Maybe the stigma was in place for good reason. But King and Firkin doubtless thought that was just “racism” and “Islamophobia.”
“Australian and British bloggers held in Iran named,” BBC, September 12, 2019:
Two Australian citizens detained in Iran have been identified as Jolie King and Mark Firkin.
Ms King, who also holds a UK passport, and Mr Firkin were blogging their travels in Asia and the Middle East.
They were reportedly arrested 10 weeks ago near Tehran but news of the arrest, and that of another British-Australian woman, came to light on Wednesday….
In 2017, the couple left Western Australia to embark on a major trip driving across Asia to the UK. They were documenting their adventures on Instagram and Youtube, where they had more than 20,000 followers….
“Our biggest motivation… is to hopefully inspire anyone wanting to travel, and also try to break the stigma around travelling to countries which get a bad wrap [sic] in the media,” the pair wrote online….
They are believed to be being held in Tehran’s Evin prison, where Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe is also detained….
Wellington says
Worthy Darwin Award nominees.
Suebe says
Your right if such an award exits. Unbelievable how people don’t believe fire isn’t hot unless they touch it
revereridesagain says
Apparently they don’t pay attention to that “media” or they’d know how often stunts such as this end up with death on the highway or some other venue in a third-world and/or Islamic hellhole. Or prison in Iran, which is more or less the same outcome.
mortimer says
Another naïve ‘Children’s Crusade’ by uniformed, gullible Pollyannas. The Shi’ite mullahocracy has taken them hostage … a normative part of Islam.
These two fools will now learn more about real Islam than they ever imagined in their wildest dreams!
The best way to deprogram our gullible, Western jihad-enablers is likely to give them a four-month ‘vacation’ in Soddy Barbaria, Pakistan or Iran. They would come back silent and perhaps forever shattered by their shocking experiences.
The only way to deprogram Western Pollyannas seems to be through ISLAMIC-REALITY therapy. They refuse to READ anything factual about Islam, so they will have to learn about it through HARSH EXPERIENCES of Islam’s darkest realities.
J_not_a says
Like those two Scandinavian snowflakes who got raped and beheaded when they thought it would be cool to go to Morocco for hiking and mountain climbing. I’m a woman by the way and you couldn’t pay me a million dollars to “visit” any muzlum hellhole on earth.
Dionne Mortimer says
@Mortimer… that was a brilliant response, very well stated and unfortunately true!
James Pierce says
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes
roger says
These useful idiots are now getting a bite of reality sandwich but the sad thing is that they will learn nothing from this. They probably regret that they can’t post any images of prison on Instagram.
Spiro says
Sadly your probably right
Deanna says
The things she is experiencing probably on an hourly basis is horrific. He’s probably been beaten beyond recognition. It sad, no one can help them now. #LiberalismIsAMentalDisorder
gravenimage says
I hope Australia will go to bat for them, even though they are idiots–but I am also not holding my breath.
gravenimage says
LameBear, allowing Muslims to imprison or murder your people without consequence just emboldens them.
Leon Degney says
They’re very lucky to still have their heads on their shoulders, unlike the two Scandinavian dummies who were preaching Islam is OK then trotted off to Morocco to prove it and finished up headless. What is wrong with these people, how can one even feel sorry or them
Krishna says
At least they got arrested in iran and had lesson but if they had visited another hell hole countries like Iraq or Syria and made video about breaking stigma then they would been beheaded or executed through firing
Suebe says
You are so right, thery would have been headless
James Lincoln says
Suebe,
Not headless, but still brainless…
Wellington says
Good one, James.
Jaladhi says
Do these morons deserve what happened to them?? I think so!! What were they trying to prove that Iranians are good guys and don’t deserve the bad rap they have in the world! Now they know!!
Attorney at Law says
It’s not the Iranians, ie people, it’s the government.
Hello Hello says
Oh Wow! Now I know. This is about as brainless as the two individuals.
Keys says
Attorney at Law –
Agree that there are probably millions of Iranians who despise their Mullahcracy and the constraints of Islamic rule. On the other hand, consider the Basij and Basij jr in Iran.
