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MSNBC's Jack Jacobs: 'Words Can't Express My Disgust' for Brit Captives
NewsBusters ^
| Mark Finkelstein
Posted on 04/06/2007 8:19:29 AM PDT by governsleastgovernsbest
In some ways, Army Colonel Jack Jacobs [ret.] is the perfect military analyst for an MSM outlet like MSNBC. His Medal of Honor won for exceptional heroism in Vietnam [read account here] puts him above reproach. Yet his take on Iraq and other military affairs is anything but a parroting of the Bush administration line.
But while MSNBC might see him as one of their own, there come moments, as today, when Jacob leaves no doubt that he remains altogether a military man, upholding the highest traditions of valor and sacrifice. At about 10:30 AM EDT this morning, he was brought in to comment after the just-concluded press conference by a number of the British sailors and marines who had been held captive by the Iranians. A clearly outraged Jacobs made no effort to hide his contempt for them. Excerpts from his comments:
View video here.
- "I don't know where to begin. I've gotta tell you, that was the most disgusting, disreputable, dishonorable performance I can remember in more than forty years of my relationship with the military service. I think every man, every woman who wears the uniform, or who has ever worn the uniform of his country, no matter what country it is, ought to be disgusted by this."
- "It is clear from their statements today and their actions before, during and after their capture that the single most significant and important thing was going home."
- Jacobs read this quotation from John Stuart Mill: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing that is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept free by the exertions of other men better than himself." Continued Jacobs: "And I think this sums up this shoddy spectacle better than anyone else can."
- The MSNBC host then played a clip from the press conference of one of the Brits explaining that had they tried to use force to repel the Iranians, "many of us would not be standing here today." Responded Jacobs: "I think it says volumes. I tell you, if his forbears, the greatest generation of Great Britain, who fought and died so that this meathead could be here now, had thought the way he did in the same situation he wouldn't be here today. Words can't express [my] disgust." Concluded a clearly moved Jacobs: "And I can tell you that my feelings are almost undoubtedly echoed by everyone I know who's worn the uniform."
Contact Mark at mark@gunhill.net
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: iran; jackjacobs; military; msnbc; uk
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To: Behind Liberal Lines; Miss Marple; an amused spectator; netmilsmom; Diogenesis; YaYa123; MEG33; ...
Medal-of-Honor ping to Today show list.
2
posted on
04/06/2007 8:20:03 AM PDT
by
governsleastgovernsbest
(Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
I caught Col. Jacobs on MSNBC earlier today. I was wondering if the Brits have the same code of conduct
3
posted on
04/06/2007 8:21:39 AM PDT
by
Horatio Gates
(Oleoresin capsicum: WOT Protestor tested. Cop approved.)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Not that I didn’t agree with his every word. Just was curious....
4
posted on
04/06/2007 8:22:18 AM PDT
by
Horatio Gates
(Oleoresin capsicum: WOT Protestor tested. Cop approved.)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
I’m not brave, but I know cowardice.
5
posted on
04/06/2007 8:23:33 AM PDT
by
Porterville
(All hail the Prophet Gore, an ass dressed in a lion's skin)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
In the several videos I saw I was stunned by how comfortable and “at ease” the sailors seemed to be.I detected not a single attempt on their part to communicate to the world (or their commanders) that the statements they were making were being made involuntarily.
6
posted on
04/06/2007 8:24:01 AM PDT
by
Gay State Conservative
("The meaning of peace is the absence of opposition to socialism."-Karl Marx)
To: Horatio Gates
Yes, they do, most of ours are modeled after them. The UCMJ came from the Brit royal navy.
I agree with his comments and on parading these cowards across the t.v.
7
posted on
04/06/2007 8:24:52 AM PDT
by
edcoil
(Reality doesn't say much - doesn't need too)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
"War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing that is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept free by the exertions of other men better than himself."
