How about worldwide action to end the scourge of Obama and Hillary?
Now the appeasement can begin!
Obama is such a p***y
“We are deeply concerned and we are following it very closely,” Clinton said.
A fleet Chinese Nuclear Subs could wash up on the shores of San Francisco and she’d probably say the same thing.
We need to send in an entire fleet and show these pirates who’s boss
Hmmm. Title indicates that a naval vessel has arrived on the scene than proceeds to offer no evidence that this is the case.
What "legal difficulties". Piracy has always been a violation of international law. It doesn't matter who the pirates are, what nation they are from (or protects them!). Warships of all nations are obliged to go after pirates.
Herein lies the essence of the problem. Unarmed by idiotic policy, they are sitting ducks.
"We have ways to push back, but we do not carry arms..."
They are bringing clubs to gunfights. What idiot is responsible for such an absurd policy?
Of course Obama would turn that around.
I was happy to see that three pirates got tossed overboard already.
Too bad there was no news on their condition, like that they were shark bait.
“MUSLIMS!”
Correctomundo!
the more things change...the more they stay the same...
"Free Pirate Report Dot Com
don't steal our ships
or you'll be hit
with an atom bommmmmb...
We monitor our shipping
and send Navy alerts
so you don't end up hijacked
by Somalis in T-shirts..."
(Not valid under Dem administrations)
Cheers!
How bout this, shoot the bastards and end it? Ever thought of that Ms Xlinton?
After that, what happens to these Pirates isn't any of their business.
USA!
sw
“We are deeply concerned and we are following it very closely,” Clinton said.
Well, I’d hope so Hillary. It is time to get pissed!
See, what Obama’s show my weakness apology tour has reaped? Bowing at the feet of a Muslim! Calling Americans arrogant! Good Grief!
Obama’s reaction to this will be very telling...
Will he once again, side with the Muslims?
Oh boy.....Hostage Negotiators are now on site trying to resolve this. This is so weak.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090409/ap_on_re_af/piracy
Second, an Arleigh Burke class DDG is kind of a mismatch, too. They were designed as state of the art Anti-missile, Anti-air and Anti-submarine carrier escorts. Same or even more so for the Tico-class cruisers. The Bainbridge's single 5in 62 mm gun is considerably more than needed under these circumstances.
BTW; the new RIM 162 ESSM, replacing the RIM 66 SM-2, has a bigger warhead, flies better, and best of all can be 4-packed into a single Mk. 41 Vertical Launch System. Arliegh Burkes have 90 cells, you do the math. (Saving room for SM-2's for ASuW, Tomahawks for this and that, and a few SM-3's to pick off the odd ballistic missile. And maybe a few RUM-139 ASROC's for the occasional submarine. All in all, one hell of a ship, for which we have to thank the finest president in the 20th century, Ronald Reagan.
Now, for the pirates at sea I think the LCS (Littoral Combat Ship) armed with as someone suggested, a navalized Bushmaster 25mm would be ideal. Martin Marietta's LCS-1 Freedom however, is armed with a Mk 110 57 mm gun. Not as much ammo room as 25mm, but still. On the other hand, the General Dynamics version, LCS-2 Independance, armed with the proven Bofors 57mm gun has room for mission modules, one of which could be a nice Bushmaster with associated ammo in one neat box the size of a standard container. Gotta have more room for ammo than a Bradley, or a Stryker, don't you think? In spite of the New York Times article poo-pooing the concept, Somali pirates seem tailor-made to show the use of these ships.
Last, despite my being a Navy guy, I think the proper way to handle these guys would be something like Hellfire armed Predators loitering around that area, following any interesting 'fishing boats' and popping them if they try to go alongside any American Flagged merchant ships. Then, backtracking by satellite to wherever these clowns came from and sending another Hellfire through the front door. Repeat as necessary until they figure out that this is a bad idea. Offer same function to other national flagged shipping, for a nominal price. Current deficit defining level considered 'nominal'. 5% of value of ship & cargo seems about right. For our friends. Cost-Plus for the French, Germans, Chinese, and such.
Just a thought....