11.2 million citizens (official data from 2009) volunteer as a paramilitary militia serving as auxiliaries to the Iran Revolutionary Guard when called upon for internal security, law enforcement, and moral policing. Known for their loyalty to the regime they have a local organization in almost every city in Iran.
“Estimates of the number of Basij vary, with its leadership giving higher figures than outside commentators. Official estimates are as high as 23.8 million.”
— from Wikipedia citing Fars news agency.
Considering that Iran has a population of about 82 million, and the Basij does not include those serving in the government, military, and religious establishment, that’s a substantial percent of the people that support the Islamic government.
gravenimage says
Vast numbers of Iranians are pious Muslims, I’m afraid.
Trick_or_Treat says
Still unaware of the actual details of precisely WHAT the reasons are for their arrest and detention (Drugs?, Breaking some law?, Alleged spying?, Blasphemy?, Breaking visa conditions?, …etc), we have not really heard anything at all in the media or from foreign affairs about just why, so can’t really make any informed comment on the immediate situation.
BUT yes, IF they do so happen to be such people as those who would insist and proclaim that the claims and adversarial position taken by many of us against places like Iran, etc, are all based putely on ‘islamaphobia’, ufounded bigoted attitudes, and a complete ‘misunderstanding’ of islam and the qur’an, and the ‘religion of love and peace’, etc, then they sure have bought themselves a great big juicy truth burger – with the lot!
gravenimage says
Yep. Just their being Westerners is enough to accuse them of “spying”.
CogitoErgoSum says
I guess flying a drone is a bad idea in some countries. It might get you accused of spying. Maybe these two can convince the Iranians that they are just plain stupid. Like, who knew the Iranians were so xenophobic and had rules you are supposed to follow? Could it be that maybe some countries try to use stupid foreigners like pawns in some sort of game with their enemies? But the Iranians aren’t like that — are they?
Yep, and these people are obviously stupid.
mortimer says
Does anyone know that they are *not* spies? That is surely what the Iranians assume? Wouldn’t you?
If these two are *not* spies, then they should have realized it would be assumed they were.
Ed Lee says
Remember, the worldwide average IQ is 100, and these are two of the people who drag it down to that level.
gravenimage says
No, no normal person would assume that these clueless Aussie naifs were spies. Muslims are not normal, though.
Westman says
You have admire how Iran’s leadership is always able to add to its reputation as thugs by taking more hostages whenever offered an opportunity for good publicity as humanitarians.
“You want to write a story about our great, friendly, country? By all means, do so. Here is some paper and you can use that desk. Just ignore the bars. We want to let your parents know that you’re ok, so we need their phone number. ‘Hello, we have your son here in protective custody and need some money for his supplies. About $10,000,000 will be enough'”
gravenimage says
Spot on.
max brenner says
Well they made the world a better place,They have just one more step to go before they can cleanse their genes from our planet. One of nature’s failures I believe.
vtology says
There is nothing more just than the appeasers and apologists of islam being imprisoned by their own “loved ones,” the islamofascists.
Hopefully they are not being tortured or maimed. They should be released immediately. But the depth of stupidity of these people and similar folks is remarkable. Either they don’t read the news or they read only the “mainstream mass media” – – or they simply don’t believe any “negative” or “off putting” news. They bury their heads in the sand. They are ignoramuses. And through their blind policies and blind idealism, they are exceedingly dangerous to Western, relatively civilized nations and peoples.
Dan says
I DON’T hope they released immediately.
Then they would just think their arrest was an “Honest Mistake” but once everything got straightened out, it was apologies all around.
I hope they sit in there long enough for them to fully comprehend that some cultures are VILE and as a whole, WE are not.
mortimer says
They have surely learned their assumptions were false. It must be horrendous to be in an Iranian prison.
Ed Lee says
It is. Ask Annie Cyrus.
gravenimage says
A very brave Muslim apostate.
Joe says
They were probably painfully aware that it was not an “honest mistake” about 15 seconds into their arrest.
Dan says
I hope they are not killed.
I hope they are not tortured.
Well maybe smack them around a bit.
