FBI agent:" Ugh...President Obama, sir they're not getting intimidated"

President Obama: "Are you sure, did you threaten them enough"

FBI agent: "Yes sir, they're not budging:

President Obama: "I thought the warships and overhead news coverage would have stopped them. I'm sending two more ships and we'll see if maybe a couple more negotiators will work.I'm also calling in my advisors and head of foreign affairs for a meeting, Just hang tight we'll see what plan B is."

FBI agent:" You, know we could have killed them by now and had the situation under control"

President Obama: "True...but that doesn't look good for my image"

Killing them requires endangering the life of the hostage.

The pirates aren't going anywhere right now, why not see if the situation can be resolved WITHOUT sacrificing an innocent civlilian?

Bomb the pirate havens in Somalia until the Captian is released.  We will stop bombing the pirates if the Captain is unharmed.  Harm the Captain, the pirates and their friends in Somalia will die.  Touch another ship and you will die.  The President is a coward when is comes to protecting American citizens. He needs to send a "strong" message to the pirates of Somalia, not cower and hide ! !  Maybe it's because he doesn't want the harm his fellow Muslim Islamics and really doesn't care about Americans being attacked.  O'Bama's actions are finally showing the World where he stands and how he will deal with attacks on Americans on the Seas and even on American soil.  O"Bama has got to find a new job, maybe he can do PR Work for the Islamics, he does give good speeches with no substance.

I agree with JoeB.

Folks, the pirates are not the problem. These are simple theives that live all over the world, if given the right opportunity. It's like saying flies are the problem when you leave honey out on a picnic table. You don't try to kill ALL the flies! That's rediculus. You put away the honey and clean up the spill.

The real problem is the international, maritime legal system, the insurance companies, and the defense policies. These need to change so the "honey" won't be exposed on the high seas. They are the real reason we have some many pirate incidents. Greedy and risk adverse insurance, shipping companies, and governments.

Fix that.... over to you President Oboma.

When I hear these stories of piracy I think of a gang of 6 year olds with rubber band guns trying to mug me. After a laugh and then realizing they were serious on committing bodily harm I'd smack them silly! If and when the captain is released, regardless if safe passage is promised, we should immediately sink the mothership and leave the rats left on the lifeboat to die miserably adrift at sea. Then one of our military leaders with fortitude can call a strike on the pirate strongholds in Somalia. It doesn't matter who gets hit......their all sharing the loot . Besides, they, like the rest of the world despise The U.S. The pirate mothership should never be allowed to see land again. C'mon...... isn't there something comical , but sad, about a word power that is held hostage by a bunch of 5th graders ?????? Let them never see the 6th!

The the hell? Why didn't the Navy kill the basta*** when he jumped over board!!! Why hasn't the Navy put divers in the water and jumped these guys? I guess we have to listen to Hillary smile and laugh again today, and say she and Gates are closely monitoring the situation. Listen to Obama point his finger, look serious, and say, "let me make this very clear..." He hasn't the backbone to do anything but talk, bow down to our enemies. These are rouge pirates...kill them, take the captain back and let's go home. Regan is surely turning over in his grave. Thanks to Obama America IS the laughing stock of the world right now.

JoeB-460595, it's only 4 pirates in a boat with a hostage stuck in the Indian Ocean, and your answer is to bomb Somalia!!? The only difference from other hostage crisis's is that it's on the sea. The equivalent of your answer is to bomb all criminal areas in America if a criminal gang takes a hostage in a bank robbery!!?

The solution in my opinion is:

• tell them that the only payment they will get is not being killed after capture. Nothing else is negotiable.
• tell any other pirates that is even thinking of rescuing their pirate mates that if they come within 5 miles any vessel will be blown out of the water.
• Adopt international rules that any corporation paying ransoms will forfeit their profits.
• Help, rational and sensible Somalians to form a government that can be strong enough to bring order to a country that has been without an effective government for about 20 years.
• Have an international wanted list of pirates and their collaborators and this time use money smart i.e offer large sums of money for the capture of everyone involved. The profit motive seems to be their driving force, so make it work for good, not evil.

And when will you guys quit with blaming Obama for everything under the sun, even things like the Somali situation that has been happening under successive presidents and the previous one Bush who was the exact president that you want, to go gunho and do a shoot-up, although when Bush was in office he didn't do anything, just went to war with Iraq because of WMD who didn't have WMD, but left North Korea alone who had WMD!!?

Kill all 4 of the pirates at the same exact time with 4 very experienced snipers.

The trick of course, is to have he captain jump out when there are SEALS in the water around the boat, given that the Bainbridge is a considerable distance away.

Remember, this is a fiberglass boat with portholes, they can see out, but we can't see in, so a blind turkey-shot doesn't work The trick is to send him a message (Morse code by blinker-light, maybe), not understood by them and do a rendezvous. Remember, these people have 8 more days of food and water to do this.

This requires cool-headed strategizing.

Mr. President, you have not mentioned this hostage crisis except via your aides. You have distanced yourself from this incident in favor of “other problems”. How can you not be front and center when the life of an American citizen is at risk? How can you not address our country and the world as to the situation unveiling in front of the whole planet? Your leadership in this situation is less than strong. Your leadership is lacking. Your leadership is being evaluated by the world.

And when the President talks you'll say Obama is good at speeches and nothing else. The military is in charge of this and will advise Obama when the time is necessary to take charge. Focus on the problem and stop straying from the truth and facts on the ground.

Arrgh!

"We're not afraid"

Correct, the bombing of Somalia is required. We need to make them afraid. The (euphamism for excrement) countries are frequently not afraid of us. This is brought about by a continuous paralyzation on our part to do what is required to maintain our property, citizens and world reputation. Couple that with their general ignorance and the fact that life in their countries is so horrible that dying or going home is a coin-flip, and more Americans get attacked.

When we finally succeed in becoming fully politically correct: No self defense at all...the combined might of the (Same Euphamism) will allow them to over-run us and then America will be gone. Will that assuage your guilt? Will that put you at ease? And when the ones that survive see their children take up the religion, outlook and general level of ignorance of the coming "change", will we have the luxury time to worry about "hate speech", the "rain forest", "animal rights", "Racism", "Global Warming" or all the other distractions from self preservation?

Good luck with that.

Pitiful. The world watches the US contemplate a strategy to deal with a centuries old problem with pirates/terrorists. Adrift in a boat with no fuel, and a hostage doing everything he can to save himself, yet we watch and wait for the "appropriate...response". Are we truely this powerless?

Mr President buck up, sail the Bainbridge's hulking 9,200 tons alongside that powerless lifeboat and rescue Captain Phillips! I'm pretty sure the pirates will cooperate or die trying to paddle away from our 500+ foot Destroyer.

When the captain jumped into the water the Navy should have killed the terrorists.

motorcityrick, I will guarantee you one thing President Obama will address the nation on this crises. It's all about timing. Also, we know what the President thinks about the pirates and what they have done. It's sad that some posters on here thinks that Obama is in collusion with the pirates just because he hasn't given his address yet.

The pirates have radios on the boat, and their potential pirate friends, so it's best that they don't know what the Presidents intentions are or you'll place the hostage at risk.

Oh, there's a very simple solution. Send divers under their lifeboat with small amounts of plastic explosives and make a damned sieve of it. Simple - they're so busy trying to figure out how to save themselves that they'll forget to watch the capt and the divers can take him from them. Of course, they should leave the rest to sink.

Obama is WATCHING............was he watching the US House recently with they gave themselves an automatic 2.5M pay raise or when they paid their staff members a 9.1M bonus? How about the 210M in bonuses over 18-months to the Execs of Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac ............MORE THAN THE AIG BONUSES!!! Why isn't the NYT publishing this.........oh right they have the taxpayers pacified over their 172B bailout of their Government Retirement Trust insurer, AIG!

