Somali pirates

[Sammie]

I know it's tempting to automatically give credence to something that you already want to believe, but you guys really should do some fact checking before buying into this stuff.

The first thing that should jump out at you about this article is that the author is extremely hostile to Obama, so right off the bat you know it won't be objective.

Secondly, the author does not cite a single, solitary source for any of his claims, which begs the question "How does he know all this stuff?"
The answer is, "He doesn't". Most of what he says was lifted from an anonymous email that has been circulating the web, and has already been investigated and reported on:

Maersk Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips,
right, with Cmdr. Frank Castellano of the
USS Bainbridge, after being rescued.

WASHINGTON – While Barack Obama is basking in praise for his "decisive" handling of the Somali pirate attack on a merchant ship in the Indian

Ocean, reliable military sources close to the scene are painting a much different picture of the incident – accusing the president of employing restrictive rules of engagement that actually hampered the rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips and extended the drama at sea for days.

Multiple opportunities to free the captain of the Maersk Alabama from three young pirates were missed, these sources say – all because a Navy SEAL team was not immediately ordered to the scene and then forced to operate under strict, non-lethal rules of engagement.
They say the response duty office at the Pentagon was initially unwilling to grant an order to use lethal force to rescue Phillips. They also report the White House refused to authorize deployment of a Navy SEAL team to the location for 36 hours, despite the recommendation of the on-scene commander.
The White House also turned down two rescue plans offered up by the Seal commander on the scene and the captain of the USS Bainbridge.
The SEAL team operated under rules of engagement that required them to do nothing unless the hostage's life was in "imminent' danger.
In fact, when the USS Bainbridge dispatched a rigid-hull inflatable boat to bring supplies to the Maersk Alabama, it came under fire that could not be returned even though the SEAL team had the pirates in their sights.
Many hours before the fatal shots were fired, taking out the three young pirates, Phillips jumped into the Indian Ocean with the idea of giving the snipers a clear target. However, the SEAL team was still under orders not to shoot.
Hours later, frustrated by the missed opportunities to resolve the standoff, the commander of the Bainbridge and the captain of the Navy SEAL team determined they had operational authority to evaluate the risk to the hostage, and took out the pirates at the first opportunity – finally freeing Phillips.

 

[toonertoo]

Please lets not confuse people with the truth Sammie, it hurts.

 

[Jones]

WASHINGTON – While Barack Obama is basking in praise for his "decisive" handling of the Somali pirate attack on a merchant ship in the Indian
Ocean, reliable military sources close to the scene are painting a much different picture of the incident

Who are these "sources", and who talked to them? Joe Farah doesn't say.

Multiple opportunities to free the captain of the Maersk Alabama from three young pirates were missed, these sources say

Once again, mysterious "sources". When did they say this? Who talked to them?

– all because a Navy SEAL team was not immediately ordered to the scene and then forced to operate under strict, non-lethal rules of engagement.
They say

They? Who?

the response duty office at the Pentagon was initially unwilling to grant an order to use lethal force to rescue Phillips. They also report

Who "reported" this? Who did they "report" it to?

the White House refused to authorize deployment of a Navy SEAL team to the location for 36 hours, despite the recommendation of the on-scene commander.

I see the editor of WND got the same anonymous email as Jack Wheeler did and basically did the same thing with it, ie, cleaned it up a little bit by getting rid of the racist commentary and rewording it slightly to make it look legit...

Please lets not confuse people with the truth Sammie, it hurts.

Spoken like one who knows
Tooner, if you really think that "the truth" is contained in anonymous emails that arrive in your inbox from who knows where, the only thing I can say is that you must live in a very exciting world.

 

[UPSNewbie]

Tooner, if you really think that "the truth" is contained in anonymous emails that arrive in your inbox from who knows where, the only thing I can say is that you must live in a very exciting world.

If you'll excuse me, I have a pending business transaction with the Prince of Nigeria.