Other than that, I hope they suffer every indignity that 3rd world s-hole dictatorship prisons offer.
EVERYTHING.
Westman says
Schadenfreude much? They have been in prison for more than 2 months. Their lives may already be ruined by an evil Iranian regime.
If Allah was real, he would demonstrate his power by removing the Iranian regime which is certainly a stain and embarassment to any real God. Apparently only the citizens can free themselves.
Ed Lee says
To paraphrase Buddha: If Allah causes all this suffering, he can’t be good; if he is powerless to stop it, he can’t be God.
JM says
No, that is Epicurus (341-270 BC). In full, it goes as foillows:
Is God willing to prevent evil but not able?
Then He is not omnipotent.
Is He able, but not willing?
Then He is malevolent.
Is He both able and willing?
Then whence cometh evil?
Is He neither able nor willing?
Then why call Him God?
gravenimage says
Well, there is that whole free will thing. We can decide to do good or evil.
Dan says
I made the mistake once, of insulting someone because I didn’t read sarcasm correctly so…
Instead I will try “explain.”
I ain’t “schadenfreudaling” because I’m NOT happy they’re in trouble. I’m say I don’t feel any sympathy for them. They were told over and over and over and over and over, “Don’t put your hand in the fire.”
I lived in Muslim countries for almost two years, and have been politely trying to explain for years, what it’s like over there, and liberals have called me every whatever-phobic name under the sun for for my troubles.
Real victims of persecution have suffered for years, decades even, so two months of prison don’t mean squat.
I already said.
I hope they’re not killed or tortured, and if I have to spell it out, that means not getting raped either.
But cockroach infested food?
Being cold and night and sweltering in the day?
And being terrified you’re going to be in prison for years for flying a drone?
Sucks to be them, but THAT is what people like Robert Spenser, and I, have been trying to WARN the rest of the West for years.
There are people who, through not fault of their own, are in trouble, and until the world runs out of those, I am just not going to waste effort on people who choose to play with fire.
Guy says
I’m sure they are being raped and brutalized as you read this.
Dan says
I’m going to assume here, you’re not being sarcastic, but snide.
What’s to not comprehend about my saying no killing and no torture?
Do I have to specifically say, by “torture” I probably meant rape too?
Can you not come to a few logical conclusions, so I don’t have to provide the entire Geneva convention list?
Real victims, like Asia Bibi and Anni Cyrus, actually HAVE suffered, far more and for far longer so, until something comes back saying more than that these doorknobs are just “scared,” let them deal with it.
Maybe something will sink in and they’ll tell others, “We were wrong. We were just minding our own business and these guys ARE nuts so, DON’T GO THERE.”
unbeliever1 says
Echoes of Americans Jay Austin and Lauren Geoghegan who were killed by jihadists in Tajikistan trying to vindicate their belief in human kindness. Two female Scandinavian hikers met the same fate in Morocco.
Charles says
Or Maren Ueland, and Louisa Vesterager Jespersen who were beheaded hiking in Morocco’s Atlas mountains.
unbeliever1 says
Those are the two Scandinavian females . Thanks
del says
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/kayakers-recount-deadly-congo-crocodile-attack/
donynam says
This will teach them a lesson. Danger is real but stupidity put you into the jail.
somehistory says
Much like those two..a young man and a young woman…who rode their bikes through one of the ‘stans’ and were murdered by those they thought were such lovable, but misunderstood, people.
There is a song by Steve Wariner, “Some Fools Never Learn,” and has a line, “play with the fire and you’re gonna get burned.”
The song is about love, of course, but the words fit these people. If they get to go home, will they have learned?
gravenimage says
Yes–I was thinking of that case, as well.
Angemon says
At least it didn’t end with them brutalized and killed in a gutter… Not that I expect them to learn anything from this experience. In any case, they’re allegedly being held for a prisoner exchange (rumour has it it’s them for Negar Ghodskan), so the results of their folly have yet to be fully seen.
Manuel says
Probably CIA assets that were arrested for a reason.
I would rather go to Iran than that shit hole country called USA.
gravenimage says
Ah…right. Because all “CIA assets” are Australian peaceniks.
