MSNBC's Jack Jacobs: 'Words Can't Express My Disgust' for Brit Captives

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[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

[elhombrelibre]

Yes, the Ms. Manners Handbook of Etiquette would please those who want a gelded military.

The worst part is that this sad "ordeal," as their leader called it, too will embolden the Iranians and Syrians. And I've seen some quips and claptrap on this thread about neo-cons being disappointed that there was no war. This outcome makes war more likely, not less. Perceived pusillanimity emboldens bullies; it never placates them. We can expect another round of trouble in Lebanon, Iraq, or some other place where Iranian proxies do the mad mullahs bidding. This doesn't end or fix anything.

[Christopher Lincoln]

MSNBC may not be happy, but I promise the surrender advocates love Jacobs to death, just as they do John Derbyshire. See if his statement isn't all over the media by the end of the day.

[FreeAtlanta]

Maybe they should all be given 4 feathers.

[ansel12]

“I have military experience. I was taught to take care of my men and bring them back alive - if possible. “

What did some of that training consist of in relation to this? How were you taught to lead your men if captured?

[at bay]

I know what I DID do after 2 weeks in captivity, sleeping on a concrete floor and having been hospitalized for kidney stones. I was told I could be released if only I would apologize. Had done nothing, didn’t apologize and endured two more weeks in captivity and was tortured prior to my release.

Cowards all.

[Hot Tabasco]

The sailors' full statement is on another thread but here is an excerpt from it:

“The Iranians are not our enemies. We are not at war with them. Our rules of engagement at that time stated that we could only use lethal force if we felt that we were in imminent danger of a loss of life.

“By the time the true intent of the Iranians had become apparent - and we could have legitimately fought back - it was too late for action.

“We were completely surrounded, and in addition to the loss of life, any attempted to fight back would caused a major international incident and an escalation of tension within the region.

“Our team had seconds to make a decision and we believe that we made the right decision. We still believe this was the right thing to do.”

"Discretion is the better part of Valour

[Horatio Gates]

Thanks for the heads up. It wasn’t my original comment but it’s something that piqued my interest for later study

[McCloud-Strife]

Article I

I am an American, fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

Article II

I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender the members of my command while they still have the means to resist.

Article III

If I am captured I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

Article IV

Should I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information nor take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me and will back them up in every way.

Article V

When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am required to give name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies or harmful to their cause.

Article VI

I will never forget that I am an American fighting for freedom, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

[fr_freak]

I have military experience. I was taught to take care of my men and bring them back alive - if possible.

I don't know what military you were in - but bringing everybody back alive is not the top priority of the military. If it were, they would never engage in combat in the first place. The top priority is accomplishment of the mission, the ultimate goal of which is the defense of the nation at large. This incident actually served to put the British at greater risk, since hostiles will now see the Brits as easy targets.

That said, it is entirely possible that this is as much, if not more, of a failure at the rear command level. If the sailors had ambiguous instructions about whether they could defend themselves (the British try a little too hard these days not to be as "reckless" as the Americans) or if they were ordered not to, then it should come as no surprise to anyone that the sailors gave up.

[Eaker]

You were given the choice between war & dishonor. You chose dishonor & you will have war. -Churchill

Says it all.

[xzins]

Despite what folks think, the military no longer trains its soldiers to give only name, rank, and serial number.

At the SERE (survival, escape, resistance, evasion) course, troops are taught to survive. When put on public display they are taught to do something...no matter how small...that will indicate to careful observers or for proof to other when they are later freed....that they are speaking under duress.

This could be position of fingers, mispronunciation of words, inflections, accents, eyes...anything.

There is a great recognition that it is an extremely rare person who can resist modern methods of torture and interrogation.

[Buffettfan]

As I watched these brits shaking the hand and smiling to that little rat bastard Imanutjob, I told my wife that I was getting sick to my stomach watching such a brazen act of cowardice. It just show you how politically correct the European military (and all of Europe)has become.

Semper Fi’
Jarhead

[colorado tanker]

I don't have enough facts to second guess their decision to surrender when it appears the Iranians had overwhelming firepower, but I do fault the Royal Navy for not having an adequate defense plan in place.