 

[toonertoo]

Spoken like one who knows
Tooner, if you really think that "the truth" is contained in anonymous emails that arrive in your inbox from who knows where, the only thing I can say is that you must live in a very exciting world.[/QUOTE]

If you'll excuse me, I have a pending business transaction with the Prince of Nigeria.

Yes my world is very exciting. Being able to see the world as it really is, instead running around in my rose colored shades, takes energy.
And on your trip to Nigeria watch out for them good ole boys on the water.
Ill not insult your intelligence as you have tried unsuccessfully to do to me.
Things are so bad in the world right now, you are like a non- descript speck of dust on the horizon.
Have a great weekend.

 

[Cochise]

Yes my world is very exciting. Being able to see the world as it really is, instead running around in my rose colored shades, takes energy.
And on your trip to Nigeria watch out for them good ole boys on the water.
Ill not insult your intelligence as you have tried unsuccessfully to do to me.
Things are so bad in the world right now, you are like a non- descript speck of dust on the horizon.
Have a great weekend.

Facts, smacts, who needs them when they interfere with your beliefs?

Obama gave the order to use force Friday, and again Saturday, after the Navy had the proper personel on the scene.

Under the circumstances, Obabma did the best that anyone could have hoped for. A+


It's alright not to like Obama, but don't make stuff up to reinforce your dislike.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21156.html

 

[Sammie]

Facts, smacts, who needs them when they interfere with your beliefs?

Obama gave the order to use force Friday, and again Saturday, after the Navy had the proper personel on the scene.

Under the circumstances, Obabma did the best that anyone could have hoped for. A+


It's alright not to like Obama, but don't make stuff up to reinforce your dislike.

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0409/21156.html

This was not a rescue attempt ordered by National Command Authority i.e. the President. It was a reaction by the on scene commander under standard authority to safeguard the life of a hostage. Any reporting that President Obama gave the order to use military force to rescue the hostage is misleading. He did affirm the military's authorization to use force if the captain's life was in danger, but they already had that authorization as part of their standard rules of engagement.

You make it sound as tho there was an active rescue ordered by the President. There was not. What there was, was an imminent threat and the local commander gave the order to fire. Good for O. for ensuring their authorization was clear, but let's also be clear that he did not authorize or order an active rescue attempt.

If there was a second communication with the President it may have been because his first order restricted them from taking action, which may explain why nothing happened when Phillips made his escape attempt.

I'm done here. Bigger fish to fry.

 

[toonertoo]

For what its worth we may never agree on politics, But I have come to respect certain posters, and we disagree all the time. But they are still someone I enjoy their input. And I call certain ones cyber friends. I dont think its much fun to dally in political views anymore, its already known what we believe and we will never change each others minds, And with this "transparent " govt we have, well, its just futile.
I dont like Obama, never have, never will. I didnt like GW at the end. I never agreed with the bailout even GWS portion. I think Obamas kids are cute and so is the dog. Thats about as close as I can get to like.
I just want what is best for my country, and I will defend it til the end, no matter who is in charge.
I do not think ANYTHING he is doing moves our country forward.
On that final note have a great weekend, and stay away from the pirates

 

[over9five]

On that final note have a great weekend, and stay away from the pirates

I will be canoeing on the Nashua. Should I be concerned?

 

[diesel96]

This was not a rescue attempt ordered by National Command Authority i.e. the President. It was a reaction by the on scene commander under standard authority to safeguard the life of a hostage. Any reporting that President Obama gave the order to use military force to rescue the hostage is misleading. He did affirm the military's authorization to use force if the captain's life was in danger, but they already had that authorization as part of their standard rules of engagement.

You make it sound as tho there was an active rescue ordered by the President. There was not. What there was, was an imminent threat and the local commander gave the order to fire. Good for O. for ensuring their authorization was clear, but let's also be clear that he did not authorize or order an active rescue attempt.