As for Manuel preferring to run off to the join the Mullahs rather than come to the US, I think I speak for us all in wishing him bon voyage…
Jeffrey Sams says
Somehow, I don’t think Manuel’s presence in our fair land would add anything to the desirability of any local vicinity.
gravenimage says
So true, Jeffrey.
JM says
Really? Strange then that so many people are trying to get into the USA, often by hook or crook.
I don’t see many people trying to get into Iran, though.
Joe says
The CIA probably runs Iran. Just saying.
gravenimage says
Right–because the Islamic Republic of Iran is just like America! sarc/off
MTMLA says
Manuel, when you go to Iran, take the muslimas Omar and Tlalib with you. Also, OAC and all the muslim loving demoncRATS should go too, with one way ticket.
SAF says
Manuel… can I please help you and your friends pack?? I’ll take you to the airport too!!
mortimer says
King and Firkin have just disproved their absurdly naïve theory to tens of thousands of people who are paying attention.
Islam is a discriminatory, totalitarian, whimsical, unpredictable ideology.
David Longfellow says
A dumbass with good intentions is still a dumbass.
David Grisez says
Sometimes you get these young couples that have an idealistic view of the world. And these couples fail to heed the warnings that are put out by the State Departments of various western nations that travel to various muslim nations is dangerous. I remember recently a couple that was killed by terrorists in either Afghanistan or Pakistan. There are Islamic countries where people from nations like the United States are hated and will be killed. It is best to not travel to any Islamic country.
MTMLA says
I remember a few years ago an Italian woman dressed as a bride and decided to walk to the ME for peace and love. She was found dead in a ditch on the side of the road in Turkey (I’m not sure if the country is correct, but it was a muslim country). THE (SAD)END.
gravenimage says
Another sad case.
Crusades Were Right says
“There’s too much crocophobia in the world today; and to disprove all the terrible things we hear about crocodiles in the crocophobic media I’m going to put my head in this great big crocodile’s mouth.”
If they ever get around to asking folk to sign a petition, or “give generously” or whatever for these two Aussie fools…
…INCLUDE ME OUT!
tim gallagher says
My reaction to the arrest of these two people was exactly as commenters above have said. I thought, why the hell would anyone go to Iran? There seem to be regular reports about young people going off and travelling in dangerous, and I think, hideous parts of the world. I suppose they have the adventurous, and reckless, spirit that youngish people have. Or just the naïve outlook of youngish people. I also suspect that they probably think that if they go to dangerous areas of the world and survive they’ll have some wonderful stories to tell and videos to show people. I find these people idiotic. I’m in Australia, and heard a comment from Rita Panahi, a political commentator out here, whose background is Iranian, and who sounded as if she couldn’t believe that these people would go there, and said that she hadn’t gone back to Iran since she left there at eight years of age. Her tone of voice made it clear she’d never go back there. I feel that there are pleasant places to travel to, so why go to revolting hellholes.
JM says
Agreed. Two members of our church congregation are Iranian. They are baptized Christians now, so they can’t ever return to Iran.
tim gallagher says
Yes, JM, unless there is a change in the type of regime that is in charge in Iran, I can’t understand why anyone would go near the hellhole. I can see why the Christians in your church congregation couldn’t go near the place. As I said above, it is a mystery to me why anyone goes to these types of countries. Unless you have to go to them as a member of the military or are sent there as a reporter, I’d say, stay the hell away from such places. It’s looking for trouble.
Paul says
Guys guys guys. Lets look at the positive aspects here.
Both are in prison and safe there. If captured by bandits/terrorists they would be repeatedly gang raped.
Maren Ueland, and Louisa Vesterager Jespersen who were beheaded hiking in Morocco’s Atlas mountains.
In prison Ms King is safe. Mr Firkin, mmmmm. Well he will be having his horizons widened. But he won’t get pregnant. Think positive.
Remember: idealism kills.
Paul
brane pilot says
Leftist’s believe that reality is dictated by their political convictions.
Fortunately, it isn’t.
Unfortunately, some countries do not suffer fools.
Some countries kill them.
