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PIRATES ARE IN FOR A SHIP STORM; US DESTROYER CLOSES IN ON HOSTAGE BOAT (pirates out of fuel)
NY POST ^ | 4/10/09 | REBECCA ROSENBERG in Underhill, Vt., LORENA MONGELLI in Seekonk, Mass, DAN MANGAN in NY

Posted on 04/10/2009 2:06:02 AM PDT by Liz

A US Navy destroyer stranded a hapless group of Somali pirates on the high seas. "We are surrounded by warships and don't have time to talk," one terrified pirate told Reuters via satellite phone.....the four blubbering buccaneers refused to release Capt. Richard Phillips, as the 510-foot destroyer USS Bainbridge, spy planes and drones kept tabs on the pirates' stranded, covered lifeboat, which had run out of fuel, with 10 days of emergency rations aboard. Capt. Richard Phillips offered himself as a hostage after his crew locked themselves in a room containing the ship's controls when the pirates boarded the vessel 250 miles off the Somali coast. US Central Command boss Gen. David Petraeus said the military will increase its presence near the Horn of Africa..... Capt Phillips, 53, had a radio and had additional batteries and provisions, Maersk said. The Maersk Alabama was ordered to sail for Mombasa, Kenya, with its cargo of food relief.....An 18-man, armed security detail from the Bainbridge was aboard the Alabama. "No one is coming to the pirates' rescue, that's for sure," said retired US Navy Cmdr. Kirk Lippold. "It's a waiting game and time is on the Navy's side. The pirates are in a lifeboat in the middle of the ocean. The only card they have to play is the captain."

(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: maerskalabama; maritime; pirates; somalipirates; usnavy
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To: BuffaloJack
and the pirates safely left behind

Bad idea.

Wouldn't be prudent.

41 posted on 04/10/2009 4:18:01 AM PDT by Jim Noble (They are willing to kill for socialism...but not to die for it.)
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To: BuffaloJack
and the pirates safely left behind

Bad idea.

Wouldn't be prudent.

42 posted on 04/10/2009 4:18:01 AM PDT by Jim Noble (They are willing to kill for socialism...but not to die for it.)
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To: Riley

Good point. Even if they are nominal, this would still be blown out of proportion as “proof we are at war with ____” fill in the blank whomever needs money, is poor, is fatherless because of something America did, etc. As much as every one of us, myself most adamantly, want to open fire and control the situation, that might be a bad idea. I did not read until later about the boat being covered. Maybe the captain will be able to do something amazing with this criminals instead of killing them. But sending them home cashless and impotent would be great.


43 posted on 04/10/2009 4:37:32 AM PDT by momincombatboots (The last experience of the sinner is the horrible enslavement of the freedom he desired. -C.S. Lewis)
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To: Drago
She is a beautiful ship, but all the armament in the universe is worthless unless you are allowed to use it. Obama won't let our navy shoot. The pirates have proven that they will. We play by the "Rules of War" they take hostages. Advantage pirates.

Heck with the Teleprompter in chief I wouldn't be surprised if those two pirates end up taking over the Bainbrige. /sarc
44 posted on 04/10/2009 4:53:05 AM PDT by GonzoGOP (There are millions of paranoid people in the world and they are all out to get me.)
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To: cripplecreek

45 posted on 04/10/2009 5:01:53 AM PDT by Boiling Pots (The Politicians think we're all stupid, and they're largely correct.)
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To: Liz

“.. covered lifeboat, which had run out of fuel, with 10 days of emergency rations aboard.”
Note to ship owners, replenish lifeboat supplies with pork and beans, canned bacon, and canned hams.


46 posted on 04/10/2009 5:05:06 AM PDT by bitterohiogunclinger (America held hostage - day 163)
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To: momincombatboots

When the captain got out of the lifeboat, we should have blown the Somali scum out of the water.
If I was President, I’d try a night raid with Navy Seals. I’d then remove the bodies, including the captain’s if he was also killed in the raid, under the same cover of secrecy. Let pirates and jihadis kept guessing about what happened.
President Oblather will do nothing, except maybe pay a ransom. That’ll stop them(sarcasm).


47 posted on 04/10/2009 5:19:23 AM PDT by macrahanish #1
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To: Riley
A SEAL with a brace and bit, Warner Brothers cartoon style? That’s not a bad idea. :-)

I would expect that the seals/delta have already drilled the hull, and have cameras radioing live intel back to them. In the event of having to board and disarm the pirates, knowing exactly where they are, on board, in real time, is invaluable.
48 posted on 04/10/2009 5:21:25 AM PDT by krogers58 (r)
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To: Liz

Enough of the Mr. Nice Guy, send in a negotiator from ACORN.

I got it, the Zero can do it, personally.

I would love to take this call:

ME: Hello
Them: We got your President.
ME: Good, Keep him.


49 posted on 04/10/2009 5:23:01 AM PDT by Mouton
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To: Liz
That's the last ship named Bainbridge. This is the current ship:

DDG-96

50 posted on 04/10/2009 5:30:41 AM PDT by PogySailor (We're so screwed.....welcome to the American Oligarchy)
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To: Boiling Pots

Bush never bowed, newbie.


51 posted on 04/10/2009 5:51:42 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....the Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: bitterohiogunclinger

THAT is the BEST IDEA I’ve read!!! Have NOTHING but PORK PRODUCTS on BOARD the LIFEBOATS!!!


52 posted on 04/10/2009 5:53:06 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....the Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: Liz

“It is time for immediate discussion.” /monty python


53 posted on 04/10/2009 5:56:26 AM PDT by OKSooner ("He's quite mad, you know." - Sean Connery to Honor Blackman in "Goldfinger".)
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To: Ann Archy

Oh he sure did, in more ways than one too.

The Bush’s ties to the Saudi’s are long and deep.


54 posted on 04/10/2009 5:57:28 AM PDT by Boiling Pots (The Politicians think we're all stupid, and they're largely correct.)
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To: Boiling Pots

Did he BOW, like YOU said...or not. Don’t be lying on FR.


55 posted on 04/10/2009 5:58:40 AM PDT by Ann Archy (Abortion....the Human Sacrifice to the god of Convenience.)
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To: Ann Archy

The picture speaks for itself.


56 posted on 04/10/2009 5:59:06 AM PDT by Boiling Pots (The Politicians think we're all stupid, and they're largely correct.)
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To: Mouton
Enough of the Mr. Nice Guy, send in a negotiator from ACORN.

I got it, the Zero can do it, personally.

Best idea, yet! The pirates are obviously from a community that lacks an organizer.

57 posted on 04/10/2009 6:04:09 AM PDT by DesertDreamer ("I don't believe in a government that protects us from ourselves." - Ronald Reagan)
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To: Boiling Pots

What? The red X? It speaks for itself?

FAIL!


58 posted on 04/10/2009 6:05:35 AM PDT by Alas Babylon!
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To: Alas Babylon!

Here you go. A picture of George W. Bush BOWING to Abdullah: http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/33289_Bush_Bowed_Too


59 posted on 04/10/2009 6:10:27 AM PDT by Boiling Pots (The Politicians think we're all stupid, and they're largely correct.)
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To: Mouton
.....send in a negotiator from ACORN. Zero can do it, personally....

" My cigarettes for the Captain? Nothing doing. "

60 posted on 04/10/2009 6:20:02 AM PDT by Liz (I was like Snow White, then I drifted. Mae West (on liberalism.)
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