I think you forgot to tell Iran that they were under your occupation now, too. Silly British! You have to get a surrender first before you occupy a country!

Christopher, juarez, mexico

Why all the attention over the female hostage? Does she have some inherent weakness that makes her more a sympathetic marine in these conditions? The evident hypocrisy of allowing women into combat roles is that while in principle the practice is pleasing to social engineers in peacetime, it defies practical reality of gender strengths and weaknesses during actual hostilities (when they really matter). If society truly believed that women could hold their own in combat, this focus on the safety of a female marine would never have been given the time of day. However, the article was published and the interest itself only reveals the underlying falsehood upon which the policy of gender integration in the forces is grounded.

David R., Washington, DC, USA

DW in Bexhill-On-Sea, East Sussex:

You ask where the Americans are and then state we're not interested. Far from it. This outrage is front page coverage in the US. We're quite interested since Britain is unquestionably the USA's longest and best ally, and we darn well care whether our friends are being hassled by thugs.

As for official US government action, that's something that has to take place behind the scenes in a supportive role. This is your Prime Minister's call. If he wants the USA's help in some fashion, it's his right to determine what , when, and how it would be most helpful. He probably has already communicated this to our President. It's your people in danger, and we'll be following Britain's lead in any actions taken.

Jill, Pittsburgh, PA, USA

When Iran detains 15 sailors in disputed waters, it is called hostage taking. When the US captures 5 Iranian diplomats in Iraq, it is probably called fighting for democracy and against terror. What to say? The reality speaks for itself. Being sick of Iran won't help. The US and Britain need to fix their own double standards first.

rima, Tehran, Iran

Remeber, they are not hostages. Why you mix everything? They have been captured bc they insulted the Iranian boarder.

Mack Mackian, Berge, Norway

I can not understand why England and the United States allow our women to go into combat areas and be put at such risk. I am a Veteran of WWII and disapprove completely of allowing women to serve in the Armed Forces. It is a man's job to protect this country and his family. No self-respecting group of people would ever allow women to be put into such dangerous positions.

Max Tyner, New Braunfels, Texas USA

we must surrender now otherwise disaster will follow

william jones, weybridge, united kingdom

I thought WRNS were long gone and they were all sailors,also can some one tell me what a naval boatman is??

jim flynn, edinburgh, scotland

Edwina Rigby has voiced her opinion & sure some people will be in agreement. Women do have equal rights & I have no doubt that Ms Turney is as profesional as her male collegues. I wonder if a man could say such a thing so freely without being scorned as a chauvanistic pig. God bless them all & bring them home soon.

Mike Burkinshaw, Gran Canaria, Spain

Why ever did women fight for the right to go to the Front ?

No one is fussing about the other prisoners who are male. They have families too, don't they?

I am happy to let men open doors for me , help me on with my coat, offer me their seats, walk on th e outside to protect me from bolting horses and similar ... and fight at the front.

I suppose I am some sort of dinosaur-ess.

Sue, London,

karl,
when they do we give them money/housing and pay for them to appeal to stay longer

ed, london, uk

Why are British women being put in harm's way in a war zone? Do we want them to be raped and abused? For that is the PREDICTABLE outcome when women are placed into a war zone!

Admittedly, the U.S. forces now do the same thing, but does Britain have to follow everything that America does?

Have we lost all respect for ourselves ...and our women?

Are there not sufficient men in the British Armed forces?
A nation that fails to protect its women has surely lost some of its self-respect. It's time to restore Britain...to its former position as a truly GREAT Britain.

A. G. Gumbs, Glendale Heights, IL., USA

So what is so special about this person over and above the others? She wanted to play with the boys and so she shares the same risks. Equality means just that - equal.
The RN is a fighting machine and not a cruise line as some parents of females seem to think. The men also have parents and relatives!

ex RN 30 years, FLEETWOOD, LANCS

Think if it was iranian who violated englands borders. What would happen then? Englans is so arrogant that she will not accept the fault. I think it is time for England to realize that she is not an empire anymore. People in the ME will not and shall not forget how this empire insulted them.

Karl Halmstrand, Malmo, Sweden

That the British Navy allowed their personnel to be captured in this way needs explaining. Anyone with one eye open could have forseen this happening, just when the UN was passing its latest resolution.
I had thought these inflatable boats were capable of fast planing; certainly sufficient to escape from an Iranian gunboat.
And where was the accompanying frigate? Miles away, no doubt.

John Court, Singapore,

If this lady loves being a Mother so much she should be with her child.It is ironic that the father remains at home while the mother sails off into the middle of a war zone. I do not mean to be churlish,but this episode proves to me that married women with young children should not put themselves in harms way.

Edwina Rigby, Chorley Lancashire, England

At the end the Moslem world will take captive at "gun point" all of Eurpe. You poeple have fallen asleep while on guard duty.

Ben Addam, Ra'anana, Israel

Im very sorry sorry for the people involved however
I belive right now there are options , just think if the apeasers would allow Iran to make a Nuke , you would have 0 options.

harold, pei, Canada

I do not believe a single word the official Iran Government puts out, it is propanganda. The sit on your behaind attitude does not work, you either stand up to a bully or he keeps hitting you harder. The paradox is the sooner that Britain stands up to the fight the easier the resolve will found. Stand up and fight back, send in the SAS.

JERRY MCCULLOUGH, St.Catharines, Ontario, Canada, CANADA

This is the typical nature of Iranians.
They've miscalculated once again using hostage taking as a tool.
Somehow, the Brits need to get their boys released through a third country. Then Iran (which harbors and supports Al Qaida) needs to be severely punished!
The world needs to let Iran know their shananigans will no longer be tolerated. I'm so sick of that country I could vomit!

Erik Johansen, Tacoma, WA

Q Where are the Americans?
A Not interested.


Fair enough, we know where we stand.

dw, bexhill-on-sea, east sussex

We fully support the United Kingdon in its demads to realese the 15 navy and marine personel being held against their will by Iran.

Taking hostages is becoming obsolete now a days, in this modern world the hostage taking has no more values then a russian kopek.
Since the world is much closer then it used to be,and much more informed about current affairs,this business of hostage taking holds no water any more.
let the British soldiers go, feed them well, give them a big Iraninan hug ,shake hands and say goodbye to them all.

This way all the neighbours of iIan can go to sleep well at night,have no nighmares of who is comming now to bomb us, or invade us, and the British people can rest and have a few extra drinks for the good will shown by both parties,England and Iran, and perhaps something good might come after this, who knows.
Let Israel take Palestinians as hostages, they call it arrests of terrorists, but actually they are hostages to amke them their spies.
Small brains do thso.

vespasianus, Paramus n.j, United States/