And I think their conduct in captivity, surrendering their uniforms, allowing the Iranians to dress them up and making propaganda for their captors was shameful.

[Hop A Long Cassidy]

>>>without knowing what their rules of engagement were.

I agree that the ROE were the start of the problems, and for this their officers and politicians back in London should be held to account for this debacle.

BUT, there were three concerns with this crew: nearly all smiled during photo shots by Iran, they seemed to be happy they got to keep their ugly suits and gifts, they all (well, mostly) looked like 13 year old babies.

Most likely, there was unequal treatment. I hope it comes out which of the British acted bravely.

That they looked so immature leads us back to the rules of engagement. The British officers were assuming the Iranians were going to act to British rules so they didn’t send warriors — a mistake they made during our Revolutionary War. Maybe this will serve as a wake up call.

[four more in O 4]

Hey Pablito -

The good member of the most elite club in the history of mankind speaks from the code he learned and lived by:

1) I am an American fighting man. I serve in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense.

2) I will never surrender of my own free will. If in command, I will never surrender my men while they still have the means to resist.

3) If I am captured, I will continue to resist by all means available. I will make every effort to escape and aid others to escape. I will accept neither parole nor special favors from the enemy.

4) If I become a prisoner of war, I will keep faith with my fellow prisoners. I will give no information or take part in any action which might be harmful to my comrades. If I am senior, I will take command. If not, I will obey the lawful orders of those appointed over me, and will back them up in every way.

5) When questioned, should I become a prisoner of war, I am bound to give only name, rank, service number, and date of birth. I will evade answering further questions to the utmost of my ability. I will make no oral or written statements disloyal to my country and its allies, or harmful to their cause.

6) I will never forget that I am an American fighting man, responsible for my actions, and dedicated to the principles which made my country free. I will trust in my God and in the United States of America.

While I cannot speak to the reasons of the Royal MARINES, what the CMH winner said is the pure and simple speak of an AMERICAN FIGHTING MAN.

[Gay State Conservative]

I suggest they had the right to expect that their country would take it for granted that they were speaking involuntarily.

Although I never served in a combat theater,I was taught in Basic Training (in 1969)the basics about being a POW.And what I was taught doesn't fit,in the least,with the conduct that I saw by these sailors on the videos.Of course,the Royal Navy could have very different expectations of their sailors than did the US Army of its soldiers during the 60's and,if so,the blame could lie with those who set up those Royal Navy standards rather than the sailors themselves.

There's another point you don't seem to have thought out.If these sailors said voluntarily that they trespassed on Iranian waters,it follows as the night the day that what they said was true; they had no possible motive to lie voluntarily.

Again,the training I received in the 60's didn't allow for such admissions...regardless.

[elhombrelibre]

Agreed.

[elhombrelibre]

To hear some tell it, there should be a new creed for the British “fighting man.” Here is the new version, which I'm sure one poster here would appove.

I, a member of a peace-loving, post-modern nation vow and will without regard to cost, honor, power, or prestige never be provoked into a fight with anyone who may chose to seize me against my will. Once on display, I will debase myself for the world’s media without shame. I will especially protect the kids on my team so that they don’t get hurt or worse (so icky), and I will not endanger the single mum’s on the team, who are just swell. I will crack under the slightest pressure and curry favor with my captors at every chance. I will not insult or harm the pirates who seize me or behave badly while in their captivity so help me (not God) the PC police. I deplore belligerent behavior and think it's so risky and way uncool.

[Leftism is Mentally Deranged]

Blaming the captives won’t help. They are the product of a sissified, PC, weak, unmanly society in process of decay.

[rip033]

I agree and I would also note that in 1991 Saddam did the same thing after taking foreign nationals hostage just prior to the first Gulf War. He had this family up in front of the cameras with him and asked the little boy, “Stewart are you getting your milk?” That little boy showed more courage than the three Brits I saw held hostage this past week. Even though the little boy was with Saddam on camera and answering his question everyone who viewed the tape knew that the boy was scared and defiant at the same time. Much more than this past week. I even think the boy was British?