[frposty]

I respectfully don’t think my belief that the hostage episode is insignificant. As problems between nations go it is insignificant. Could some people in Somolia get mad at us? So what. This is like cops and robbers. The entire world knows who the bad guys are and that hostage takers don’t deserve anyone’s mercy.

You might want to give us your view of the global significance of this situation.

[papasmurf]

My comment was in reference to your comment in italics below. I should have made that clear, Sorry.

It demonstrates nothing about how he might use military force in a government-to-government conflict.

On the contrary, it's very telling. He has a wait and see, and then let's negotiate, and oh, btw, don't not harm the terrorists, unless you're sure they're about to kill our guy mentality.

This can, and will, get Americans killed. In addition, it encourages further attacks against us.

Weakness is ALWAYS exploited by those wishing us harm.

BTW, if it were a "Gov't to Gov't" conflict, and they had our ship, and our hostage(s), it would be even more important to act quickly and decisively.