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

[pitinkie]

Shaking Nutjobs hand for one!

[colorado tanker]

I don't recall the incident. Couldn't find it with google, either. But then, Saddam was involved in so many incidents.

I'm not clear about something. I read in one report that a RN helicopter was in the area. If so, was it an attack chopper? And if so, why didn't it warn the sailors and move to protect them?

[napscoordinator]

Didn’t Bush invite a nutjob to the White House?

[Beckwith]

what makes him so different

Yop, very bitter! What makes him so different is that little blue ribbon, wreath and star that he wears around his neck.

[colorado tanker]

Yep, guys with that blue ribbon and medal thingy are entitled to their opinion in matters military.

[CCGuy]

“Their suit should be dismissed as soon as it hits the judges desk and the lawyers bringing the action brought up for disbarment.”

I totally agree with you. This was a planned publicity stunt from the start. If they aren’t American citizens they need to be kicked out immediately as well.

[at bay]

"what exactly did they (the hstages) say that was so bad. (?)They said that it was possible that they ended up....."

When I meet you, I will command that you get on your hands and knees and bow to me. It won't be so bad. I have kneepads. Afterwards I'll give you candies. I'll take you to a showing of "300" and you can root for the hunchback.

[PghBaldy]

I am surprised a TV commentatot on MSNBC said this. FNC wouldn’t surprise me. The whole affair was poorly handled. God help Western Civilization.

[napscoordinator]

And?

[O6ret]

Yes, that's it, it's silly.

Silly to think that military personnel, who are bound by a code of conduct, should actually adhere to it.

Silly to think that men and women in uniform, volunteers all (including the single mom), should actually be held accountable for their cowardly actions.

[ansel12]

“And?”

You really are incredibly thick.

[ansel12]

This is a link to the story, it doesn’t mention it, but the boy was really impressive. I hope someone can find a video or a better version of the story.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/onthisday/hi/dates/stories/august/23/newsid_2512000/2512289.stm

[mjolnir]

Why should MSNBC have been unhappy with him? From what I can tell, he wasn’t attacking Iran or British non-policy toward Iran so much as he was attacking the British sailors-— and I’m sure MSNBC as a whole LOVES it when our allies, not to mention the sailors and troops of our allies are criticized, much as they love it when Col. Jacobs criticizes Donald Rumsfeld or President Bush.

Of course, that doesn’t mean he’s right or wrong in either case. Whether or not he’s right in this one-— and it would seem based on the testimony of the sailors that he is-— I hope Blair responds as Thatcher would have.

[Osage Orange]

No way it was that guy...

I saw him mowing lawns in Bartlesville, OK last week.

[Osage Orange]

Well I noticed the old colonel made it out with a Medal of Honor and a monthly check every month just for that. I wonder if he was really all that honorable.

What the heck????

Please explain that.....

[Axlrose]

When did they fight, exactly ?

[napscoordinator]

As molasses. So what? You seem to have all the answers Mr big shot.

[mjolnir]

I should add that for all I know, the sailors had good reasons for their actions which haven’t come out yet. I mean, they were held captive and isolated by an evil regime, and that would no doubt make a punk like me break. I realize those in the military hold themselves to a higher standard, and Col. Jacobs went beyond even that in his courage. But things aren’t always as they appear-— remember the Duke rape case.

[Axlrose]

I agree, the UK is a weak nation. We do ourselves future harm remaining allies with them.

Being allied with a weak nation will be percieved as an act of great weakness in many parts of the world, and places us a greater risk.

[Hot Tabasco]

surrendering their uniforms, allowing the Iranians to dress them up and making propaganda for their captors was shameful.

You are a captive of a potential militarily hostile nation, you have no idea what your captors have in mind for you, and you may know that the last captives of Iran were held for over 400 days. So what would you have done WHEN DEMANDED TO DO SO?

A bogus video filmed by the Iranians and known to the whole world to be nothing more than a propaganda ploy and then the soldiers forced to wear suits upon their departure.

I would hardly consider their actions as disgraceful.

Do you consider Steve Centanni a disgrace to Christianity and western civilization for his actions?

I ask you once again, what would you have done?