[AndrewB]

"The SEAL team observed two of the pirates move away from Phillips and stick their heads out from a hatch. The third pirate raised his weapon at Phillips' back. Convinced that Phillips was about to be shot, the SEAL commander gave the order to fire."

Whack-a-mole.

[Williams]

I support the killing of the pirates, but it seems highly unlikely they were about to kill the captain. Anything is possible but it makes no sense and I doubt two pirates would go for fresh air as part of the execution. Seems to me the Navy captain took his shot when the opportunity arose. Pointing of a gun at the captain can be taken as an imminent threat but it seems unlikely. Did the captain stretch his orders a bity to get this done? I think that’s why the Obama admin is nervous about what to do with the 4th pirate. Being good liberals, I suspect they are embarrassed over the killing of the pirates.