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NY Times Rushing to Say Pirates Show America's 'Power Limits'
Newsbusters ^ | April 10, 2009 - 05:25 | Warner Todd Huston

Posted on 04/10/2009 4:21:39 AM PDT by chuck_the_tv_out

In what almost seems a gleeful pronouncement, The New York Times trumpeted America's powerlessness over the recent capture by pirates of a captain of a U.S. run freighter on the high seas. With an April 9 headline that blares, "Standoff With Pirates Shows U.S. Power Has Limits,"

(Excerpt) Read more at newsbusters.org ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: maritime; slimes; somalipirates; treason; usnavy
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To: chuck_the_tv_out
it’s almost unbelieveable isn’t it.

It certainly is.

But why did the military command even allow that?

I would assume because they take their orders from the president.

21 posted on 04/10/2009 5:03:04 AM PDT by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I shall defend to your death my right to say it)
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To: chuck_the_tv_out
"Standoff With Pirates Shows U.S. Power Has Limits,"

It is not a limit of arsenal power, but it is a limit of will power.

The US has lost the political will to resolve such situations decisively.

Clinton and Mogadishu.

Bush and the plane captured by the Chinese.

The US has become fearful of doing anything that would upset the UN, the Euros, the Muslims, the Mexicans, etc.
22 posted on 04/10/2009 5:08:14 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: TomGuy

The best analogy is constipated chicken shit. There is no power involved, merely lack of courage.

The truth is Obama has a distaste and disdain for power.


23 posted on 04/10/2009 5:11:05 AM PDT by bert (K.E. N.P. +12 . John Galt hell !...... where is Francisco dÂ’Anconia)
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To: Puppage

Yeah but the president can’t command a suicide mission. Surely some commanders should have said “we need 10x this or it can’t be done”


24 posted on 04/10/2009 5:14:56 AM PDT by chuck_the_tv_out (click my name)
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To: MagnoliaB
Cease and desist your piracy immediately or we will systematically start destroying all your coastal lairs starting with Mogadishu. You have twelve hours to evacuate women and children.

Clinton didn't.

Bush didn't.

Obama won't.

Reality 101....

and it bites!
25 posted on 04/10/2009 5:19:34 AM PDT by TomGuy
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To: Sertorius

But didn’t they complain about Isreal’s response to Gaza? So if you use a ton of force thats bad, if you don’t let loose with all guns blazing, thats bad.
Maybe the scribes at the NYT should be consulted before any action is taken.


26 posted on 04/10/2009 5:23:07 AM PDT by Holicheese (Gimme Gimme Gimme!)
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To: MAD-AS-HELL

Why is Obama being so quiet about this

Two things
1-Fear in his heart

2-Lead in his a$$


27 posted on 04/10/2009 5:26:45 AM PDT by bikerman
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To: Jeff Gordon

Project weakness. America must look weak. Demoralize your adversary (patriot citizen resistance) by projecting military ineptness/inaction. Embolden the muslim enemy and prepare the groundwork for the Islamic takeover of America. The Chairman Obamao is a muslim. He is what he is and acts from from what is in his heart. No regard for our traditions and he bows to his Saudi master. We have been sold out. Let’s face it for what it is and then we can begin to deal effectively with our future as united Americans for a common purpose against an identified enemy.


28 posted on 04/10/2009 5:43:33 AM PDT by Robulus (Be wary, be vigilant, for your enemy walketh about as a roaring lion.)
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To: MAD-AS-HELL; All
Why is Obama being so quiet about this? Possibly because he fears that if a Black President who values his socialist ties to his father’s homeland flexes his muscle against him, Africa will turn on Obama and paint him as a bad bad black muslim man!

It could also be because Odinga, his Kenyan cousin, has Obama's real birth certificate, which shows Obama was born in Keneya. Indeed, the pirates may also have it, thereby inducing Obama to act with a certain amount of "discretion."

