whoever wrote that article is a complete idiot. just becuase 3 hikers (as stupid as they are) have a different viewpoint they deserve to rot in prison?? im sorry Debbie but not everyone agrees with your viewpoint in life and if some dumbass group want to go and live in Syria and write bad things about america, israel and some poor souls mamma for all i care then whether you agree or not they are free to do so. thats called freedom or speach. thats why so many nations are fighting in iraq and afghanistan (as well as oil and pipelines)..actually ignore that last bit, we are not fighting some middle eastern crazies for the good of the people, war is business. and america seem to be quite good at it. anyway back to the point, yes they went hiking and yes they ended up in a country that they shouldn’t have. so yes iran had a right to arrest them. our three adventurers had a right to say “sorry mate, my bad” and then iran should be allowed to detain them, process what ever they need to process then kick them out. back home to sunny syria. do they deserve to rot in hell??? nope. that makes you a moron. anyway, doesnt the US run something called guantanamo??? how many of those boys have been legally charged??? is any of our nations really a shining example?? including mine?? couldnt those three journalists write some pretty crappy stuff about all of us?? no one deserves to be hung up and assualted like some of those comments above. anyway, what ever happen to these three mishaps?? how long were they held for?? did debbie ever get to meet them and slap the around for a while??

Ian on April 3, 2010 at 11:39 am

Ummm. I agree with everything you say, except having to bring political right and left into it.
Obviously they were not “bird watching”. Anyone that even halfway believes that story should have their H.S. diploma taken away. AND if they did think their trek would take them so close to Iran- there are all sorts of outfitters, companies, that will set you up with the Visas..IN IRAN.. and allow you to visit the National Parks. Go Online! They know the risk of walking around in an area where drug smugglers are humping opium from Afghanistan- one of the prominant routes. Insurgents in Iraq? Do they want to get their head sawed off on TV?
It is too bad that you politicize this- All the Nation and Anti-Israeli stuff is a front- have you not read more about these people? They are actually all jewish and Zionists! I cant believe that you did not do more research. The rest is a front. How do you think operatives get info? Do you think they walk around telling everyone that they work for the NSA, or whatever? No, of course not. They have a whole past history created for them. These people are dangerous like you said. No time should be spent on their account considering the number of Soldiers that have genuinely taken risks. Leftist Anti- Israeli people do not go to the border regions of Iran to get intel. No, Pro Isreal, Pro Zionist Parties do recon all the time and get info.
This time they were caught.

dbuis on April 8, 2010 at 5:56 pm

I know Shane Bauer, who happens to be a very nice, incredibly inspirational, dedicated young man. Shame on you for pretending to know facts about situations that you clearly do not. Just because someone happens to condemn human rights violations in Israel does not mean they deserve to be abducted. You make me ashamed to be an American.

Christa on April 15, 2010 at 2:01 am

Wow…people like you get so wrapped up in their left wing/right wing or conservative/liberal political stance, they lose all humanity and no longer feel compassion for people with different viewpoints. Would your parents be proud of your point of view? Would you express such venom if you were in the same room with these young kid’s parents and loved ones?

scottm on May 7, 2010 at 10:40 am

I feel for the families and loved ones of these three giant morons. What the hell were they thinking hiking so close to the border of a known rogue state? Not to mention the fact that Iraq isn’t exactly safe either. If they had thought a little more for their parents and a little less of their wanton need for an adventure this would not have happened. And now half the world is expending time and energy on their behalf trying to secure their release. And this coming after the North Korea incident with the two reporters. I hope and pray they will be released soon, for the sake of their mothers. When they do get released I hope they will get on national television and really express remorse for all the heartache and trouble they have caused everyone. Stupid stupid stupid irresponsible people.

Ben on May 9, 2010 at 7:23 pm

If they survive this ordeal, perhaps they gain some wisdom. Then again, they might just blame others for their plight.

http://www.gravatar.com/avatar/ad473afeb10882c4230930d1c655da4e.png on May 10, 2010 at 11:00 pm

This author is a dipshit.

Chuck D on May 11, 2010 at 9:31 am

Completely agree. It’s not just a left viewpoint – it’s the contempt against their own country. Just go to thier websites and you can read all the anti-US, anti- screed for yourself. These are radical agenda idiots that think that laws do not apply to themselves.

What the hell were they doing near the border? Obviously they weren’t concerned. Maybe they have learned that all the freedoms and protection they take for granted as US citizens is worth something. But then again, after seeing their crap on the web, likely not.

