British Impotence
There was a time when this garbage would have gotten a country invaded, colonized, and instilled with a proper appreciation for good manners and afternoon tea. Alas:
Before the video was broadcast, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Tony Blair warned that any attempt to humiliate the captives by putting them on display would be a breach of the Geneva Conventions.The Iranians did it anyway.
Cravenness breeds contempt. Half a decade of "engagement" and "negotiation" has taught Iran that no insult toward Europe - no matter how spectacular - will go punished. Lie to them, kick them, spit on them - they'll turn the other cheek in a way that reflects not so much a Christian heritage as a breathtaking spinelessness. The multilateral treaty fetish of the Europeans doesn't seem to be so important when its their own citizens who are being violated. At least not so important that they'd actually fight to defend it.
Honestly, we're a little surprised that the Iranians haven't forced her to convert. Yet.
References:
* Faye's humiliation
* NYT: Just Because You Were Forced at Gunpoint to Convert To Islam Doesn't Mean You Were Harmed In Any Way [MR]
Previously:
* EU to Iran: We're Still Thinking of Sanctions. Don't Think We're Not.
* Iran Baffles World By Refusing To Give Up Nuclear Ambitions
* Fetishistic Disavowal
