Somali pirates strike again
posted at 12:04 pm on April 11, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
This time, they aimed a little lower. Instead of hijacking a container ship full of relief-aid food destined for their own country, Somali pirates reportedly took a tugboat in the Gulf of Aden:
U.S. warships are trying to stop Somali pirates from sending reinforcements to a lifeboat where an American captain is being held hostage as the high-seas standoff off Africa’s eastern coast entered a fourth day Saturday.
A Nairobi-based diplomat, who spoke on condition on anonymity because he is not authorized to talk to reporters, said the pirates have summoned assistance but at least two American ships and U.S. Navy surveillance aircraft are deterring pirate ships and skiffs from contact with the lifeboat.
Underscoring the high stakes involved, France’s navy on Friday freed a sailboat seized off Somalia last week by other pirates, but one of the hostages was killed.
Somali pirates have hijacked an American-owned tugboat with 16 crew in the Gulf of Aden, the head of the East African Seafarers’ Assistance Program said Saturday.
The tugboat was towing two barges when pirates attacked it, according to the EASAP spokesman. Neither American nor Italian sources would confirm the capture, but that and the call for reinforcements from the pirates underscores their increasingly bold nature. If we thought a show of force from the US Navy would send the pirates scurrying for cover, we may have underestimated their determination to hold their ground.
This emphasizes the need to react swiftly, using the full might of our power, when piracy arises. In a real sense, this is asymmetrical warfare, only with a profit motive rather than theological extremism pushing it. If we scale down our response to the same level as theirs, or incrementally rather than overwhelmingly higher, then we play on their ground and not ours. If we expect to have a realistic deterrent in our navy, then we have to allow them to unleash their full fury on the pirates — all of the pirates — when they dare to attack American shipping, and Western shipping in general.
The pirates have not heeded our power because thus far we have shown an unwillingness to wield it. Just as with religious-extremist terrorists, they will feast on American targets as long as they sense that reluctance to seriously deal with the problem.
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Well, we could end up with more radical criminal Muslim residents here in the US…
We could end up with a huge increase of attacks by pirates looking for a free ride to the States…
Oh, you were being sarcastic, weren’t you? ;)
Maquis on April 12, 2009 at 2:50 AM
Me…….
………. sarcastic?
*~@:){>
Seven Percent Solution on April 12, 2009 at 2:52 AM
Moi?
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 2:53 AM
Is recession now. No make fun of profits. Got any gotes?
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 2:54 AM
“Why this complain about wife? Sell gotes and buy more wifes!”
Seven Percent Solution on April 12, 2009 at 2:58 AM
You crazy. Me no complain wifes. That Allahpundit. He no wifes. No gotes either. Chicken.
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 3:01 AM
Have sleep ships in water……….
….. send
two,three, make it one trillion Zimbabwe dollars to UPS store,Never mind, e-mail I will you……….
……… what’s your bank account number?
Seven Percent Solution on April 12, 2009 at 3:05 AM
The French managed to free a French ship and crew from pirates recently… Okay, one of the crew died, but, c’est la vie, n’est-ce pas?
Maquis on April 12, 2009 at 3:08 AM
One.
In Milk Chocolate Land.
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 3:09 AM
My Nigerian nigerian will get right on it……..
……. wait sum minutes, you make fart!
Very funny!
………….. good times with Hussein, Good Times!
Seven Percent Solution on April 12, 2009 at 3:12 AM
French are so romantic.
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 3:12 AM
Yeah, I read that, too. At least the baby on board will be able to grow up with his Mother in France………..
………. and not a slave in Somalia.
Prayers for the family…………
……… all kidding aside.
Seven Percent Solution on April 12, 2009 at 3:14 AM
Of course.
I’m certain that given the choice of his life or his family’s freedom he’d have chosen unselfishly. I think most of us would.
Maquis on April 12, 2009 at 3:17 AM
Drats. Agreed.
Everything that can be done should be done. And that’s what the French did. My prayers are with all the hostages and military in that are, regardless of nationality.
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 3:17 AM
are = area
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 3:18 AM
Well done all……….
…….. have a good night, and if I may be so rude, a very Blessed Easter to all at HotAir.
Seven Percent Solution on April 12, 2009 at 3:21 AM
A Blessed Easter to you and those you love.
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 3:26 AM
Do have a happy Easter all!
Bonne nuit.
