The Pirate Situation, Captain Richard Phillips, The Obama Administration

The captain of the Alabama, Richard Phillips, and American taken hostage off the coast of Somalia by 4 pirates in a 40 ft. lifeboat, made a brave attempt to escape and swim too a US Navy vessel a couple hundred yards away. Around midnight, he jumped in the ocean and started swimming toward the vessel. Moments later, a few shots were fired by the pirates, one jumped in after hm and he was brought back into the pirates boat. Heres my question: Why did the Navy ship not fire on the pirate boat the second the Captain Phillips jumped off the boat? Why were there no snipers with nightvision that attempted to take out the pirate who went after him. The answer is because President Obama wanted no loss of life. Does he value the life of these thugs more than the life of one of our own? The US military has the resources to have not allowed the situation to get to this point but because of some cronies in Washington are so worried about keeping international "peace", this hero didnt have the proper backing of the his government. We let him down. I pray he is released. The US had to send a message that we are not to be f@cked with and we failed to do so. 4 thugs on a small boat are up against the US military and are dictating the situation. That, Mr. Obama, is what damages how the world looks at us, and how other pirates and terrorists see us.

I'm still yearning for some payback from 93'.They really have to nip this in the bud and understand that precedences are being set for every hour this continues.Sorry,I just dont have a lot of mercy for these f!!!!krs commandeering and taking citizens hostage on a ship flying national colors...be it the U.S,Germany,England etc.One things for absolute certainy....they can not pay them a dime and they most assuredly can not allow them to take Phillips back onto land.

I cannot lay this at the feet of the President really,Dont know all of the details and what he knows.Its going to take some coordination and planning to get this resolved with the Hostage intact.I think the Destroyer will play a roll in that,but not with the firepower,more so what it offloads into the water on a moonless night maybe in conjunction with some single sighted scope delivery.They really have to get this shit under control and fast.And get some damn escorts on the ships on a regular basis.You have to be realistic and these 'Pirates' have clearly chosen to elevate the circumstances and aggression on all in the area.Lets not deprive them of a response.

My understanding is that SOCOM has had these guys pegged and been waiting for a green light to hit them where they sleep for some time. But yeah I too was wondering why they didn't attack the boat once he dove in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRrXrGg292w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ii_c3B5AasI


How very brave this administration is, surely Bin Laden wouldn't mess with us now after this showing of force and decision making :rolleyes:

And yet Democrats still wonder "Why do we get accused of being soft on National Defense?"....I'm sure Obama is going to appologize to the Somali pirates and everything will be ok after that, maybe they just want a photo-op with Barry, I mean the guy is a bona fide celebrity. Fucking ridiculous....but hey at least we look good to the rest of the world :-\

Spicoli, the president is the commander in chief, yes we can lay it at his feet. He should have to answer on his failure to use military force when an oppotunity presented itself. He should have never put out a statement that he wanted the situation resolved with no loss of life. That tells me that he equates a Somali pirates life with an American heros.

The damage has already been done reguardless of the outcome as far as America showing weakness. The second the captain jumped, im sure he thought he would have reinforcement from his fellow countrymen. They should have unloaded on that boat. They should have lit it up. Pirates were never brave enough to even attempt hijacking a US ship, that is until our peacemaker, no violence president took office. I cant help but think that if it was Bush who was still in office it wouldnt have happened, and if it did those pirates would be at the bottom of the ocean right now. Its scary to think how a large scale terrorist attack would be dealt with by this administration of cowards.

While I do agree with the majority of your post, I do not agree with what you said about the Pirates not being brave enough to take one of our ships....I think those guys just pick and chose which ships they are going to take regardless of what country they are from.

I doubt very seriously that the Bush Administration as inept as people thought/think they were would have taken this long to act. That Captain is a hero, no doubt...and he needs to be brought home safely.

The French Navy just made a rescue of some French hostages that were being held by Somali Pirates and they lost only 1 hostage....but they did capture 3 pirates, who need to be hanged of course.

I agree with you Lyle that it needs to hanled very carefully, cause we dont want it to end up like the French rescue effort. Your right about that. But, like I said, I really believe we had our chance and completely blew it. Now, the longer this goes on the worse it gets. Not only is the US up against the lifeboat, but were trying to keep other pirate ships from coming to its aid. Not to mention, the other hundreds of hostages from other countries that their fellow pirates can used as collateral. It would not have come to this if it was handled differently.

Of course...I think eventually the ships that travel around Somalia and even in the Indian Ocean are going to have to employ armed personnel to insure the safe transport of cargo and passengers.

