Official: Captain was in 'imminent danger' (Defense depart had to ask 0bama twice)

MSNBC ^ | 04.12.09

[Perdogg]

U.S. Navy snipers opened fire and killed three pirates holding an American captain at gunpoint, delivering the skipper unharmed and ending a five-day high-seas hostage drama on Easter Sunday.

The pirates were pointing AK-47s at Capt. Richard Phillips and he was in "imminent danger" of being killed when the commander of the nearby USS Bainbridge made the split-second decision to order his men to shoot, Vice Adm. Bill Gortney said.

[Big Horn]

I wonder how long Obama had to think it over.....

I am suprised he didn't walk out on the water and lead them to safety. Maybe parted the water,but it may have been to deep to part.

[SloopJohnB]

The Brits side with the UN: it is a violation of the pirates human rights to take action.

[ellery]

I’m not aware of any factual basis to criticize Obama with regard to this operation. Many here speculated that Obama had vetoed any action. That was not true. Whenever Obama takes an appropriate military action, I say thank God. The alternative is not what we want.

Well said. I fear there will be many reasons to criticize the administration in the future (maybe even related to this rescue operation).

But for today, I'm rejoicing that Captain Phillips is safe, and I'm in awe of our SEALs and other military men and women who saved him. It's a great day for America.

[Windflier]

stars and bars

I'm sure you meant Stars & Stripes, but that's ok. I think either flag would convey the same message to the pirates.

[Windflier]

...the US military had a clear shot at a terrorist target but needed the OK from the President, who was Bill Clinton.

That terrorist target was Osama bin Laden, and Clinton was on a golf course at the time. And yes, he finally chewed out the aide who continued to communicate the request for clearance to fire.

[xone]

bttt

[Verginius Rufus]

No ships flying the stars and bars have been sunk, or captured by pirates, in well over 100 years.

[Windflier]

No ships flying the stars and bars have been sunk, or captured by pirates, in well over 100 years.

Be interesting to see what sort of reaction that flag would get in the waters off Somalia. Not that those people would even know what it stands for...

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

late news:

Obama Did Not Order the Kill That Freed Capt. Phillips

********************************

Spin activities starting already...

[gandalftb]

LOL, yup, the stars and bars would have them wondering.

[Windflier]

LOL, yup, the stars and bars would have them wondering.

Being that the skinnys have probably never seen the Stars & Bars before, they'd probably treat a vessel flagged with one as fair game.

Hate to think of the surprise them southern boys would give them.

[kabar]

Why two times? Wouldn’t once be enough?

[KansasGirl]

Seems the liberal media is torn betweening painting Obama as a hero who lead the Captain’s rescue or painting the Navy as war-mongering savages that acted without Obama’s order.

[mpreston]

Ok, early -

“The Defense Department twice asked Obama for permission to use military force to rescue Phillips, most recently late Friday evening, U.S. officials said.”

I don’t see this in the article. Was it rewritten?

[GOPJ]

And our good captain wasn't in "imminent danger" being in a rowboat in 110 degree weather for days - with crazy pirates pointing a gun at him?

The pirates should have been shot the first hour.

The fact that it was drawn out sits at Obama's feet.

[GOPJ]

It's nice to know Homeland Security is spending their time checking out Americans who attend "tea parties" and look the other way for days - when pirates hold a gun on an American citizen.

Yeah boys, get those priorities straight.

[pabianice]

Just wait. The CO of USS Bainbridge will be canned quietly for violating the civil rights of the pirates. The admiral will receive a letter of reprimand.

[bboop]

Yeh, he had to have a committee meeting where everybody could talk about their feelings and propose solutions. Then they had to vote on which solutions would be best. Then he had to put all the solutions in a hat and draw one that he could quote.

Can’t ever think for oneself, EVER.

[Helen]

Now that it's over I can't help but chuckle at the gross stupidity of the pirates. They fell for the old need-a-tow? trick. They obviously trusted our Navy to play fair after accepting food, telephones, soft drinks, clothes, blankets from us."

That sounds very much like what is going on with the Bam-Bam voters. Just change a few words...