As reports of more Somali pirate hijackings continue to increase, many former supporters of President Obama are now criticizing him, claiming that the deaths of three pirates on Obama's order has only caused them to multiply somehow.
Instead of using aggressive tactics to free the captain of the Maersk Alabama from Somali pirates, protesters say, non-violent solutions -- such as complementary boxes of chocolates, screenings of "Black Hawk Down", and free iPods for the pirates -- all could have circumvented the kind of military action used to retrieve the captain unharmed.
"Approving the use of force to free [Captain Richard Phillips] did nothing but put his life in greater danger," said Angela Squeamish, member of non-violent resistance community Pussy House. "It's a miracle that he survived, which must have been a total accident, because violence against armed aggressors fails at least 99% of the time."
"They got lucky with this one," she added ominously.
"I'm surprised and even a little disappointed that Captain Phillips wasn't at least a little roughed up in the scuffle, maybe taking a little bit of shrapnel to the skull to remind Americans that use of military force is never a good idea, no matter what," said Brett Forklift, editor of the Elm Student Newspaper of Washington College. "All Obama has done by agitating these pirates is to put in peril the lives of other captured sailors. He could have done the right thing and let Captain Phillips fend for himself since it was his fault anyway, but now sailors of all nations are in danger."
Forklift's co-editor said that the incident is "another example of American greed hurting everyone else."
Though conservatives also criticized President Obama's handling of the situation, most excitedly approved of the shooting itself. Some Republican pundits, however, faulted Obama for not using the pretext of Phillips' kidnapping to invade Somalia and establish a democracy in the heart of Africa.
"We give all the credit to the Navy SEALS for the flawlessly executed operation, but a little more support could have made real inroads to combating piracy on the high seas," said House Armed Services Committee member Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon (R-CA). "Obama refuses to commit the kind of action we need to putting an end to these criminal acts. We don't need to win over hearts and minds over here, for God's sake."
The conflicting ideologies do not appear to be reconciling any time soon; despite a healthy, rescued Captain Phillips, and President Obama not acting like a complete pussy, debate continues to rage over the handling of the rescue operation.
"Sure, I'm glad that Captain Crunch or whoever was saved, but I do damn those soldiers, those baby/pirate killers who would rather use violence than peace to resolve the situation," shouted student organizer Brenda Spineless in a recent interview at a protest, where she held a sign reading "Pirates: NO! Dead pirates: ALSO NO! And definitely: NO TEABAGGING!"
Recent ROTC recruit Greg Testosteroni countered her statement by calling the siege "fucking awesome!"
The termination of the pirates was initially harshly criticized, but millions reconsidered their position and resumed their illegal film and music downloads when they realized that those kind of pirates are still alive and well.
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89 comments:
I heard on the nightly news that the pirates have already taken another 4 ships today including 1 sailing under a U. S. flag. As exciting as yesterday's news may have seemed, it's simply a Band-Aid on a wound that requires surgery.
Of course these lowlifes were going to take other ships ... it's what they do to earn a living!
These pirates have no political agenda, they want money.
Thanks, Mr. President for letting our trained guys do their job and playing it cool. Welcome home to the Captain & crew!!
If this had happened under G.W. Bush, he would have jumped on the boat in a sailor suit and a Mission Accomplished banner.
The captured terrorist could be a problem for the President. What to do with him?
Since the CIA has had success with hitting high value terror targets in Somalia before, maybe this captured terrorist can provide some intel.
Of course, he should be interviewed with no harsh questioning or techniques. I applaud the Navy in this endeavor. i also applaud the President's decision to authorize the action. Well done.
These pirates should use the money they steal to go online and buy some more realistic, fashion conscious pirate costumes with a patch over one eye. Captain Hook and Jack Sparrow would understand.
don't forget to buy some kind of endangered bird for your shoulder.
this should tick off even more people.
A pirate walks into a bar with a parrot on his shoulder.
The bartender says: "That's pretty nice. Where'd you get him?"
and the parrot replies: "Somalia! They got hundreds of them over there!"
Swift, decisive, successful. Without boasting or arrogance our President completes the task and continues with business as usual. We've been too long without a REAL leader in the White House! 8 more years!
Outstanding job with an apparently unavoidable loss of the captors' lives. Sadly though, I imagine that all across our nation testosterone driven couch "soldiers" are drinking beers, high fiving each other and having "stimulating fantasy sessions" vicariously re-living the moment of truth!