These are crappy US citizens (yes they are), that hate the US and do not deserve my tax dollars to save them.

formosa on May 11, 2010 at 1:38 pm

First off, no one deserves to rot in prison for their points of view… so far, thank god, that is not a crime. However, one thing that is never brought up is that perhaps these three are actually acting members of Moussad, and the ‘Left Wing Activist’ is only their cover. I too do not believe the ‘hiking’ cover story… but after the 30 plus folks that organized and carried out the assassination of the Palestinian in the Dubai Hotel a couple of months back, using Australian, UK and US passports.. it’s easy to see that maybe these three are just what they are suspected of being- spies?

Dan Reed on May 12, 2010 at 7:57 am

I know Josh Fattal. He is a giving, loving, adventurous person. He rode his bicycle all the way from California to our neighborhood in PA. He is the most American and world-culture loving person I know. You should be ashamed of yourself.
Since you like to judge things based on first, uninformed impressions you should be careful lest someone turn your medicine on you. I would say that if you looked in the mirror and wrote about yourself you would say you are an obviously empty headed blonde who spent more money on plastic surgery than on education or research materials. Stupid people like you are the reason that people like Josh work on international social projects… to make up for the impression that you idiots make on the world.

Elkins Park on May 14, 2010 at 2:21 pm

Thanks for your reporting, Debbie. I had very little information on the backgrounds of these three hikers.

Ed on May 17, 2010 at 12:07 pm

Debbie you really are a CUNT. That is about as intelligent my comment can be, because you really are the cheese under the foreskin of society. Bye, bitch.

Dr Whitman on May 19, 2010 at 6:31 pm

Shame on you Debbie. I don’t know anything about these 3 people, and i don’t really care what nationality they are – NOBODY deserves to rot in Evin Prison when they have never even been convicted of anything and never even had a fair trial. This is the kind of thing humanitarian groups fight against – but what would you know about humanitarianism? You judge, convict, and sentence based on your own political agenda. You are no better than the Tehran jailors. I am surely glad I don’t know you personally. I don’t generally dislike many people, but you are pure evil.

sharon omalley on May 20, 2010 at 12:50 am

A clearer portait is painted. Without the rot in hell stuff, it is clear that there is some understanding that these Morons are not just hikers, vacationing and that there IS more here than just that. I suppose there families miss them, but really, there has been little effort at high levels to secure the release, Boxer and Frankin, California senator and Berkley grad, a couple Obama mentions. They are not dispatching the heavy hitters because they have made a calculation that to expend a big hitter and resources would open the floodgates to the back story and persuasions of the “kids”” “hikers” and that does not fit the template of “innocence and true american patriots” needed for the MSM. The Isreal bashing, living in Syria, radical enviromentalists, Anti Globalization, hard rock band, Communism, leftist journalist doesn’t rank high of the ” victim meter”.

cancon on May 20, 2010 at 10:16 am

You certainly present facts that make them look a lot more suspicious than on Democracy Now. I think you are a Nazi, but your journalistic roots, like your hair roots, are dark and strong.

Something left out is that they had audio recording active when the army approached and arrested them. Hikers do not carry audio recording equipment.

T to the B on May 20, 2010 at 11:58 am

I actually completely aggree with you. I was trying to figure out why these seemingly innocent kids were hikiong in such hostile territory. Now I understand.

On a seperate note, this is one of the first and only times I actually think there is nothing wrong with what Iran is doing. These people came into their country illegally of their own free will and now they must suffer the consequences of Iranian law. Tough S**t.

jon greenberg (Philly) on May 20, 2010 at 1:09 pm

What you have written is nothing but pure hatred. You do not know the hikers personally, do you? Well I do! They are bright, sensitive, gentle human beings who should not be locked up in an Iranian prison.
Just because people have different political views doesn’t mean they deserve to “rot” as you suggest. I would never wish that on you, even though you are defaming three innocent young americans on your blog. Then again, it’s people like you who shouldn’t be roaming free in the outside world spreading hatred and intolerance.