Maquis on April 12, 2009 at 3:31 AM
Those of us who have actually made sacrifices for others understand. How many do that these days? I wonder.
I hope I have not been too silly for you.
I have been in the Tenebrae, the darkness, for days.
Humor helps me.
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 3:31 AM
Good night and good day, Maquis.
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 3:32 AM
Too silly, not at all. I’m pretty slow today myself, worked too hard, pathetic as it’s a tenth what I used to do, but, our lives change, and we must gracefully accept that if we want any peace.
I hope you get out of the darkness. I know how that can be.
Until we meet again!
Maquis on April 12, 2009 at 3:41 AM
As one Who has slept
The Lord has risen.
And rising,
He has seen us.
Alleluia!
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 4:37 AM
And yet more evidence of the awesome “change” that has taken place since Obama and his “smart power” administration
has taken over from that EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEvil Cowboy Bush:
UN draft statement calls for N Korea sanction enforcement
By Harvey Morris at the United Nations
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8e1151ee-26e7-11de-89c1-00144feabdc0.html
Whoa there!!!!!
Let’s back up and make sure we are not to hard on the N. Koreans that are selling WMD and it’s technology to the highest bidder and breaking UN sanctions at will.
A Presidential statement,yea way to get tough there “international community” (which Bill Kristol called on Fox news last week).
They are so tough with this new “smart power” that they can’t even call N. Korea out on the obvious fact that this was no satellite launch.
So the “international community” considers “getting tough” calling for the enforcement of sanctions that they admit have not been effectively enforced.
Good thing Obama is in charge now,Bush would never have been able to achieve such decisive action on the international stage(except freeing over 50 million people from some of the worst terrorist regimes in history).
Yes these words of condemnation are a show of great force and accountability from the “smart ones”.
If N. Korea continues with these blatant violations,Susan Rice will call for tougher action like slapping Kim Jong’s wrist with a plastic ruler or giving him an I-pod from Obama and forcing him to listen to his speeches of “Hope and Change”.
Here is some video of the UN negotiations (I believe Susan Rice is on the right):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ld7GonhlSPI
Iran laughing at Obama’s videotape and bragging about enrichment.
The Taliban laughing about Hillary’s “smart power” outreach.
Russia telling Obama to get lost on pressuring Iran.
N. Korea launching missile tests with no fear of any disciplinary actions.
NATO refusing to step up and commit combat troops.
Pirates taking American ships for the first time in 200 years.
Pakistan government working with the Taliban and funding them with our money.
Being really popular and saying the words “Hope and Change” over and over again is working out real well.
But this is all just a distraction.
What’s important is Michelle’s toned arms,guest spots on Leno,and keeping the heat on Rush Limbaugh and those EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEvil Tea Parties.
Baxter Greene on April 12, 2009 at 6:13 AM
Sorry,that video is from Obama’s Homeland Security meetings determining changing “terrorism” to “man made disasters”.
Here is the UN negotiations:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P2jJdrz9bY
Actually more decisive action was taken here than on N. Korea….and Darfur….and Rwanda…..and Iraq….and Iran
………
Baxter Greene on April 12, 2009 at 6:24 AM
…..”Give ‘em a iPod there Berry?”
try again later on April 12, 2009 at 9:04 AM
Hey, look over there! Is that a puppy?
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30173033
a capella on April 12, 2009 at 9:23 AM
Fox News’ website says the “talks” with the pirates have broken down because the pirates didn’t want to be arrested. well, duh. last night, Fox News said the FBI was looking at all the charges they could bring against the pirates.
and now, the lifeboat could get to shore.
kelley in virginia on April 12, 2009 at 9:34 AM
Yep…guess the Administration is waiting for Judge Reinhold [Billy Rosewood] from Beverly Hills Cop to stand up and flash his badge and say “Police! You’re all under arrest!”
Yep…that’ll do the trick.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 9:44 AM
Sorry all for the crude cut & paste from last night; the fix is bolded.
RD on April 12, 2009 at 9:47 AM
Guess there are now officially two sons of bitches in the White House…
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 9:48 AM
Obama is such a joke. The freaking pirates are not even afraid of this man.