Job well done on all sides I'd say.
Proud of our Navy and our President. WooT!
http://whatpercent.com/opinion/society/international/the-us-navy-rocks-our-government-is-the-best-obama-good-job-in-pirate-hostage-situation/157
Meanwhile back at the WH...we finally have a president we can be proud of!
OH, WOW! I stopped on the Fox channel just now and Hannity was spouting on about how the president didn't say anything during the incident and then raced to the cameras to try to "take credit" for it.
And he asked his guest, Bernie Goldberg, the guy who wrote " A Slobbering Love Affair: The True (and Pathetic) Story of the Torrid Romance Between Barack Obama and the Mainstream Media" to comment.
But Goldberg immediately and vehemently pointed out that it isn't fair to try to never give Obama credit for anything! He went on and on about it, and absolutely wouldn't go along with any of the garbage Hannity was trying to throw out! Hannity kept trying to get him to agree with at least one of his stupid points, but had no luck -
Goldberg even called the criticism "petty."
President Obama acted properly but the 'hero' labels should be reserved for Captain Phillips and the US Navy personnel who rescued him.
I think the petty criticism coming from the Right is just a response to the gushing praise being heaped on Obama by his fans.
Everyone should just step back and see this situation for what it was: Obama endorsed the policies of 1) no ransom or free passage, and 2) use of military action if necessary to save the hostage; and the Navy carried out the rescue mission with great skill under these general directives.
Credit is due to both, and the American people agree despite anything Hannity says.
But the petty criticism started long before the situation was over.
Hannity and Newt and Beck and the others placed a bet against Obama and by extension the Navy and they lost.
The gushing praise has as much to do with the right's criticism as it has to do with Obama's prudent actions.
This would have been a much smaller story for Obama had Hannity et al. kept their mouths shut until the crisis had resolved itself.
See, remarks like Hannity's are one of the several reasons mainstream Republicans are abandoning the GOP.
In truth, I'm baffled by the behavior of Hannity, Limbaugh, et. al. What can you hope to achieve when you're driving off a cliff, aside from taking a dedicated minority along?
Maybe we'll all get lucky and Hannity will try hijacking a ship too!
cheers America!!! story book ending!!! It feels good to be proud of America like on election day. Keep me proud Obama! I've had a long sad 8 years and am ready to be proud again!!! and again and again...
EVEN Republicans like Nicole Wallace admitted that this was a GREAT VICTORY for OBAMA...
What a wonderful ending to a traumatic experience!!
So impressive!
Obaman, Thanks, as well as the brave, competent, cool-headed SEALS!!!
I heard the Navy broadcast Rush Limbaugh to the pirates over loudspeakers. After 45 minutes, the pirates shot themselves!
Dick Cheney, sequestered in an undisclosed bunker location, has recommended the U.S. retaliate against the pirates by attacking Austria.
Left, Right, Dem, Rep, Vegan, Hunter, whomever...it was nice to see "OUR TEAM" (yes our team if you pay taxes) mack the half court shot at the buzzer. It's our tanks, ships, planes and soldiers no matter your political stance. It was good to see them shine while the world watched. It made me proud of a military action for the first time in a long time. Good call, "one shot one kill", no civilians harmed. No over kill or shock and awe, just a pure professional tactile move. I have not been so proud of my country since Nov. 4th. It feels good to have pride after 8 years of shame...
Rush Limbaugh was so beside himself yesterday he was sputtering and being embarrassingly "clever" about it all.
He had been praying for a "Jimmy Carter helicopter crashing in a dust storm" failed-rescue-ending to this.
Sorry, Rush, Obama isn't failing!
Wow! It was a two-pill day for Rush today too!
Shouldn't they have exhausted all diplomatic options first?
Now, this action will just breed hatred for the USA in the pirate world. (playing along with Dr. B.'s satire)
No really, the president handled the situation well. The Navy seals did their jobs like the pros they are.
And the captain is a hero as well.
I just hope they keep after these criminals.
THAT was cool! I think a real man is in charge now, and this espionage type stuff is low budget for our country and effective in dealing with this scum. Very well done. Very... well... done.
Great success for the American military and specifically the Navy. No civilian casualties = great success. Massive congratulates to Admiral Gortney!!!!
