm

      Hey Colt,

      Yes, freedom of speech is a tricky wicket, there’s no doubt about it. I’m not defending their actions, just glad they are safe.

      Yes, soldiers fight for our rights. Likewise, too, the gay soldier fights for people’s right to disapprove of his being gay. Perhaps you’re one of those people? If so, he is willing to die for you to have that freedom.

      Report Post » Little Johnny  
    • M 4 Colt
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 1:26am

      Johnny, don’t even try to spread your agenda with me on the subject of “gays fighting in the military” because i am sure that i have many more gay friends then you do. I have worked along side many gay people in my life and in fact even after i left one job were i meet some great people i still maintain to this day a life long friendship with Wayne and Patty who are both gay. So please don‘t try and bait me into a fight on a subject about gay rights when you don’t even know me or how i feel about gay people, for you to do such a thing would be very pretentious, revealing and obtuse on your part.

      Report Post »  
  • Islesfordian
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:35pm

    Such nice sentiments from people here, NOT.

    Why can’t we give the clueless children a pass for what they suffered because they were American? They were right about that. They were in prison because they were Americans. For that reason alone we should sympathize with them and cut them slack. That’s a fundamental aspect of patriotism: solidarity with one‘s fellow countrymen against our nation’s enemy, whether you agree with them or not. Don’t any of you have family?

    Maybe they will wise up in time. Maybe they won’t. But it serves nothing to heap abuse on them.

    Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • IAMNOTKNOWING
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:44pm

      Newsflash! … they’re not children.

      They’re fully-functioning libertards.

      Now they get their paydays and also get to be the wing-nut far-left’s newest poster children.

      Oh wait!, I guess they ‘are’ children.

      Never mind. ;D

      Report Post » IAMNOTKNOWING  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:51pm

      You got it. My description of them as children wasn’t meant as a compliment. They’re leftists. They think like children.

      They should be pitied, not hated.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • Speak without Fear
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:00pm

      NOPE…..done trying to understand the world of a liberal. Done sympathizing…..done trying to understand them. That in part is part of the reason….we are in the mess we are in today.

      Report Post »  
    • booger71
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:17pm

      Don’t any of you have family?”
      ———————————–
      I have a big family, but none of them are living in an American hating country while denouncing their own.

      Report Post » booger71  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:27pm

      Are any of your family Obama supporters?

      And I haven’t seen where they were denouncing America. Criticizing foreign policy is not the same thing in my book. I criticize Obama’s foreign policy, or lack of it. I condemn America’s withdrawal from South Vietnam and leaving that country to be taken by the Communists.

      there are lots of things I condemn about America without denouncing her. To denounce her is to say that I am done with her because of her faults, much the way some are doing with these simple minded leftists children.

      If you can‘t hold onto your ideals without divorcing yourself from your fellow Americans who oppose your ideals then you’re not as strong as you need to be to save this nation. Love of America and her Constitutional freedoms will heal this land. Hatred of liberals will not.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • American_Woman
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:34pm

    I wonder if they’ve been brainwashed?

    News said $500,000/each bail. Does that mean they have to go back to court or was this a pay-off?

    My gut feeling is that they should go back to Iran and work there to improve human rights :)

    Report Post » American_Woman  
    • godlovinmom
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:16pm

      That was my first thought..were they brainwashed…either that or they’re libral…which is the same thing.

      Report Post » godlovinmom  
    • Todd Decker
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 11:25pm

      I consider it a ransom payoff, similar to what the U.S. was expected to do prior to the start of the Barbary Wars. American citizens were taken prisoner, and then payment was expected if the prisoners were to be released. Sounds like that’s what happened here, only ransom sounds bad so we’ll call it “bail.”

      Report Post » Todd Decker  
  • Married to a Liberal HELP
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:32pm

    Makes me want to puke.

    Report Post »  
    • RepubliCorp
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:40pm

      Send them back….. none this happen because they are stupid. Why would you hike in this part of the world…… Drugs

      Report Post » RepubliCorp  
  • READRIGHTHERE
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:32pm

    Holy freak, someone please make sure they can’t return to the states, our collective IQ will decrease dramatically. They weren’t arrested because of Iran-US relations, they were arrested as a result of their stupidity (couldn’t see the potential pitfalls of hiking near a potentially hostile border…) They have declared themselves enemies of the state, attacking our government while on foreign soil. Put them in Guantanomo where their opinions of US policies towards prisoners may be adjusted. Their families should be deeply ashamed of their moronic behavior. They are not innocent victims they were willfully ignorant, and now we will never hear the end of it. Do plane tickets come with an option of Return to Sender?

    Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:37pm

      what lovely fascist sentiments. Freedom of speech means zero to you. What a great defender of the Constitution you are.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • booger71
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:15pm

      what lovely fascist sentiments. Freedom of speech means zero to you. What a great defender of the Constitution you are.”
      ———————————————————————————————–
      First of all,you don’t know the meaning of Fascist, second, if they had any guts, they would have denounced the U.S from the court house steps, not a 3rd world peon of a country that hates what we stand for..

