"We love you, Cousins, but the fact is without the US you would lost WWII, and quite possibly WWI as well."
I don't deny, the russians could also make that claim. However, there never would have been a world war two at that time had we not stood up to them. The threat would have got even worse.
"Now, the problem seems to be you've virtually NO significant military power left"
That's false, our military, while not the force it once was, is still one of the top militaries on the planet.
"If 100% - or even a substantial majority - of the British saw us as allies and were with us, I'd say "OK, no problem, send along what you've got and we're damned glad to have you" but increasingly it looks like most Brits see us as more the enemy than the Iranians. Blair is with us, but barely, and has held us back from doing things as timely and as aggressively as we thought right."
You are being misled by the media, and the discontented minority. The majority of brits are very glad to have you as an ally.
Blair hasn't held you back, he's been by your side when decisions have been made, and almost unanimously supportive of those decisions.
"Now, British sailors and marines docilely perform on Iranian video while HM Government dithers and sputters."
While Mr Presidents government have said they'd respond in a near identical way.
What the hell do you expect us to do?
Start a war?
Have patience and be realistic for once. Their are British lives at risk, and we certainly aren't going in all guns blazing while they have our sailors captive, as it would result in the murder of everyone of them.
That's already been done. It would be your task to end it.
Oh please!
We would have shot down Flight93 in a New York minute if that plane got into forbidden airspace over the beltway.
We're talking about an out-of-control regime terrorizing the entire Middle East, Israel and western civilization.
Can you imagine Napolean or Alexander the Great being cited for not attacking an enemy over fifteen hostages?
The UK military, such as it is, is man for man as good as anyone's. True. But, how many ships, planes and divisions have you? Fewer than you need to be taken seriously as a great power, especially as a conventional great power. Russia, China and India are more powerful, as is probably Israel. You still have a seat at the top table by American choice. Unfortunately, we are the only great Western power left.
I hope you're right about the majority of the British, that's certainly not the impression we get over here these days. Your media is as anti-American as the frogs and the krauts!
Have patience and be realistic for once. Their are British lives at risk, and we certainly aren't going in all guns blazing while they have our sailors captive, as it would result in the murder of everyone of them
I understand the sentiment, but are the lives of 15 service members, who've taken the Queen's shilling after all, worth the humiliation of Britain? I would have thought you English were made of sterner stuff. No one wants their people killed, especially prisoners. But, if a power does that, then you retaliate. The deterrent to the murder of prisoners is not a diplomatic demarche, its the certain knowledge that those who do it will end up dead.
What the hell do you expect us to do?
Start a war?
Well, actually, under accepted norms of international law, the Iranians have already started a war. The only question is whether Britain will make the Iranians pay for it.
What I'd have Britain do is callthe Iranian ambassador in and tell him the following:
1. You have 12 hours to return our people and their equipment to British Control.
2. If they are not returned by such time, you will be provided with your passports and transported home.
3. After the end of the 12 hours, the Iranian gasoline refining facilities and petroleum storage facilities are subject to destruction.
4. If any of the British hostages are harmed in any way, we will use what the Americans call "national strategic means" to ensure your government no longer troubles the earth.
And then do what has to be done.