Obama’s silence on pirate negotiations correct
posted at 4:00 pm on April 9, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
I’m getting a lot of e-mail from readers about Barack Obama’s refusal to comment on the piracy crisis and negotiation to free the captain of the Maersk Alabama. Quite a bit of it is derisive, claiming that Obama is voting “present” rather than leading, but is that really what’s happening?
Obama was asked to comment on the situation several times by reporters at a White House event on refinancing for homeowners. Obama, however, stuck closely to the script and replied that he wanted to remain focused on housing.
I’m no fan of Obama, obviously, and I think he has serious deficiencies as an executive. This isn’t one of them. At the moment, we’ve sent FBI negotiators and warships to the location in order to impress upon the few remaining pirates that they aren’t going to go anywhere:
FBI hostage negotiators joined U.S. Navy efforts Thursday to free an American cargo ship captain held captive on a lifeboat by Somali pirates. A U.S. destroyer and a spy plane kept a close watch in the high-seas standoff near the Horn of Africa.
The pirates took Capt. Richard Phillips hostage Wednesday after they hijacked the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama, but the cargo ship’s crew overpowered them and at least four then fled to an enclosed lifeboat. It was the first such attack on American sailors in about 200 years.
My bet is that their primary demand will be to keep breathing for more than the next few hours. The pirates only have one bargaining chip now, and they’re obviously not suicidal fanatics, or they’d all already be dead. The only question is when they’ll realize the futility of their situation, and how they’ll react when they do.
Meanwhile, just as in any hostage situation, external comments won’t help and could make things worse. Military and civilian professionals are on their way to deal with the situation. I don’t blame the media for asking the question, but I don’t blame Obama in this incident for not responding, either. He’s right to wait until the situation is resolved to publicly comment on it.
Update: Joe Biden’s also refusing comment, but John Kerry is publicly calling for hearings on America’s piracy policies. I think that’s a good idea — once this crisis has passed.
Blowback
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Gird your loins!
booter on April 9, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Ever the liberal…..as blaming someone.
You do know that response to natural disaster is local, state and finally federal. And who was in charge at the local and state levels? Hmmmmmmmmmmm……………..
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 9, 2009 at 4:40 PM
In that case, he could still have commented that he’s monitoring the situation. Instead, he brushed it off as not important enough to warrant his time.
He did that the other day too, when he said on the phone that he had enough to do without having to worry about the economy.
He’s just a cold, calloused individual.
fossten on April 9, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Well, there was Ray Nagin and that Proud Christian guy who loves teh hookers. Was Piyush there??
capitulus on April 9, 2009 at 4:41 PM
We need Greyhounds here Bushhitler!
-Ray ‘William Wonka’ Nagin at the ribbon cutting for the Ray Nagin Municipal Bus Pool….
255 buses * 42 or so people =s 10,710 should not have been in the zoo folks minimum…
sven10077 on April 9, 2009 at 4:41 PM
pssst…Somali pirates blew up the levees. {crapitulus’ head ‘splodes}
Cuffy Meigs on April 9, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Are the steaks ready yet?
Limerick on April 9, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Saying NOTHING is not acceptable. Obama is right to not give details to the media, but he could have said that he is closely monitoring the situation, is in contact with those involved, and cannot comment because he doesn’t want to give information to the enemy.
IMHO, the best thing Obama could do right now is nothing, and let the ADULTS in the Navy and FBI handle this.
If the pirates and the captain are stuck in a drifting boat with no fuel, the Navy could surround them, wait until the pirates fall asleep, then shoot the pirates and lift the captain off the boat by helicopter. But the Navy knows the right timing for this better than Obama or I know.
Steve Z on April 9, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Hmmmm… Let me look at that ole Constitution thing again..
Lets see… President… Commander in Chief? … yes…
President… chief economist?… uh… no…
His job it very clearly laid out, and he is doing everything BUT his job…
Health care? Environment? Tax policy? Economic Policy? Please show me where those are the Presidents job?
Now, I can point out where he is the Commander in chief…
Romeo13 on April 9, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Hey guys, we are trying something different with our trolls. Ignore them, send them scripture, give them facts, but don’t play into their need for attention.
We are taking back HA.
I have to disagree with Ed. He is the president of the U.S. now, he can’t just mail in a ‘present’. He has to lead.
HornetSting on April 9, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Oh dear. How did I miss that?
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:42 PM
That’s right! It’s Wednesday night…time to party!
