Ken Taylor, former Canadian ambassador to Iran, dead at 81

Goober

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Ken Taylor, former Canadian ambassador to Iran, dead at 81 - Canada - CBC News

Former Canadian ambassador to Iran Ken Taylor has died, his son told CBC News on Thursday. He was 81 years old.

The Calgary-born diplomat was most famous for his role in the 1979 covert operation called the "Canadian Caper," when he sheltered six Americans who escaped capture when a mob of Iranians stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took most people inside hostage in November 1979.

With the co-operation of the CIA, Taylor helped the six get Canadian passports to deceive the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and escape the country.

His actions during the hostage crisis were portrayed in two movies, most recently in Ben Affleck's 2012 movie Argo.
 

PoliticalNick

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Considering the whole situation was the result of US foreign policy he literally save the Americans from themselves. Not taking away from the risks he took but one should really stop and think about the real reason it all took place.
 

IdRatherBeSkiing

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RIP

Considering the whole situation was the result of US foreign policy he literally save the Americans from themselves. Not taking away from the risks he took but one should really stop and think about the real reason it all took place.

Seriously? Didn't you promise us a 2 month vacation from you being here?
 

Mowich

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Considering the whole situation was the result of US foreign policy he literally save the Americans from themselves. Not taking away from the risks he took but one should really stop and think about the real reason it all took place.

Now is not the time nor the place, PN. Fare thee well, Mr Taylor.
 

MHz

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RIP, did he leave a diary as to what really went on. (like the leaving the air cleaners off the rescue choppers or the delay in the release until Regan was sworn in. Kind of tells you how much danger they were in and the 'hoards' were university students that saw the people of the land were being robbed by big oil. Might try for one or two actual facts, he is dead after all so he isn't going to be bothered by it. I'm pretty sure Iran/Conta Affair was not referencing the revolting university students.

Whoops off topic apparently, are you his widow?

RIP



Seriously? Didn't you promise us a 2 month vacation from you being here?
Maybe that was a hint you should take 2 months off.
 

PoliticalNick

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Now is not the time nor the place, PN. Fare thee well, Mr Taylor.
I was nice about it.
Seriously? Didn't you promise us a 2 month vacation from you being here?
I've been gone for months already. Now I'm stuck at home after shoulder surgery and really bored.
Maybe that was a hint you should take 2 months off.
I don't take hints. I will however take large stacks of $20s and $50s :smile:
 

MHz

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Type in Syria in any search engine, it will keep you amused for awhile.

You paying the postage, I keep those in Nigeria so shipping costs are extra. How many pallets of each would you like?
 

damngrumpy

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There was a movie in the US lately that had the Americans taking all
the credit for saving them it takes the death of the central character to
have the real truth revealed
 

MHz

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'They all are'?? You also have the same blanket fear/punishment for the ones that tailgate you when you are in a big truck and they are in a smart-car catching your draft, the one behind the truck rather than the one in your head.
 

Curious Cdn

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It is too bad that those Hollywood filmmakers chose to diminish Ken Taylor's chutzpah and heroism in their story telling for their own nationalistic reasons.

Anyway, we remember what he achieved in the face of real danger in Iran. For those of you who weren't alive during the Islamic Revolution, the hostage crisis in Tehran went on and on and on, seemingly without any possibility of resolution. It humiliated our neighbour, ruined a presidency, emasculated the US military and made some truly hideous Mullahs far more powerful than they were ever deserving of being. Ken Taylor and his dramatic rescue of some of those US Embassy staff was the only good news in that whole story for a year, at least.

Ballsy. That's what Ken Taylor was.

Here's to you, sir.
 
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FearandLoathing

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Ken Taylor, former Canadian ambassador to Iran, dead at 81 - Canada - CBC News

Former Canadian ambassador to Iran Ken Taylor has died, his son told CBC News on Thursday. He was 81 years old.

The Calgary-born diplomat was most famous for his role in the 1979 covert operation called the "Canadian Caper," when he sheltered six Americans who escaped capture when a mob of Iranians stormed the U.S. Embassy in Tehran and took most people inside hostage in November 1979.

With the co-operation of the CIA, Taylor helped the six get Canadian passports to deceive the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and escape the country.

His actions during the hostage crisis were portrayed in two movies, most recently in Ben Affleck's 2012 movie Argo.
I had occasion in the mid 80's to have met the man. He was a very ordinary Canadian who performed in an extraordinary way. To you Ambassador Taylor and and thank you for your contribution to our country.
 

Danbones

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so, the Iranians finally got him with their super secret nuclear old age ray
RIP old dude
 

Jinentonix

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It was weird, I was on an exchange at an American school at the time and after the rescue, you'd have thought I was personally responsible for it or something. Everybody saying "Thank you" to me. Very strange.


RIP Mr. Taylor. You are a true Canadian hero.