Obama and his staff have really dropped the ball here...and taking funding away from creating new vehicles for our armed forces might hurt our ability to deal with this issue in the future.

Its scary really, hes weakening our core which has always been our military during a time that our country is most vulnerable. And hes talking about dismantling all the worlds nukes and how the US will be the first to do so. I peaceful world without weapons and wars is a plesant thing to dream about but a scary goal to try to achieve in reality. If history has taught us anything its that the country with the strongest military is the country that thrives.

Obama is just confirming all the stereotypes of liberalism.

• Tax and Spend like there is no tomorrow
• Weak on National Defense
• Blame America First
• Demonize the wealthy
• Put all American Citizens into little minority groups so they can't/won't band together against Democrat leadership

Why should America be bothered with how we are thought of around the world??? Has it ever changed??? NEWSFLASH Obama, you cannot make everybody happy all the time and trying to do so will destroy our country.

Amen to that. I couldnt have said it better myself :)

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Originally Posted by BoomBoom

Spicoli, the president is the commander in chief, yes we can lay it at his feet. He should have to answer on his failure to use military force when an oppotunity presented itself. He should have never put out a statement that he wanted the situation resolved with no loss of life. That tells me that he equates a Somali pirates life with an American heros.

The damage has already been done reguardless of the outcome as far as America showing weakness. The second the captain jumped, im sure he thought he would have reinforcement from his fellow countrymen. They should have unloaded on that boat. They should have lit it up. Pirates were never brave enough to even attempt hijacking a US ship, that is until our peacemaker, no violence president took office. I cant help but think that if it was Bush who was still in office it wouldnt have happened, and if it did those pirates would be at the bottom of the ocean right now. Its scary to think how a large scale terrorist attack would be dealt with by this administration of cowards.

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I hear you Boom but I'm not coming at this from a pro or con dem or republican...they can all get bent as far as I'm concerned.History is littered with Presidents and bureaucrats hampering and impeding the judgment of the boots on the ground and the ones dealing with it in actuality as opposed to politicos behind a desk,mugging for the camera.Clinton,and the congress for that matter when it came to Somalia in 93'.That was a farcical and total disgrace with the U.N playing lead,they should all hang there heads in shame.Bush administration &that mental midget Donald Rumsfield unwilling to take the gloves off in the very early stages in Afghanistan.Jimmy Carter and his stutter stepping with the Embassy hostages in Iran.Reaganand the Marine Barracks in Beirut.Unfortuanatly,poll numbers and public opinion often trump just cause.

Totally agree that these f!!!!kers should be feeding the fish right now but its just not that open and shut about striking when the Hostage jumped into the water.I am not sure about the communications but am sure the Captain did not have a chance to give the Destroyer a warning.We're talking a matter of yards between he and the pirates and a spontaneous attempt done in an instant.Even if its sighted,they could have just as easily blown the hostage to shite with the Phalanx or other systems.We dont need a dead hostage.The Military is so over regulated and hand cuffed,no crew in a hostage situation is on a fire at wiil status with heavy ordinace involved,ecspecially with the world watching.Is it right...hell no,it gets soldiers killed and lets the opposition pull the strings.Again...there is NO way they can let them reach shore,I think this will be done at close quarters,at night and quickly.Hope it all ends well with he and other hostages intact and this raggedy lot of thugs taking a permanent saltwater nap.

Its equally incumbent on all nations effected to ensure proper escorts to avoid some criminals in patched together rafts and AK's from bringing commerce and security to a screethcing halt.

I know what ur saying Spicoli and I can agree with most of it, but The navy ship should have had a scope on the lifeboat every second of every minute, because it should be assumed that a person like the captain would take any opportunity to try and escape. And I assume they were watching it very closely. A rocket might not have been the answer, but snipers could have taken out the pirate who jumped in after him and then they could have put so many holes in that boat till everyone on it would be presumed dead. Navy seals could have been under the boat to assist him too. Im not a military strategist, but there were things that could have been done, I dont blame the military, as I do believe that the were acting on an executive order not to kill. The white house made it clear that their priority was NO loss of life. Thats my problem. Instead, now we are negotiating with terorrists and giving value to these thugs life. The second they decided to hijack an Amerian ship and take a hostage, their lives lost all value whatsoever and keeping them alive should not be of any importance. Captain Phillips is the only life of value on that boat.