And this is the guy who seemed to think that Saddam should get a pass for violating more than a dozen UN Security Council force resolutions, not to mention shooting at our planes and trying to kill a president. Did Obama and his sidekicks honestly think that making this guy CinC would not send a message to terrorist, pirates, and tyrants around the world to come and get it. Free stuff. You can get away with anything. Obama won’t do a anything but give speeches and posture for his friends.
The question is whether Obama will eventually be forced to react.
Terrye on April 12, 2009 at 9:49 AM
And this morning we have news that a navy ship got a little close and took fire from the pirates………the ship retreated……….pardon me while I go throw up.
conservnut on April 12, 2009 at 9:49 AM
There are windows of opportunity in situations such as this where a decision is required while the target is still within the box.
Now, the advantage is clearly going toward the Somali pirates. If they get within surf distance of landfall…those several Navy ships in the area can do little more than observe. [I now have serious doubts that any SEAL action will be authorized. It's an arrest the White House and the Attorney General want, not a take down.]
The Somalis wade ashore, dragging the Captain with them, and then disappear within the totally lawless regions of Somalia…Somalia having NO extradition treaty with the United States…and the Captain joins the other 250+ current hostages seized by these pirates to languish until the media and the White House become bored with it all and the problem disappears…and we are led by the media to the next earth-shattering event…like that new White House puppy or something important like that.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 9:55 AM
You can bet there are some seals mad enough to spit after watching “window after window” close.
conservnut on April 12, 2009 at 9:59 AM
Remember, these are the outsourcers who put “This end Up” labels upside down on your merchandise.
And drag our military members through the streets to claim victory over U.S.
The solution, target, issue instructions for Mr. Perry to “jump” overboard, fire, and pick-up Mr. Perry.
MSGTAS on April 12, 2009 at 10:03 AM
It is only April…and over 60 pirate attacks on shipping off the Somali coast just this year.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 10:05 AM
And Holder calls us cowards…….
drjohn on April 12, 2009 at 10:10 AM
He already tried that on his own, thinking that we would have had eyes on him and blown the ship out of the water when he bailed … but we just sat and watched the scumbag pirates scoop him back up.
The only real solution is to go right after the villages the pirates live in and come from. These are tribal cultures, and they must be handled tribally. Otherwise, they won’t get the message.
I don’t expect our Precedent to do anything. He likes the US being weakened and mocked in the world. He’s getting ready to apologize to Somalia for all sorts of crazy things and tell them that he understands why they engage in piracy.
The SCOTUS better get its butt in gear and declare this idiot to be ineligible. There isn’t all that much more time left before the damage that the idiot messiah, and his lunatic anti-American Congress, does is irreversible.
progressoverpeace on April 12, 2009 at 10:11 AM
The Obama team is being both “criminally reckless” and “criminally stupid”: http://www.powerlineblog.com/archives/2009/04/023306.php?format=print
onlineanalyst on April 12, 2009 at 10:11 AM
AMEN to Ralph Peters, New York Post, “Hang ‘em High”
And may the pirates’ fostering world citizens either walk the pirate plank with their bff or hang with ‘em for promoting piracy.
There’s my Easter wish, for the stability of our traditions and Constitutional Rule of Law to be enforced.
maverick muse on April 12, 2009 at 10:13 AM
Obama, team leader, produces piracy.
Obama’s family exhibits criminal behavior.
maverick muse on April 12, 2009 at 10:17 AM
You are correct.
America has NEVER been so bound by a twisted lunatic whose every “decision” wrings out more antipathy for our Constitution, our nation and our people.
Obama holds himself apart from US.
Obama disowns US.
Obama destroys US.
IMPEACH Obama the Separatist who has seceded from his Official Capacity as POTUS. The SCOTUS can not abstain from this without placing themselves in Obama’s illegitimate boat for official rebuke and repudiation from office.
maverick muse on April 12, 2009 at 10:28 AM
Holder’s pants are on fire.
maverick muse on April 12, 2009 at 10:29 AM
Am noticing that AP/Reuters stories seem to be dropping the “American-owned, Italian-flagged” description of the tugboat – now it’s simply “Italian tugboat.”
Midas on April 12, 2009 at 10:36 AM
From my reading this morning, it appears that the lifeboat is going to drift right up to shore. This is funny, if it weren’t so ridiculous.
AnninCA on April 12, 2009 at 10:36 AM
You’re right.
It would take a sacrifice life for life for a military person to save the captive Captain. Obama would make certain to send any military personage into oblivion for lifting a finger to save an American hostage.