      Report Post » booger71  
    • READRIGHTHERE
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:54pm

      I am a huge defender of free speech, inlcuding mine. I even defend my right to reread the article and make adjustment to my sentiments. I made the mistake of thinking they were still in Oman. Now I have to say it is too late, they are here, our options are limited.

      What a waste of 1000000 plus dollars that could have been spent helping a higher number of people. They risked their freedom with intent, and then lay blame at our country because we have strained relations with a nation run by a mentally unstable despot bent on the destruction of Israel and any country that defends Israel (How many of our soldiers are gone through Iran’s assistance?) As if we could have anything but a strained relationship with Iran.

      What a waste of resources. I realize I am being blunt, but they can’t claim victimhood here, they are not allowed to whine, they should have spent the Press conference expressing their contrition for putting themselves in harms way, causing undue and unnecessary anguish to their loved ones, and having to rely on the good will of others to save them from their stupidity. To use that moment to cast negativity on the greatest freedom loving country still standing is uncalled for and should be lamented.

      They are a perfect example of the liberal mindset in action. “I should be able to do whatever I feel is right, and I should also be able to choose the consequences of my choices and I can complain and blame anyone.”

      Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 26, 2011 at 9:53am

      What they should have done, how they should react to the Iranian/ American conflict, what they should think about American policy, is entirely separate from the fact that you wanted them exhiled from the country for not saying and thinking the right things.

      That is inherently fascist: to make one‘s basic right of citizenship dependent on agreement with the government’s policy.

      Believe what you like about these deluded fools, to punish them for nothing more than being fools and speaking out against American policy is itself inherently unAmerican. What, shall we inprison or exhile all liberals here in America? That would make me feel good, but it would be wrong and it would shred our Constitution. Verbally supporting our enemy, and we aren’t actually in a state of war with Iran, is not itself treason. having a hateful opinion is not treason. Treason is actively working against one’s own country by helping the enemy or by betraying a duty entrusted by the nation. These idiots have not hurt America in the slightest, nor do I see any intent to harm America.

      The hatred and negativity that permeates this site is disturbing, but it speaks to the level of anxiety and division in this country. We are in a cold civil war, a cultural war. But if it ever becomes a hot war, the way the radicals would like to make it, we are sunk. Venting our anger at inconsequential boobs like these hikers only stokes the flames that we should be keeping under control.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • Shrink the State
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:27pm

    Foolish, liberal, ingrates.

    Report Post »  
  • scout n ambush
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:25pm

    I wonder if they were christians would they be given a bible and allowed to pray and if they were given lavish meals and cable tv free? Now someone needs to ask them why they were there hiking and why they came back here if they think our country is sooo bad.

    Report Post » scout n ambush  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:42pm

      So, if you disagree with your country‘s policy you must hate your country and shouldn’t want to come back, right? Pretty twisted logic. By that measure I shouldn‘t have wanted to come back from England because I think Obama’s violation of the Constitution stinks, or that our toleration of abortion is an abomination.

      Let’s wait for them to actually say that America is awful before we accuse them of thinking it.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
    • booger71
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:22pm

      Let’s wait for them to actually say that America is awful before we accuse them of thinking it.”
      —————————————–
      They did speak out against America while they were living in Syria, before they were captured.

      Report Post » booger71  
    • scout n ambush
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 10:33pm

      They blame our policies and the hostility we have towards iran if not they would come out and say how awful iran is look what happend to the protesters there they are members of the blame america first crowd they didn’t have to blame the us they chose to. Iknow the type maybe they can take up yachting, somalias coast is beautiful this time of year.liberal yuppies that vote straight dem and probably quote saul alinsky they believed everything was great now that their messiah was going to be pres the worlds muslims would love them wrong.Who foot the bill for their release?Oman well guess who pays them back .

      Report Post » scout n ambush  
  • Psychosis
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:25pm

    dumb dumber and dumbest

    and to think two of them might be having children in the future i hope they get their tubes tied and burned ………………….all three of them

    Report Post » Psychosis  
  • TRONINTHEMORNING
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:23pm

    Hey you thankless, clueless little jerks; take another walk!

    Report Post »  
    • Islesfordian
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:49pm

      Just to be clear, in what way are they thankless? They thanked those they believe to have helped in their release. Who else should they thank? And why should you care so very much that they don’t?

      Your vitriol won’t reach them and only consumes your soul and polutes the discourse here.

      Report Post » Islesfordian  
  • I.Gaspar
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:22pm

    Let’s send them back.

    Report Post »  
    • STICKTOGETHER
      Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:35pm

      Get lost….on the same trail… and this time take your beloved friends Cindy Sheehan and Sean Penn with you.

      Report Post »  
  • wisehiney
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:22pm

    Just great! Three more trolls to deal with.

    Report Post »  
  • wordweaver
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:22pm

    Welcome back, you ungrateful drips. Two words for your next outing: Appalachian Trail.

    Report Post » wordweaver  
  • HumbleMan
    Posted on September 25, 2011 at 9:15pm

    These two can go to hell.

    Report Post » HumbleMan  
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