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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The first thing to be done is secure the safe release of the captain…if it takes the FBI then great, if it takes a can of tuna laced with dolphin great.
The first order of business is the safe release of our American captain…then I don’t care what happens to the pirates.
right2bright on April 9, 2009 at 5:57 PM
TOTUS is in the shop getting his 100,000 word tune-up.
right2bright on April 9, 2009 at 5:58 PM
Hearings on American piracy policies? Why is this a good idea? When a liberal calls for hearings into something it’s because they want to
(a) Try to impeach/remove/demonize a Republican
(b) Grant some sort ‘right’ to some mis-understood or down-trodden ‘group’ which is usually being ‘picked’ on by meanie conservatives
gwelf on April 9, 2009 at 6:05 PM
Why arent they sending a Navy Seal in?
becki51758 on April 9, 2009 at 6:06 PM
I agree with this first post and all the others who endorsed it.
This is an outrageous example of Obama’s total lack of real leadership ability.
All he knows how to do is strong arm. He doesn’t know how to lead.
There is a big difference.
INC on April 9, 2009 at 6:06 PM
Thank you. I don’t have your knowledge, but upon hearing the FBI was involved, I thought What??? that makes no sense. Why not send in SEALS?
As for Hillary’s cackle. This administration is culpable for their deplorable and dangerous actions.
INC on April 9, 2009 at 6:09 PM
You must sleep well, you sure lie easy.
1. The evil Bush declared a State of Emergency in Louisiana 3 days before Katrina even came ashore.
2. FEMA has always told local and state governments that they’re own their own for the first 72 hours after any disaster. For you Leftists, that’s 3 DAYS.
3. In the first 3 days after Katrina hit, the US COast Guard, of which Bush was Commander in Chief, rescued over 10,000 people.
Now, tell us what the Democrats running New Orleans and Louisiana did in that same time frame. In fact, the evil Bush pleaded with them to evacuate New Orleans, but they refused.
That’s not Bushie’s fault, it’s your own party’s fault.
Got any better material, Sweetheart?
Del Dolemonte on April 9, 2009 at 6:09 PM
Yeah, and Johnson should have flown to Alaska within 24 hours of the big earthquake/tsunami…because, Lord knows, they really needed the President there to fix everything.
Jerks.
Dr. ZhivBlago on April 9, 2009 at 6:12 PM
+100
becki51758 on April 9, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Concur, but remember, they want more lawyers involved even in frontline combat ops…
so, this gives a perfect opportunity to put more Lawyers in charge of Navy Ops…
Of couse, its a total breakdown of the concept of chain of command… where Responsibility and Authrity go hand in hand… but Libs don’t care about that anyway… as they don’t see them linked (just ask Bwarny Fwank).
Romeo13 on April 9, 2009 at 6:15 PM
Later sleuthing disclosed that the Louisiana Democrats, after realizing how badly they had screwed the pooch on Katrina, enlisted their
alliespuppets in the national mainstrea media to shift all of the blame to the evil Bush.The Newsbusters blog had quite a bit on that angle.
Del Dolemonte on April 9, 2009 at 6:17 PM
Isn’t Obama the poofster that bragged that he could multi-task? Where was his honeyed tongue wisdom-guided effort in responding in a diplomatic way to the reporters?
onlineanalyst on April 9, 2009 at 6:18 PM
This is an tough call for Obama. He doesn’t want to alienate Pirate-Americans.
CapitalistPig on April 9, 2009 at 6:22 PM
Barak Obama is only interested in protecting ONE American.
That is his only foreign policy goal right now. He’s letting the military run pretty much rudderless while he deals with the millions of domestic “terrorists” he considers the primary threat to his power base: business owners.
Obama knows full well he’ll never get blamed for doing nothing (and some dumb asses are even saying we should give him “credit” for it.) So he’ll just leave all our troops and policemen hanging in the wind.
If a situation turns out well – great. Obama knows he’ll get massive amounts of airtime to bask the success tbat his wonderfulness just sort of magically created.
And if a situation goes to Hell in a handbasket – even better. There’s no trail of any comment at all, let alone any orders coming from the Oval Office. And that bus’s wheels can always use some more grease.
logis on April 9, 2009 at 6:23 PM
I understand and agree that Obama should not have talked much about the situation in order to preserve operational security but he should have said something – perhaps a “It’s being handled by the appropriate agencies. I have full confidence in them.” For the best leader of our nation since Lincoln and the best orator ever he sure failed on this one.
gwelf on April 9, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Yes, Ed, sometimes silence is golden. But in Ogabe’s case it’s just more evidence of his stultifying incompetence.