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Originally Posted by Spicoli surfs 'Nawlins

Its equally incumbent on all nations effected to ensure proper escorts to avoid some criminals in patched together rafts and AK's from bringing commerce and security to a screethcing halt.

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It is a bit more complicated than that...they might not be exceptionally wealthy but they have RPGs, machine guns, fast boats, advanced radar systems....you know everything a mercinary can dream of they can afford because they can either pick off shipments of the stuff or they can buy it at relatively low prices.

It is hard for the bigger ships to out manuver the smaller faster ships....pirates waaay back in the day used dugouts and had rowers and guys with muskets and they would take over big ships, nothing has really changed here. If the navies of Europe and America had smaller vessles equiped like the old PT boats patrolling these trading lanes then the pirates would be overmatched

This is almost what we need.....maybe a little bit bigger

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caYjQDmplKA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7Bctymq4bE

DAILY NATION- Military officials urge Obama to hit Somali militia

This pretty much sums up how I feel about it.... The lifeboat is now only 20 miles from land. If it makes land, then there better be american soldiers waiting. Also, it needs to be pointed out that there are Al Quieda operatives in Somalia that got training in southern Somalia, just north of Kenya. The situation is a lot bigger than at sea and our military should be given the green light to do what is necessary.

I watched those guys absolutely lay waste to a river bank north of Baghdad last year...Next to calling in strikes from A10 it was one of the most jaw dropping things I've have ever been apart of in the Army.

Great stuff. Yep,apparently the SEALS went in at night and took them out.He is free.What an Easter for his family.Im betting hence forth that Piracy will be met with the gloves off.Sounds like this was well thought out.Still dont know all the facts.

Seeing as some of you guys used this right wing propaganda stuff to blame your president for not getting this taken care of (which is hilariious, btw), now you can thank your president for making one of the only ever rescues without paying off the pirates.

Happy Easter. :)

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Originally Posted by Youngblood

Seeing as some of you guys used this right wing propaganda stuff to blame your president for not getting this taken care of (which is hilariious, btw), now you can thank your president for making one of the only ever rescues without paying off the pirates.

Happy Easter. :)

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....Youngblood, I'm happy that you (someone who is too young to vote, who lives outside the US, and made such a big deal about Obama during the election like it would affect you) are pleased with the Obama Administration's slow actions in this situation....I am sure Obama will be pleased that you (a Canadian) have his back....it's nice that Obama seems to care more about what foreigners suchas yourself think instead of people in the country that elected him, and we're pleased as citizens represented by Obama that he can take time out of his speeches to talk shit about our country when we're at war and when situations like this arise.

Obama didn't use the freaking media whom he is so fond of to help out in this situation. He didn't make a speech, he didn't demand swift action, he didn't act like a leader....he didn't even answer questions about the pirates.....that's not leadership and although I am happy that the Captain (a man who acted like a true leader) is safe, I am unhappy with how long it took to free this guy from 4 pirates in a small boat that was out of gas.

Youngblood, it's not JUST about the pirate situation....if these bums are testing their boundries with us and the Chinese/North Koreans are doing the same and Obama isn't acting in a swift decisive manner then as a citizen you kind of worry about what is going to happen next.

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Originally Posted by Lyle

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Originally Posted by Youngblood

Seeing as some of you guys used this right wing propaganda stuff to blame your president for not getting this taken care of (which is hilariious, btw), now you can thank your president for making one of the only ever rescues without paying off the pirates.

Happy Easter. :)

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....Youngblood, I'm happy that you (someone who is too young to vote, who lives outside the US, and made such a big deal about Obama during the election like it would affect you) are pleased with the Obama Administration's slow actions in this situation....I am sure Obama will be pleased that you (a Canadian) have his back....it's nice that Obama seems to care more about what foreigners suchas yourself think instead of people in the country that elected him, and we're pleased as citizens represented by Obama that he can take time out of his speeches to talk shit about our country when we're at war and when situations like this arise.

Obama didn't use the freaking media whom he is so fond of to help out in this situation. He didn't make a speech, he didn't demand swift action, he didn't act like a leader....he didn't even answer questions about the pirates.....that's not leadership and although I am happy that the Captain (a man who acted like a true leader) is safe, I am unhappy with how long it took to free this guy from 4 pirates in a small boat that was out of gas.

Youngblood, it's not JUST about the pirate situation....if these bums are testing their boundries with us and the Chinese/North Koreans are doing the same and Obama isn't acting in a swift decisive manner then as a citizen you kind of worry about what is going to happen next.