OH wait, let's let them print another 83B for war while cutting our homeland defense

The NATO countries should put numerous guided missle frigates on partrol off Somalia and launch a Harpoon or Exocet missle at every pirate ship they can find. Why is the international community coddling these punks?

Frank Porter FL, I've seen the movie 'blackhawk down' and it certainly wasn't about helping the Somalian people. Helping means establishing a government that can control the country and deal effectively with criminals. Then you will have a government on the ground that would be covering all the pirates escape routes. The problem America has is that it doesn't want to create a stable Muslim government, that's the dilemma. And yes the poverty will have to be dealt with, it's no use having poor people then giving them ransom money (that they could never earn working hard for 200 years) for committing criminal acts!

Jeannie-889702, and when this hostage crisis is over (it's gauranteeded to be) and the pirates are apprehended and the hostage is safe will you then call Obama a strong leader? Based on your rhetoric, it seems you will always think low of the President, you can't even grow up and stop the name calling in the face of grave events facing America!

Well lets skip over all the morons who think force settles everything and let the negotiatores do their job which will probably end up being successful. People who send their ships into these pirate infested waters are the ones to blame. Logistically it is like hunting a needle in a haystack too much water too much shoeline to few boats to patrol.

The people who blame Clinton for the events in Somalia are full of it. In the first place we were there because of Lil Bushs father who signed the agreement and were there for peaceful purposes. One uniformed person in the military took a @!$%# at a warlord that turned out to be a trap. We were not there to assinate their leaders but as peacekeepers.

Obama needs to apologize to the pirates for the U.S. being so arrogant.  That will solve the problem!!

Vote-684690 Go back home and get out of your ACORN office take pill.

spreadex --

Negotiations will have to be done -- BUT there have been negotiations over and over already -- this isn't the first hostage. How many hundreds -- that's right hundreds -- of negations and hostages do civilized nations have to endure before this issue must be stopped. These greedy, MILLIONAIRE (hundreds of millions in ransoms already paid), thieves and kidnappers will not stop on their own -- just like Wall Street thieves will not stop unless they are confronted, these pirate/thieves will not stop on their own. Wall Street thieves don't carry AK's and rocket launchers as do the pirates -- how would you confront armed kidnappers? Would you show an upturned palm and offer a bag of money? I would think that would get you a missing hand and a stolen bag of money -- AND more hostages next week.

The "too much water" argument could be handled just like the pirate issue was handled in the past, armed escort convoys. The nations that already have warships in the area could get the convoy together and escort it through the area -- ships that don't want to pay to be protected and escorted would be on their own.

Vote-684690 Go back home and get out of your ACORN office take pill.

Paul MN, nice logical, rational, intelligent reasoning. I can see clearly now by your response how this latest crisis is going to be solved. Your eloquence in words are so profound that I think you should run for office in 2012. I'm sure you'll be able to convince the remainder of the extreme Republican party that you are the man.

But in the mean-time your mother ship is leaving earth. And before you leave please explain in detail how this is going to help the hostage?

These aren't pirates, they are Muslim Terrorists, get it? Take them down before our country is seen as completely impotent.

Ya'll are funny. It's clear most of you don't know Sh** about D**K and are ranting about hostage negotiation strategies and pointing fingers at political leaders.

Wilfred of Ivanhoe,

President Bush tried to get NATO to undertake that task. They refused because of their concern regarding possible human/civil rights violations because some pirate may get hurt.

To others who ask why Seals didn't take out the pirates when the Captain escaped, any op must be coordinated for it to have a chance at success. The Captains actions were to be sure, spur of the moment, and quite brave. He saw an opportunity and tried to take advantage of it and it didn't work.

You can't just have the Seals floating around in the water, that is unreasonable. Even with their gear, there is a limited time one can be in the water before hypothermia becomes an issue. So then, they would have to be floating around in a tactical boat...That would be downright stealthy wouldn't it cooter?

Spreadex?

While part of what you say may be true, if you did research, you would visit Wikipedia, look up Somali Pirates and see that there wasn't a problem with pirates in that area until the early 90's.

GHW Bush was out in '92, what did your hero Clinton do about the problem? Go see Monica? Oh, he had our men run after the trap was sprung and our people dragged dead through the streets.

GW Bush tried to gedt NATO's help but they have no balls and worried about human/civil rights issues for the effing pirates.

Its a good thing Im not in charge. This wouldnt have lasted long enough to make the evening news. When will people realize the rest of the world isn't like us and sometimes you have to use the same tactics to defend yourself as will be used against you. Someone ( namley all those countries whom have lost ships) need to collectively go in there and teach these boys who runs this show. Quit tip towing around it and squash em.

Treemantwo: "they, like the rest of the world despise the U.S"

Why do you think everyone despises the US? Could it be because for more than 50 years, the US has been interfering in the their countries (and even overthrowing a democratic government)? Most all the bombs that are killing people around the world say "Made in USA".

there is going to be a crisis of major proportions soon...and I hope Obama does the right thing.

The pirate ships coming to support thier pirate friends are using human shields...the most we can hope is that the navy keeps them clear of the lifeboat. I think every pirate ship should be immobilized (shoot out their sterns, they can't maneuver), and tell them give up their hostages; first hostage dies, everyone dies. Then proceed to blockade all Somali ports and destroy the "pirate" havens (we know where they are).

This has gone on too long, and no other nation is going to help us; I hope and pray that Obama does the right thing. I don't think there is any way out for the captured American or any of the hostages on the other ships; for us to end this once and for all, there will be hostages lost. It's sad, but true.

why should they be afraid? its the new USA. when he jumped out why the hell didnt we send laser guided 50 cal rounds screaming in? this is pathetic, its the pr machine of the new USA, let the damn military do its thing! get the @!$%#ing opinion polls the hell out of the equation.

tim in ca. My sentiments exactly. I can not believe that the navy did not have weapons ready for any case scenario. What a poor excuse, that they were caught off guard.

Vote-684690, earlier you suggested we go into this country and help set up a solid government. Isn't that what we are trying to do in Iraq and Afghanistan? Can you imagine the Leftist reactions to that?

Jeanie, sounds like you have a pretty good assessment of the situation.

If we get out of this without losing Capt Phillips, I'll bet something will be done to these pirates. All of those ships just sitting off their coast waiting for the ransoms to be paid. Is it possible we could take them the way they were taken? These pirates need to find out you can't mess with the U.S. I wonder how long Obama will talk with these people. Not long because he has another trip planned in a couple of weeks and nothing will get in the way of another vacation.

Hey folks, the problem with the pirates is that they paid them the first time and have continued to do so.. It would be noce now if they pirates are actually sending in reinforcements to help the life boat...maybe you could get most of them in one spot..and hold them all there....let the pirates know that they will go no where as long as a hostage is held.if one hostage dies then wipe out the pirates .... it would their choice to either live or die right there .

You mean Hillary hasn't scolded them yet?

These pirates need to be dealt with fast and hard all need to be killed all there places need to be destroyed and removed from this planet. I agree with most of the posters here today Obama needs to step up the heat he is showing that he has no balls between his legs.

I would think there may be a Marine sniper on board the Navy ship, Issue a warning, 1 Pirate will be shot every 15 sec beginning now unless the Capt is released unharmed

I think President Sarkozy from France is reading our posts and was motivated to do something. It may not be popular to say in the US, but this is definitely a proud day for France. Although there was an unfortunate loss of life of one of their hostages, the French can now hold their heads a little higher. Maybe for a small fee we can get them to try to do the same for Captain Phillips.