SKYFOX on April 9, 2009 at 6:25 PM
I was cheering your earlier post about the pre-Katrina Bush actions and then this post. I would just add that in the aftermath Blanco hired James Lee Witt, former Clinton administration FEMA director, and surprise surprise, it later turned out there was hink aplenty as a result:
It goes on:
Uh huh
KittyLowrey on April 9, 2009 at 6:30 PM
Sorry Mr. Morrissey, but you’re waaayyy off on this one.
He’s the President. The proverbial buck stops with him.
Unfortunately, I’m afraid the weakness demonstrated in President Obama’s European prostration tour set American citizens up for more of what these pirates are dishing out.
sdun1 on April 9, 2009 at 6:37 PM
Actions speak louder than words. How long has this been going on now?
mindhacker on April 9, 2009 at 6:41 PM
Of course, Hollywood will make a movie of this pirate hijacking to gloriously illuminate The Messiah’s omniscient leadership.
The movie will be Aaargghh!-rated.
CatchAll on April 9, 2009 at 6:51 PM
I’d like to see a team of SEAL’s swim up directly under the boat, surprise and kill all the pirates (’bout 3:00 a.m.) and then bring the captain back. Here’s hopin’.
Mojave Mark on April 9, 2009 at 6:55 PM
What did Thomas Jefferson do? The right thing.
DDT on April 9, 2009 at 6:58 PM
Ditto on the first part,..disagree on the second. I don’t want them standing trial, although it looks like that is what will result from negotiations. If acts of piracy just get dumped into the justice system, no meaningful message will really get sent.
a capella on April 9, 2009 at 7:00 PM
don’t even have to do that… just start putting holes in the bottom of the lifeboat…
As it slowly settles in the water… they’ll give up.
Romeo13 on April 9, 2009 at 7:02 PM
The BardMan Rocketh!
By the way, what happened to the comments in the headline section regarding this non-comment?
misslizzi on April 9, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Here in northern New England in 1998, we had The Mother of All Ice Storms. Never saw FEMA once in my town. And I was without power for 11 days.
1998? Clinton was President then. But he couldn’t be bothered, as he was too busy re-defining the words “sex” ans “is”.
Del Dolemonte on April 9, 2009 at 7:04 PM
I understand and agree that Obama should not have talked much about the situation in order to preserve operational security but he should have said something – perhaps a “It’s being handled by the appropriate agencies. I have full confidence in them.” For the best leader of our nation since Lincoln and the best orator ever he sure failed on this one.
gwelf on April 9, 2009 at 6:23 PM
Del Dolemonte on April 9, 2009 at 7:08 PM
It’s the kind of statement that most Presidents make in that kind of situation. Something short about handling things and expressing sympathy for the families involved.
This guy is such a narcissist he can’t even interrupt his planned agenda long enough to say that.
INC on April 9, 2009 at 7:11 PM
The Messiah voted “Present”….
DL13 on April 9, 2009 at 7:17 PM
After which the Air Force could drop as many bombs on Somalia as they saw fit or until we ran out.
Problem solved.
Viper1 on April 9, 2009 at 7:21 PM
I was wondering how the folks in North Dakota/Minnesota got by during the last few weeks…or did Obama will the flood waters to abate???
It’s almost like the state and local governments got organized, got a WHOLE GOB of volunteers, and did for themselves. Funny how that works….
BigWyo on April 9, 2009 at 7:23 PM
It’s not just narcissism this time. Obama won’t even say something like that. To even mention “appropropriate agencies are on the job.” Would imply that HE picked the agencies to notified, and/or ordered them to do something.
Obama knows it’s not in his political interests to do that. He will assiduously avoid even the barest HINT of having any personal responsibility for this.
There will be no paper trail or even any comments connecting Obama to any particular incident. He will give no orders or even SUGGESTIONS about how to handle this.
Because he knows that all he has to do is wait until it’s all over. Then he can either take credit or assign blame, depending on what the outcome happens to be.
logis on April 9, 2009 at 7:24 PM
BigWyo on April 9, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Sorry, wrong demographic, shut up get back to work and pay your taxes….so commands The Messiah!