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So I guess that means you aren't going to thank him? :p

It was ridiculous for you guys to make it sound like Obama was on the phone the first time the captain jumped off, saying..."Wait guys, don't fire...I got policy on this!" Is like none of you even considered that maybe the people there on the scene were doing everything they could to keep the man alive and have a safe rescue.

It doesn't take much insight to see what sort uses a situation like this to promote their agenda politically. But seeing as ya all felt the need to, well atleast don't be uber hypocrites and now thank him.

Myself, I'll extend congrats to the men personally involved, the Navy guys, the captain, negotiators etc. I won't thank Obama because I never tried to in some deluded way think he was in any responsible.

Is there a situation with pirates? Yes, there is. Is it new? Not at all. Is there a situation with Korea? Yes there. Is it new? Not at all.

But hey, he has already done more with that situation in the seas then your republicans ever did by your logic (which is not at all logical). And he wouldn't have to do much more to do more then the repubs did concerning Korea. Maybe give the guy a few years...see what shakes out. I mean, seriously. He might need alittle time, he's currently having to clean up your parties complete fookin mess it left of the country, he's kinda a busy guy.

Great news that he is free and unharmed. Couldnt be happier for him and his family. Let me explain something youngblood. This was a good ending, it could have easily gone bad though. The captain managed to jump from the ship again, this time action as taken. I thank the Navy, not Obama. Hes sitting in in a comfy chair or playing with his new puppy on capitol hill. Right wing, left wing, republican, democrat, that sh@t means absolutely nothing to me. All I care about is right and wrong and the priorities of the country, especially during hard times like this when we are most vulnerable and the whle world is watching. Trust me, I want more than anything for Obama to do good for this country. But, why should I or anyone else praise him for something that he doesnt deserve praise for? Now that this one thing has been taken care of, lets see how he acts on the ongoing situation over there.

I think you missed the point BoomBoom. You started this thread blaming Obama for them not firing the first time the captain jumped out and made a swim for it. Like seriously...are you kidding me?

So to assign that sort of responsibility to him, as you did, as Lyle and others with political agendas tend to do, then you must also assign him the responsibility for the outcome with that rationale. And seeing it was a positive outcome, yes, if you are going to assume him one way, then you should assume the other.

And of course no one with any use of unbiased logic and reason would do that, and consider that maybe it was the people in place at the scene who were handling it to the best of their abilities. Hoping for a good outcome. Not using it as a platform to blame the president. :shakehead:

I think the presidents administration putting out a statement that we wanted to resolve the situation with no violence or loss of life was wrong. He didnt even come out himself with a statement of adress. One, because he didnt know how to react of what to do, or two because it wasnt his priority at the moment. Point is, he didnt show leadership an instead made us look weak by his absence and lack of immediate action. And please, dont talk to me about me having a political agenda and using this situation as an excuse to put blame on the president. Thats low of you to even insinuate. Im just gonna brush that one off and take it as a mistake on your part, because I like ya Youngblood ;) you generally seem like a good dude. But its not as black and white as your making it out to be though, and the problems go far beyond the coast of Somali.

So Youngblood, you don't think President hand any say in the situation? You don't think the COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF had any say in a situation that involved a US Citizen and US Armed Forces?

It isn't about agenda it's about what's more important housing or someone's life?!?!?!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRrXrGg292w
....what are the true priorities of this administration, because bviously it's not our safety/security.

But I guess we can give him a pass, we gave him a pass for talking shit about the country that elected him, we gave him a pass for not responding in any meaningful way to North Korea, and we should give him a pass on this.....let's just wait it out and hopefully Barry's "Cover for me" attitude will fix all that is wrong with the world.....after all he's just sooooo cool, I mean we've got a celebrity as President who's telling foreign people that America as a whole is arrogant and therefore Americans are arrogant and if Barry can take the people of America down a peg then everyone else should have a go too.

Obama has the stage set to pick America up when we're down and what does he do Youngblood???? Does he inspire us??? Does he tell us "We have nothing to fear but fear itself", does he tell us we are the "One shining city on a hill".....no he demeans us and puts us down outside of our country. Is that leadership to you?

Youngblood, Bob Hope said it best...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqhh6Ebr9nQ

Republicans talking out of their asses, shocking :rolleyes:

Youngblood I agree with you on this one.


I am not impressed with Obama at all but this wasn't handled wrong.