Sweetdeedee.........I understand your thoughts on how if all us "war mongers" would be shooting at each other in a mad max world and also how the hunger and poverty is driving these people to do these crimes.

But look at the state of the USA right now. Unemployment is up and the country grows deeper in debt every day.Have you ever heard of home invations? When a gun is held to your head are you going to call the police? The poor,hungry,unemployed invader might get killed. Would you be waiting for some kind of action if the gun was held to your child's head? Or would you wait for the gov't to solve the problem in the country? How long do you think it's going to take to fix the country? Would you be willing to wait until all the problems in the country are taken care of?

I don't support all wars but sometimes action has to be taken. When the blackhawk chopper was shot down these are the same people who were draging a US soldier down the street and dancing in top of the wrecked helicopter. This is what happens when the gov't pussyfoots around.

I hope you are never put in a situation like this becausewhen your family members are killed you'll be wondering why the cops did'nt do any thing.

For some of you, it doesn't matter how this situation is handled by the White House, you're still going to see it as the wrong way to go.  Bomb this, and bomb that is not the smartest thing to do in an international situation. 

The White House's response is firm and strong.  Turn off Rush, and the like and think for yourself. 

Let's play nice everyone. If we do, the pirates will begin to embrace us and we can move on. In fact if we kiss a few more derierres around the world we will be loved by all. What BS

They should be afraid b/c the Navy seals are going after them. They cannot see them coming, and they will be on them like a chicken on a worm. Both my brothers were in the Navy, and believe me, they were not cowards.

Yeah JoeB-460595, maybe we can nuke the UK every time an American is mugged there too. Why not just solve everything and fire all our missiles at the rest of the world collectively?

Are you mad?

Why don’t we just sink the life boat? It is real hard to swim with an AK-47 I’m sure. Then just go in pickup American and leave the rest for the sharks. You take a chance that he may be killed, but it sends a strong message not to mess with America! Works for me how about you?

This is what negotiation with terrorists will get you. The time for talk is done, take them out, unless you are too much of a coward. Dead terrorists cannot take hostages.

Coward in Chief.surrender Obama for Korea is making you look like a little wimp along with Iran Russia France you are a coward and people can see except for pelosi reid frank etal

TJM07: I assume you have volunteered?

Pirate Community (UPObama Reaches Out to 'Moderate' I)

After maintaining his silence for two days, President Obama will soon make his first public statement about the pirate attack upon an U.S.-flagged vessel off the Horn of Africa. After several inquiries and a few well-placed bribes, Exurban League has received an early transcript of the President's remarks:
Good evening. As you know, early yesterday, Somali-based pirates attacked the Maersk Alabama, a freighter carrying relief supplies to Kenya. While we do not yet know all the details, the Alabama's crew re-took control of the vessel and forced the pirates off the ship.

Since the pirates are still holding the captain, I have sent FBI negotiators to facilitate his safe and speedy release. I assure his friends and family that I will not stop until this man-made disaster is resolved in a peaceful, tolerant and ecologically-sound manner.

Obviously, this incident has raised many concerns among Americans. There have been calls for justice and even violence against the misguided perpetrators. But such an emotional reaction has led to the disparagement of entire groups with which we are unfamiliar. We have seen this throughout history.

For too long, America has been too dismissive of the proud culture and invaluable contributions of the Pirate Community. Whether it is their pioneering work with prosthetics, husbandry of tropical birds or fanciful fashion sense, America owes a deep debt to Pirates.

The past eight years have shown a failure to appreciate the historic role of these noble seafarers. Instead of celebrating their entreprenuerial spirit and seeking to partner with them to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.

Some of us wonder if our current Overseas Contingency Operation would even be needed had the last administration not been so quick to label Pirates as "thieves," "terrorists" and worse. Such swashbucklaphobia can lead to tragic results, as we have seen this week.

To address this issue, I have instructed Vice President Joe Biden to create a cabinet-level Czar of Pirate Outreach and Buccaneer Interrelation. In addition, June 1-7 has been designated as Pirate Awareness Week, during which all federal buildings will fly the Jolly Roger and sponsor sensitivity training. Thankfully, my American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will fund free grog and hard tack for all attendees.

Finally, to all pirates listening to international broadcasts, shortwave services and ship-to-shore radio, let me say this:

Ahoy, me regret arr relationship has set sail in a scurvy manner. Arr people share many mutual 'alues and concerns on t' raging main. Perchance, could ye handsomely release the cap'n o' the ship and I assure that no harm will come t' ye or ye hearties. Let us smite t' reset button and launch our seabond on a new pegleg. Savvy? Godspeed t' ye and t' ye beauties. Aye, me parrot concurs.

Thi...that is rather odd that bombs say "made in the U.S.A." when everything else says "made in China," or "made in Japan," or some other country, don't you think?

Yes it is odd. Other countries manufacture goods that consumers want and that improve people's lives. America's primary exports are from the military-industrial complex.

I have seen American bombs with my own eyes in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and Africa. In Laos, they have actually turned them into flower pots. In Lebanon they were blowing up things not far from where I was staying.

Vote-You seem to be one of the most intelligent poster on this site. I agree with 90% of what you have said.

Richard-The priates are wearing rouge? And why is Donald Regan, the ex-Secretary of the Treasury turning in his grave?

Frank-Clinton will not be responsible for everything until the end of time. You might want to check out the Congressional Record. When Clintons' term ended and Bushs' transition team was informed that an attack by Bin Laden was in the works, they said "we do not find this pertinent at this time". Famous last words. They WERE WARNED.

To all of the others that want to just carpet bomb the country-If that is the answer to any injustices people commit, we need to nuke ourselves. Our people are 100% perfect, corrrect? I think we'll see very soon that our administration has the situation well in hand. I believe we don't have to have every detail of what is going on broadcast to the entire world, let alone telling the pirates what we're planning.

As sad as it might be, the American Captain might not get out of this alive, which he was well aware of when he left on the voyage, and when he negotiated the release of his crew. On a lighter note, let's just surface a nuclear sub under the lifeboat. I bet you'd see them scrambling like flies!

To the first jerk on this board the military can only do what we're ordered to do. The sad thing is this has been allowed to fester and like an unattended wound ignoring it won't make it go away.We need to start stretching these pirates out by hanging them.Of course with today's PC world that won't happen at least not on our end.

Wait them out. If the pirates were going to harm the captive, they would have done it by now.

Keep the missile in position. Light it the first opportunity. Americans should be great opportunists as they have had plenty of opportunity to observe or be opportunists.

I love all the tough talk. Mindless, useless, but hey, it makes us feel better and shows that we love America more, right? Never mind the reality and complexity of the situation.

So we have a situation here where the US Navy is facing off with a group of pirates. Let's assess the firepower and manpower of each side.

THE US NAVY HAS:

The USS Bainbridge which is an Arleigh Burke class destroyer with a displacement of 9,200 tons. The ship is 509 ft 6 in long, with a beam of 66 ft and a draft of 31 ft. The ship is propelled by four General Electric LM2500-30 gas turbines (with two shafts) generating100,000 total shaft horsepower. It can travel at 30+ knots and has a range of 4,400 nautical miles at 20 knots. In terms of sensors and processing systems, the USS Bainbridge is equipped with AN/SPY-1D Radar, AN/SPS-67(V)2 Surface Search Radar, AN/SPS-64(V)9 Surface Search Radar, AN/SQS-53C Sonar Array, AN/SQR-19 Tactical Towed Array Sonar and a AN/SQQ-28 LAMPS III Shipboard System. Furthermore, the ship has electronic warfare and decoy equipment in the form of an AN/SLQ-32(V)2 Electronic Warfare System, an AN/SLQ-25 Nixie Torpedo Countermeasures System, an MK 36 MOD 12 Decoy Launching System as well as AN/SLQ-39 CHAFF Buoys. For firepower USS Bainbridge possesses 32 cell and 64 cell Mk 41 vertical launch systems; 96 RIM-66 SM-2, BGM-109 Tomahawk or RUM-139 VL-Asroc missiles; two 25 mm, four 12.7 mm guns; and two Mk 46 triple torpedo tubes; and carries two SH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters. The ship is manned by 270 officers and enlisted men. Oh and I almost forgot, the guided missile frigate USS Halyburton is on it's way to back up the USS Bainbridge.