All Hail
dmann on April 9, 2009 at 7:56 PM
I heard a joke headline on the radio, but it’s probably not far from the truth:
Obama Reaches Out To Moderate Pirates
Daggett on April 9, 2009 at 7:57 PM
I have some experience with this – I deployed in 2005-6 aboard a U.S. Navy warship to prosecute this Somali Piracy. This is not a new problem, and working it has been multinational (NATO) from the start. We worked with French and Dutch units – and the U.S. was not in operational control. It seems to me that our SecState is reacting as if it a new phenomenon. As a former U.S. Senator on the Armed Forces committee, she should know that. We don’t need a “resolution” to deal with it, we ALREADY ARE. Is it working perfectly? Obviously not. But we have paid attention to the problem, even killed people.
It doesn’t stop them, the rewards compared to the risk are still too great. They operate hundreds of miles away from land, the commercial ships aren’t armed even with personal sidearms (for a number of reasons good and bad), and the military units assigned cannot completely patrol the immense area the pirates may strike. It’s a matter of physics – we may be able to see an aircraft at 100+ miles, but the curvature of the earth limits even our radar to far less than that. We’d have to station pickets every 50 miles or so to maintain complete coverage – and then we couldn’t know if this or that ship would be engaged in piracy outside of or surveillance. We just don’t know who is a pirate or not until they strike – if we observe it. Mostly we find out after they take a ship (like this situation), and receive some kind of intelligence – an SOS or mayday or a competitor trying to remove a rival. Then it’s completely reactionary, as this situation with the Master taken hostage.
Until a decision is made to go into Somalia to neutralize this piracy threat, nothing more effective can be accomplished. We’ll continue to chase a phantom. I don;t see any desire to go there again, after we abandoned them in 1993.
JeffWeimer on April 9, 2009 at 7:59 PM
Obama is trying to find boxed sets of “Pirates of the Caribbean” ~that will play in the local DVD devices~ for the poor Muslim sailors whose dire economic straits, thanks to arrogant American colonialism and imperialism in Africa, forced them into this kind of desperate left-handed wealth redistribution.
He will then apologize to the freebooters that the captain of the Alabama was not a person of color or a Muslim.
(Biden is just trying to think of a joke that will include the phrase “Horn of Africa“.)
profitsbeard on April 9, 2009 at 8:05 PM
Ed, I always enjoy your topics here, and I hate to nit pick, but …
I would have preferred some reassuring comment from the President. Instead, he pretty much told them to shut up and stay on the topic he chose.
America needs a leader, not a
piss poorlousy, clueless democrat portrayal of an actor.
DannoJyd on April 9, 2009 at 8:06 PM
the ships themselves should be armed. we should hire 25 blackwater guys for the trip along the eastern coast for each ship. i’m sure the insurance companies would be happy to split the bill, and it would help with blackwater’s image issues too.
sesquipedalian on April 9, 2009 at 8:13 PM
Exactly.
Obama is wrong. He should have at least offered a brief reassurance.
Instead he said nothing and Hillary is cackling, The lunatics are running the asylum.
ORconservative on April 9, 2009 at 8:16 PM
Obama loves islam…I will not, cannot capitalize that word islam.
These are islamic terrorists, not pirates. How could he denounce them without denouncing his beloved islam?
Obama has not chosen a church to replace the hate filled one he attended for 20 years.
How many would be surprised if he chose a mosque instead? Not I. Not in the least. It would fit right in with his recent attempts to negotiate with the “moderate Taliban”…like moderate cancer…and his bowing to the King of the Wahabbis.
He claims that islam made great contributions to America.
Can anyone here name even one? Just one.
islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.
Army Brat on April 9, 2009 at 8:19 PM
Who kidnapped Ed? Good lord!
SouthernGent on April 9, 2009 at 8:22 PM
What’s the difference?
After Hillary pecked at that glass ceiling, he resealed it… This should send the women’s rights groups into overdrive – that is the “liberal” ones…
Upstater85 on April 9, 2009 at 8:22 PM
Hardly. This administration doesn’t even want to make enemies uncomfortable, let alone THREATEN their lives.
Besides. The pirates are Muslims, right? Obama wouldn’t dare hurt their feelings.
