April 10, 2007

There is widespread revulsion here in the U.K. over the government’s permission to fifteen former hostages to sell their stories. After initial euphoria that the fifteen sailors and marines were home safe, the public is angry over the former hostages making money from their experience.

Faye Turney, the only woman among them, sold her story to a tabloid newspaper and a TV network for the equivalent of $200 thousand. Everything now seems to have a price.

The mother of a 19-year-old woman killed in iraq told the London Times, “If you are a member of the military, it is your duty to serve your country. You should do your duty and not expect to make money by selling stories.” What a unique concept!

This country has lost its way. The Roman Catholic bishop who oversees the British military praised the Iranian government for its forgiveness and act of mercy in freeing the hostages. And the BBC has decided not to carry the story of a British hero in Iraq because it might offend its audience, which mostly opposes the war. It’s a far cry from the days of Winston Churchill, or even Margaret Thatcher.

Cal Thomas is a nationally syndicated columnist based in Washington, D.C.