THE PIRATES HAVE:

One lifeboat. Four men. Hand held firearms. One hostage.

On top of all of the above, the pirates are demanding safe passage and ransom money in order to release their one hostage; and with all those men and all that firepower, the US Navy cannot bring a quick end to the confrontation.

Oh dear! :(

Sorry folks but I'm rooting for the pirates: At least they have balls.

This has been a Dr. Zook post: "Just enough truth to be believable."

Vote-684690,

Obama is to blame, he is the current American president. That's just the way it goes. Albeit, he is also a muslim sympathizer.

In Iraq, there were weapons of mass destruction(WMD). Where there's a Kurd, there's a way! If you believe there were not, then the leftist media has truly done their job.

York4174,

Every time you open your own mouth, you aren't learning anything new! Agood kindergarten lesson to remember when your left side itches.

When they danced on our soldiers dead bodies , for once we gave them the best treatment of all, we abandoned them...

unfortunately, who ever had the most weapons when we left and was the most brutal rose to the top...

now the muslims have moved in and are tryg to take over the country...

so should we smite all the innocents to smash the 10% @!$%# population?

choices, choices, choices?????????

I know 1 thing, we should do whatever we are doing and do it quick...

if Obama is such a Muslim lover then why is he stepping up the campaign against Afghanistan?????????????????????

Extremists, whether they be on Right, Left or in a cave... need to stfu... I dont believe in churchs running the country, i think we should hunt down terrorists, and we need to forget gun control...

and anyone who wants to see Obama fail should go F#@K yourself in a dark corner somewhere...because if he fails...we ALL suffer... even you ultra-rich folks suffer, because you need to hide if the rest of the US doesnt walk in hope.

and HOW the Capt. jumps ship and no snipers were ready, when the Capt. already proved himself to be resourceful and ballsy is beyond me... wtf where/are they thinking...

YES WE DO POSSESS overwhelming firepower!!!!!!!!!

reminds me of the fact this fly has been bugging me for the last 1/2 hour...

I have a Benelli semi-automatic 12 guage shotgun in my closet, it holds 8 rounds and 1 in the chamber. I have 4 quick reload sticks with 8 rounds in each, I can velcro them to my legs and or arms...

I also have a 5 shot snub nose .357 ruger I carry with me often...

this fly just landed in the middle of my thigh, again...

NOW I HAVE overwhelming fire power... the only choice is , do I shoot my self in the center of my thigh , or try to graze myself...

or be tactical, get a flyswatter and wait for him to land on something I dont mind smashing him into oblivion on...???????

hmmmm..... tough choice....

ok I guess I will shoot myself dead in the middle of my leg and hope I don't hit a artery...

You underestimate us, howard. Watch, observe, and learn. Europe's tradition is appeasement - our's isn't. The military is planning as you rant.

Hey Howard, Why dont you just jump in your bass boat and go solve the situation. Nobody but your paid cohorts care what you have to say about our President!

Why are you guys trying to turn this country into a hillbilly hellhole where people go around shooting guns. At least you are still in the phase of just shooting off your mouth.

Frank

Your perception of reality isn't mine. I understand your words ("OBAMA APOLOGY tour....") for what they are: blind hate . You want the President to fail, and there is nothing I can say or do to change your mind - so I'm not going to waste my energy. I hope you have a good day.

Gee whiz: "it happened so fast we were not prepared to help ", that is what happens in combat; this PC bullsh..it, has got to stop. These people are Muslim fanatics. The same thing happened 200 years ago, Lt. Steven Decatur and the frigate Philadelphia took out the pirates at Tripoli, That's where the Marines got .. to the shores of Tripoli.

This is an international problem and this is the first ship they have attacked that had American personel on board. In retrospect it appears their spying did not let them know the ship was manned by an American crew. It like a lot of others carries a foreign registry.

Assuming of courese that the international community will continue to genuflect in front of these thieves one can only conclude the area must be avoided at all costs. Now if the internatinal community does not want that to happen then they must form a liason to solve the problem once and for all. The technology is available to put a swift end to this problem even as vast as the seas around Somalia are. It will take time and a swift effort to rid the open seas of pirates as we have done in the past but it can be done.

go back to your own country if you don't like it here. howard

"This is an international problem and this is the first ship they have attacked that had American personel on board. "

Yeah, and the pirates are having a hell of a time with their first taste of Americans. One of their pirates got captured, the captive almost made an escape, and now they are drifting and surrounded.

Bottom line is, the pirates are scared otherwise they wouldn't have to keep repeating "we aren't scared of Americans."

Unfortunately the Euro's have no balls. They would rather sit and talk, then do nothing but pay a ransom. Hanging the costs on an insurance company. Which takes us to another subject.

If it were not for the international gun control lobby, the ships may be able to arm themselves. As it stands, guns can only be cargo (locked in a container in the hold) due to insurance regulations. Heaven forbid someone should have a gun and be able to defend themselves on the high seas.

For those who are trying to say that President Obama isn't doing anything because the military is handling it, who is Commander in Chief?

Yeah but it's not the president's job to micro manage every action of our troops on the ground.

Dun Trino, this is of major importance and it is most certainly Obama's call. It is in no way micromanaging

What can Obama tell them that a field commander/general can't?

If you hated Obama that much, it'd make more sense to prefer that someone in the field make the decisions. After all, I hear military types complain all the time about "Washington people" making decisions about stuff they know nothing about.

Blaming this on Obama is a stretch so long that Stretch Armstrong himself would gasp in amazement.

Does THI stand for THE HEAD IDIOT?

THI said:

"Why do you think everyone despises the US? Could it be because for more than 50 years, the US has been interfering in the their countries (and even overthrowing a democratic government)? Most all the bombs that are killing people around the world say 'Made in USA' "

Muslims have been at war with the world for 1400 years.  Islam is a warring religion fashioned by the warlord Mohamed.  Muslim pirates have sailed the seas around Somalia long before there was a United States.  "From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli", the Marine Corp Hymn is a reference to the Muslim pirates.  At one time in the infancy of the United States, about a third of our GNP went to pay Muslim pirates extortion money not to attack our ships around the world.  So to say that they are attacking the US freighters around the world because we are interfering with their countries is naive at best, brainwashed for sure, and just plain ignorant in all probability.  They attack us because they are Muslims.  They are given permission to attack all who are not Muslim... no, they are required to attack.  And any Muslims who are killed in this process of persecution on the infidel are immediately rewarded with virgins in heaven.  I believe when terrorists act like terrorists, it is our duty to reward them with the swift reward they are seeking... An immediate sendoff to Allah.

I seen the former Capt of the USS Cole on CNN yesterday...He blames this whole event on President Clinton...When Clinton took office we had over 650 ships of various sizes,we now have around 300...He said it isn't enough to protect our national interest abroad..We need to stop bailing out insolvent company's and start rebuilding our military...If we don't this is just going to keep happening... Oh, he also said we need to sink every ship anchored in Somalia..

when does heaven run out of virgins?