European pagan says
In Iran the problem is the government. I know Iranian people, some of them left Iran because they converted to an other religion (Christianity, Bahai), other persons had problems with the government (a woman told me, she can go to Iran but her husband can’t, because he tried to do something against the government and they would send him to prison).
I would never travel to Iran.
gravenimage says
The government is the worst, but there are ordinary Iranians who also support this savagery. Here is just one story:
“Islamic Republic of Iran: Woman dragged across street, beaten for not wearing hijab as crowd cheers”
https://www.jihadwatch.org/2019/06/islamic-republic-of-iran-woman-dragged-across-street-beaten-for-not-wearing-hijab-as-crowd-cheers
gravenimage says
Australia: Couple tries to “break stigma” of going to countries that “get bad rap in the media,” imprisoned in Iran
…………….
This would be funny if it weren’t so sad.
shoehorn says
are they Firkin serious?
Mary C. says
Words I received from a liberal ex-friend. I repeat, these are the words of a LIBERAL EX-FRIEND, NOT MYSELF. She should try visiting one or more Islamic sh*tholes:
—“I really feel disappointed how you have changed and also how little I think we have in common anymore.
We live in a global society today. There are people of every religion and faiths. Every faith has their fundamentalists. What I think a lot of people are missing is the media’s part in this. If a Christian extremist goes out and commits a horrible act of violence: the fact the person is Christian is very rarely mentioned. If the person is Muslim, that is all you hear. First of all, I do not condone violence of any kind. Yeah, there is a lot of violence in Islam, but over the years Christianity has had it’s fair share of it. Look what Christians did to the Native Americans? Hitler was a Christian who believed in a Master Race & was against Jews and what he did has killed more people than ISIS has. And the KKK who who believes in white supremacy and ethnic cleansing in the name of Jesus Christ and justifies their racism, hatred, and murder of African Americans with scripture.? I will not go on and wage a “who is more violent”. We see it more now because this is the here and now and media is so prevalent in our lives now. We get told what to believe and what to think by the mediaeverywhere we go, even when we do not even realize it’s playing a part.
I think think there should be better communication and education on both sides to get to the root of the issue on why there is a surge of violence within the community. And be careful to remember; NOT ALL are bad people! Not all are anti-american or ant-christian or anti-jewish. It seems like a huge number because that is what the media is shoving into our faces.
Yeah the Koran says that a Muslim woman cannot marry a non-Muslim man. Remember, just like the Bible, it was written hundreds of years ago. Those rules are not followed as much, just as the Bible has some: Shellfish, tattoos, short hair and cutting of beards: but countless people break those rules everyday now as they are not relevant to today.
Life is way too short to hate. I think it’s a better and Godly example to promote love rather than hate. Hating an entire group of people and nitpicking them to oblivion is playing with fire. We, as humans in a global society need to celebrate diversity and the good in others.
I’d rather not argue about this, but I said my peace. I wish the world had more peace and acceptance. And that the world could join forces to help bring peace to all nations. And that others could realizing learning about other cultures and faiths will help us learn more about ourselves and broadened our horizons.”
black adder says
I used to have a friend just like her too. One day I lost my patience and said to her: Listen here stupid b@tch if you find me too Islamophobic for your taste, go hang around with a Paki or an Afghan and don’t disturb me again.
Wellington says
Mary C.:: For your sake, I’m glad she is an ex-friend because she is a woeful person by way of moral relativistic thinking. More specifically, she doesn’t comprehend that when Christians have acted badly in the name of their faith, they were violating the tenets of their creed, but when Muslims act badly in the name of their faith in order to keep Islam “afloat” or spread it, they are fulfilling major dictates of their creed such as death for apostasy, death for criticism of Islam, the Koran or Mohammed and the call to make war upon humanity “until all religion is with Allah.” {Sura 8:39}
There are 0 verses in the New Testament calling upon Christians to make war upon mankind to spread Christianity but yet there are 109 verses in the Koran that require this of Muslims. As for any violence in the Old Testament, it is merely descriptive, not prescriptive as the Koran is. Also, the validation of force in the OT for the ancient Jews to seize land was for an area about the size of Maryland while the validation of force in the Koran for seizing land is for all the real estate on earth—another huge difference.