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:43 PM
A simple kind word for the captain and his family was all the situation required–and would certainly not have affected the negotiations. Another amateur moment for Mr. Obama. It was an opportunity for him to show empathy…instead he came across as cold and disinterested.
Dee2008 on April 9, 2009 at 4:43 PM
I don’t think its even the Brass… this sounds wayyyyy political/DOJ type of stuff…
Romeo13 on April 9, 2009 at 4:44 PM
+1 vote for best comment of the day.
kirkill on April 9, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Or not. LOL
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:44 PM
I’ll bring the Saffron.
HornetSting on April 9, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Yep. You had Milk Chocolate Nagin and Kathleen Blanco Stare-o. They were the elected executives of Orleans parish and the state of Lousiana. They were the “deciders”.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 9, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Well said. Rather than taking Gibbs’ job, perhaps you should take Obama’s.
DrMagnolias on April 9, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Typical liberal democrat, hold a hearing instead of actually DOING SOMETHING about the situation. Is he going to break out into working groups like dear leader and figure out what we should give up to the Somalis?
HornetSting on April 9, 2009 at 4:46 PM
P.S.: From now on, these ships should have at least two armed guards per watch, one at the bow, one at the stern. If a Zodiac shows up with a few guys with grappling hooks, the armed guard gives a warning, and if they don’t back off, he shoots some holes in the boat, and blub, blub.
If a grappling hook comes over the rail, wait till the pirate is halfway up the rope, then throw the hook overboard, and blub, blub. Like shooting fish in a barrel.
Steve Z on April 9, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Ed your dead wrong on this, these are criminal pirates not a sovereign nation. There is no need for diplomacy or delicate negotiations. They have nothing to offer, there is no good faith effort with criminals. This is just another chapter in the book of Obama failures, add weakling and coward to the list of his personal attributes. The only negotiation teams should be the B1B flight crews orbiting above Somolia not the FBI. What a F’in joke nObama really is…….
dmann on April 9, 2009 at 4:47 PM
He will make a comment as soon as the words someone has chosen for him are loaded in the teleprompter.
bopbottle on April 9, 2009 at 4:47 PM
Capitulus?
Limerick on April 9, 2009 at 4:48 PM
I had to check. Thought for sure this was Allah’s thread. Nope, “Present” doesn’t cut it here, either. As menioned earlier by many, show some compassion for the families and passengers.
mwdiver on April 9, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Yea, like Kerry has anything relevant to say about anything. By golly, if anyone’s going to change American policy on piracy. I’m sure it would be John Kerry. /sarc
I think all we need is a fleet of Q boats
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q-ship
And someone was right, while other people are trying to handle the situation Obama doesn’t need to comment, he should have at least said something about him being concerned for the captain and his family.
scalleywag on April 9, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Its not the silence now that will mark this hostage crisis, its the apology our President will make to the pirates afterward that we should all count on.
Kerry is the winter soldier his blabber mouth putting Americans in harms way is no surprise.
Speakup on April 9, 2009 at 4:50 PM
I vote we give them a Navy Seal Team.
thomasaur on April 9, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Sounds like a plan to me. Speaking of which, isn’t it very sad what happened to Marcus Lattrell. I hope those scumbags that killed his dog get justice. Swift, Texas Justice.
HornetSting on April 9, 2009 at 4:52 PM
I’m totally shocked that they got Joe Biden to shut his pie hole for 5 minutes.
Progress?
elderberry on April 9, 2009 at 4:52 PM
I agree.
anniekc on April 9, 2009 at 4:52 PM
There’s not much that I disagree with you on Ed, but this is one.
carbon_footprint on April 9, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Palin would have said:
Any pirates thinking about hijacking Americans better think again. These pirates will be visiting Davy Jones soon enough.
You ask, What is our policy? I will say; “It is to chase down pirates by sea, land and air, with all our might and with all the strength that God can give us: to wage war against a monstrous tyranny, never surpassed in the dark lamentable catalogue of human crime. That is our policy.”
faraway on April 9, 2009 at 4:52 PM
I was talking about WHAT JOHN KERRY WOULD DO. Now, please excuse me, I have to go and take a shower to get the slime off from your insult. :)
HornetSting on April 9, 2009 at 4:53 PM
“Can I just finish my waffle??!!”
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 9, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Are you referring to someone that isn’t an executive?