Daggett on April 9, 2009 at 8:23 PM
Chris Muir has a good one here
Kini on April 9, 2009 at 8:34 PM
I guess after Obama stopped the trials of the “combatants” the US has really “forgotten” the USS Cole after all – shame and more of the same to come.
Jessie on April 9, 2009 at 8:38 PM
No no freaking FBI , this is not a criminal case… get off this stupid bandwagon. This is the taking of a ship under a US flag, the FBI has nothing to do with it…it is NOT a criminal case. Sink the damn lifeboat and kill the pirates…. for Christ’s sake. Clintons always tried to use criminal law to deal with conflict… it always failed… why aren’t people’s heads screwed on straight about this crisis?
MNDavenotPC on April 9, 2009 at 8:46 PM
Problem is, these are commercial craft, and most aren’t crewed by Americans or even flagged here. It is up to the company who hires them whether or not to arm them or place an armed group with them.
JeffWeimer on April 9, 2009 at 8:48 PM
I am going to 100% disagree because he IS the President of the United States now. In fact he is the only one I see that should be giving the US response to the pirates, because that is his job and position of the President.
JeffinSac on April 9, 2009 at 8:53 PM
BTW, you do know that the angle of these inane “hearings” will be how to blame Bush for not solving the problem before Obama took office, right?
KittyLowrey on April 9, 2009 at 8:57 PM
It was the way he said it.
baldilocks on April 9, 2009 at 9:04 PM
Whether that’s good or bad would depend entirely on your point of view. Obviously it’s good for the pirates.
If you don’t arm the crew, even flattening all of Somalia won’t stop this. As long as a handful of guys on a motor boat can take a multi-million dollar vessel and cargo, it’s going to keep happening.
logis on April 9, 2009 at 9:05 PM
Above his paygrade….
TN Mom on April 9, 2009 at 9:23 PM
I agree with the first commenter on the thread.
JannyMae on April 9, 2009 at 9:25 PM
Comments could have been closed after that first one!
INC on April 9, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Hi, INC!
:)
JannyMae on April 9, 2009 at 9:30 PM
David Freddoso, NRO: How to be a Somali Pirate
Good background on Somali piracy
Loxodonta on April 9, 2009 at 9:36 PM
Hey, Janny!
INC on April 9, 2009 at 9:38 PM
Ed’s right about this, but I wouldn’t give Obama much credit. Broken clocks are right twice a day too.
ElectricPhase on April 9, 2009 at 10:01 PM
We fought a war coupla hundred years ago over pretty much this same type of garbage, didn’t we?
Arab pirates were taking ships and “taking hostages” , ransoming them to families and governments. Our then President, Thomas Jefferson said, “Uh, no. We won’t be paying any ransom.” The Nations which controlled the pirates declared wars. Jefferson sent the Navy and the newly minted United States Marines and the rest is history.
Obama not even making a comment on the “illegality” (I just love the current atmosphere of euphamisms…) shows the guy for the coward he is.
Obama is a coward. Clinton is a coward. Biden is a particularly inept lying coward. Their response (or more importantly, lack of one) is cowardly.
Isn’t it telling that even given the lose-lose situation the pirates are in, that a handful of criminal thugs has been staring down the barrel of the most powerful nation on earth – and is allowed to dictate terms and is still in control of the situation!
catmman on April 9, 2009 at 10:09 PM
So, is BHO silent because it’s the right thing to do or is he silent because he doesn’t know what the right thing to do really is?
I guess in this situation I’d prefer he vote PRESENT than say/do something stupid like give a “gallow-humor” laugh (like Hillary did). Ask the UN to help or have the senate “hold talks”.
This guy is going to be FORCED to grow some stones at some point real soon. He will be forced to Protect America and it will probably cause him heartburn.
poppieseeds on April 9, 2009 at 10:10 PM
Just a thought: Are we being hamstrung by the UN Law of the Sea Treaty (LOST)? Did we eventually sign on to it, or is its status in limbo as far as the US is concerned?
onlineanalyst on April 9, 2009 at 10:14 PM
obviously, but we should just go ahead and provide it anyway and charge the company for it. whether they like it or not. it’s insane that a few guys for a few days are not worth it for them. the shipping and insurance companies should set up a fund.
sesquipedalian on April 9, 2009 at 10:24 PM
Negotiations with Pirates? These ships should have been armed in the first place yet the U.N. policy of disarmament places everyone but the bad guys in danger even though NO federal or international law prohibits ships from carrying arms for the crew’s protection.