Let's drop nukes on the entire African continent until the pirates return Captain Phillips. That'll learn 'em. We don't want to look like us Americans got no balls. hehe.

Shucks, I'd think Obama'd have some pull with his muslim brothers to get him out of this pickle. He'd make a phone call to his best friend Bin Ladin and they'd call off the pirates to draw attention away from Hussein Obama so that he could continue with his plight of converting America to Islam. haha.

Some of you agree and some of you (with double-digit IQs) can spot sarcasm. That's how retarded you all sound!

TJMO7, it already has. They're using pigs with wigs and lipstick now. The terrorists can't tell the difference.

what those terrorists don't realize is you can't get those burqa's off in heaven!!! lol...lmfao...rofl...

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well you know that if lucky this hostage is going to live. But I am sure that this will somehow be our fault again and the President is going to have to apologize again bad American.

tired

Spoken as a true disciple of Massa Limbaugh and his yearning for the President to fail. Your message is what is really tired.

Yorkie, (an inescapable image) The President has already failed.

Selecting a slate of tax cheats and other criminals for a "cabinet" and then bowing to the "king" of Saudi Arabia (or...was he bending over for someone off-screen?) is the hallmark of his failure. We elected him out of guilt for our past of slave-owning, and already this misplaced gesture is a failure. All the usual candidates are crying "racism" just as loud as before. You're not off the hook. If hundreds of thousands of white Americans dying to end slavery didn't let you off...you're not getting off.

How tired will the "message" be when he lets them hold YOU up against the wall while they behead your sister (wife, mom, aunt)?

Nerve agents unleashed on some starving people? Man I am glad that you are not a person in charge.

Amen Mike

Obviously, the brainwashed worshipers of the church of Glen Beck and Rush Limbaugh have decided to come to Newsvine to proselytize. They don't seem to get that just because they are loud, persistent, rude, and willing to lie about the president 24/7 in order to gain new converts, that they are still doomed to failure. Why? Because BS is BS, no matter how many people claim it isn't. We aren't being being converted, far from it, we are being alternately disgusted, sickened, and amused by the constant distortions and stupidity coming from the right.

Great, Moo. You've really wounded us all. Now...we're interested in your opinions on how we can (a) retrieve the captured Captain. (b) solve the problem of pirates, whether it is off Somalia or the Carribbean or any other location.

I'm not able to listen to Mr. Beck or Mr. Limbaugh most of the time because I work for a living (how about you?) However, I am still able to formulate my own opinions. I don't wish to accumulate converts. I am well aware of BS....although if I had to guess I would say you are probably much more acquainted with that substance than I. You appear to be a BS master, in fact.

Here are my opinions: This and past administrations (both parties), aided and abetted by the media have created an atmosphere in which somehow America is not able to exercise its military might and expertise to protect American interests either home or abroad. I do believe Obama is an inept, bereft of experience moron without the courage to defend us.

I also believe that neither Bush nor Clinton acted effectively to defend us either. I do applaud Bush for at least having the stones to unleash some firepower onto the portion of the world that is currently threatening not only us but most of the rest of the free world.

Further, I believe that a failure to identify our real enemy has been the failure that continues to allow terrorist attacks including the "piracy" occurring near Somalia. That enemy is not "terror", which is only a tactic, not the identity of an enemy. WWII was not conducted against "machine guns" although they were certainly in evidence. It was against Nazi organizations that had taken over most of Europe. In modern times, it is Islam that we are at war with. Unless we admit that and act to usefully defend ourselves, we will go in the tank.

Now, Mooster, do you have some actual opinions? Or are you only capable of spouting Democratic Party propoganda?

You mention stupidity. Apparently you are an expert on that as well.

York4174

I said what I have said is because of all of the News articles posted on Yahoo, Msn, Comcast as well as what amount of news I get from TV very small amounts from CNN, and MSNBC news as Our president has gone around the world appologizing for are qoute on quote arrogance. As far as the fat pompous wind bag you implied that somehow think that I follow or listen to is ridicdulus it is the same thing as Reverend Sharpton. Both want to cause trouble!! Again quick to judge me on an assumption. I am an independent. I am not registered for either party which makes be unusal since I grew up in Michigan.

Now you asked me about the term tired. I have been working for 30 years now All I have heard is complaining from all sorts of groups the whole time. I came from an area who had at one time a true blue collar work ethic and that was work hard and be proud at the end of the day the kind of job you did. The unions ruined that idea in the late 60's to early 70's when they told the worker that they were entitled to instead of earning their way. This is why Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and other strong union states unemployment is so high. These kind of attitudes have what driven jobs out of the country and to this day they are still holding their hands out because they are entitled.

This the same with those who commit crimes against society that it is always some elses fault for what they have done. According to all the phyciatrist my dad should have beaten us and be a criminal because his dad beat his mother and him and his siblings. He used to come home and drag them out from underneath the bed after their dad slapped their mom around. This went on until he left at 17. Somewhere along the way despite that kind of enviroment he figured out that most people did not live like that. He left home in 1947.

Now our president during his campaign talked about it was our patriotic duty to pay taxes but it seems that all of his picks have problem paying theirs. So when you read and hear things on the tv you wonder why you have done everything right been law abiding, paid your taxes and fiscally responsible. All I hear is that about those that bit off more than they can chew and it is my fault because I was smart and live within my means. You wonder why I said the things I said it is because I have heard it now for at least 30 years in one way or another. When our people going to be responsible for their own actions and get off that it is everyone else fault never theirs.

Pardon for any incoherent sentences as the small company had to scale back and to keep my job I am working now 60 hours a week. I am more tired than every and not getting any younger

you people down on Obama why dont you call someone who cares I'm tired of your wa wa wa and boo hooing, and blah blah blahing your a bunch of whiners making people sick and tired of hearing you cry cry cry about Obama.

lets all take a minute and feel sorry for these whiners.

Utter nonsense but in keeping with the new RNC edict.

"We will lose on legislation. But we will win the message war every day, and every week, until November 2010," said Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., an outspoken conservative who has participated on the GOP message teams. "Our goal is to bring down approval numbers for [Speaker Nancy] Pelosi and for House Democrats. That will take repetition. This is a marathon, not a sprint

BTW every sentence was incoherent in your self gratifying post

spreadex

BTW you must be one of those who are weathy if you feel sorry for them why don't you give them more your money. Because those that think these things are ok you have given and enabled those to continue in a destructive manner. Also why should I not be proud that I have been responsible. No I am not weathy only made 30 k a year every dollar I earned I did it myself.

Spreadex,

You are repeating posts. What do you do? Collect someone else's posts on word then cut and paste?

For the haters of thought, ie. Moo-299581

The fact of the matter is what Rush Limbaugh actually said. He does not want America to fail, he wants President Obama, Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi et.al. and their march to Socialism to fail. Here's the quote...

"So what is so strange about saying I want Barack Obama to fail if his mission is to reconstruct and reform this nation so that capitalism and individual liberty are not its foundation? I want the country to survive. I want the country to succeed."

dale-763548

What's the matter little liberal one? We sat back and watched and read your BS for the last 8 years, how Bush screwed this or that up while you libs were calling him every derogatory name in the book, but saying nothing of substance. When the shoe is on the other foot does it pinch? Sure sounds like you are whining about the treatment our new empty suit, teleprompter boy uh, um wait, I can't talk, my teleprompter is out......ah there it is.....it's all Bush's fault.

all right I took out a minute and felt sorry for you, now dry your eyes and get over it.

Our president has gone around the world appologizing for are qoute on quote arrogance.

... are qoute on quote arrogance? Wow! You gotta be kidding, right? Do you speak friggin' English? I'm sure you meant to write: our "arrogance", yes?