Do you have any idea how the
governmentworld works?blink on April 9, 2009 at 4:53 PM
An experienced competent senior executive should be able to make a proper response to nearly any type of unforeseen event without a controversial blunder. It is really an expected executive skill and particularly for a head-of-state. Just more evidence that Obama is not experienced or mature enough to handle the many requirements expected of the POTUS. He does not deserve a pass and it is appropriate to questions his skills and motives
rsl775 on April 9, 2009 at 4:54 PM
What time zone are you in? Here in Iowa it’s Thursday already. ;*)
MarkTheGreat on April 9, 2009 at 4:54 PM
I say whack them against the boat a couple of times and then drop them.
HornetSting on April 9, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Can I be the first to nominate this incident as today’s Obamatuer?
MarkTheGreat on April 9, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Lucky for them that Navy taught Marcus when and when not to kill. Had it been me and my dog there would have been 4 dead and 1 in custody.
thomasaur on April 9, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Why shouldn’t the supposed leader of the free world simply say “release the captain or die”?
rokemronnie on April 9, 2009 at 4:56 PM
The Nigerian Deputy Minister of Oil and Minerals said that if I gave him my bank acct # he’d have his uncle turn the pirates into goats.
innominatus on April 9, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Because Maxine Waters would send him a nasty e-mail.
Limerick on April 9, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Seconded. Motion carried.
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Never waste a good crisis. The potential for headlines is too much to resist, and the DOJ is probably already salivating over the prospect of a high profile trial of pirates.
a capella on April 9, 2009 at 4:58 PM
He practiced incredible self-control. I hope they throw the book at those scumbags and they get the toilet brush in prison for their trouble.
BTW, Cavuto is reporting that special ops are ITCHING to take the fight to the pirates.
I can see it now, those seals sneak into that boat, save the captain, and make those pirates squeal like pigs.
HornetSting on April 9, 2009 at 4:58 PM
According to the AP, food and water are the two things they DO have. No fuel, so they’re just sitting there, but they have plenty of supplies.
uncivilized on April 9, 2009 at 4:58 PM
I hear Obama is trying to swap Rush for the Captain
faraway on April 9, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Must be a different “Old Hickory” than the one I remember. The story of Jackson “vs.” Lafitte
unclesmrgol on April 9, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Ding Dong. Just got it. Don’t ever tell you that a brunette can’t have a blonde moment. That is funny, Limerick. Shower cancelled. :)
HornetSting on April 9, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Yeah, I figured that out eventually. LOL (PST, thanks. I heard “steak”, and I immediately thought, “White House cocktail party!”)
I’m a musician. If I remember what day it is, I’m obviously doing something wrong. : )
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 5:00 PM
He needs to exude confidence and strength. All he has to do is say that he doesn’t want to say anything which could jeopardize a sensitive operation, assure the American people that we are deploying every tool in our arsenal, yadda yadda yadda - but to babble on about housing is lame.
Buy Danish on April 9, 2009 at 5:00 PM
The sweetness of that is Rush would probably agree. So would a few hundred HotAirHeads. We’d have to allocate duct tape to all the trolls to keep the damage to a minimum.
Limerick on April 9, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Because this ‘World Leader Pretend’ mails it in….present.
HornetSting on April 9, 2009 at 5:00 PM
From last night we have HRC commenting and laughing inappropriately (reminiscent of Obama’s “punch drunk” moment on 60 Minutes):
Hillary Clinton Breaks Into Laughter Discussing Pirate Terror Hijacking Attack (Video at link)
AND just a little over an hour ago she spoke LIVE and said she is watching the situation closely to make sure nobody dies and says we need an international resolution and to know what foreign countries are going to do.
Sorry, but the applause for the Obama administration supposedly not speaking out when they are so ineptly via Hillary is beyond misinformed, it is misguided and misplaced.
KittyLowrey on April 9, 2009 at 5:01 PM
Aha, I see the link I gave above has been updated and now includes a link to … Michelle Malkin’s site where Doug Powers has commented on the bizarre braying.
KittyLowrey on April 9, 2009 at 5:03 PM
You know, I watched that bit on YouTube a little while ago. I keep trying to figure out why she started laughing so inappropriately.
Could it be that she was laughing about the fact that they obviously failed in their attempt “many years ago” (paraphrasing) to stop Somali piracy, and here she was dealing with it again?
Whatever the reason, it was just bizarre. Press embargo on that one, I’ll bet.
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 5:04 PM
So sad it hurts.
Limerick on April 9, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Obama sucks!
