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Pirate Lifeboat Drifts Toward Somalia - "We are not afraid of the Americans"
Reuters ^ | 4/11/2009 | Celestine Achieng

Posted on 04/12/2009 8:17:47 AM PDT by GVnana

MOMBASA, Kenya, April 11 (Reuters) - A U.S.-flagged ship that was seized by Somali pirates arrived safely in the Kenyan port of Mombasa on Saturday, as a Somali mediator headed to sea to try to secure the release of the ship's American captain.

"The captain is a hero," one crew member shouted from the 17,000-ton Maersk Alabama container ship as it docked. "He saved our lives by giving himself up."

The ship, under the command of Richard Phillips, was attacked by gunmen far out in the Indian Ocean on Wednesday but its 20 American crew apparently fought off the hijackers and regained control of the freighter.

Phillips was taken hostage and is being held captive on a drifting lifeboat by the gang of four pirates who want $2 million ransom for him, as well as safe passage.

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


TOPICS: Extended News; Front Page News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 444; piracy; pirategate
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Good background info and updates at the link.
1 posted on 04/12/2009 8:17:48 AM PDT by GVnana
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To: GVnana
..not afraid of Americans?

"You boys ain't never really seen any real Americans!"

2 posted on 04/12/2009 8:19:21 AM PDT by norraad ("What light!">Blues Brothers)
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To: GVnana
Phillips was taken hostage and is being held captive on a drifting lifeboat by the gang of four pirates who want $2 million ransom for him, as well as safe passage.

Give them $2 million in Zimbabwean dollars and safe passage to hell.

3 posted on 04/12/2009 8:19:48 AM PDT by rabscuttle385 ("If this be treason, then make the most of it!" —Patrick Henry)
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To: GVnana

Obama seems.....soooo lost. It’s like he can only do one thing at a time.....and right now......that’s the economy....and yet he seems lost on that too.

Obama = Jimmy Carter on stilts.


4 posted on 04/12/2009 8:19:50 AM PDT by kjo
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To: GVnana

Why SHOULD they be afraid? Our President is a limp-wristed, spineless, empty suit and they know it!


5 posted on 04/12/2009 8:21:51 AM PDT by Just Lori (For the first time in my adult life, I am really afraid for my Country.)
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To: GVnana
Nobama had better put an end to this, he looks like a totally weak, limpwristed pantywaist. If that dingy makes it to shore he is FINISHED. This is Nobamas

"Obama held hostage Iran Carter 2"

defining moment.

NOBAMA Held Hostage Day #4

President BUSH liberated 50 MILLION people, Nobamessiah can't even rescue ONE American in a dingy that is out of gas and surrounded by the United States Navey!

6 posted on 04/12/2009 8:23:53 AM PDT by Jmouse007 (tot)
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To: GVnana
"We are not afraid of the Americans"

Of course not--not with a wussy (replace the W with a P) for a president.

7 posted on 04/12/2009 8:23:59 AM PDT by DallasDeb (USAFA '06 Mom)
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To: norraad
"You boys ain't never really seen any real Americans!"

They very well could be previous residents of Minneapolis.....

8 posted on 04/12/2009 8:24:41 AM PDT by EGPWS (Trust in God, Question everyone else)
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To: kjo

When in the sam hill is Obama going to publicly say anything about this pirate situation? Does he think we’re dealing with Johnny Depp and Pirates of the Caribbean?

I hope and pray that he’s doing things behind the scenes that he can’t talk about right now. But I have a feeling that nothing is happening because he doesn’t know what the heck to do.

I hope and pray for the captain’s safe release. But we all also know that, if we don’t deal with these guys, it will invite more piracy and they will get bolder in hijacking ships and killing people.

This could be Obama’s test that Joe Biden said would happen. Well, Barack is not exactly showing the world what’s he made of, is he?


9 posted on 04/12/2009 8:24:56 AM PDT by Dilbert San Diego
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To: norraad

They have no reason to fear us right now. Obozo will do nothing because he is more converned about the sanctity of the lives of the pirates than American interests. Of course the sanctity of the unborn lives is of no concern to him.

POS!


10 posted on 04/12/2009 8:25:08 AM PDT by rfreedom4u (Diversity causes division and resentment.)
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To: GVnana

Correction “We are not afraid of the Americans” should be changed to “We are not afraid of The American President” . . .

And that seems to be the Future of the “Lets Talk about it” President where ever he goes.

Someone in the Military needs to Ignore the Commander in Chief and take some risks.....even if they are rewarded with dismissal from the armed forces, only to be treated as a Hero when discharged.


11 posted on 04/12/2009 8:26:11 AM PDT by 4Speed
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To: GVnana

Ambassador Bolton on Fox a few minutes ago feels that the Navy is being restrained from action by Washington, probably by the WH. It appears that zero has not even expressed concern over the safety of Capt. Phillips. Change we can all believe in. God Help the USA


12 posted on 04/12/2009 8:27:23 AM PDT by jesseam (Been there and done that!)
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To: GVnana
They are just looking to arrange safe passage for the pirates

As does Hussein.

13 posted on 04/12/2009 8:27:34 AM PDT by bgill (The evidence simply does not support the official position of the Obama administration)
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To: norraad

The problem can be traced to not having an American in the White House.


14 posted on 04/12/2009 8:28:16 AM PDT by Eric in the Ozarks
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To: norraad

This looks like a job for The Navy Seals: This is a covered
lifeboat so the pirates don’t have great visibilty. Of
course you would have to attack the pirate base and free
the hostages there.


15 posted on 04/12/2009 8:29:05 AM PDT by upcountryhorseman (An old fashioned conservative)
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To: Dilbert San Diego
I'm under the impression that the present administration feels that this ship is "private business"...and must take responsibility by buying more insurance etc...

That's the impression I got from one of the news shows....

16 posted on 04/12/2009 8:29:16 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: kjo
It’s like he can only do one thing at a time.....and right now......that’s the economy

Perhaps you missed his comment last month --

"You know, I have more than enough to do without having to worry about the financial system.”

17 posted on 04/12/2009 8:29:21 AM PDT by Just A Nobody (Better Dead than RED! NEVER AGAIN...Support our Troops! Beware the ENEMEDIA)
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To: norraad
I suggest you put “Blackhawk Down” on your Netflix list.
18 posted on 04/12/2009 8:29:41 AM PDT by mad_as_he$$ (Nemo me impune lacessit)
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To: kjo

Last time Hussein and his transvestite wife got overwhelmed by the job — about mid-February — didn’t they just take off and visit an elementary school? Having to deal with four nasty ol’ pirates must be stressing them to the max! Maybe they’ll visit a pre-school.


19 posted on 04/12/2009 8:29:49 AM PDT by MayflowerMadam
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To: GVnana

Seems to me if they are worried about the boat drifting toward Somalia, they could send some Seals out to the boat and tie an anchor to the boat.

Or just put a small hole in the boat.

Obowma fails another test.


20 posted on 04/12/2009 8:30:51 AM PDT by cruise_missile
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