[COBOL2Java]

Before I join in the knee-jerking, I want to know if they were killed during a rescue operation. “Negotiations” sounds like there might have been something else going on..

If the Americans were killed during negotiations, then Obama will say our negotiators acted "stupidly".

Has Obama already claimed he "inherited" this pirate problem?

[libertarian27]

The article is somewhat vague - and developing -and may change.

U.S. forces responded to gunfire aboard the yacht Quest at approximately 1 a.m. Tuesday, but discovered all four hostages had been shot by their captors. Despite steps to provide life-saving care, all four hostages died of their wounds.

Then this

The yacht Quest was hijacked on Friday off the coast of Oman and U.S. forces had been closely monitoring the vessel.

So what does closely monitoring mean?
US forces didn't approach until they heard gunfire? - that apparently didn't emit from some of their guns?