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.
I’d say there lives were threatened the moment that the pirates boarded the ship. These boats should have security onboard to deal with this before it gets out of hand!
I’m glad that Cmdr. Castellano was given authority to act if he thought the life of Capt. Phillips was in danger. I cannot imagine Obama wanted to state a forceful opinion. I think he asked his National Security Advisor or someone else and they said we should attack only if the life of the hostage is in danger because you don’t have much to lose at that point. He probably said, “Yes I agree with that”.
I really don’t see Obama as a leader like Reagan who attacked Libya as soon as he had intelligence that Quadaffi authorized a disco bombing in Germany, targeting American soldiers. George HW Bush invaded Panama after Noriega’s thugs executed an American soldier and sent the Delta Force in to rescue Kurt Muse from a Panamanian prison. George W. Bush acted forcefully after 9/11.
I see Obama taking a more timid approach like Clinton did. I’m just glad his advisers granted the regional commanders authority, after blowing the first opportunity to rescue Capt. Phillips.
Congratulations to our Navy rebuilt by Ronald Reagan and empowered by George Bush. Well done!!!
Is it logical to think the Navy went back to the President twice to make sure he said Yes? I would think one Yes was enough. Maybe they wanted to make sure their SEALs didnt get hauled off on murder charges similar to the Army and Marines when the enemy dies.
Dummies are saddened
47. Good news the captian was rescued but not that some pirates were killed.
The death of the pirates is viewed as an issue that could take future acts of piracy to another level quite aside from the exposure now to the other +200 captives.
17. Good, but worring news. While I’m glad the guy was freed. The way it was done (which I think it was the only way) may actually ramp up things. The next breed of pirates will be ready for this the next time. Which will ramp up things worse. Which and anger the african street in the process. Maybe even turning that nation into a no-go area for the US. And in a time where the US is (right or wrong) looked at as a world bully that’s not exactly a great thing.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3827921
“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.”
Or at least remember this is the same military he’s trying to gut.
I just got home. anybody have the breaking news thread on this or a rundown of how this happened?
Now, why all the banner headlines pointing out that Hussein gave the approval twice, or however many times?
The MSM is driving this point as if to remove any doubt about Hussein's ability to respond and lead in a crisis. Hussein has the stench ineptness and indecisiveness.
I have the feeling there will be many “Obama suck up” pieces in the MSM. I’m stunned you felt one had to be posted here. Do you think we could miss that the New York Times, Washington Post, NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, NPR, and PBS will all give Obama the full knee pad treatment?
What is the chance that the surviving pirate will be tried as a “criminal” with a defense attorney who will question the critieria by which the Naval officer made his decision and that the Military man who saved the day will be put on trial?
The Wicked Witches of the West have re-classified pirates, terriorists and enemy combatants as “criminals” (which means they have all the rights of due process of our courts and defense attorneys.
Wanna make a bet?
re: almost got this man killed
As opposed to actually getting him killed by trying to invade a sealed hostage capsule?
You asked — I just got home. anybody have the breaking news thread on this or a rundown of how this happened?
—
Well, the commander of the Navy ship had one of the pirates come aboard, ostensibly to negotiate... (doncha know... LOL...).
And then, the US Navy offered to “tow” the lifeboat for the pirates (being “nice guys” doncha know...).
After that, the Navy sharpshooters shot and took out all the pirates on board the life raft, and held the one on board the Navy ship...
And that was that..., as they say...
These Dummies are going to be deeply saddened when they hear the news that 3 pirates were shot simultaneously in the head by 3 snipers!
“As far as credit goes, I’ll give it to the US Special Forces. Not Obama.”
Good call, Reagan Man.
“Success has a thousand fathers, failure is an orphan.”
You know, the troble with liars is that you can never trust them again.
ZERO is a liar and always will be ...I don’t trust a word he says.
Glad the U.S. Navy were able to do the job. There has to be a reason they missed the first opportunity though.
And..., the saying that all Presidents are faced with, is this old one...
“The Buck Stops Here”.... :-)
[... all Presidents hear about it, one way or another, no matter what they do... and that just goes with the office...]
Well as long as he’s free. I’m sure a great story will come out in the next few days.
Shouldn't that be dirt road or trail?
The MSM is already trying to spin this in the pirates’ favor:
“Report: Pirates were out of ammo, sought to trade captain”
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/world/AP/story/996663.html
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