’Tom Paine’ blogging at The Last Ditch: “We have put our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen in harm’s way to meet a political objective. Once that objective has been set, the government must allow their commanders the discretion to achieve it in their own way. It should rely on their professionalism, holding them accountable for the outcomes. Morale in the forces must be appalling at this moment. They know this government’s priorities better than any of us – and they are clear that they themselves are nowhere near the top of the list. Quite simply, this government is unfit for power. The present hostage incident demonstrates that point..The Iranians are making us look fools, which is fair enough. Only fools would be led by such people as these.”