Danielle on May 21, 2010 at 11:50 pm

Let me rot in prison. Put their moms their also

Chris on May 22, 2010 at 4:57 am

I meant “let em rot in prison” Yikes

Chris on May 22, 2010 at 4:58 am

Hi, I wouldn’t put a blame on soldiering…many people fight different wars, real wars, social or political..
These three obviously fight some wars..
Either they work undercover for Israel or they really are far-left wings…
No matter they re no hikers..
They took a risk and got caught..
looks like they work for Mossad… not the Syrians..
Havea good day

Claude Agnus on May 22, 2010 at 10:54 am

Difficult to believe anyone is so foolish as to go for a walkabout next to Iran. They are UC Berkeley graduates.
What were they really doing over there?
Sarah describes herself as a teacher-activist-writer from California currently based in the Middle East.
Shane has reported for Al-Jazeera, lives Mid-East, his degree is in “Peace and Conflict Studies.”
Joshua earned a degree in “environmental economics and policy”
They are far left kooks. This entire thing is suspicious; it looks like some kind of set up.

Wayne Steffner on May 22, 2010 at 7:39 pm

Not everything we would call ‘unpleasant’ is bad. Actually, most suffering is good for us. You will find that many of histories most influential (for the good) people had pretty tragic pasts. That said, I don’t believe any of us who read this would want to trade places w/these ‘hikers’. I am very interested to see how this pans out. To sit here and claim that these three don’t deserve to ‘rot’ in Iran is a mindset formed by a culture with heavy Christian influence. (Contest that statement all you wish, then take the time to read the preambles of EVERY states Constitution. Very enlightening.) To think that we can then say how Iran should treat these deluded numbskulls is ignorant. Just like the ‘hikers’. Iran decides what is in its best interest. Not me. Not you. I really want to hear from these three, IF they are ever released, just what they think of the good ole U.S. of A. now. LOL, college degree and yet so stupid. Maybe they shoulda spent their formative years raisin’ hogs and milkin’ cows.

Roscoe on May 22, 2010 at 11:49 pm

Commie Scum get held by bigger Facist Scum!

Lars on May 23, 2010 at 3:31 pm

Great Article Debbie, Now we no the TRUTH about these Moronic scum bags…

marcus on May 24, 2010 at 1:58 pm

“I care far more about those held in these totalitarian states against their will, not dumb, left-wing Americans who went there willingly.”

So… in other words… just because they are liberal Americans whose arguments don’t pass muster in your mind, somehow they deserve to rot in prison? Would your point of view change if they were not “dumb” (whatever you think that means), if they were not liberal, or if they were not American? Is it ANY combination of those that makes them unworthy of basic human decency, or is it only the triple-whammy of all three? Would a dumb liberal who was born in Iraq be entitled to our sympathy? Or only a smart conservative? What about a smart liberal Iraqi? Or a dumb conservative? Would she be entitled to our sympathy? What about a smart conservative American? Does he deserve not to be held against his will for something that is not a crime? Or is it the being an American part that warrants him sufficient scorn to override our basic values of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness? Debbie, I am not seeing a clearly outlined delineation of desert here. Who deserves not to be thrown in prison without cause? Could you please clarify for us?

I know I shouldn’t feed the troll, but seriously. How can you write an article like this and not feel ashamed of yourself? Do you actually sleep at night after spewing cruel, unreasoned drivel like this?

Beth on May 24, 2010 at 5:22 pm

Thank the Lord I am not the only one who felt from the start this is B.S. Hiking in Iraq/Iran????????? How dumb do they think we all are? It’s insulting. I feel absolutely no empathy nor sympathy for these 3 fools and they did in fact get what they deserve.

True American on May 26, 2010 at 3:53 pm

After reading about their backgrounds, I’m convinced that these people were not simply “hiking”. Is it possible that their plan WAS to be captured? That they knew that the U.S. would be forced to gain their release, hopefully (by thier standards) by releasing three Gitmo terrorists or something similar?

Joe on May 29, 2010 at 2:11 pm

I seriously doubt the Iranian government will do the right thing in investigating the report that has just come out about the three American hikers being fired upon and forced onto Iranian soil, by Iranian border personnel when they(the hikers) were on the Syrian side. I hope the U.S. fully investigates this and somehow gets names of the Iranian personnel who caused the detention and imprisonment of the Americans, and then, if the names of the rogue Iranian border personnel is/are released somehow, the U.S. keeps aware of this/these guy(s), and captures him/them, and puts them on trial in the U.S. just like the hikers were put on trial in Iran.

Michael on June 24, 2010 at 7:14 am

Debbie, you have absolutely no justification for being this hurtful to the hikers, their friends, their loved ones, and their families. Perhaps you are in a lot of pain; only you know your reasons. Sadly you have chosen a lifestyle and job that feeds off of hate. I am so sorry for you.

