Posted on 04/12/2009 2:15:56 PM PDT by DrGop0821
I'll give the President some credit for this, but I still think the military should have acted sooner.
Alas. All's well that ends well!
My hope is that the Administration is serious about cracking down on piracy in the Indian Ocean and that Captain Philips has opened America's eyes to the dangers that many of our citizens face around the world.
Fox News reports:
President Obama twice authorized the military to rescue a U.S. captain held by Somali pirates and whose life appeared to be at risk.
A senior administration official told FOX News that Obama granted the authority on Friday and Saturday to use appropriate force to rescue Capt. Richard Phillips from a lifeboat off the Somali coast. The Pentagon believed Phillips' life was at risk both times, officials said..
Administration officials say Obama was told Sunday of the rescue while he was in the White House residence. An official told FOX News that Obama has phoned Phillips and Phillips' family.
"I am very pleased that Capt. Phillips has been rescued and is safely on board the USS Boxer," the president said in a statement. "His safety has been our principal concern, and I know this is a welcome relief to his family and his crew."
Obama also praised the U.S. military and the other departments and agencies for their efforts.
"We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region," he said. "To achieve that goal, we must continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes."
A law enforcement official told FOX News that if the Justice Department determines it has enough evidence to charge the pirate currently in custody, the prosecution will take place in New York where the pirate would be transferred within days.
Phillips was in "imminent danger" of being killed by his captors before U.S. Special Operations forces fatally shot them, a U.S. military official said.
Phillips was not hurt in the several minutes of gunfire off the Somali coast Sunday. Phillips was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.
Three pirates were killed and one surrendered to U.S. forces, said the military official who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the event publicly.
The Pentagon briefed reporters late Sunday afternoon on the dramatic rescue.
"This was an incredible team effort, and I am extremely proud of the tireless efforts of all the men and women who made this rescue possible" Vice Adm. Bill Gortney, commander, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command, said in a statement.
He called Phillips and his crew "heroic."
The U.S. military official described a tense and terrifying few minutes for Phillips, during which "we definitely felt there was a life-threatening situation there."
He said the situation appeared "imminent" and that forces shot the pirates to death.
Following the rescue, Phillips was taken aboard the USS Bainbridge and later flown to the USS Boxer, where he called his family and got a medical evaluation.
The best thing he could do was let the navy handle it, give them the authority they needed, and not use it as an opportunity for grandstanding.
It came off successfully, and thank God for that, and God bless the navy men that carried out the mission. And I’m proud of Captain Phillips, he is a brave man, and I’m proud of his crew who would not let themselves be taken.
“I’ll give the President some credit for this, but I still think the military should have acted sooner.”
Well I’m not. I think he almost got this man killed.
I doubt he gave the go-ahead twice.
If this had ended badly. How many think Obama would have take the blame?
I guess I don’t understand why they have to get “approval” from the poser in order to use force in a situation like this. That said, I’m extremely happy for the Captain and his family. Well done, guys!
I suspect that after the first missed opportunity that he finally caved in and gave the OK to act if another such opportunity presented itself. I hope he learned a lesson from this.
You said — The best thing he could do was let the navy handle it, give them the authority they needed, and not use it as an opportunity for grandstanding.
—
In that respect, I think Obama did good. The “not talking” about it, was good, too. I know a lot of people were complaining about that, but I think it was appropriate. It kept the pirates off balance and guessing as to what was going on.
The “negotiating” also kept the pirates in the frame of mind that there was going to eventually be something there, even if the talks broke off at a certain point (they may have even thought they could take up the talks again when they got ashore).
And the fact that the life boat was allowed to be *towed* by the U.S. Navy to help out the pirates (... a big LOL!!) was a great idea... :-)
So, yes, this was handled very well...
I try to give any President the benefit of the doubt when it comes to foreign policy and issues surrounding events like this one. As far as credit goes, I’ll give it to the US Special Forces. Not Obama.
I’m glad it all worked out and Captain Philips is home. Considering its Easter Sunday, lets thank God and leave it at that.
And why did he send the FBI in?
No. The whole situation appeared to be no controlling authority.
Zero failed on this.
Obama is living proof that GOD has a sense of Humor
Credit where credit is due to the President. Glad the captain is safe and sound.
Now back to making my TEA Party signs!!!!
The Captain aboard the US Destroyer determined that it was and gave the appropriate order.
This is how it should work and I am glad it turned out as it did.
Although I am sorry that someone like Obama will use this situation to make himself appear as something he really is not...I am not so disappointed in the least that I would prefer any other outcome.
The right thing happened.
If Obama orders the pirates capabilities all along the coast of Somalia to be demolished by the US Navy and ALL of their so-called "mother" ships destroyed...then I will again applaud it because it is the right thing...even if Obama is the one ordering it.
Even a stopped clock is right twice a day.
ehehehe... good news.
Now can we have those nukes and F22s and other specOps “tools” back?
Oh. And what is this language about “extremists” exactly?
eheheheheh
Thank you.
Speak softly ( not holding breath) and carry a big stick( not holding my breath), Mr. pretend president.
And maybe, just maybe you will last into 2010.
Kudos to the teanm that effected this rescue and bless the Vermont Captain. Long may his big jib draw!
That’s what they say, only because it worked. If it had failed, it would have been George W. Bush’s fault.
As far as credit goes, I’ll give it to the US Special Forces. Not Obama.
“Captain Phillips was rescued and Obama approved of taking action if the Captain’s life was in immediate peril.
The Captain aboard the US Destroyer determined that it was and gave the appropriate order. “
Thank God the destroyer captain had the honor 0 is so sorely lacking. A real leader would have ordered a rescue at the first opportunity that presented itself, not backed into it this way. If the captain hadn’t taken the initiative here I presume 0 would have allowed the crisis to drag on endlessly, perhaps as long as Carter’s!
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