America repents Obama’s election.
maverick muse on April 12, 2009 at 10:38 AM
Why do pirates do it? Because there is no punishment when they are caught.
September 17 Gulf of Aden no Clear objective so the pirates are RELEASED!
All the pirates had to do was re-arm and they were back in business.
Bicyea on April 12, 2009 at 10:41 AM
The story I saw on this, Bicyea, is that they have figured out how to ransom within the insurance company’s threshhold of comfort.
It’s cheaper to pay them off, in short, than to avoid the territory.
AnninCA on April 12, 2009 at 10:48 AM
i don’t necessarily expect the POTUS to be a military expert because he has many minds to draw from. but how many military experts are in the DOJ?
this whole situation is ridiculous. the SEALs must be fuming. and i wouldn’t want them against me.
kelley in virginia on April 12, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Isn’t that tug towing 2 big tankers of Saudi ownership? I assume that means a really big payoff if they are full of crude.
a capella on April 12, 2009 at 10:53 AM
My knowledge of anything maritime is very limited, so I am asking this to those of you who would be able to answer–would it be possible for a submarine to just go under the lifeboat and bring the lifeboat up as it rises? I heard this suggestion earlier this morning on the news and I thought it was a good one, if it’s possible.
Niere on April 12, 2009 at 10:53 AM
Mmmm…no.
$2+billion submarine…and the Somali coastal shelf varies between 10 meters to 200 meters, with cross currents?
Trying to navigate a submerged sub to a pinpoint target in order to center the boat as the sub surfaces, even a slow controlled surfacing…no, not going to be a viable alternative.
Swamping the boat a few days ago with back wash or bow wave from the Bainbridge could have done the trick. But using a Los Angeles-class sub to capsize or capture the boat?
Not a rational thing to try. Whomever suggested this may be as clueless as the Obama Administration.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 11:00 AM
I admit I used to read lots of comic books way back when. The common thread here between Obama and the pirates is Kenya. (Get ready…) What if… Kenya is holding something over Obama’s head? Blackmail of some kind. Ahhhh, I could think of one thing that might be. That’s what happens when Presidents keep secrets. What else could it be? We look worse than paper tigers over this incident.
suzyk on April 12, 2009 at 11:03 AM
Thanks for the reply–I knew someone here would be able to answer that!
Niere on April 12, 2009 at 11:04 AM
There were three incidents of Somali pirates attacking US flagged ships during the Bush administration. In 2005, they attempted and failed to capture a cruise ship. In 2006, they attacked two Naval warships and were killed/arrested. In 2008, they attempted and failed to capture another cruise ship. The Somalis were not afraid to attack US ships while Bush was president. They just sucked at it.
While it may not be impossible to surface a submarine beneath a lifeboat, it would be difficult, and what would you accomplish other than arresting its movement?
It would be a lot simpler to have a diver put a cable on the boat and haul it off into deeper waters. Yes the pirates would be alarmed, but what short of an overt act of aggression could possibly induce the pirates to kill the captain? He is the only thing keeping them alive at this moment, and they know it.
Immolate on April 12, 2009 at 11:06 AM
The FBI is currently “intervewing” crew members in Mombassa, and is taking pictures and making notes all over the deck of the ship…with particular attention being paid to the stern of the ship.
I fully expect that these crew members will become “persons of interest” in this investigation, and perhaps even charged with complicity in the pirates initially taking the ship. Did the crew “violate” the pirates “rights?” With our new Attorney General in charge of this “investigation” this cannot be ruled out completely.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 11:07 AM
Too far to drift before the water onboard runs out. The currents are not that fast. 200 NM is a long way to drift. (The lifeboat is further out, but that close in would allow for “rescue attempts” from our undocumented maritime workers.)
NaCly dog on April 12, 2009 at 11:12 AM
We Americans have become so ill-equipped in dealing with any adversaries who threaten innocent life. We’ve become so obsessed with doing no wrong that we loose site of the big picture. We fail to recognize that one demonstration of weakness can put a hundred more at risk. Efforts to be humane can have inhumane results.