This response also goes toward anyone who uses the comment section of this mockery of an article as a forum for sharing their baseless theories and hateful assertions. Please try to reflect on what you are writing. You do not know any more information than the known facts of this case.

Jon on June 25, 2010 at 2:16 am

‘although I do not share your beliefs, I will die for your right to defend them?’

..none of them feelings no?

ah no, my mistake.

you’re on the wrong side of history debbie.

a voice of reason on July 19, 2010 at 5:23 am

Debbie, are you really as hateful and ignorant as you sound?

Heather Stanley on July 20, 2010 at 9:15 pm

When hiking on foreign soil you must obey by that country’s laws, in this case, it could mean life in prison, or worse. I say send Pres. Jimma Carter and/or Bill Clinton to their rescue, maybe we (US) could swap. These people are over 21 years old, educated I suppose, and they deserve what they get. Idiots to the millionth power.

SassyWindsor on July 29, 2010 at 12:13 am

Hey, jackass. You’re an idiot. Is being anti-syria pro-israel far right any better? These are human beings who don’t deserve to be detained. You on the other hand, deserve to go to hell.

James madison on July 30, 2010 at 2:02 am

Whatever the hiker’s political leanings, the worst part of this is their absolute arrogance that they can go wherever they want without consequence

sanjo on July 30, 2010 at 5:01 am

Completely concur with Dr. Whitman’s assessment.

I don’t care if you are left or right on the political spectrum… once you become so entrenched in your dogmatic views that you lose not only your critical thinking skills, but your humanity, you become scum. I have more respect for my dog than I do this organic ball of hate. Debbie represents the darkest and ugliest side of humanity, regardless of her politics.

Zealots like Debbie are blowhard cowards. They wouldn’t dare say these things in person, where they would likely discover the kind of actions their hate speech inspire. They rely on the comfortable distance of the internet. Debs is clearly the product of a Daddy who never gave her a lesson in manners or civility.

A. T. Holycross on July 30, 2010 at 11:21 pm

“whether you are American or not, a “journalist” or not, if you go to Iran or North Korea, you knew the likely consequences, you assumed the risk, and I couldn’t care less about you.”

Hey Debbie – why so ignorant? I do agree there are many issues to critize Iran on, but why do you spread hate like this? There are no consequens or risk of going to Iran. I stayed there as a tourist for three months and the hospitality of the people are amazing. The society functions well unlike other states in the region such as Iraq and Afghanistan where terrorist attacks can occur. There are no terrorists or other dangers by being there. You are welcome to visit my website and learn more about skiing and snowboarding as well as the real life in Iran.

Just to clarify: I am not Iranian.

Dizin Snowboard Iran on August 8, 2010 at 1:46 pm

I have a great idea.

I think we should write letters to them in prison in HEBREW.

Let them explain to the prison staff that the letters are coming from the “Good Jews”, who hate Israel.

HA HA HA

Rachel Golem on August 11, 2010 at 12:40 pm

Let’s get a few things straight.

Iraqi Kurdistan, where Sarah, Shane and Josh were abducted, is generally considered to be a safe place for Western tourists. They were not “idiots” to go there. The area is beautiful and many tourists go there. Their destination was the Ahmed Awa waterfall, an area popular among Iraqis and a growing number of Western tourists.

They were probably abducted in Iraqi territory, according to eyewitnesses. The Iranian Revolutionary Guard officer who apparently ordered their abduction has since been arrested on suspicion of smuggling, kidnapping, and murder.

Regardless of your political sentiments, indefinite detention without a trial for ANYONE is a violation of international human rights agreements, to which Iran is a party. This is true in Iran, America or Guantanimo.

e-mouse on August 21, 2010 at 10:49 am

I’d like to point out as well, that calling people names such as “idiot”, “jackass” or “commie scum” simply serves to illustrate the poverty of the name-caller’s point of view. It may feel good to vent your feelings in a public forum, but it serves no other purpose, especially not the purpose of bringing facts and insight to a debate among rational adults.

Perhaps there is a shortage of rational adults among the responders to this article ???

e-mouse on August 21, 2010 at 11:16 am

These 3 hikers were oversocialized jews who wanted a story but got too close to the fire, thinking that if they got caught violating the border they would be released with the help of the us government. Too much culture removes common sense.