And I'll in turn brush off your assumptions that the president was responsible for them not firing, and give you credit for having the good sense to realize it was likely the situation that dictated what happened and when. You directly said, and I quote, "Why did the Navy ship not fire on the pirate boat the second the Captain Phillips jumped off the boat? Why were there no snipers with nightvision that attempted to take out the pirate who went after him. The answer is because President Obama wanted no loss of life. Does he value the life of these thugs more than the life of one of our own?"

So you are insinuating the president values the life of Somalian pirates over his own countryman taken hostage, as president, and think it is silly to draw conclusions based on that?

Of course he didn't want loss of life, but did you consider maybe it was the loss of the captain he most feared? Nope, you assumed it was the pirates. How could anyone think he might be trying to save the pirates lives and be risking his own countryman for it. I know agenda when I smell it. ;)

And I like you too BoomBoom, but don't agree with you here. It was a right wing spin on a bad situation that you bought into. No surprise at all Lyle took the leap either.

Now that the situation is over and turned out well, well yes, debate policy along the Somalian Coast, I agree it needs to be looked at, intervention should happen, force, w'e is required. And blame the real people responsibile, the pirates, and thank the real heros, the Navy, the captain, all others there doing all they could.

So yea. That. :)

And Lyle, c'mon, how can I take anything you say in regards to politics seriously? Don't make like you've never pleasured yourself in the parking lot of a Piggly Wiggly whilst listening to Rush Limbaugh on the radio talk of hoping the president fails. :p

Anyway, this concludes the youngblood clarity hour on the politics of spin. Always glad to help.

The result was great...but the response wasn't so hot. "Guys we're talking about housing right now" doesn't inspire or instill confidence in his leadership.

And all due respect it ain't just Obama, Hillary Clinton laughing about the situation was tacky and in very poor taste.

I will admit that my initial post did jump from one thing to another and, yes, i could have taken a more cautious stance because the story was still unraveling and there were some unknown factors. This incident struck a nerve with me though and that is how I felt. I think I clarified myself in the next few posts thought. Again, I stand by what I said, but yes I could have worded myself better.

For the record, as far as making assumtions, you assume I am a Republican. I am not. Nor am I a Democrat. I look at each individual issue and make a judgement based on that, not because it is popular with a political party. Im a lower class guy myself in a democratic state. I take stances on things based on personal judgement, not political parties.

And for the record Youngblood, although I dont agree with you, if your really only 14 years old im f@ckin blown away. Yo got a bright future dude, maybe not in American politics ;D....but I respect your opinion and articulation. Now get ya @ss back to boxing talk :)

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Originally Posted by BoomBoom

I will admit that my initial post did jump from one thing to another and, yes, i could have taken a more cautious stance because the story was still unraveling and there were some unknown factors. This incident struck a nerve with me though and that is how I felt. I think I clarified myself in the next few posts thought. Again, I stand by what I said, but yes I could have worded myself better.

For the record, as far as making assumtions, you assume I am a Republican. I am not. Nor am I a Democrat. I look at each individual issue and make a judgement based on that, not because it is popular with a political party. Im a lower class guy myself in a democratic state. I take stances on things based on personal judgement, not political parties.

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Well that's cool BoomBoom, and I don't judge based on a party preference, but the spin that often surrounds it. I'm not suggesting that it is only one party doing, as it is part and parcel to politics, period. I just tend to side more with the Dems and their ideology.

So you are an independant then? And not to clump all independants into a group, for I don't think they are...but what do you think of Lou Dobbs? I'd like to punch that guy right in the face! ;D

They should enforce like a marshall law in somalian seas for atleast 1 year.

Got to say,sound like all involved got this one right from top to bottom ,especially the Navy personnel and the Hostage from jump off.They allowed themselves to be towed ??? Unbelievable,the proverbial lesson in watching the left hand when your shaking the right.

Look,whatever your politics,personally I'm neither lol.Have voted Democrat and republican...State and National.The President did what he should have and for that matter any political leader should have.Stayed versed behind the scenes and shut up in public as not to make it about himself one way or the other,took the cuffs off of the Military officials on sight and like the rest of us waited.I'm not saying he is a superstar here,but on this one, there really is no fault to find Imo.The bigger issue comes down th Somalia,thats a whole nother bull in the china shop it seems.

I honestly dont follow the independent party or any of them and believe it or not im actually a registered democrat though i dont vote based on that. almost all the news figures on Fox News or CNN are pretty bias imo. Even with this whole pirate thing, the truth is we only know what they tell us.


Yeah Killa, I agree with you, these boats need escorts and more support. It has always been a tough task to apply certain laws to international waters. Its pretty crazy when you think about it most of the world is covered by lawless oceans.