U.S. Navy Arrives on Scene of Hijacked American Ship

Fox News ^ | 4/8/2009

[tsmith130]

The U.S. is closing in on pirates that hijacked a U.S.-flagged ship off the coast of Somalia. According to a spokesman for the owner of the Maersk Alabama, which had been hijacked by pirates before American crew members were able to regain control of the vessel Wednesday, a U.S. Navy warship arrived at the scene Wednesday night.

The ship's captain still is being held hostage on a smaller boat.

Family members said Capt. Richard Phillips surrendered himself to the pirates to secure the safety of the crew. "What I understand is that he offered himself as the hostage," said Gina Coggio, 29, half sister of Phillips' wife. "That is what he would do. It's just who he is and his response as a captain."

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Wednesday for world action to "end the scourge of piracy" as U.S. warships raced to confront the pirates.

"We are deeply concerned and we are following it very closely," Clinton said. "Specifically, we are now focused on this particular act of piracy and the seizure of a ship that carries 21 American citizens.

[Wilum]

.....and Gates is cutting out the A-10 Warthogs,

Where did you hear that from? I can't find anything on it. Last I heard the Air Force has accepted and are still in the process of modifying A-10A's to A-10C's to extend their life.

[rfreedom4u]

You would NOT be rich because the dems would tax it all away from you.

[Postman]

“...Washing our feet with the blood of the wicked.”

If you’re as literal as you are serious, don’t forget about AIDS, Hepatitis B and C and the host of other nasty, blood borne diseases that thrive in Somalia and similarly “diversified “ acreage in Afrika.

[unixfox]

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton called Wednesday for world action to "end the scourge of piracy" as U.S. warships raced to confront the pirates.

How bout this, shoot the bastards and end it? Ever thought of that Ms Xlinton?

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"...isn't BLACKWATER running operations there because of the “unarmed”..protection?"

Blackwater has been training for about two years to help solve this situation. I believe they are now offering their services to shipping companies. What they do is have an armed ship that escorts a convoy of these container ships across the areas in question.

I remember when I was in the Marine Corps on ship. To go to Singapore and on into the Indian Ocean you have to go through the Straits of Malaka. Another big Pirate area. We would have all kinds of civilian ships waiting for us right before the straits and tag along in our formation all the way through the straits. It must have drove the Navy officers crazy because these ships would be zig zagging through our formation and come dangerously close to us.

[DYngbld]

I thought we were supposed to give them a hug and make them US citizens, because the US is changing and we want to help them. /sarc

Seriously why are we even negotiating with this vermin.

[DollyCali]

Question: Wouldn’t there be Navy sharpshooters on the ship? It seems like coordinated shots for the 5 or 6 people involved would work..

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"Of course the Army is phasing the 249 out for something else, and Gates is cutting out the A-10 Warthogs, both acts of sheer stupidity.

Hadn't heard of any new 7.52X51 medium machine gun."

Not sure if you are referring to the 249 or not, but the SAW takes 5.56 rounds unless they've upgraded to 7.62 since I've been in. I had not heard that the M-249 was being taken out. I'll have to find out and read what is replacing the SAW.

[Girlene]

From the AP, FBI hostage team joins standoff with pirates

"The military has called in FBI hostage negotiators to help end a standoff with Somali pirates holding a U.S. ship captain hostage.

The pirates are holding the captain in a drifting lifeboat, with a U.S. warship watching nearby.

FBI spokesman Richard Kolko says FBI hostage negotiators are "fully engaged" in the standoff." The pirates took Capt. Richard Phillips as a hostage after an attack on a U.S. cargo ship. The American crew retook the ship and the pirates fled into the lifeboat. Hostage negotiators and military officials are working to free Phillips.

[spectre]

The shipping company can pay the ransom and get the Captain out of harms way.

After that, what happens to these Pirates isn't any of their business.

USA!

sw

[Beaten Valve]

Good Lord!

Can’t we just send Obama out there and have him “bow” to them??

[Old Teufel Hunden]

So I guess they didn’t make it back to the “mother ship”. Let’s hope they get this captain back. These clowns know he is their only bargaining chip. Maybe we can exchange him for a French captain and let them on their way. I’m sure the French would be more than willing to pay the ransom... : )

[spectre]

"The only easy day was yesterday!"

sw

[acsrp38]

Read this! for laugh of the day!!

(Scroll down to comment by Sharon D)
Somalia Pirates fault of Global Warming!!
Someone in the loop please send this to Rush, Sean, Mark, Beck ---please!!!

[acsrp38]

Somali pirate activity is at least partly, a reaction to illegal dumping of toxic waste and illegal fishing on the Somali coast by industrialized nations. Other countries have taken advantage of the instability in this country for years by dumping illegal toxins into the water causing respiratory infections, mouthbleeds, chemical skin reactions and abdominal hemmorage to nearby residents. This country, one of the poorest in the world is ill-equipped to defend itself against such actions and, while this does not justify piracy, it illustrates that this issue is more complex than can be attributed to selfish, thug criminals. As our world is increasingly interconnected through globalization, it will be more and more difficult for developed nations to be unaffected by the poverty of instable, corrupt and impoverished nations such as Somalia.

Comment by Sharon D in Wall Street Journal Article
The Depressing, Official Truth About Somalia and its Pirates

[Girlene]

Can’t we just send Obama out there and have him “bow” to them??

LOL. I'm surprised he hasn't tried to negotiate directly with them....you know, diplomacy solves everything. Hopefully, the Navy is just covering all options. Negotiate if it helps end the standoff, plan for action if needed.

[Girlene]

So I guess they didn’t make it back to the “mother ship”.

I think the pirates destroyed their own boat when they first took the cargo ship. They are on the lifeboat with the captain, but is is without fuel. So I don't think they are going anywhere, any time soon.

[a fool in paradise]

Or in Chinese, pilates.

[a fool in paradise]

The UN would get on the sailors if they poured hot oil onto the invading pirates as they climb up the sides of the ship.

“You poured OIL into the ocean!!!”

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"I think the pirates destroyed their own boat when they first took the cargo ship."

Not very bright guys I guess. Well it sounds like the negotiations should be short. Look, sit in the boat and die of dehydration and starvation (whichever comes first) or come aboard our ship, get fed and get a nice cot behind our steel bars.