Ernest on April 12, 2009 at 11:12 AM
What other possible reason could there be for the FBI investigating the ship? Obviously America is to blame for this incident and we must punish those evil Americans responsible.
doriangrey on April 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM
That lifeboat is about 35km from shore. It has moved over 100km in the past 72 hours.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 11:14 AM
these poor guys are just victims of amerikkkan corporate greed and banking practices!!!
they’re just exercising their second amendment rights, since US law now applies worldwide!!
can’t we all just get along? maybe if bow down 5 times a day towards the saudi king (mecca) we will have peace
right4life on April 12, 2009 at 11:17 AM
An update (and a few other related links) from Reuters and NewsDaily this morning, from the region.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 11:23 AM
The US is handling the pirate crisis with the deftness of Jimmy Carter.
Dasher on April 12, 2009 at 11:36 AM
Links please?
I think you’ve been misled. If you’re talking about these cruise ships, one was flagged out of the Bahamas and the other out of the Marshall Islands. According to the stated information neither one was U.S.-flagged.
And the incident with the U.S. naval vessels happened in response to an attempted boarding / apprehension so it’s disingenuous to describe it as an “attack”.
I think you’ve been rolled by the trolls.
Just in case Wikipedia is not up to date: Does anyone know of any attacks initiated by Somali pirates against U.S.-flagged cruise ships or merchant vessels during the Bush administration?
RD on April 12, 2009 at 11:39 AM
“The Americans give them food and water — helicopters drop them on the lifeboat,”
From your link…
God… not only will we let them get away, we are going to make sure they have food and water enough to do it.
If true, as this is from Somali sources… we have passed BETA status…
Dam… Omega status?
Romeo13 on April 12, 2009 at 11:43 AM
Only the “US” isn’t handling it. It is being handled by Obama, through the military, and the military is doing as it is instructed. That is what they do.
So using a term in the collective is just another way to absolve the Commander in Chief of responsibility. He is responsible, like every CinC in every military action before him, and there is no absolution. The only difference is that this is a very singular incident in a very slow-moving drama that the president can actually exert complete control over. Therefore, it is more than just inherent responsibility for the CinC, it is explicit.
A good indicator of Obama’s character will be how he handles the outcome. If it is good and he refuses to take credit, or bad and he insists on taking responsibility, it will speak well of him. Keep in mind that it will not be Obama himself that tries to deflect blame or claim credit, it will be proxies. We shall see.
Here’s hoping that it’s credit for a successful rescue that we get to fight over.
Immolate on April 12, 2009 at 11:45 AM
Not being one to put must trust in wiki…
I spent a bit of time last evening and a short bit of time this morning searching the net…and came up empty regarding US-Flagged ships being attacked and seized by pirates off Somalia. A number of US-owned, but foreign flagged ships indeed were taken, or attacked.
Since ships registries change, and some do so frequently, along with flagging, trying to nail down a feather in a crosswind gets tough.
But the point is made…the Maersk Alabama is a US-owned, US-flagged ship, and thus rates (until someone can provide proof otherwise) as the first US ship taken by pirates since, well, in a long long long time.
A commenter here (or some other site) mentioned the Mayaguez, taken by the Khmer Rouge under the Ford Administration. This was not an act of piracy, but an act of a nation-state, government sponsored, thus not piracy.
Interesting item…that the Bainbridge is the primary US Navy ship on site. Captain Bainbridge [the ship's namesake] was the captain of the last US-flagged ship taken by pirates, a couple hundred years ago.
The Old Salt may be seeking revenge from the grave? No?
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 11:50 AM
Will someone tell someone to make a phone call to Obama at 3:00 A.M. and let Obama know there is a serious crisis happening out in the Indian Ocean. I suspect that since he did not get his “3 a.m. phone call” he believes there is no crisis.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 11:53 AM
The US is handling the pirate crisis with the deftness of Jimmy Carter’s dog.
Can we return him and get a cat instead?
RD on April 12, 2009 at 11:55 AM
RD:
Nope you’re right. Both cruise ships were US owned by not flagged US and that is all that the pirates would be able to see from casual observation. Also correct that the incident with the warships was initiated by the warships and not the pirates. That pretty much invalidates my point.
Immolate on April 12, 2009 at 11:55 AM
Yep…Omega…at the end of the line. In last place.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 11:55 AM
As Obama has not commented at all on this, and as he seems to be going through his normal routine… you know, hanging with Hillary on the Picnic table, and meeting Mortgage holders…
He is not involved in this at all… he is voting Present, and will swoop in at the end and either take the credit, or assign the blame to those who he delegated this to.
