Re: couldn't resist sharing

[Drsolly <drsollyp () drsolly com>]

On Mon, 16 Apr 2007, Brian Loe wrote:

> On 4/16/07, Drsolly <drsollyp () drsolly com> wrote:
> > On Mon, 16 Apr 2007, Brian Loe wrote:
> > > I don't think the UK should have attacked the Iranians - and most
> > > others don't either. However, I do believe those seaman and marines
> > > should have defended themselves.
> >
> > They were in an inflatable boat. Have you ever sat in an inflatable boat
> > with a bunch of people pointing guns at your boat? Would you start a
> > shooting war at that point? It wouldn't last long.
>
> It might be the confusing reports about how it all went down, but as I
> understood it, there was a Brittish battleship that those guys were

I don't think we actually have any battleships any more. I think there was 
a frigate or destroyer, but it was too far away to influence the action. 

> based on nearby. The Iranians weren't in large boats themselves and I
> doubt they wanted to tangle with the battleship (nevermind the two
> carrier battle groups also in the area).
>
> It was very staged by the Iranians, the whole thing, and I'm not sure
> that I wouldn't have done the exact same thing - haven't been there.
> But, as with many of the commentators, I would rather hear the
> Marine/Navy leader say that his first thought was, "we're at a
> tactical disadvantage" rather than, "I want to make it home."

When you're in an inflatable boat, you really can't put up much of a 
battle. 
 
> > > I have no doubt in the UK's soldiers
> > > being able to handle themselves, if they try.
> >
> > Sometimes when you're ambushed in a hopeless situation, you just have to
> > accept defeat.
>
> Sometimes, I'm not sure this was one of those times though...my guess
> it had more to do with the fact that they weren't supposed to be in a
> battle area and the rules of engagement they were given.
 
It wasn't a battle area. We aren't at war with Iran. We were on the Iraqi 
side of the line drawn in the sea between Iran and Iraq, but that's a 
disputed border (Saddam fought a long war over that), and the Iranians say 
we were on their side.

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