American Hikers in Iran

 I'd like to touch on the story about the American hikers who were recently returned to the United States after being held in an Iranian prison for two years. For those who are unfamiliar with the story, in 2009, three graduate students decided that it would be a good idea to go hiking along the Iraq/Iran border. It should not come as a surprise to anybody that the two students were arrested by Iranian police and accused of espionage and held as hostages for two years. During this time, the hikers maintained their innocence and had limited contact with their families. They were recently released for a one million-dollar ransom and sent home. 
Now, am I the only person who has a problem with this story? Doesn't it seem odd that three graduate students lacked the commom sense to think that it would be dangerous for three white Americans to literally walk the border of two war-torn countries? and furthermore, doesn't it seem a little obsurd that over a million dollars has to be spent for their little adventure and now we have to see these two on every talk show being regarded as heros? Don't get me wrong. I am like the hikers in the way that I also believe that people should be able to go where they please without having to be in fear of violence. That should be a basic human right. However, I differ from these "scholars" in the way that I understand that there is a difference between the way that the world should be and the way that the world is. American values are not universal and there are places that are not safe for Americans to be wandering around. I don't know if these individuals are danger enthusiasts or they just lack the common sense to recognize danger, but I am not looking forward to the media coverage that us going to follow this incident. I believe that the only reason that these two are alive is because they are Americans. Since Americans are known for having money, the captors figured that a ransom would bring a big pay day, which it did. Now, I would never wish death on anybody and I am glad that the hikers are safe. I just hope that the media will be very careful of how the hikers are portrayed in the media. When I look at the hikers, I do not see heros. I see three young people who made an ignorant lapse in judgment and who are very lucky to be alive.

Submitted by Aaron Routses