He is setting up a defense of “letting my more knowlegable subordinates” take care of this, and distancing himself from the situation… which has worked for him in the past… but won’t work for him as President.
Romeo13 on April 12, 2009 at 11:56 AM
Punish the pirates? Obama will probably send them a trillion dollars for this and any future demands.
elifino on April 12, 2009 at 12:01 PM
I think it more likely that he will attempt to bribe the pirates by sending billions in aid to Somalia and letting them know that we will not be aggressive in pursuing pirates who prey on non-US ships. That is the classic liberal formulation–being so proud of themselves for figuring out that the pirates are not just a random phenomenon, but an inevitability under certain conditions, and then coming to the wrong conclusion. The right conclusion is that one of the conditions conducive to piracy is a favorable risk:reward ratio. To discourage the activity, you maximize the risk and minimize the reward.
Immolate on April 12, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Was a time when the statement “Millions for defense but not one penny for tribute.” was made US foreign policy. US Congressional Representative Robert Goodloe Harper (South Carolina) uttered this expression in Congress on June 18, 1798, in response to the French overtures to the United States during the XYZ Affair.
Obama may change that permanently…”Perhaps a one penny for defense, but let’s spend millions in tribute.”
Our great-great grandchildren will be reading about this in their history books one day. That is, if there are history books in that point in the future, and our great-great grandchildren are able to read.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 12:09 PM
Thanks coldwarrior. Also you (and a handful of others) have been great and very patient on this thread, with some of us trying to catch up. It was worth wading through 7 or so pages of troll comments to find the nuggets that correspond to the actual thread.
In fact, from what I saw, the troll blast didn’t start until shortly after a head of steam was building for sending boxes of tampons & maxi-pads to the P.U.S.-.Y-in-Chief.
For those who don’t know, [Come and Pet The] P.U.S.-.Y stands for “Political Unrest Stabilizes Society Yeaaah.” ;)
RD on April 12, 2009 at 12:11 PM
Thanks for reviewing it Immolate.
FIFY. Assuming you’re two different people, that is… ;)
RD on April 12, 2009 at 12:14 PM
This whole scenario is foolish and unnecessary. We know that this could have and should have been over days ago. Our ships should even now be laying waste to Somali pirate bases.
Oldnuke on April 12, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Jefferson’s messege, that a NATION would be held accountable for harboring Pirates, kept our shipping safe for 200 years…
But deterence is only effective if your threat is credible.
For a military threat to be cridible, you need both the Ability to carry out the treat (which we have) and the WILL to do so….
The WILL is being tested…. and so far… the US Government led by Barrak is failing.
Romeo13 on April 12, 2009 at 12:18 PM
That is what is soooo damn maddening about this whole thing.
But that would take leadership…commitment…and a lack of desire/innate need to be “loved” by everybody. And a President who refuses to exercise the “Present” option.
coldwarrior on April 12, 2009 at 12:20 PM
Tom Shipley’s sock puppet? Now there’s a job Americans just aren’t willing to do.
Immolate on April 12, 2009 at 12:24 PM
Bwahahahahaha!!!!
RD on April 12, 2009 at 12:28 PM
I don’t think our population in general realizes just how important this seemingly minor incident is. This is setting the stage for disaster and we seem oblivious to it. Unfortunately the rest of the world is not so blind.
Oldnuke on April 12, 2009 at 12:29 PM
For Lo…
I am Barak… I am the Omega of tha Alphas… look upon my foreign policy, and despair….
Romeo13 on April 12, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Obama knows how to bow, and he knows how to wow. Too bad he can’t bow-wow.
As to returning him for a cat. No need. He’s a paper tiger.
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 12:37 PM
What’s got me so bewildered is that the CinC’s response (as telegraphed by the Navy’s actions) takes the Jimmy Carter principle to a whole new level of debasement. I mean, I’ve been around a while, I understand the usual reluctances: to confront Iran, to confront North Korea, to fight wars in distant lands…all of that. That’s the standard boilerplate of leftist appeasement.
But… not taking out 4 guys in a lifeboat? In the middle of the ocean? Knowing full well what signals that sends to the rest of the world? Now that’s just lame, too lame even for cowardice. It doesn’t even strike me as cowardice. It’s something else…not sure what yet. Not sure even the usual leftist apologetics apply here either.