If we would had a President with any guts since Reagan, there would BE no pirates.
Put an aircraft carrier off the coast of Somalia and bomb everything that floats coming from any port in Somalia including kiddies inner tubes with horsey heads on them, oh that’s right, that would be too politically incorrect for the Washington pantywastes and appeasers.
nelsonknows on April 9, 2009 at 10:43 PM
I ditto this.
Alana on April 9, 2009 at 11:01 PM
Not really. When you hear about “a” ship being pirated and conclude that “all” ships should be defended, the scale is fantastic. Just take a guess at how many “ships” there are hauling freight around the world.
How many men should be on each one as a defense team? 5 total? Two 5 man teams? Two men only? Do they stand watch or have other duties? Or will they just ride around the world, doing nothing for months at a time. Guaranteed problems with that.
BobMbx on April 9, 2009 at 11:05 PM
Why was he even giving a speech about housing? Whether President O understands it our not, the very sovereignty of our nation is at stake with this crisis (had to throw in the word crisis, libs love crisis). The situation makes the man as the old saying goes. Look how Bush responded to an intolerable act of aggression. I hate to see how President Obama is going to act in a similar situation.
Tommy_G on April 9, 2009 at 11:08 PM
What? I thought it was Bush’s fault? We are so screwed by this buffoon in office.
latest update: Obama has sent for Roberto Clemente’s widow to negotiate with the Pirates.
dthorny on April 9, 2009 at 11:26 PM
I’m not so sure his refusal to speak about the issue was because it was the correct thing to do, I think it is more likely because he had crap to offer.
He has opinion so far as to which ever topics he plans to speak on, he is not prepared to take unplanned statements.
rfburnhertz on April 9, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Did Obama send Hilarity out to make the piracy situation statement because he was so impressed with her 3am commercials?
Ringy Ringy
burnitup on April 9, 2009 at 11:33 PM
One terrible observation is that the enemy will see from this example how Obama deals with EVERY hostage situation.
He is like the Cop that just can’t bring himself to shoot. After a few rounds like this our enemies will know he is a Jimmy Carter II, then we will have a Big hostage crisis.
GunRunner on April 9, 2009 at 11:39 PM
Ed, I thought you wrote an extraordinarily effective analysis of this situation situation and of the president’s handling of it. I didn’t agree with you at first but your argument was effective. I like Hot Air because it is often quite educational (abortion sandwich notwithstanding). Thanks for your effort.
Mormon Doc on April 9, 2009 at 11:39 PM
the trip by the east coast and the horn doesn’t take months. they could have small helicopters on some of the ships that cover a 50 mile area or whatever. they could coordinate dozens of ships within that radius.
sesquipedalian on April 9, 2009 at 11:40 PM
Worse than that, capitulus is lying through her teeth. FEMA prepositioned supplies as close to where they expected Katrina to hit as they could risk it before the hurricane hit. Bush warned people in the area to evacuate before the governor of Louisiana even took it seriously. In fact, the Bush administration probably acted more aggressively and proactively to Katrina than any before.
As it turned out, in spite of the precautions, FEMA still had a hard time dealing with the sheer scope of Katrina. But the biggest problems were caused by the shameful neglect of the mayor of New Orleans and governor of Louisiana.
And of course, people still forget that Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, not New Orleans. So why do we only hear about New Orleans?
1) It’s the biggest city in the area
2) The local governments in Mississippi had no major screw-ups.
But the left is still blaming Bush, even when it’s irrelevant, and even when they have to lie about him.
Priceless, in its own sick way.
ThereGoesTheNeighborhood on April 10, 2009 at 12:26 AM
the worst is cackling hilary during the discussion about the Captain.
Disgrace!
Sonosam on April 10, 2009 at 12:26 AM
It was.
capitalist piglet on April 10, 2009 at 1:01 AM
Leftists lie….it’s what they do.
nelsonknows on April 10, 2009 at 1:09 AM
I agree with all of the above but you left out a couple important points.
1) Mississippi was being run by a competent Republican Governor who had the sense to ask for Federal Assistance while Louisiana was being run by a Teacher’s Union Democrat who didn’t understand that the feds COULD NOT take certain actions without her permission (she thought that ceding control of anything would be a bad political move).
