Hypocracy

15 British soldiers had been captured by Iran, then they were released. I have not commented on the whole story yet, although there would be a lot to say. I do not know who was right, as I have not yet informed myself what the specific situation was: was the location of the soldiers within Iranian waters, or was it not? What is exactly the legal situation there? Who claims what, and what is the international law exactly there?

There were lots of words, lots of talk, discussions, statements, threats. UK diplomacy kept a low profile, in contrast what the US would have done. Eventually that allowed Ahmadinejad to show off his grandeous gesture of good will, without loosing too much face.

Now the soldiers are back in the UK, and now the media circus begins. They had been allowed to tell - and sell - their story to the media. But today in the afternoon this was forbidden to them. And here is where the hypocracy reaches a level which makes me want to voice my opinion. The soldiers should be allowed to tell - and, yes, sell their story. The media wants it, they are willing to pay, so why not? It is their story, and if someone is willing to pay, then there should be nobody forbidding them to take the money. Here is the hypocracy of the British ruling establishment clearly visible: on one side, the government prevented the investigation into the corruption allegations related to the Saudi arms deal, in which UK companies were involved. "Security interest" was at stake... And now on the other hand, the poor "little guy", the soldiers, are not allowed to take any money. Although in their case, they did not accept bribes, no corruption was here involved.

The arms lobby can quietly continue their "business", with the usual corruption methods. That is ok, is legal, will not be prosecuted. But the soldiers shall tell their story for free... what a hypocracy!