I think I’ve mentioned it before but I was a paperboy during the Iran hostage crisis of 1979-1981. Every day the cover of the Trenton Times had a box that tallied the days since our hostages had been taken captive. I didn’t know anything about the history between our countries. I didn’t know about the CIA coup in 1953. But I did not like the fact that the Iranians were holding Americans hostage, burning American flags, and calling us The Great Satan. I developed an intense dislike for Iran and for Iranians.
As I grew up, I learned about the history and the underpinnings of the Iranian Revolution. I also met and became friends with people that had fled the revolution. I began to develop a much more nuanced view.
As I watch clips of the British hostages I feel some of those same raw emotions I felt as an eleven year-old paper boy. And, it occurs to me that the Iranians do not really understand the kind of emotions they are conjuring up in a lot of Americans, not to mention Brits. Most people haven’t studied the history of U.S.-Iran relations or befriended Iranian ex-patriots. I don’t think most people have ever really learned about the legitimate grievances of Iranians toward our country. Some Americans that are very educated about U.S.-Iran history, but who haven’t spent time with ex-pats, have an overly sanguine view about Iranian actions and intentions…in my opinion.
It’s a very mixed picture that is greatly complicated by the chaos in Iraq. But Iran is making a very grave error by holding hostages. I can’t think of anything better designed to arouse feelings of anger and intolerance in Americans (at least, those Americans that lived through the hostage crisis). I think it is a visceral thing. I know I have a visceral reaction. I can step back from it and take a bird’s-eye view of my emotions. I suspect most people cannot.
This could easily lead to war. And I honestly cannot see how Britain and America can fight a war with Iran without it becoming a total war, with drafts and WMD’s and a takeover of the oil fields.
Iran is playing with fire. I hope they release these hostages very soon.