29 posted on 04/10/2009 5:44:31 AM PDT by libstripper
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To: chuck_the_tv_out
The United States has the power to act. The question is, “ Does it have the will to act?” When we redevelop the cahonies, the pirate problem will disappear. Think of England when she ruled the seas.
30 posted on 04/10/2009 5:45:58 AM PDT by Citizen Tom Paine (Sun Tzu "The Art of War")
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To: MAD-AS-HELL
"Why is Obama being so quiet about this? Possibly because he fears that if a Black President who values his socialist ties to his father’s homeland flexes his muscle against him, Africa will turn on Obama and paint him as a bad bad black muslim man!"

And this is what happens when there is a pres_ent who is not a natural born citizen. Loyalties are divided. But this is barak. he's loyal only to himself.

There's a big chance also that the muslims will have a major fit when barak visits the Pope.

31 posted on 04/10/2009 5:51:08 AM PDT by 1_Rain_Drop
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To: libstripper

Which is EXACTLY why this COLB issue must be settled. A journalist from the UK brought up the possibility of Obama being blackmailed at the risk of national security.


32 posted on 04/10/2009 5:51:57 AM PDT by autumnraine (Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose- Kris Kristoferrson VIVA LA REVOLUTION!)
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To: chuck_the_tv_out

It is within the power of the U.S. Navy to ensure that nothing floats along the Somali coast except for fuel, oil, and shards of disintegrated fiberglass amidst the blood of pirates.

Obama is a coward for allowing this to continue to escalate into a real crisis of epic proportions.


33 posted on 04/10/2009 5:54:34 AM PDT by usmcobra (Your chances of dying in bed are reduced by getting out of it, but most people still die in bed)
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To: never4get
On a calm seas night, wouldn’t a few Navy Seal snippers, under the cover of darkness, taking out a few Pirates do the trick? What the hell are they waiting for.
You haven't seen a pic of that lifeboat they're all in have you?

It's not an open dingy (like say from the Titanic). Its totally enclosed with a Hardshell Cover and is water-tight. Only has one small 'door' (hatch) at one end and is unsinkable under all sea conditions. It even uprights itself if it capsizes.

I had the same idea as you until I saw the lifeboat pic. If SEALS attacked the Pirates could easily kill the Captain before one SEAL boarded.

34 posted on 04/10/2009 6:12:44 AM PDT by Condor51 (The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits)
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To: chuck_the_tv_out

Strange, I would have sworn that our guns were bigger than those of the pirates(?)


35 posted on 04/10/2009 6:36:04 AM PDT by The Duke (I have met the enemy, and he is named 'Apathy'!)
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To: chuck_the_tv_out
What our handling of this whole pirate situation shows is weakness and a lack of leadership and resolve. The US should simply declare that any speed boats found in the major shipping lanes in this region will be deemed hostile by the US and be sunk on sight. The US should also declare that it reserves the right to arm or station US combat forces on US flagged vessels in the region. The pirates would be cut to pieces if they had the surprise of encountering well armed US Marines on a ship they were targeting.
36 posted on 04/10/2009 7:05:02 AM PDT by The Great RJ (chain.)
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To: chuck_the_tv_out

Our only limit is our unwillingness to sacrifice the Captain. Sink the damn ships in the least violent way and see how many of the hostages actually are killed as the ships slowly sink. Once the ships are sinking killing the hostages will not help them since they will have nothing to negotiate with. It will be every pirate for himself. Then, pick up the hostages and leave the pirates and their soaking wet AKs floating out to sea.


37 posted on 04/10/2009 7:17:16 AM PDT by yazoo (was)
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To: yazoo

It shows the limits of Zero and the Rats. We had a window of opportunity to take back the lifeboat..the Seals know how. But that was blown. Also..somehow we are allowing the pirates to use a radio(doubtfull) or satelite phone to communicate. We could have them down to only one number to call and cut out their communications with other pirates.


38 posted on 04/10/2009 7:23:01 AM PDT by Oldexpat
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To: Oldexpat

“We had a window of opportunity to take back the lifeboat..the Seals know how.”

The lifeboat is covered and has a door. While I certainly don’t know all the seals are capable of, it would seem to be an extremely difficult thing to do. Typically, special teams rely on shock to get close to the bad guys before they have a chance to use their weapons. Not sure how you shock them and then get into a covered boat quickly enough to gain control.


39 posted on 04/10/2009 7:31:03 AM PDT by yazoo (was)
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