In 1979, while the deposed Shaw of Iran was in the United States, Iranians stormed the American Embassy in Tehran and took all but six of the Americans hostage. The six escaped out the back door of the embassy as the front door was being stormed. They made their way to the the home of the Canadian Ambassador to Iran where they were kept in hiding. A while later they escaped to Canada. It wasn't until the story of their release was declassified by President Clinton that the world learned how they were freed. I remember reading the story and not quite being able to get my head around it.
Iran was so hostile to America at that time that an American could not possibly have safely entered or left the country. But a CIA guy hatched a scheme whereby he would pretend to be a Hollywood producer with six Canadian staffers scouting sites for a cheesy science fiction movie called ARGO.
Because almost any country in the world, no matter how much they hate America, loves Hollywood.
Dave and I saw the movie ARGO last night. Not the science fiction one but the one that tells this unbelievable story about duping the Iranians and getting these six Americans out of the country. Even though we knew ahead of time how the story ended, we were on pins and needles throughout the entire film.
Directed by and staring Ben Affleck, the film reminds us of how volatile the middle east was at that time. To me, it was a very real depiction of what was happening. We need to be reminded that this is a very old crisis. And we need to be reminded of our history in this area of the world.
Later, in January of 1981, the day of Ronald Reagan's inauguration as president of the United States, all of the American hostages were released.
I remember that day well because I was in the middle east at the time. I was sitting in a restaurant in Jerusalem when a man ran in and shouted that the hostages had just been released. There was lots of commotion and then two Americans stood up and began singing "God Bless America." And then every American in the restaurant stood up and joined them.
If you can get past the constant smoking, the liberal use of the F-word and horrible looking black beards (namely the one on Ben Affleck) you will be glad you saw this movie. It will give you great insight into our current situation.
***
