Anger as hostages sell stories to highest bidders

[cal04]

The 15 British military hostages released by Iran were accused last night of cashing in on the ordeal by selling their stories in a string of lucrative media deals.

The sailors, who spent 13 days in captivity and at times feared for their lives, have been given permission by the Ministry of Defence to give exclusive interviews. The MoD justified lifting the ban on military personnel selling their stories while in service because of the 'exceptional circumstances' involved.

The former captives are expected to make around £250,000 between them. Faye Turney, the 26-year-old seawoman, is likely to get the most profitable deal. She is said to have sold her story for £150,000 in a joint contract with a newspaper and ITV.

The development was criticised by politicians and relatives of victims killed in the Iraq war. Liam Fox, the shadow Defence Secretary, said: 'One of the great things about our armed forces is their professionalism and dignity. Many people who shared the anxiety of the hostages' abduction will feel that selling their stories is somewhat undignified and falls below the very high standards we have come to expect from our service men and women.'

Colonel Bob Stewart, a British commander of United Nations forces in Bosnia, told the Sunday Times that the MoD had turned a military disaster into a media circus. 'The released hostages are behaving like reality TV stars,' he said. 'I am appalled that the MoD is encouraging them to profit in this way.'

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/world/story/0,,2052703,00.html

Fury as the hostages sell stories
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article1626726.ece

[bemildred]

1. What? Is Murdoch annoyed at the underclasses making money?

Who writes this crap?

[orpupilofnature57]

4. Misanthrope Megalomaniacs are like that.

[ShortnFiery]

2. I thought the right wingers of both the USA and UK love Capitalism? n/t

[NanceGreggs]

3. Not for nothin', but ...

"The MoD justified lifting the ban on military personnel selling their stories while in service because of the 'exceptional circumstances' involved."

That just smacks of 'say what we want you to say, and we'll make sure you make a buck off it'.

[Demeter]

5. From Sweeney Todd: (Victorian England Thriller)

Lately all her neighbors' cats have disappeared!
Have to hand it to her --
Wot I calls
Enterprise
Poppin' pussies into pies!
Wouldn't do in my shop!
Just the thought of it's enough to make you sick!
And I'm tellin' you, them pussycats is quick!

[wtmusic]

6. If they kick back half to the Iranians they could get a sweet

little cottage industry going...

[Peace Patriot]

7. Well, Tony Blair and the Royal military wanted into BushWorld. Now they've got it.

Suck on it, assholes.

Cheap.
Tawdry.
Unprofessional.
Exploitative.
Greedy.
Egotistical.
Selfish.
Ugly
murdering
thieving
predatory
capitalism.

Welcome to BushWorld! Check your ethics at the door! Piss on public service! We LOVE Bush's war!

Now we get to be millionaires, just like Donald Trump! And if your lordships don't like it, you can kiss my rump!

Go for it, boys and girl! Take the money and run! This is BushWorld's real reality, when all is said and done.

[PSPS]

8. "Hostages?"

I know that's the RW talking point, but there it is in The Observer.

[Solo_in_MD]

9. Its the right term under the circumstances