They're held for espionage. The internet has a dictionary in case that words not in your vocabulary.

well what do you know!
Under Iran's Islamic law, espionage can be punishable by execution. The case has further complicated relations between Tehran and Washington, which are strained over Iran's nuclear program.

Well DadF, they may just get what they deserve! The difference for me is that they will kill Americans while you think they will kill some stupid idiots. I dont think people can do whatever they want in countrys but I demand that Americans be given justice, western justice.
Likwid and DadF - ask yourselves this, what if the 3 hikers were Chinese? You think they'd be in captivity for this long? No way, cuz Iran doesnt have the balls to F with China, but they do with US. But hey, you all agree.

Im actually starting to see your point! I mean think of the Lusitainia! WTF were Americans doing on a ship going to Europe during a world war! pretty freikin stupid, no? Those idiots got what they deserved.

If you are so fired up about doing something...then why don't you. Nothing is stopping you from taking a walk down to the local recruiting office and signing on the dotted line....then you can make a difference....maybe they'll send you over there to go and get them out.

Then somebody in uniform can come by your house and tell your wife and kids that Daddy isn't coming home because he had to go and get two chowdah heads, who decided they wanted to vacation along a hostile country's border, and get them out of a situation that they shouldn't have put themselves in in the 1st place.

How do you know they aren't guilty? All you know is what you read in the Biased Liberal Media...how do you know they aren't full of %$%$%$%$. What should we do to get them out.....go in guns a blazin, jus tlike the Duke would do. We could lose a few good men in the process.....but what the hell, they signed up for this, and we're America Dammit....we don't take %$%$%$%$ from nobody....even when we might be wrong.

theres 2 things here
- if they're guilty, I would assume they were spying for the US? Or a US ally? Then we SHOULD be helping them,right? They would be riksing there lifes for YOU, no?
- if they're not guilty, then there being held by a "hostile" government against their will and as American citizens, we should be working internationally to help them. they're not being held for illegaly crossing the border, they're being held for spying, which has a death penalty. Big difference!

So, what should we do. What would you do if it was your kids? Theres your answer.

Disdain? I'm not the one bitching that "we" haven't done anything about the idiots.

The only disdain I have is for nanny state clowns like you.

whatever, you're looking for the government to give everybody and their brother a hand out and a job. Nanny state my a$$.
American needs to show a strong voice to the world and represent its citizens. This is not an individual issue, its a national issue. They're not being held for what they did, but for WHO THEY ARE. American citizens.

OK. And if they are there b/c they are idiots, missionaries etc.. I agree, go get them, or work to get them released. Send GWB, Clinton and Carter have already gone and bailed people out from hostile places.

However, if they are there for some nefarious purpose, i.e. my theory, drugs or something then tough %$%$%$%$.

If they are 'spies' then it really is a dicey political issue.

My gut says 1. they (gov't) are doing more than the evil media is reporting
2. the reason these guys/gal were in this region is something not being said....

Per number 1 - the US governement (state department) turned the issue over to the Swedes or Swiss, forgot which one, because we dont have direct discussions with Iran. Im not making that up.

right. and that means the state department just put their hands in their pockets, and walked away whistling.....

like I said, if they were just stupid I agree with you, if they were there doing something not on the up and up, tough %$%$%$%$. what would happen if you got caught trying to move coke out of Colombia? would the state department go rescue you?

i agree with you but I havent seen any evidence that they were doing anything illegal other than crossing the border, which is still debatable