Maybe he’s concerned the chemicals released when firing ordnance will contribute to global warming?? Or that the ordance itself might be toxic to aquatic wildlife, once it falls into the sea?? Not a clue.
On that note, maybe Obama will be so kind as to interrupt his pizza party in order to fast-track the IPCC Ordnance Discharge Approvals Process (ODAP) through the U.N. so that the fighting forces of this country can get on with their mission. /sarc
RD on April 12, 2009 at 12:44 PM
I just read this ‘graph from Bloomberg:
WTF? If Obama pays a ransom, no matter how small, it will be a hundred times worse for him than if he’d tried something that failed to rescue the captain.
I understand that the pirates would be willing to accept some small amount to save face, but Obama would be giving them not just the money, but also his own honor (and ours) in exchange for the hostage. This we do not do. Ever.
If Obama does this, all bets are off.
Immolate on April 12, 2009 at 12:45 PM
:-D Ha!!
He–, right now, I’d settle for an upgrade from paper to paper-mache. At least he’d be a little closer to a PSO (President-Shaped Object).
RD on April 12, 2009 at 12:48 PM
If the Pirates go free… and get a ransom… of ANY kind, they won.
And Terrorists all over the world will have the recipie for making America bend to their will.
Romeo13 on April 12, 2009 at 12:51 PM
Whoa.
Idle prediction: Russia will have a new growth industry: ship registries.
In return for world-community support (or at least pre-arranged “inaction”) in re-taking the Crimea and/or parts of Georgia, thus giving their country a warm-water base of operations, Russia can charge whatever the going rate is for safe passage around the world.
To do it they don’t need an omnipresent navy. All they need is a combination of intimidation and bribery, with the intimidation done — if for no other reason — purely for the righteous pleasure of seeing Somali vermin getting their gruesome due. And a lot of the world will cheer them on, earning them brownie points (and further shielding them from criticisms in taking whatever actions they wish in the former East bloc). And why not? What’s the downside? They have to protect their own shipping interests after all.
And who else is going to do it? The U.N.?
China might be the only 2nd option, but I don’t see them as welling to get into the mercenary-flag-for-hire business. Besides, not sure if their special forces would do their killing and maiming with quite as much relish as the Russians.
RD on April 12, 2009 at 1:07 PM
Of wisdom and courage he is so void that of all from Aleph to Tav none claim kinship, all scorn him and pass him by.
Tav on April 12, 2009 at 1:09 PM
You’re not still looking for a real object under all that shiny polish, are you?
ps: I responded to your query, here.
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 1:12 PM
Thanks. I had not read that Bloomberg report.
If the reported deal is true and is followed through, we will have lost our 200 year history of proud defiance in the face of tyranny. And Obama will have shown the world that we can be pushed around, not just by nuclear armed dictators or devious terrorist groups, but by four common thugs.
Wow!
Loxodonta on April 12, 2009 at 1:28 PM
Perhaps team obumbles is looking for an empty tent to fire a cruise missile into.
Not even 100 days and the one’s cage is rattled.
How prophetic was the McCain ad “Obama, Not Ready To Lead”.
jdkchem on April 12, 2009 at 1:29 PM
The captain has been freed and three of the pirates are dead.
SnarkVader on April 12, 2009 at 1:30 PM
The Western World is so irresponsibly wussified it’s tragic. There are Human rights groups in Europe worried about violating the human rights of the pirates and political leaders actually take these clowns seriously.
Using a navy to combat these pirates – other than to knock out the ships and base camps in Somalia- is stupidly inefficient & expensive. Ship owners that use those seas should hire highly armed outfits for on-board defense that simply blow pirates out of the water long before they get too close. Should have been done long ago before so many hostages have been taken – due to the owner’s & governments irresponsibility.
Chessplayer on April 12, 2009 at 1:32 PM
Link?
a capella on April 12, 2009 at 1:33 PM
CNN is talking about it, now.
progressoverpeace on April 12, 2009 at 1:34 PM
The release is breaking news at Fox, no story available, so can’t confirm Snark’s three terrorists down info.
Cindy Munford on April 12, 2009 at 1:35 PM
We’ll no doubt see more attacks by pirates as well as more kidnappings by terrorists.
We’ll no doubt see the coward-in-chief breaking his arm patting himself on the back for using “smart diplomacy”.
jdkchem on April 12, 2009 at 1:36 PM
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