What it means (to the right) when Iran captures 15 British sailors in the Persian Gulf

By Michael J.W. Stickings

On Friday, I looked at how this mini-crisis is part of a larger effort on both sides to escalate the tension and perhaps to prepare for military conflict between the U.S. and Iran. But what specifically is the American right -- the warmongering right -- making of the capture of the British sailors?

For an answer to that question, I recommend this excellent post by Cernig at NewsHog. Here's how it begins:

I know it shouldn't, but it still amazes me the knots that the US Right are prepared to tie themselves into knots in their lust for a war with Iran that will redress the perceived mortal insult of the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979. It's like a drug addict wheedling money to buy his fix -- any excuse will do. The trouble is that this fetishistic craving for revenge is what is driving not just the chattering pundits but also American foreign policy in the region. The catch phrase always was "real men go to Teheran".

Their latest excuse -- the causus belli de jour, if you will forgive my horrible mangling of languages -- is the seizure by Iran of 15 British naval personnel in the Shatt al-Arab waterway four days ago. They are now engaged in frantic hyping of this incident, quite willing to sacrifice 15 British seamen if it means they get their OK Corral showdown at long last.

It's a substantial post. Make sure to check it out.