Griz on April 9, 2009 at 5:07 PM
No Hillary we need an American resolution that says if you attempt to board a ship that is flying the U.S. flag you will die and your mothership will be sunk, no discussions. This continuous milquetoast molly-coddling has to stop. We are Americans and will not succumb to bullying from anyone.
thomasaur on April 9, 2009 at 5:07 PM
I agree with Ed and BoardMan, and I don’t think their suggestions are mutually exclusive.
I doubt that the hostage-holding pirates are following Obama’s words more closely than the onsite messages they’re receiving, but the wives and families of merchant seamen — as well as prospective malefactors — surely are. Micromanagement would be an obvious, serious, mistake, but flipping folks off for “housing” instead offering an encouraging word is also an unfortunate, unforced, error.
JM Hanes on April 9, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Well, the guy was funny looking.
She held it in pretty well. I would have lost it.
bridgetown on April 9, 2009 at 5:09 PM
More likely the teleprompter has yet to inform him what he should do.
ddrintn on April 9, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Solution…..troll the pirates on the end of a hook from a Blackhawk…..all the way to the Somali Riviera.
Limerick on April 9, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Every seaman deuce on board knows how to handle this one.
Oldnuke on April 9, 2009 at 5:11 PM
I say they should vote the pirates bonuses and call out the ACORN goons.
ddrintn on April 9, 2009 at 5:12 PM
If’n its a 30 footer, which is pretty standard, you can figure on food and water for 10 days for about 30 people.
They are also completly covered, and you can not really see inside….
They are also almost impossible to sink (air cavities) though you can swamp them.
Romeo13 on April 9, 2009 at 5:13 PM
They are also almost impossible to sink (air cavities) though you can swamp them.
Romeo13 on April 9, 2009 at 5:13 PM
Just like our trolls.
Limerick on April 9, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Where is Cynthia McKinney with her boat and crack team of commandos when you really need them?
In this case, I think giving the pirates absolutely nothing to think about for a day or two helps drive home their situation. Giving some words of encouragement or any statement at all (of course, one has to assume they have a radio or something) just gives them an opportunity or necessicity to respond.
BobMbx on April 9, 2009 at 5:15 PM
You are mistaking the filthy liar’s inability to make a decision with leadership. I agree with you to the extent that the filthy liar doesn’t need to comment on every little issue- let us not have a repeat of his running commentary on the DC Public Schools snow day policies- yet there is a role for the filthy liar in this pirate situation. The US and its allies need to stake out a position that the whole issue of piracy has gone far enough and the US will lead operations to ferret out the pirates (even if they include some Obama cousins).
highhopes on April 9, 2009 at 5:15 PM
I liked your idea of running the ship up to speed but I wouldn’t do a crash back. Just let the wake “Gently” rock them. Just a pass down the side.
Oldnuke on April 9, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Just start shooting. Unless the boat’s too big everyone’ll hear the gunshots! Best to shoot first and ask questions later.
Alternate Idea: leave the grappling hook (unless there’s too many of them) and just shoot them as they’re climbing up.
Chaz706 on April 9, 2009 at 5:21 PM
It’s never too early to start trashing liberals.
What are we supposed to do, wait 444 days and THEN start criticizing? Um, no. But thanks for the suggestion anyway.
logis on April 9, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Why is the Attorney General involved? Why is the FBI involved?
This is High Seas piracy…the jurisdiction of the Navy.
Maybe we’d better send Homeland Security over there…and maybe send ICE and Health and Human Services, while we are at it. Maybe ACORN, to make sure they get these folks registered.
A real leader, a real President, would have directed the CJCS to solve the problem…and report back after completion.
In the meantime, a Congressional delegation will be heading out to Mog over the weekend…it’s a Christian holiday, so they can blow it off, not like it was Ramadan or Id or something important.
coldwarrior on April 9, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Ed,
I think you are wrong on this, Obama doesn’t need to get specific, a statement like “We are doing everything possible and our thoughts and prayers go out to the Captain and his family” if pressed for specifics he says “we do not discuss specifics of an on-going situation.” What happened here is rookie moves from an inexperienced and arrogant community organizer. Presidents reassure a nation in times of crisis.
Sven on April 9, 2009 at 5:24 PM
In this case, it is best he stay out of it, this is for the big boys to deal with, the real men.
But Ed you are wrong, there is nothing wrong with coming out and stating that he understands what is happening and he is knowledgeable of what is going on.
My assumption, from his mouthpiece is that he was only appraised…to me that show dis-interest. He specifically stated that the President is not involved in any way.