Steve the dog man - That's the most articulate post I've even read on these blogs. Wish I had your ability to put things into words. Thanks for posting.

It's clear that very few have any faith in Obama. Bless you few who still think he is your saviour. It would be wonderful if he actually comes through and leads this country but I just can't see it. We are weakened every time he makes one of his speeches (and that's almost daily since he enjoys the air time so much.) Sad to see our country reduced to begging. Not what our forefathers fought for.

York4174 Pardon for any incoherent sentences as the small company had to scale back and to keep my job I am working now 60 hours a week. I am more tired than every and not getting any younger

60 hours a week and you still have time to rant on the discussion boards? I'm impressed. Now me, I just sit back and collect my fat government check, so I have all the time in the world.

"I'm not able to listen to Mr. Beck or Mr. Limbaugh most of the time because I work for a living (how about you?)"

You conservatives must really hate your jobs since you have to remind us "loser liberals" every 10 minutes that you work. I have a full time job too but you don't see me try to throw that in other people's face every 5 minutes. Congratulations! You have a job just like a majority of Americans do: want a medal?

You complain about liberal whining but all I hear is conservatives bitching about how they have to work so hard and that they deserve so much more money. It's the same exact attitude the well fare leaches have with just a different level of self appraisal.

Steve the dog man, right on point, good article. you may have left out one thing, we are at War with the entire Muslim world. All this pc crap about good Muslim's and bad Muslims is for public consumption. Any religion that teaches it is ok to kill and kidnap non believers is a enemy of ours.

Disciples of Massa Limbaugh:

Proof that there is no limit to the depth to which some members of the far right will descend - this thread. Proof of the existence of far right delusional insanity - this thread. Proof that the far right in America could embrace torture - this thread. Proof that the Republican Party is the Party of the rich and the stupid - hell stupid would be an improvement.

York,, why do you want him to succeed? Do you think socialism is better then capitalism? Do you work hard so that others can share in your achievments? Do you want half of your income to go to those who would rather sit on their couch and watch reality shows rather then finding work for themselves? Do you want our health care system to erode to the point where you can not see a doctor on a timely basis to save your life?

If your answer to any of these questions is yes, then maybe its time you moved from the US and found a country like France. I have nothing against Obama, I know very little about him as a man, it's his policies that I want to have fail. It's his policies that must fail for the sake of the United States.

Yes, I wish for President Obama to succeed and prosper, and you should too. I wish for my nation to succeed and prosper, and you should too. I wish for you and your children and your children's children to succeed and prosper, and you should too. I wish for the far right to get a grip on reality, and you should too. So I guess that in your eyes those wishes make me a Fascist. Funny, I thought you had to hate someone to be a Fascist, and I sure don't hate you. I guess the meaning of some words ain't what they used to be. I honestly think you angry folks would call Jesus a Fascist if he walked on the Earth today.

No they would call Jesus a weak willed, yellow bellied , commie - who wants all "us" hardworking religionists to share "our" goods with "them" the lazy , unfortunate , non-Harvard educated commies.

Well Dogman Steve,

I do have opinions and I believe I expressed them rather clearly.This board is infested with devotees of the right wings lunatic fringe, of whom I consider you a charter member despite your denial. What about that real opinion of mine didn't you get?

As for your inability to listen to Rush and Beck because you're so hard at work, perhaps one day you'll learn how to record your favorite right wing programs, if you can find the time to do so. However I doubt that you ever will. It seems to me that your type is much more interested in parroting the right wing talking points (Islam is the enemy, Obama is inept, etc...) and taking credit for said talking points as though they were your own, than you would be actually learning something...anything, that is not first approved of by the likes of hannity or limbaugh. THAT is my opinion.

And since you asked, yes I do work. Does that mean I'm a good person now? THe BTK killer also worked, so did Jeffery Dahmer and John Wayne Gacy. So what does it prove? Just more evidence of your narrow minded thinking pattern.

I have news for y'all. Hardworking Americans are hardly exclusively Republicans, even though Rush might say so. You really have no idea.

exclusively: means limited to one group

And despite the 'occasional' pronouncement from the right wing posters that the gibberish spouted in here is evidence that everyone is now disappointed they voted for President Obama, quite to the contrary, Obama's approval rating is 60%.

Must be that terrible drive by media twisting the numbers.....which to you people is everyone but the fox BS network. It's gonna be a l o n g eight years for you in the church of the right , and I'm going to enjoy it.

"Heard" you the first time in post #2.

"This government wants Perdicaris alive or Raisuli dead" would be the sort of attitude I would like to see again.

Again Howard, stop shooting off your mouth and go do something about it! You have all the answers, why aren't you president!

Good God I just got my answer to the President's response:

"A band of rag-tag pirates has put Presentd Obama in a bind: He commands overwhelming firepower in the form of a growing flotilla of U.S. warships, but he doesn't want to use it"!!!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30145156/

What in the world is he thinking? If we don't respond swiftly and surely, we are brining the potential for future acts of piracy and terror upon all American's world-wide.

There has long been a tried and true solution to piracy. It is the same one successfully employed in the 18th Century. You arm merchanct ships to be able to defend themselves and you summarilly execute anyone caught in the act of piracy or of supporting pirates.

These people are operating outside the bounds of humanity and are therefore beyond ANY rights. they should be treated accordingly. The sooner we wake up and realize this the better.

If you agree to knock this @!$%# off, we won't kill every last one of you....

Unrepentant Conservative

That was back in the 18th century, now is the 21st century, armed merchant ships are not allowed to dock in most portsaround the world, and also the insurance companies get out of it cheaper by paying a ransom than litigation in court for wrongful death if a crew member is killed in the firefight, Thats just the way it is today, the insurance companies run the show

ok, so you arm them to the teeth, pay them a wee bit extra, and make them sign their lives away...

They can dock when armed, just a time delay when doing so, worth it if you want this problem to vanish....

Obama - the New Lincoln?  Actually, Obama, the emasculated.

WHERE is the Jefferson response - from the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli is all about defending American ships against the Muslim pirates (that's why Jefferson got a copy of the Koran (now you know the rest of the story)).

Where's the Lincoln reponse - to preserve a more perfect union.

The only backbone this administration shows is the backbone standing against our culture and our traditions.  William Ayres hid for several years rather than show himself a warrior.  The Obama administration is full of the same mindset and the same Marxist philosophy.   

The Captain gave himself up voluntarily. He knew that it could posibly mean DEATH! Whatever the outcome, we should give the pirates safe passage to THE HEREAFTER!!!

Kill the pirates. Get sharp shooters to off the pirates, the rescue the captian. Then go and bomb the hell out of the pirate stronghold. Being poor is no excuse to endanger others to enrich yourself.

Dear Lord give me strength. How does a courageous yet wise leader deal with a crises? Remember our successful war to free Kuwait? Did we rush? NO Did we deal with it? YES Does President Obama have courage tempered by wisdom? YES Is his method of operation long term fixes, not rash, knee-jerk reactions. YES Give the man a chance to deal with this crises - you'll see. That is if you really can see, and are not a disciple of Massa Limbaugh's "I want him to fail" fanaticism.

Some of you people are much more of a threat than the Pirates. The motivation of the pirates attacking the ships is money. Your desire to kill many for the actions of a few is murder. Read some of these posts and pray to God that this mentality never rules our Country.

Five GIs were killed in Iraq yesterday, should we kill everyone in Iraq for the action of a suicide bombing? How about New York, Pittsburgh, and Alabama should we kill everyone there for the actions of a few?

