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For Pirates, Obama's Big Stick
Investor's Business Daily ^ | 9 April 2009 | Editorial

Posted on 04/10/2009 7:33:40 AM PDT by IBD editorial writer

Piracy: The Obama administration is making a strong but cool-headed military response to the gang of Somali pirates now holding a U.S. captain hostage at sea. So far in this critical first test, the right message is being sent.

Imagine what it's like to be a Somali pirate. In the past two years, the "business" of ship-hijacking has been good. Pirates steal ships, and shipping companies pay to save crews. In a failed state, there are no prospects of arrest, no court dates, no prison time. Military convoys are easily avoided, leaving ships vulnerable. And the ransoms flow in — some $150 million from 150 ships in 2008.

What pirate wouldn't think of branching into a new line of business, like a U.S. ship?

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


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: bho44; military; obama; pirates; somalia; somalipirates
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1 posted on 04/10/2009 7:33:40 AM PDT by IBD editorial writer
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To: IBD editorial writer
The Obama administration is making a strong but cool-headed military response to the gang of Somali pirates now holding a U.S. captain hostage at sea. So far in this critical first test, the right message is being sent.

For God's sake, How about a "Barf Alert" on this?

Now I've got to clean up my keyboard and go brush my teeth.

RULES, man! We've got RULES about this sort of thing!

;^)

2 posted on 04/10/2009 7:36:31 AM PDT by WayneS (Respect the 2nd Amendment; Repeal the 16th)
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To: IBD editorial writer

You mean, big schtick.

Now more pirates are coming in, with hostages. Summoned by the first four pirates.

This is the look of intimidated pirates? Tell me another one.


3 posted on 04/10/2009 7:37:26 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Beat a better path, and the world will build a mousetrap at your door.)
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To: IBD editorial writer
I will refrain from comment....▓
4 posted on 04/10/2009 7:37:28 AM PDT by ßuddaßudd (7 days - 7 ways Guero >>> with a floating, shifting, ever changing persona....)
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To: WayneS

And I thought it was going to be a Bawney Fwank thread...


5 posted on 04/10/2009 7:37:37 AM PDT by bigbob
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To: IBD editorial writer

IBD - if this editorial is one of yours ... you must be smoking crack.


6 posted on 04/10/2009 7:38:19 AM PDT by tx_eggman (Clinton was our first black President ... Obama is our first French President.)
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To: bigbob

Ewwwwwww.

PS - NO photos, thank you very much!


7 posted on 04/10/2009 7:38:39 AM PDT by WayneS (Respect the 2nd Amendment; Repeal the 16th)
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To: IBD editorial writer
Yes, Obama seems to be handling this appropriately, but the editorial writer purpose here seems to be solely to through bouquets of worship at Obama’s feet.
8 posted on 04/10/2009 7:38:41 AM PDT by Obadiah (Party - my house - on December 22, 2012!)
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To: HiTech RedNeck
You mean, big schtick.

Beat me to it.

9 posted on 04/10/2009 7:39:07 AM PDT by bgill (The evidence simply does not support the official position of the Obama administration)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

What are they going to do with giant ships there? I think those ships are acting as a dirt magnet, suctioning them into one place like a garbage disposal. They will be rounded up.


10 posted on 04/10/2009 7:39:39 AM PDT by IBD editorial writer
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To: IBD editorial writer
Humor? Sarcasm?
11 posted on 04/10/2009 7:39:39 AM PDT by ScaniaBoy (Part of the Right Wing Research & Attack Machine)
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To: Obadiah

“Appropriately”?

If this was McCain, we would be serving the Somalis minced pirate pie.


12 posted on 04/10/2009 7:39:41 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Beat a better path, and the world will build a mousetrap at your door.)
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To: IBD editorial writer

This isn’t a bunch of misguided Somali yoots with a few Kalashnikov’s and a Zodiac. This ship was siezed over 300 miles offshore. That’s deep ocean. This is a highly-organized business and therefore vulnerable to disruption by the US military. All that Obama needs to do is grow a pair & give the order.


13 posted on 04/10/2009 7:40:30 AM PDT by Tallguy ("The sh- t's chess, it ain't checkers!" -- Alonzo (Denzel Washington) in "Training Day")
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To: IBD editorial writer

“It’s not force first, but the threat of force, with the saving of life paramount.”

Only for a weak nation.


14 posted on 04/10/2009 7:40:42 AM PDT by Mr Rogers (Obama - Making Jimmy Carter look like a giant!)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

Big schtick indeed. Looks like Ibn al’0bama wants his own version of Black Hawk Down so he can rival BJClinton’s accomplishments.


15 posted on 04/10/2009 7:41:27 AM PDT by Veto! (Opinions freely dispensed as advice)
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To: IBD editorial writer

No sir, it has been turned from a US incident into a multinational incident. The pirates have just exchanged a dog pack on their heels for a herd of cats.


16 posted on 04/10/2009 7:41:33 AM PDT by HiTech RedNeck (Beat a better path, and the world will build a mousetrap at your door.)
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To: IBD editorial writer
What an amazing spin to this story now that BHO is at the White House. Incredible!

"Unlike other victims, unarmed crews that were easily overtaken, the highly trained 21-man U.S. crew unexpectedly fought back."

Highly trained? Fought back? Give me a break. Don't get me wrong, I admire anyone that fights back with what is available but if I were in charge my crew would be highly trained, prepared, and equipped with fire arms not a fire hose.

17 posted on 04/10/2009 7:41:40 AM PDT by mosaicwolf (Strength and Honor)
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To: HiTech RedNeck

Maybe he’ll give them entrance, amnesty, and free college.


18 posted on 04/10/2009 7:42:19 AM PDT by WOBBLY BOB (ACORN:American Corruption for Obama Right Now)
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To: IBD editorial writer
Where's the Barf Alert?

If this is a success, they'll think hard about messing with the U.S. before they do it again.

Big "If".

"we are working to do what we can,"
And yet, their one hostage is still...a hostage.

This article amounts to nothing more than a literary oral gratification of 0bama.

Most obvious in this is Obama's leadership, today's version of speaking softly and carrying a big stick,

If 0bama has such a big stick, the UDT or SEALS would have had this hostage freed and all pirates dead by now. I have no doubt that 0bama has strict orders in place protecting the lives of the pirates. Far from being the yough guy, this drama plays on and 0bama looks like nothing more than a hand-wringing namby-pamby.

19 posted on 04/10/2009 7:42:35 AM PDT by Bloody Sam Roberts (Why the hell is the best damned dance song ever written titled, "Sing, Sing, Sing"?)
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To: IBD editorial writer; MinuteGal; mcmuffin; gonzo; sheikdetailfeather; Roos_Girl; seekthetruth; ...
Exurban League: Obama Reaches Out to 'Moderate' Pirate Community

"Since the pirates are still holding the captain, I have sent FBI negotiators to facilitate his safe and speedy release. I assure his friends and family that I will not stop until this man-made disaster is resolved in a peaceful, tolerant and ecologically-sound manner.... For too long, America has been too dismissive of the proud culture and invaluable contributions of the Pirate Community. Whether it is their pioneering work with prosthetics, husbandry of tropical birds or fanciful fashion sense, America owes a deep debt to Pirates." -- The full text of Obama statement can be found at that outpost of sanity deep in our southwestern wastes ..."

Continued HERE

20 posted on 04/10/2009 7:43:19 AM PDT by Matchett-PI (The biggest threat to the US economy is the US Congress.)
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