I would bet if one of his buddies was kidnapped he would be “involved”…
right2bright on April 9, 2009 at 5:24 PM
Get out of my head…I hear your voices and I type what I hear…
right2bright on April 9, 2009 at 5:25 PM
President Oprompter doesn’t have to comment on negotiations or tactics, but he could at least say that he is “concerned” and that we are doing everything we can to get the captain back. But, by saying he only wants to talk about housing he just looks detached; like he doesn’t give a damn.
Come on, show some damn leadership in a crisis. Sorry, this is voting “present” when the world looks to see how our President is going to respond. Teddy Roosevelt famously said “I either want Perdicaris alive
or Raisuli dead!” when he had an American taken hostage on his watch. I don’t expect that kind of bluster out of Obambi, but at least a statement of concern.
JohnInCA on April 9, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Really?
“The families of the crew are in our prayers and we will do everything within our power to bring these American citizens home safely.”
Now that wouldn’t have been so hard, would it, ed?
peacenprosperity on April 9, 2009 at 5:28 PM
I hate to defend Obama, and I think he is making a big mistake about not commenting, but….
There is a Maritime provision, set up I think by Bush. It consists of the military, FBI, Homeland Security, and several other agencies. It is a group established just for this, and that is why the FBI is involved, they are part of this specialized group set up to deal with these problems. It was part of the re-organization that was set up for different agencies to communicate better with each other after the “whatever” commission report.
right2bright on April 9, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Same here.
bluelightbrigade on April 9, 2009 at 5:30 PM
hillary called them common criminals. Just like the guy who steals a beer from a convenience store.
peacenprosperity on April 9, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Thank God.
vcferlita on April 9, 2009 at 5:31 PM
He’s keeping schtum until he decides which side he agrees with.
Jim Treacher on April 9, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Oh, and it’s a complete coincidence that this happened, for the first time in 200 years, less than a week after a U.S. president bowed to royalty. If you try to make a connection there, you’re a racist.
Jim Treacher on April 9, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Its true,
we shouldnt have the president of the United States say anything about the first piracy in 200 years.
Instead we should be treated to hilary witch’s mad cackle as she discusses an American hostage.
For the family of this man, believe that there are many who care alot more than this administration appears to be.
Sonosam on April 9, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Once again leaving no doubt as to your ignorance crap-ulus. During any disaster (manmade or natural) it is the local and state agencies that are responsible for responding for a couple of reasons:
1) The local and state agencies are geographically closer to the event…duh!
2) Local and state agencies are the ones that know their areas the best and what potential risks they face (e.g., flood, earthquake, tornado, etc.) and should already had contingency plans in place ahead of time in the event a disaster occurs.
However it has become very obvious after the fact some states and local governments (especially Louisiana and New Orleans) were woefully unprepared when it came to pre-planning and responding to a disaster like Katrina. In addition, the feds don’t normally become involved in disaster responses unless requested by state and/or local agencies. So how is this Bush’s fault again? Oh that’s right, I should know better than to ask such a question when according to lefty loons like you EVERYTHING WAS/IS BUSH’S FAULT!
The Federal government’s responsibility in responding to natural disasters is not primary, it is secondary in support of the primary state and local responders in addition to providing (if needed) federal disaster relief funds once the area is deemed a federal disaster area.
Your comment is like saying it was Bush’s fault people were shooting at responders and looting businesses! So crap-ulus if you were in the least bit honest you would place the blame for Katrina where it belongs and that would be with the Mayor of New Orleans and the governor of Louisiana, not Bush.
Epic Fail Crap-ulus…Epic Fail!
Liberty or Death on April 9, 2009 at 5:40 PM
All he had to do was be serious for a second, and say, “It would be inappropriate for me to comment at this time.” If they pushed, he could have followed up with, “For obvious reason, I will not be commenting. But we ARE here to talk about housing.”
Instead he comes of as the petulant, man-child that he is. “Come on guys?” Yea, that’s presidential.
Traffic Cop Timmy on April 9, 2009 at 5:40 PM
If, as I suspect, its a 30-32 ft lifeboat, those things are really hard to flip… or swamp.
You could run by and rock them on and off, making their lives miserable…
But if you charges straight for them, and crashback, you can create a knuckle in the water with a steep enough “wall” to get a lot of water onboard that thing…
Won’t sink it, or even flip it… but being in a boat filled with a foot or so of water is not fun (been there… done dat…).