2) New Orleans is more than just the biggest city in the region and the squeaky wheel. Those breeched levees put water into the bowl that is the “Big Easy” for days if not weeks. The equally bad devistation in places like Pass Christian or Gulfport was a surge that creates a different set of conditions.
I moved to New Orleans a few months after “the storm” (nobody calls it Katrina) and lived there until recently. It is utterly unfair to blame GWB or the feds because no amount of money pumped into that cesspool of a city will satisfy the welfare culture. Mayor Nagin, Governor Blanco, and others had a chance to truly change New Orleans for the better and all they wanted to do is return it to the happy third-world existence those “staying” wanted. What has had little press coverage is the exodus of the talented, tax-paying part of the citizenry. The affluent with long established roots to the city stayed as have the very poor- the ones who rode out Katrina in the Superdome. There is still a drain of those in the middle, particularly those with few ties to the city.
Hurricane Rita, which the media rarely recognizes, is a different set of circumstances. That storm devistated more of the Lousiana coastline but since it is outside the media glare coming from Jesse Jackson, ACORN, and filthy liars like Obama who only care about restoring the welfare culture to New Orleans- progress and problems go unnoticed.
highhopes on April 10, 2009 at 1:35 AM
Why don’t we require all Somali “fishing boats” to register. They will be given tamper-free GPS device allowing the US Navy to know their position at all time. Any boat without a GPS device will be considered a pirate ship and sunk. This will preempt Somali fishermen from piracy without revealing themselves. The technology is there. What is missing is the political will.
ignorantapathy on April 10, 2009 at 2:53 AM
I agree with John Kerry: we must stop the piracy at home (Obama’s budget) before we start criticizing others.
BKennedy on April 10, 2009 at 3:38 AM
And that’ all I got to say about that.
LegendHasIt on April 10, 2009 at 4:02 AM
Exactly! Obama brushed off the questions like he didn’t give a @#$%! I was shocked when I saw the video (people need to watch it). He acted like he couldn’t care less.
A good leader steps up during times of crisis and reassures the public just like President Bush did when 9/11 happened. President Bush lifted the spirits of the American people just by visiting Ground Zero and speaking those encouraging words even though Bush did not have all the facts about who the attackers were or why they did it. Bush could have waited some more days or weeks before making his statements.
This is a balancing act for Obama to master. He has competing loyalties. Remember, Somalians are African and many are Muslims. There are now reports alledging that Obama is concerned that the US doesn’t violate the rights of the pirates.
Obama seems more concerned about how the international community, especially the Muslim people, will view the US response to this crisis than about speaking strongly against this attack on American sovereignty on the high seas. This would seem consistent with his actions since he took office. It is a bad signal to the rest of the world when Obama does not stand up for America.
Remember, Obama refused to visit the graves of US soldiers at Normandy last week for fear of offending the Germans.
sarahpalinfan99 on April 10, 2009 at 5:47 AM
Well, I am willing to bet that there are Seal teams out there right now mad enough to spit waiting for the FBI Hostage Negotiating Team to arrive. You can bet that was a White House decision and a stupid one in my opinion. These dorks are sitting in a boat surrounded, you can’t tell me that we can’t take their Muslim asses out without endangering that captain.
conservnut on April 10, 2009 at 6:23 AM
I don’t think the lifeboat has CNN.
A strong reaction could help deter future attacks. He needed to come out strong, Ed you are way off the mark.
coondawg on April 10, 2009 at 6:24 AM
Hearings? FBI negotiators?
I don’t remember Thomas Jefferson doing any of that.
He sent the Navy and the Marines and kicked the Barbary States in the butt.
Hooray for American being as castrated as Europe.
There is only one piracy policy: hang them from the yardarm.
Penguin on April 10, 2009 at 6:27 AM
Ed, you’re quite incorrect. Hussein, at a minimum, should have told the American people that he sent the right people to handle the situation and that he would address the subject in full at a later time.
Not, “We’re talking about housing now” Thats teh response of a child unable to really express himself. This is the best proof that he is inarticulate and actually quite stupid.
dogsoldier on April 10, 2009 at 6:47 AM
Do you have a link? I made a joke about how he’s withholding comment until he decides which side is right, but I was hoping it wasn’t true.
