Why weren't the pirates all dead the moment the Captain jumped overboard? What is it about passing tactical command to the commander on the scene that we keep having a hard time learning? What sort of idiot military advice is O getting?
Why weren't the pirates all dead the moment the Captain jumped overboard? What is it about passing tactical command to the commander on the scene that we keep having a hard time learning? What sort of idiot military advice is O getting?
Well, of course, we're guessing. A recent article said that between the capture and the outcome Obama had 18 military briefings. We don't know what was said.
One possibility is that he was asked to give permission to shoot to kill in order to free the Captain, and refused.
Another possibility, I think much likelier, is that the particular "military briefers" involved were probably chosen because they were on Obama's wavelength, were quite aware of his prejudices, and took a much more cautious approach, to avoid getting on his bad side. Maybe they just asked him what he thought they should do. And Obama hemmed and hawed, and said, "no shooting until I give the word," or something to that effect.
In any case, the Navy had a perfect opportunity to end it when the captain jumped overboard the first time, and they blew it. Why? I don't think it was because those on the scene were incompetent. As we clearly saw later, they were far from incompetent. I think it's because their hands were tied.
The poor guy jumped overboard thinking that that would give the Navy a chance to rescue him, and then they did nothing. So he was shot at by the pirates, taken back into the boat, and tied up for the next several days, all because Obama didn't want to make up his mind to allow the Navy to shoot.
Or, of the truth be told, all because Obama likes Muslim Somali pirates better than he likes white Americans.