Yes, these pirates are a problem that will have to be dealt with but the solution sure as hell is not to randomly kill innocent to get to the guilty. Those innocent may be you or your family. If someone on your block or town kills or holds others hostage for money are you willing to give your life and your families life for the actions of a few you may not even know?

Killing is not a damn game it is the end of a life. And despite the twisted mentality your life is no more or less valuable than any others.

Before you start with your weak or liberal rant I am a former Marine that has killed for our Country.

York - Your memory of Desert Storm (war to free Kuwait as you call it) fails you. After one month of aerial bombing, it was over in 100 hours fo ground fighting. That drive from Wadi al Batin to the Iraq border was pretty sporty my friend. Slow....I think not.

Hell I don't want to see the President fail at this rescue, and I'd hazard to guess not one person in this post wants to see that. We expect a lot from our elected leaders, so if some are impatient then thats too bad for the President. I'm sure the President has thick skin...every one of our Presidents before him has as well. The price of freedom is way too high to take a wait and see attitude.

Andebh

You need to study a little bit more. My son, a Marine, sat in the desert in Saudi Arabia from August until January before ground forces went in. The ground was was fairly short but the lead up to it certainly was not!

From - yep I was there too, as I was for Operation Restore Democracy in Haiti, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and now Operation Enduring Freedom. What you are referring to was the build up to Desert Storm, it was called Desert Shield, the defense of Saudi Arabia. That too was conducted very rapidly within the means of the DoD. The President had elements of the Division Ready Brigade of the 82d Airborne on the ground in Saudi Arabia in less than four days. That's about 3,500 Soldiers. Within 6 months we had three Corps equivalents. So yes I think it was rapid, but maybe our persepectives are different. As for why your son sat in the desert from August to January...the US didn't have all of its hospitals in place, nor did it have adequate sealift or airlift to move such a large force in a short period of time. As a result, there were several new acquisitions made in sealift and airlift, as well as rebuilding our road, rail, and port infrastructures here in the US.

If you can read this, thank a teacher; if you can read this in English, thank a vet.

York4174,

Take your racist crap back to kindergarden. There is no place in what is suppored to be intellegent discourse for your "Massa Limbaugh's" BS. We in the USA are slaves to NOBODY! We have freedom of thought and expression. For you to be so close minded as to repeat Democrat talking points without knowing the substance, content, or context of the quote is childist at best. The real quote:

"So what is so strange about saying I want Barack Obama to fail if his mission is to reconstruct and reform this nation so that capitalism and individual liberty are not its foundation? I want the country to survive. I want the country to succeed."
Rush Limbaugh

The problem with York is he didn't get the latest talking points from the DNC..They now know that the Lefts attach on Limbaugh didn't work...They say the need a new catch phase...

York,check you inbox for that e-mail...

LOL @ Chevs' intelligent discourse.

Question: What do you call a Republican with half a brain? Answer: Gifted.

Yes that's correct because one half of a Republican brain is three times smarter than a Democrat's brain...

sounds like hes been impregnated by Rush, I know because his head has begun to swell.

I agree with Dave 1021156: Send the Navy Seals into action and start blowing these jackasses out of the water. As the other would be pirates start seeing the fellow thugs dead bodies floating up on the beach, that will put a quick end to this nonsense. Launch a general warning and then start shooting first and maybe ask questions later!

This is not a group to utilize diplomacy with: These are thugs and not very brave thugs at that. So blast a handful of them out of the water....... make that several handfulls and I bet this crap is over right away!!!!

Dave

Rave for you man. Well thought out post. I differ with you only in how to address the immediate crises. I hope the President saves as many innocent hostages as possible. Time is on his side. He does not need to rush. Protect the innocent first, and then deal firmly with the long-term problem.

Ya, don't rush into anything, if you delay long enough, the situation might just rectify itself.

Jimmy Carter set the bar in Carter I

Bill Clinton raised the bar....Carter II

Barack Obama at the bar....Carter III

LOL @ Chevs

So the Party of NO is now the Party of ACTION. LOL

With a set of well trained snipers and a Seal Team, the Captians chances are actually pretty good. Just wait for nightfall and no more pirates.

Be sure to bring the lifeboat home. No sense in wasting it. Any "wounded" pirates when the smoke clears no problem, let them swim their way home (after having chummed the water sufficeintly with their dead comrades).

We also do not intentionally kill our own citizens, especially when he did what he did to save his crew. You can tell his wife and kids sorry. Get the captain back first. They sunk 1 mother ship, it turned out to be a captured vessel being held hostage, to bad for the crew, they all died. Hope none of your relation were on that ship

Z-man - "Sorry for the Captian, but he knew of the risks..."? I disagree. The Captain may have made a bad assumption, like "The USA will protect my US-flagged ship." Unfortunately we are letting him and hundreds/thousands of other US Merchant Mariners down.

I do agree with your strategy of going after the ships and ports that harbor these pirates without impunity. I'm not a Maritime Law guy, but I'd say we have the right to protect our US-flagged ships if operating in international waters or passageways.

Sorry starbuck but Howard is probably a coward. I was taught early in life that those that yell loudest most likely run fastest when confronted, and Howard seems to be yelling from the mountain top !

Andebh

Due to legal considerations (possible human rights/civil rights violations) regarding pirates and trying to keep shipping shipping lanes free from them, according to former Secretary of State John Bolton, the august body of nations aka NATO chose to not participate.

Blackwater has offered their services: http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/archive/index.php/t-144148.html

To date, the USN, the Indian Navy, and Chinese Navy are the only ones out there. The rest would leave it to others.

You are correct. The captain is a hero.

I agree too. The guys got guts. Why weren-t the towel heads iced when the captain jumped out of the life boat? What the hell are we spending all our money for high tech weaponry for if the Navy isn[t prepared to use it.

I can't believe what I just read in the article....The Captain managed to get out of the life boat to try and escape.......and we didn't have anyone in the water under the boat ?? (SEAL re-breathers do not emit tell-tale air bubbles).....and all we could do was watch from our Navy ship ??? Who the hell is running this operation ?? That poor Brave Captain was probably confident someone was in the water to help him once he got out of the boat.....

Mike, I second your vote!

Why weren-t the towel heads iced when the captain jumped out...

Probably because the captain didn't get far enough from the boat, since he was recaptured.

Ignorance is bliss folks, rebreathers are nice, but do not last forever. Hypothermia is real and can be forever. Quoting from the story:

"At around midnight local time, Captain Richard Phillips tried to swim away before being taken back into the pirates' custody."

Do you folks not read? Anybody would have had to been right there at that minute, and the logistics......you'd have to have equipment for him too, not to mention the equipment to neutralize the pirates. It is a possible scenario, but better a coordinated effort, and that was a spur of the moment, probably not to happen again opportunity.

But for grins and giggles, wouldn't it be nice to have a submarine surface with the lifeboat on the deck?

Mike in Delray

"Who the hell is running this operation ??"

Preident um..Teleprompter..uh, I just...um...reporting for duty..um..is it 3:00 am yet? Somewhere? Anywhere?

Captain Phillips in 2012

I can live with that :-). What goes around, comes around. The pirates already lied by not returning the captain when one of the pirates was released from the crew's clutches. Promise them free passage and a briefcase of money, get the captain back and blow them up. And then it is time to sweep the shore and find out where their hideouts are. Finishing them up once and for all with public executions for all to see.

I'll go you one better. Give them some fuel and let them go. Then follow them. I'm pretty sure a 30+ knot US Destroyer could keep up with a life boat. Even if it can't, the Bainbridge usually comes with two SH-60 helicopters, and even a remote mine hunting vehicle. We can follow from afar, and wait till they arrive at their "mother ship". Then my friends, your plans to destroy something significant will really send a message.

damn right. let them lead us to their mother ship, them blow it to pieces. we are not dealing with smart educated people. i would be suprised if any of them can read.

of course, this thing should have been over a long time ago, but our wuss president probably wants these pirates to think that he cares for them, and would never want to hurt any of them. and it is ok to take an american hostage, because in his world "he understands them". whatever. get our navy seals in the water, get our guy out and blow them all to hell.

