MSNBC's Jack Jacobs: 'Words Can't Express My Disgust' for Brit Captives

By Mark Finkelstein | April 06, 2007 | 10:02

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In some ways, Army Colonel Jack Jacobs [ret.] is the perfect military analyst for an MSM outlet like MSNBC. His Medal of Honor, awarded to him for exceptional heroism in Vietnam [read account here], puts him above reproach. Yet his take on Iraq and other military affairs is anything but a parroting of the Bush administration line.

But while MSNBC might see him as one of their own, there come moments, as today, when Jacob leaves no doubt that he remains altogether a military man, upholding the highest traditions of valor and sacrifice. At about 10:30 AM EDT this morning, he was brought in to comment after the just-concluded press conference by a number of the British sailors and marines who had been held captive by the Iranians. A clearly outraged Jacobs made no effort to hide his contempt for them.

View video here.

Excerpts from his comments:

"I don't know where to begin. I've gotta tell you, that was the most disgusting, disreputable, dishonorable performance I can remember in more than forty years of my relationship with the military service. I think every man, every woman who wears the uniform, or who has ever worn the uniform of his country, no matter what country it is, ought to be disgusted by this."
"It is clear from their statements today and their actions before, during and after their capture that the single most significant and important thing was going home."
Jacobs read this quotation from John Stuart Mill: "War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing that is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept free by the exertions of other men better than himself." Continued Jacobs: "And I think this sums up this shoddy spectacle better than anyone else can."
The MSNBC host then played a clip from the press conference of one of the Brits explaining that had they tried to use force to repel the Iranians, "many of us would not be standing here today." Responded Jacobs: "I think it says volumes. I tell you, if his forbears, the greatest generation of Great Britain, who fought and died so that this meathead could be here now, had thought the way he did in the same situation he wouldn't be here today. Words can't express [my] disgust." Concluded a clearly moved Jacobs: "And I can tell you that my feelings are almost undoubtedly echoed by everyone I know who's worn the uniform."