Hans on August 21, 2010 at 2:24 pm

“Too much culture removes common sense.”

This is patently absurd! I have traveled in Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, India, and many other countries. Does this mean that I posses “culture”? How does this diminish my “common sense”? Some of the smartest and wisest people that _I_ know are seasoned travelers who have lived or traveled in many countries.

It seems that increasingly having broad experience living and traveling in other cultures is viewed with suspicion by some Americans. The American people have never been big on genuine international awareness, coming as we do from a pretty isolationist past, but these days we seem to be going in the wrong direction altogether in this regard.

e-mouse on August 22, 2010 at 4:16 pm

Firstly, while they have a right to free speech, the US people are not required to bail them out, and their actions (or at least Shourd and Bauer) are intensely bigoted and make them particularly unsuitable for us to rescue.

However, as Ms Schlussel predicted, the Iranians are waking up to them being useful idiots, and Shourd is being released. I predict they’ll continue to imprison and possibly torture (though Iranian prisons are hardly health resorts) Fattal, as he doesn’t have the same anti-Israel pedigree as the other 2, and he’s probably Jewish.

Richard Sol on September 10, 2010 at 3:32 am

I don’t give a damn if there’s flying unicorn to be seen at any given place on this planet. If there’s turmoil and unrest in that particular region, I say hell with the freakin unicorn and hello to common sense.

Nature sure know how to filter society from these 3 geniuses.

Dan on September 11, 2010 at 10:17 am

Hey clowns- if these peace loving hippies were Americans living in Syria and espousing anti-Israel propoganda why would Iran not welcome them unless they had a different agenda like spying? why don’t these love children go to Tora Bora for their next hike or Wazirastan? Not even Jesse Jackson wants to go help them out and get some PR. Send Imam Ralph with some State Dept. money to go get them and exchange them for Rev. Jones the Quran burner.

Leon on September 11, 2010 at 12:18 pm

They are adults. They made adult decisions. Now they are suffering the consequences of adult decisions.

I have zero sympathy for people who rant against the United States and then expect it to save them.

Too many people try to ascribe our values to foreign cultures. What they just don’t seem to understand is that freedom of speech is not something that goes well in most nations. The freedoms that we have in the US will NOT be found in any country in the Middle East. Israel might be the closest country…..but they are really one step away from war at any time, so it is not so free there either.

Hiking in Iraq, or Iran, or Yemen, or Saudi Arabia, or Syria, or North Korea, or in a number of other countries around the world is just stupid. You are going to get rolled up by a secular regime or a dictatorship that really does not give two seconds of concern about your welfare.

Robert on September 11, 2010 at 9:12 pm

The way you write basically tells me you have accepted the fact that this world we live in sucks. Would you also tell a woman who gets raped and killed when she walks in the park at 11 pm to rot in hell cause it was her own fault, taking a risk to walk there at that time? You, and the majority of the responders here have forgotten that we should not accept the world for what it is right now. We should be able to think, say (and do, as long as you don’t negatively influence other peoples’ lives) whatever we want, and the three prisoners mentioned here have done exactly that, and now they’re pretty much doomed cause they had levels of awareness far beyond that of yourself. With your mentality nothing will ever change.

Daan on September 12, 2010 at 7:50 am

lol you can keep these idiots.

Its amazing even athiest ask for god when shit hits the fan.

in this case 3 stupid anti-american activist, asking for daddy

America.

chong lee on September 12, 2010 at 9:13 am

Debbie,
First time reading your column. I couldn’t agree with you more. Everyone including the conservative media is talking about these “poor” hikers. And all the posts from people that display hate toward you are the typical left wing nuts. I ask all of you, who in their right mind would hike so close to Iran that they could be captured in the first place? The Iranian government hates all Americans….doesn’t everyone know that? If you don’t, then you’re supid. As are these three “innocent” hikers. Let them rot.

grapes on September 12, 2010 at 10:23 am

Hey Dann- you sleep with dogs – you get fleas. I bet these idiots ream at night of being rescued by the big bad criminal US army.

Leon on September 12, 2010 at 1:31 pm

I just read the article by Sarah Shourd regarding the ‘horrible’ condition of the Arab residents of the Golan.
I guess Ms. Shourd’s family can take consolation in the fact that she’s merely in Iran, and not in the custody of the ‘brutal’ Israelis.

Aaron on September 13, 2010 at 7:41 am