- John Stuart Mill
8
posted on
04/06/2007 8:26:19 AM PDT
by
Mr. Mojo
To: Horatio Gates
I have to assume the Brits set the standard in this kind of think. Reference was made to how Admiral Nelson would be turning over in his grave.
9
posted on
04/06/2007 8:27:04 AM PDT
by
governsleastgovernsbest
(Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
As another former military member and Afghan vet I have to say that I totally agree. I served with some Brits in Afghanistan. None of them acted so damn weak.
These idiots immediately surrendered and then did whatever they were told by their captors. To watch that the British Captain explain why they didn’t fight is a disgrace. That lack of fortitude is exactly why they captured the Brits in the first place.
Watching the capture video released a week ago you can see that the Iranians made sure on their approach that they were British and not Americans.
I have always respected our British allies, but this event and their apparent surrender of their country to Muslims makes me wonder what the hell is going on in England.
10
posted on
04/06/2007 8:28:01 AM PDT
by
CCGuy
(USAF (Ret.))
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Helluva picture of that Batchelor fellow. Looks like he is about 12 years old and ready to cry.
11
posted on
04/06/2007 8:28:55 AM PDT
by
headstamp
(Nothing lasts forever, Unless it does.)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
“Our Country won’t go on forever, if we stay soft as we are now. There won’t
be any AMERICA because some foreign soldiery will invade us and take our
women and breed a hardier race!”
-Lt. Gen. Lewis B. “Chesty” Puller, USMC
12
posted on
04/06/2007 8:29:14 AM PDT
by
rednesss
To: headstamp
“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing that is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept free by the exertions of other men better than himself.”
14
posted on
04/06/2007 8:32:47 AM PDT
by
george76
(Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
To: naturalman1975
Would appreciate hearing your feedback on this (when you’re awake!).
To: governsleastgovernsbest
Slammed their ‘meatheads’ into the turnbuckle.
16
posted on
04/06/2007 8:33:22 AM PDT
by
Ieatfrijoles
(Incinerate Riyadh Now.(Request shot splash))
To: governsleastgovernsbest
I thought that he quit NBC because the network refused to fire a correspondent who made some vile statements abotu the US troops?
17
posted on
04/06/2007 8:33:32 AM PDT
by
ken5050
(The 2008 winning ticket: Rudy/Newtie, with Hunter for SecDef, Pete King at DHS, Bill Simon at Treas)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
What an idiot.
These British marines were told not to fight unless they had too. They were out gunned and outnumbered. UK is not at war with Iran. They had no military secrets that needed to be protected.
Why should they have fought and died? To make a lot of armchair heroes feel good while they sip their latte’s?
BS. Keep the heroics for when its needed.
18
posted on
04/06/2007 8:34:05 AM PDT
by
pablo H
(Remember '96- No more Doles!)
To: Horatio Gates
I was wondering if the Brits have the same code of conduct We are witnessing the "Frenchification" of UK troops. Excuse me, I think I'm going to be ill......
19
posted on
04/06/2007 8:34:44 AM PDT
by
Thermalseeker
(Just the facts, ma'am)
To: governsleastgovernsbest
At the end of the interview, tears welled up in Jacobs’ eye—he was that disgusted by what was said at the conference.
The Lt. gave a detailed account of how they were treated, and completely skipped over the times when videos were made,etc. The cover-up is in play.
Nothing he said rose to the level of torture.
As Americans we have witnessed our own being captured in Vietnam, the USS Pueblo,the Iranian embassy, the Beirut kidnappings, the Chinese P-3 incident—never have I witnessed such a cavalier and unprofessional attitude by these young Brits, clearly jumping to their captor’s tunes, almost immediately.
If there was overbearing torture they experienced, that’s one thing—no one would fault them.
But there clearly was nothing like that. There fore, my original assessment is the same—utterly disgraceful.
20
posted on
04/06/2007 8:35:15 AM PDT
by
exit82
(2008 Dem Campaign Slogan: "Vote Democrat-Hate America First!")
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