Dang, just had an evil thought, but according to the weather report theres nothing coming in…
Romeo13 on April 9, 2009 at 5:40 PM
Too many cooks…
The Navy has primary jurisdiction regarding piracy on the high seas. This is established Admiralty Law. Making it a federal law enforcement matter, or a Homeland Security matter simply complicates the issue terribly. Not all of the 9-11 Commission recommendations made sense nor should they be clung to like some sort of Alpha and Omega of dealing with threats to our citizens abroad.
The President directs the CJCS to solve the problem. The CJCS reports back when the process is completed.
We made this mistake decades ago when we gave in to terrorists, gave them legitimacy, even had a terrorist show up to give a speech at the UN complete with loaded Makarov pistol. And what did any of this do to stop Middle Eastern terrorism?
But, this is piracy, not terrorism. Kill the pirates. Destroy their ports of safe harbor. Kill those who support them. This worked for centuries. A little research into how civilized nations dealt with piracy makes some pretty gruesome reading. But, it worked.
The pirates are in a 30-foot survival boat, with rations to keep them going for weeks. No fuel. They are dead in the water. Snipers won’t work, as the boat is encapsulated. But, it can be taken. But let’s not stop merely with the release of the American Captain. We have to make sure that these particular pirates and their friends ashore, and there are hundreds of them, do not engage in this sort of thing ever again.
Thus…the CJCS is the go-to guy on point.
Getting the Attorney General involved does what? Establishes a chain of evidence to be used in a prosecution of the captured pirates? Prosecute them? No. Kill them.
There is legal precedent for doing so. They are not to be given their day in court. Just given a burial at sea or under the guns of a task force bent on making sure they never again try to take another ship on the high seas.
coldwarrior on April 9, 2009 at 5:40 PM
People, please….
It takes time to formulate a response that lays the blame of all this at the feet of the ship’s crew and company. TOTUS can’t just say “it’s typical stupidity of an American crew to get overun by pirates”. TOTUS has to lay out how their greed, selfishness, lack of caring for others, unwillingness to spread the wealth, and arrogance is to blame for their current condition, and that takes time.
I’m sure TOTUS will have an answer formulated by tomorrow that will have the masses cheering.
Hog Wild on April 9, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Therein lies the truth…sadly.
coldwarrior on April 9, 2009 at 5:45 PM
I disagree, while Obama could defer on commenting on these specific negotiations he could comment that the US will not tolerate piracy. That the Somalis should immediately release the hostage and that the US will take any measures necessary to bring about the return of their Captain alive, but, that the US does not negotiate with terrorists……..or pirates.
Were looking the language of a President here, instead we’ve got Barry the Pacifist.
mngirl on April 9, 2009 at 5:46 PM
OK, I watched the video of Hillary’s statement. I don’t know what is more disturbing, her laughter or her statement that “what we need is for the world to come together to end the scourge of piracy on the high seas.”
Good God, what is wrong with these people? Is that there answer to every problem, big and small? To have the “world” come together. Meanwhile, the “world” laughs at us and says “yeah, sure, we’ll get right on it.”
If America can’t even deal with a few ragtag pirates without the “world” then we truly have become a post-American world. How about having Hillary look into the camera and say something like, “To all would-be Pirates, if you try to seize a ship flying the American flag you will be destroyed. Period.”
Nah, not nuanced enough. The “world” wouldn’t approve.
JohnInCA on April 9, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Hillary’s first book, after Obama is run out of the White House in 1381 days will be appropriately entitled “It Takes a Village Idiot.”
coldwarrior on April 9, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Let’s put ourselves in the position of the crew, and say that somehow we heard a recording of Clinton’s statement. I’d be preparing for death.
ddrintn on April 9, 2009 at 5:50 PM
I thought Bill Clintons first administration was the gold standard for ineptitude. Bill’s been replaced.
ddrintn on April 9, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Hey, Moron. The White House made requests of both the idiot mayor and the pathetic governor that they make the evacuation mandatory before the levies broke. They refused. Anything that happened after that was the responsibility of those two.
By the way, katrina didn’t even hit new orleans, it passed by and hit Mississippi dead on causing much more damage. That state was being run by a conservative so the loss of life was minimal and the rebuilding effort was more efficient. What happened in katrina was the faulty levies couldn’t handle the surge from the rain. The levies were in such bad shape because the democrats down there have been lining there pockets with the money that was meant to upgrade the levies for the past 50 years.
peacenprosperity on April 9, 2009 at 5:53 PM
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