If there was a second communication with the President it may have been because his first order restricted them from taking action, which may explain why nothing happened when Phillips made his escape attempt.

I'm done here. Bigger fish to fry.

I love a good ole "fish fry" party. And I don't mean after my fav football team the "Dolphins" suffer a loss. But b4 you heat up the wesson oil, note this: (From Jone's politco link
"Obama's involvement in the decision to authorize lethal force was legally required, officials said, because it was a hostage situation, not combat, and unrelated to the already authorized U.S. effort against Al Qaeda and other terror groups, officials said."
“It’s not a combat operation, so the lawyers wanted to ensure this was done right,"

Enjoy your fish.....I recommend the mahi or the grouper....

For what its worth we may never agree on politics, But I have come to respect certain posters, and we disagree all the time. But they are still someone I enjoy their input. And I call certain ones cyber friends. I dont think its much fun to dally in political views anymore, its already known what we believe and we will never change each others minds, And with this "transparent " govt we have, well, its just futile.
I dont like Obama, never have, never will. I didnt like GW at the end. I never agreed with the bailout even GWS portion. I think Obamas kids are cute and so is the dog. Thats about as close as I can get to like.
I just want what is best for my country, and I will defend it til the end, no matter who is in charge.
I do not think ANYTHING he is doing moves our country forward.
On that final note have a great weekend, and stay away from the pirates

But Tooner....in this particular case, when a US citizen becomes a hostage to Somali pirates I hope most of us take off our political hats and band together as Americans to resolve the situation as professionally and successfully as possible. Which was done. Just so happens Obama is in charge at the time of this incident. If it happened on Bush's watch I would have thrown him a bone as well. Set aside your political differences and the excellent job by our Navy, I'm just perplexed why you can't bring yourself to throw some love toward Obama when things go exceptionally well. I not asking for unconditional love, just a peck on the cheek....Arrrg

I will be canoeing on the Nashua. Should I be concerned?

Bring lots of beer and rum, therefore you have something to barter with.
And don't say any Henny Youngman "Take my wife" jokes to the bad guys........unless you have good insurance on her...

 

[UPS Lifer]

Dies,

I would love to throw a bone when it is deserved. The difference between BO and a real hero is that the real hero doesn't take credit for being a hero.

I wonder what kind of press conference BO would have had if the results turned ugly and we lost AMERICAN lives????

I am guessing the chosen one would have found a way to blame the previous administration.

 

[tieguy]

Dies,

I would love to throw a bone when it is deserved. The difference between BO and a real hero is that the real hero doesn't take credit for being a hero.

I wonder what kind of press conference BO would have had if the results turned ugly and we lost AMERICAN lives????

I am guessing the chosen one would have found a way to blame the previous administration.

well duh he did inherit the somali pirate problem when he freshly rode into washington as a complete (wink) outsider from whatever mountain top he had been meditating on.

 

[Sammie]

So with O. coming back from the G20 with no support, the pirate situation and their threats, increased violence in Iraq and North Korea hosting a missile launching party, I wonder how much chump change the bail outs left us for anything else.

Are our soldiers going to have all the new, updated equipment they'll be needing, or have pork rinds become more important than a hollowed out military? Two or three years from now, when we've run out of funds and
another threat stares us in the face, what then?

 

[diesel96]

Dies,

I would love to throw a bone when it is deserved. The difference between BO and a real hero is that the real hero doesn't take credit for being a hero.

I wonder what kind of press conference BO would have had if the results turned ugly and we lost AMERICAN lives????

I am guessing the chosen one would have found a way to blame the previous administration.

Lifer and Company, What can you possibly have a problem with here ? BO was low key, before and after, this whole affair. Thankfully, a successfull ending and BO humbly proclaimed the Navy as the real heros. His Adm kept quiet during the ordeal and allowed the Navy to due it's job. What is with the sour grape attitude ? I'm almost getting the feeling you'all wish this rescue mission failed at a chance for you guys to rip the President....please, prove me wrong !