You know Quaizywabbit.... as I sit here and think of that solution after reading all the others I think yours is by far the best and the funniest! I imagine the pirates don't know how to read so to label the bottles in BIG BOLD "NON-POTABLE" print would be best as the hostage captain CAN read he won't drink the bad water... as the others are doubled over in severe pain while crapping in their pants and hanging over the side of the drifting life boat he can re attempt his getaway again. Sometimes the simpler way is the best way to go BRILLIANT thinking!!

John.....You are so right....If MSNBC used that same standard in all its reporting then we would read......... " President Obama, a former pot smoking, cocaine snorting, community organizer, said today when asked by a reporter about the Pirate situation..."We are talking about housing today" ".....and he has yet ( as far as I know) , to issue an official statement on the taking of a U.S. Flagged Ship.....Hillary did however say the pirates were criminals and the State Department, the FBI and Justice department were all figuring out what to do.

boy i feel better that hillary is watching the situation. this coming from a woman who's hubby was gettin it on in the oval office. so basically she has no clue.

oops, 200 years ago... very early, brain not awake yet... where's my coffee?

Just Dave: You are exactly right. Plus the ship Bainbridge lost and consequential sailor hostages.......was the second ship Bainbridge had lost!

And yet we continued to promote him even after the 19 month long hostage ordeal... go figure.

I for one fully support President Obama and am confident that the present crisis will be handled satisfactorily.

Once we have liberated our hostage, I think we should take the remaining captured vessels and return them to their prospective countries of origin and free any other hostages they may have whom are awaiting liberation.

We should do a search and destroy on all pirate vessels and so-called mother ships which hide the pirate speedboats. we should not waste time on piddling over whether or not the pirates have ties to Al-Qaida. They are pirates who are making merchant vessels exceedingly wary of sailing near the Horn, and therefore they are terrorists, and should be dealt with accordingly.

But first and foremost, I'd like to see Captain Phillips safely back into American hands.

However wiping out the pirate fleet, or even a portion of it would be only a band-aid on the bleeding problem that is Somalia. Unfortunately, the interior problems of the country are way to many to address with an easy solution. Plus the country is primarily Islamic, so I think it would be a safe assumption that any American presence there would be treated less than friendly, regardless of whether it is an humanitarian effort to help them rebuild so the civilians wouldn't have to resort to terrorism as the only way to feed their families.

Thats funny in a rhetorical way but your probably right and some sad ass politition in Washington is trying to figure out how to introduce that very policy. Its time for this country to step up to the plate and get control of this situation with the pirates. Lets unleash the navy and set the rules a bit higher in the game. Locate and destroy these safehavens that these people are allowed to use. And one final thing this country also needs to reinstitute OPERATION WETBACK, google it if you dont know what it is. Any and all polititions who vote for amnesty for illegal aliens needs to be removed from office. Now thet're gonna march for RIGHTS on MAY 1 , are you serious. Time to corral em all and send em back to where they came from. Time to also resind the citizenship of the kids they had while here ILLEGALLY. Time to stop rewarding CRIMES against the nation.

Thanks Jim, tonight was one of those nights and reading more of the "egg in face" articles got my goat. We are a proud people and didn't get here through being nice to everyone (the rights and liberties we enjoy were not a gift from those who love us). When people really, really realize that there are still those countries that despise us so much and would laugh and throw parties as one of our own is drug down a street until they are no longer recognizable, would they believe that talking something out with those same people would accomplish anything? Then would they talk things over with the other countries who would say we deserved what we got and turn their backs on us? The bully on the street will keep beating down the little guy until either two things happen (group hugs are not one), the little guy dies, or takes to fighting back with a vengence. There's more to being a leader than closing your eyes and hoping for the best. It's making those decisions which are in the best interest of your people, and may not win you the popular votes in other countries.

Maybe that's why its taking so long to get a response from our administration...they're watching old episodes of "The West Wing" to see how to handle the situation. Quick Carrie!...do your duty for your country, just tell us how it ended so Secy Clinton can get on with her work. :-)

Seriously, its been three days! You'd think we could come up with something, anything by now. Heck the crew took care of most of the problem themselves. Now this poor Captain is a pawn, awaiting some grand decision/strategy. In the mean time, we fly out an FBI hostage negotiator. I'm no expert on the matter, but I think if we send a "negotiator" out to talk with these pirates, then we've just set a prescedence that we intend to "negotiate" with them. When did we change our policy?

That is funny. I sure did like that show. Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are waiting for the UN to tell them what to do.

Does International Waters have any meaning to you or do you really think that the US controls the world?

International waters are just that. They belong to everyone and no one. Once beyond any nations claimed territory, it's game on. Why do you think all these cruise ship overboard investigations have gone nowhere.

....eloquent in its lexical and grammatical indifference.....

You should be in charge of the Iraq situation. You can go tell them "win the war." Because I doubt anyone has thought of it yet.....

and get that captain home to our country

That is exactly what they are trying to do, to get him home, unharmed.

I think we've done a pretty good job of destroying Iraq. That seems to be all that America is capable of doing: destroying things and killing people.

Is That Why The Rest Of The World Wants Us To Pull Them Out Of Their Financial Problems? Anything That Goes Wrong Its Always Americas Fault. As For Iraq, It Was Destroyed a Long Time Ago By Hussein. An Iraqi I Might Add. But That Does Not Count does It?

Great post

nw rick, unfortunately it will probably happen. when the people of the united states realize that the politicians are only out for themselves, and cares less about the public that elected them. they will not be voted out of office because most uneducated voters vote for the name they recognize, without any knowledge of what it will mean.

outstanding

Rick,

The current political problem is that no decent people WANT to be a politician. Some of this is from the very things you mentioned, which disgust most Americans, of all political affiliations. Some of it is due to our fine news media (liberal and conservative), that invest untold (wo)man-hours investigating the candidates for any past dirt. Did you ever smoke pot? get caught speeding? Did your spouse/children/sibling/parent? They will find it and shout it to the world. I personally do not want my family subjected to that kind of abuse.

Some have suggested term limits, which is a good idea, but a better solution would be for each and everyone one of us to vote in every election, and vote for the challenger not the incumbent. If you don't know which is which, just vote for the name you DON'T recognize. We hold the key to political reform, we just don't use it.

The wait we see is for Navy Seals to get there.

it will be done from under water, the captian will be back shortly

Duffy I seriously doubt that the leadership will allow the Navy to do anything other than negotiate for the amount of money that will be given. Reagan would know what to do in this situation. Heck even John Kennedy would know. But the current occupant in 1600 Pennsylvania Ave is being tested and it loks like he is going to fail. I know that there is a big concern for the safety of the hostage but we have to do something besides waiting. The poor soul tried to escape but there was no one there to save him. They were in their beds asleep. Pity

Wrong...amount of ransom money to be given will be decided by shipowners, if anyone at all. I think ransom is out of the question, or should be. I feel sorry for the captain, and I hope the Seals can get him back...otherwise, he may be a dead man and that would be a tragedy.

Skipper, that is why we are in the middle east. There are a lot of people there who need someone to come to their rescue. If we go in to straighten out these people, we will just be in another situation where we mean well but get criticized by the other countries who won't help (and the leftist).

Linda,

Are you one of the "we" in the Middle East or are you sitting in Texas? War on television is much different than it is in reality.