Some people just don’t know how to think or they are not knowledgeable enough or both. I suspect your ex-friend is guilty of both. And her mentioning that many Muslims are nice people is irrelevant. An ideology should always be judged by what it says and NEVER upon the fact that many adherents of that ideology don’t completely act upon its tenets (or wrongly do so). The Christian theological blueprint is not a menace to liberty while the Islamic theological blueprint most surely is. BTW, I am not religious in the least but I wish every Muslim would wake up tomorrow a devout Christian. How much better off the world would be. There is also the matter of the character of the founders of Christianity and Islam. Jesus was not a brutal psychopath whatsoever but Mohammed most definitely was.
My guess is your ex-friend will never comprehend any of what I have just written. Well, it’s her loss. Again, I’m glad she’s an ex-friend. Better that way.
Cece says
I had a friend dump me because I say I did not think Muslims should be allowed to migrate to the U.S. (note there are 49 Muslim majority countries…they can go to one of those). She was horrified. She said, “My ancestry is Syrian.” I said, “Yes, but you are a Syrian Christian.” She said I can’t be friends with you anymore. And we have not spoken since. But of course, she wouldn’t read the Quran.
Other friends believe all religions are the same. Not that they would read the texts of these religions, that might cause them to reflect.
BTW- Any slight delve into a biography of Hitler would refute that Hitler was a Christian. He most decidedly was not. He killed Catholics and priests. Though there was some collusion of other Catholics in Europe with the killing of the Jews. Humanity is a mixed bag.
Wellington says
Yes, Hitler, though baptized a Catholic and whose own mother was a devout Catholic, came to hate Christianity and thought it was a religion for the weak. Anyone calling Hitler a Christian only reveals their extensive ignorance. The only religion that Hitler manifested any respect for was Islam because it was authorized to be spread by the sword and was thus so fittingly martial for Der Fuhrer.
gravenimage says
Sadly, I know a lot of clueless people like this.
Jewcat says
The unfortunate two are learning first hand why Iran gets a ‘bad rap.’ I hope they come home safely and talk about their experience to educate other naive useful idiots.
JoBo says
Firkin idiots.
Trick_or_Treat says
[test posting]
Dano says
As it often happens, social justice warriors are attacked by the very cause they are fighting for. But even when that happens, it usually doesn’t cure their stupidity.
Steve says
These people are adults and I have zero sympathy for them. If they are this naive, even after a couple with similar views on bicycles were killed, two girls beheaded in Morocco, then they are not fit to live and procreate. The words Oxygen Thieves comes to mind.
Angemon says
They make good cautionary tales though…
Larry says
Wonder how many times Ms King has been raped by the guards. I feel sorry for them but they are both fools.
janwog says
The fate of naive Islam apologists.
Jeddie says
They aren’t the first, and won’t be the last, of naive people who think that all people are really nice and want peace.
Anne Smith says
Their silly, foolish misguided actions are simply the result of continually being force fed Political Correctness in their home country, to the extent that all common sense has gone and any awareness of self preservation and caution has been eliminated by a righteous feeling of virtue signalling.
The health and safety culture all over the Western world has lulled young people into the dangerous stupor of believing that everyone is equal.
Cece says
Someone mentioned in the comments, the Children’s crusade @1212. I remember reading about this. The children (innocents) were going to go to the Holy Land and free it from the Muslims. It was seen that with their innocence and goodness they would (I don’t know) melt the hardest of hearts? (or it may have been poor people) Most perished. Sold into slavery or killed. Some were able to make their way home. It didn’t last long as a crusade. (Used wikipedia as a source)
However, same concept of ‘with my goodness and innocence I will convert the world”. Funny, we used to have more stories about this…Well there is Pinocchio, then Dostoevsky’s, The Idiot. And then Don Quixote. We need a few more contemporary illustrative stories!
gravenimage says
All too true.
IanB says
A dose of reality will be good for them. If they survive.
AD D says
Now their real education begins. Lord have mercy on them and may their eyes be opened to Islam.