Jim Treacher on April 10, 2009 at 6:52 AM
To echo what so many others have already said, if Mr. Super Intelligent, Inspiring, Gives the Greatest Speaches Ever couldn’t come up with a few words of support for the Captain and his family and say that all efforts are being made to resolve the situation, without a teleprompter feeding it to him then he has no business being a leader. I try to give the guy a break once in a while but as a career politician that kind of stuff should just roll off his tongue without having to think about it. We joke here about him being an empty suit and a puppet, but when he does things like this it really makes me wonder just how vacuous this guy really is. As I told my liberal sister-in-law the other day, I have complete respect for the office of the President but no respect for the man occupying it right now.
tempestleo on April 10, 2009 at 7:25 AM
Another point that clouds the issue for Lefties is that they have a faulty understanding of what US sovereignty means.
onlineanalyst on April 10, 2009 at 7:25 AM
Given that Obama will say the wrong thing, as will Biden, bless their silence.
Anyone can conduct a Piracy vs.USA investigation. It need not be a legislative effort. Special interests are no doubt already mounting forces to direct the political outcome of this incident to read as they will towards their ulterior motives.
Congressional Hearings can be conducted behind closed doors. The problem now of loose lips sink ships means that those who participate must be held accountable for THEIR silence in public.
Kerry, the infamous VietNam protesting Navy vet with a whole cloth résumé may want to clear his conscience (at whose expense this time?!), but is by no means the trustworthy sort to follow.
maverick muse on April 10, 2009 at 9:25 AM
The thread should have be closed after this comment and Ed should have deleted his fawning defense of Obama’s refusal to show real leadership and compassion.
Religious_Zealot on April 10, 2009 at 9:30 AM
On piracy, the Mexican General Antonio López de Santa Anna killed every Mexican rebel and ordered the killing of all Texican “PIRATES” at the slaughter of The Alamo, though it was the Mexican government that mutually broke the treaties and land grants with immigrant Americans leading to the Texan revolt against abuse and ultimate slaughter.
Again, Americans miss the courageous Texan stance that GWB always projected whenever Americans were savaged by terrorists during his presidency.
Find in the Democrat Party anyone like Democratic Senator Henry M. “Scoop” Jackson. The nation needs a true leader!
Obama holds no allegiance to America and must be impeached for not protecting our citizens. He KNOWS Hillary will only ruin things. Even Obama wasn’t scared of Hillary during the campaign. He holds no expectation that Hillary could scare pirates into law abiding citizens of Obama’s world. Hence, Obama is aligned is essense WITH pirates.
maverick muse on April 10, 2009 at 9:53 AM
http://tinyurl.com/ddunuc
Ed,
Are you sure the voting present is a good idea? Someone has to make the call whether to use deadly force to assist the captain when he takes matters into his own hands?
Is it this silent in the chain of command from the CinC to the Navy CO on station? Who would stick thier neck out to help the captain escape if Barry would turn your ass over to a Somali court for murder / civil rights violations?
burnitup on April 10, 2009 at 9:56 AM
The captain got away from his captors briefly, but his “rescuers” stood around with their thumbs up their butts. Where are the mil snipers? even from a rolling deck those pirates should all be dead by now.
“anyone else wanna negotiate?”
Corbin Dallas (Bruce Willis) “The Fifth Element”
dogsoldier on April 10, 2009 at 10:01 AM
Oh, MY… GOD…
Guy escaped, got off the F’n boat, and we let him be retaken…
My guess, they saw it, called the bridge for permisson to engage… bridge called Washington… and no one was on the phone at 3 AM.
We are looking so Punk’d by these guys…. worlds Fn laughin at us.
/hangs his head in shame…
Romeo13 on April 10, 2009 at 10:09 AM
To expand…
Lets see…
Crew, retook their own boat…. HEROIC!
Capt., Gave himself to the Pirates to save his crew… HEROIC!
Capt. ESCAPES!…. AMERICA F YEAH!!!
US Navy sits by with its hand up its A$$ waiting for someone in the chain, probably in Washington to make a decision… EPIC FAIL!
Reagen was right…. some of the scariest words in the English Language are “HI, I’m from the Government, and I’m here to help”…. didn’t used to include the military… now…. god…
Romeo13 on April 10, 2009 at 10:14 AM
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