UNLIKE the Obama administration, who feels that the "world" should deal with these "criminals" who have kidnapped an AMERICAN CITIZEN!?!?!?
Posted on 04/10/2009 4:45:16 PM PDT by BarnacleCenturion
Pirates on Friday sailed a hijacked German freighter and its crew toward a lifeboat off Somalia where an American hostage is being held.
They are reportedly doing so an attempt to help their comrades in a standoff with the US Navy.
Four pirates are holding the American captain of a cargo ship, Richard Phillips, in a drifting lifeboat and demanding $US2 million for his release and a guarantee of their own safety.
They have been holding him since a foiled attempt on Wednesday to hijack the 17,000-tonne, Danish-owned Maersk Alabama in the Indian Ocean.
A destroyer, the USS Bainbridge, is close by.
Another group that hijacked a 20,000-tonne German container vessel, the Hansa Stavanger, a week ago is reportedly heading to the scene of the standoff.
Maybe this is why The Founders set the requirement that The POTUS had to be a natural born citizen.
>>> I do not understand why these ships aren’t armed. It makes no sense at all. <<<<<
Because every port you visit has different laws and customs pertaining to weapons (guns).
The laws should be changed, but that’s the way it is.
Even recreational sailors who visit Mexico and the Caribbean have problems (or concerns) about being boarded by the local robbers. But there is equal concern about being boarded and searched (for weapons) by local customs officials.
So people (recreational sailors) think about “weapons” like spearguns, flare guns, cast iron skillets, heavy flashlights, etc.
Commercial vessel crews have similar problems and responses.
I don't understand it either. Compared to value of cargo and ships operations cost it wouldn't add that much to the freight bill. I would counter the owner though and say this to him. If you were a thief and you knew that one of every two houses on a street was armed without specif knowledge of who was and who wasn't would you attempt it? If they aren't going to arm then they need better security like hatches dogged from the inside only and the Bridge accessible from inside only as well while underway.
I'm really surprised the companies underwriting the cargo and ships aren't insisting on arming them. The only reason I can possibly see is some nations not allowing an armed ship entrance into port. No problem don't enter their port with goods and then see how quick they come around.
FOX News (Greta Show..) said that the Captain made a second escape attempt withing the past 2-hours and was re-captured yet again.
“Pirates” also apparently fired some shots...
Looks like Obama’s FBI hostage negotiations aren’t going very well. Poor guy — I’m rooting for him.
Everybody—PRAY NOW that the Captain will escape on his next try.
I am getting an impression that these pirates are falling off their game, maybe they are suffering from no drugs available.
The very fact that we are getting this info shows they are under observation.
I bet Obama is getting pissed, how dare the prisoner try to defy the captors!
They probably could have put something in the food that was previously provided that could have temporarily knocked out the captain and the pirates.
However, now that the Pirates have a ship in the area, any rescue attempt will be seriously complicated. The pirates will now fire on any rescuers who approach the lifeboat.
Agreed, but a few little holes would still cause some excitement/distraction aboard as the water level rose :)
What are we waiting for?
IMO, the pirates need to be pulled out by the roots. They must have a harbor, or base of operations somewhere. I am sure our intelligence knows about it. Start the shelling from our battleships. THAT would how I would negotiate.
EMP= Electro Magnetic Pulse
Libs will consider that cave-man speak...
Just speculating, what are the odds that Raila Ondinga is involved with piracy?
A better chance to have the best odds for a successful mission that may include not only the rescue of the captain but dozens of other hostages PLUS removing from the game a large amount of players and the equipment, recapturing a hostage ship would be the high point for the Navy and Marines.
Without saying this is ruled by politics you do have to admit it could be very convenient to have them deliver the hostages and ship to us.
I have little doubt that we will have a very interesting reception committee, probably the best on earth sitting there right now.
He just doesn’t care. This is not part of HIS agenda.
I did not catch that. A muslim.
“Leon, a Turkish-born Canadian citizen, was arrested at a grocery store near Ellsinore, Mo., a small community of about 1,000 people, shortly after the aircraft landed.
“This is kind of uncharted territory for us,” said Elmore, adding authorities believe Leon changed his name from Yavuz Berke.”
http://www.canada.com/news/authorities+charge+student+pilot+after+chase/1470864/story.html
I heard on the Micheal Savage show that he is Muslim.
Whiskey Tango Foxtrot > Charlie Foxtrot > FUBAR.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.