 

[Emmanuel Cabrera]

We and the rest of the world should just H Bomb the Place!! and then make it a Vacation Resort

 

[Catatonic]

Lifer and Company, What can you possibly have a problem with here ? GW was low key, before and after, this whole affair. Thankfully, a successfull ending and GW humbly proclaimed the Navy as the real heros. His Adm kept quiet during the ordeal and allowed the Navy to due it's job. What is with the sour grape attitude ? I'm almost getting the feeling you'all wish this rescue mission failed at a chance for you guys to rip the President....please, prove me wrong !

Flashback to a year ago ... you sound like Sean Hannity, D. LMAO!!!

 

[UPS Lifer]

Flashback to a year ago ... you sound like Sean Hannity, D. LMAO!!!

I actually thought that was a pretty nice spin. Make us look like the bad guys here.... just hoping that the US Military doesn't prevail so we can blame the Dems!

Great stuff Dies!

 

[diesel96]

Flashback to a year ago ... you sound like Sean Hannity, D. LMAO!!!

Your right Hoax, Reich Wingers were providing ignorant claims such as the Democrats hope the military fails just to rip the President. If that's true, then why did the Dem's keep funding the Troops ? Because they hoped they would fail....

But it's a far cry and a stretch when you try to compare a War with a rescue mission.....My point being Hoax, it seems to bother people here that this particular RESCUE mission went so well. So well that people are still whining like cronic unhappy customers at a NY Brkfst Deli....I've already said I'd give props to GW if this happened under his watch, would Sean Hannity EVER give Obama his ?????? Unrealistic comparison, a War to a Rescue Mission, but thx for chiming in.....

I would love to throw a bone when it is deserved.

[video=youtube;qZRAIJ6adWw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZRAIJ6adWw&feature=related[/video]

 

[Sammie]

Your right Hoax, Reich Wingers were providing ignorant claims such as the Democrats hope the military fails just to rip the President. If that's true, then why did the Dem's keep funding the Troops ? Because they hoped they would fail....

But it's a far cry and a stretch when you try to compare a War with a rescue mission.....My point being Hoax,

it seems to bother people here that this particular RESCUE mission went so well.

That's just plain silly and you know it. There was a definite evidence of indecision, my dear friend. The Defense Department had to ask Obama twice for permission to use military force. Had the pirates made it to shore with Phillips, or had he not survived (God forbid), O's authority and ratings would have gone down the crapper. And this could have happened. Phillips made an attempt to escape two days before he was rescued, but he was hauled back to the lifeboat. Why? Were our troops not paying proper attention? Hardly. Were they out of range? Gimme a break. Were they unauthorized? More than likely.

In this new age of terrorism, O. will be confronted with a lot of choices at the buffet table. He'd better fill his plate up with something besides "let's work with our partners".

But it's a far cry and a stretch when you try to compare a War with a rescue mission.

No it isn't. Look at it from any angle you'd like to. This sleeping giant with it's speedboats has become a challenge that resembles fighting terrorism as much as anything possibly could. Phillips himself said that the Horn of Africa, which we've considered a source of terrorism for a dozen years, has been extremely dangerous since 2004. It was simply a matter of time. Earlier in April, French commandos killed two pirates and saved a yacht. India's navy sunk a pirate "mother ship" near Yemen last November. Only guerillas and terrorists threaten to exact "revenge" on anyone.

And check out the choices being considered at today's buffet table:

A WWII system of escorts
The world wanting to suspend the idea of ransom payments
Arming crews on ships
Re evaluating our military to deal with this

These pirates are military enemies who've attacked dozens of ships this year alone in the Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Aden. They're holding more than 300 sailors hostage. Phillips was much more than a rescue mission. He became a hostage crisis.

Yet none of this connotates 'war tones' in your mind.... Interesting....

 

[over9five]

New ship to fight pirates?

USS Freedom could fight piracy