"Adm. William Gortney said that it took only three shots for Navy snipers to kill the trio of pirates holding captain Richard Phillips hostage on a lifeboat drifting on the high seas."
This kind of precision sharpshooting illustrates just how easily Saddam Hussein could have been quietly dealt with back in 1990 by Bush le père, thereby avoiding two senseless wars.
So true, but then his war machine selling buddies and all his rebuilding contractor buddies wouldn't have been able to make trillions of dollars either.
Exactly! But, then, Bush wouldn't be able to establish the strong-hold he has always wanted in the Middle East for his oil buddies. Faux Wars, but at the expense of the lives of over 4,500 and counting.
We should have been so lucky to find Saddam drifting in a lifeboat 200+ miles off the coastline. Agreed. Wars are senseless.
I think this incident will illustrate the differences between liberal and conservative America:
Even while some conservatives were praying our military would fail in the rescue so they could blame Obama, most are probably pretty satisfied with the result --- four dead Somalis --they only wish it were five. Heaven forbid we have to provide the 5th a fair trial.
Liberals, on the other hand, regret the loss of life, any life. And now that many liberals' eyes have been opened to what has drawn (forced?) these Somalis into a life of piracy, we will demand that our government look deeper, and try and understand the problem, even if we can't singlehandedly fix every problem in that part of the world.
We liberals know that a greedy corpotocracy is NOT good for the rest of the world, and hopefully some day we will reign in the corporations that plunder 3rd world countries of their natural resources and support corrupt regimes while the people suffer.
Then again, Jesus may return before THAT day comes.
Okay, I admit up front I don't know anything about this . . . but it would seem to me if you have a huge ship in the ocean, and a small boat coming along side, and pirates climbing up onto the big ship, there ought to be some way for the many sailors on the big ship to defend it, even without the big guns. What do they climb up with? It's not as if they were being "beamed up", why can't they be stopped from boarding? Enlightenment required.
Even if these larger ships see them coming on their radar they are to slow to evade them. Private tankers are not allowed to have weapons due to international laws and treaties. Pirates do not abide by any laws or treaties and therefore carry a variety of weapons.
Pirates have RPGs, which can seriously damage or sink a ship.
Teabaggers in paradise.
Thunder Island.
I Shot the pirate, but I did not shoot the captain.
These so-called pirates are merely the under paid, totally expendable tools of regional warlords.
They won't stop, even if we kill them, their warlords will find others to take their place.
The problem has to be addressed at its root.
I, for one, believe that it is up to the individual shipping companies to provide, and pay for, whatever security is needed to protect their cargo, crew and vessel.
If their sonar breaks, does the U.S. government pay to fix it?
No, at this point protection is the price of doing business, so I hope these shipping companies do not look to us to fund their security for their private enterprise.
International law forbids arming of these ships. Consider the ports with all the different countries represented in the shipping industry and all armed.
This is the problem that must be ironed out before this piracy can be stopped.
this was apparently the first American vessel seized by pirates. I find it ironic that, in southeast Asia, pirates have been attacking and killing ship crews for years and the only place I have ever seen an article was in National Geographic.
Welcome to the Monkey Sphere!
On another note, the ship's 2nd in command gave a press conference and stated it was the responsibility of the U.S. Government and President Obama to end the pirate threat in the future. That is ridiculous. These are privately owned corporate ships and they need to take the necessary steps to protect their vessels, crew and cargo. Otherwise, it's just another example of government being responsible for private enterprise, which it is not.
I think this piracy goes beyond just corporate enterprise - private vessels have been taken, too. This is an international problem, and it does need to be dealt with post haste. Seems like taking out the leaders would be a good idea, for starters. Thank you President Obama and military for protecting Americans being confronted with another form of terrorism!
That does it, time for a Pirates Union.
Every time Maersk has to pay these damn ransoms, the price of my custom-fit underwear from China goes up by 3 or 4 cents. I hate that.
I've got the solution.....
All the pirates have to do is claim they're seizing ships as part of a Tea Party protest against taxes on US citizens then the GOP and Fox will immediately throw their support behind them.
You've nailed the psychology of many rethugs....
Glenn Beck:
"I love the Somali Tea Party Freedom Fighters..." (sob)
"...and..." (weeping openly) ...
"I fear for them...!"
maybe this time he'll pour real gas on himself in protest.
good one!
I think that you mean a "Tea Bag Party."
If this escalates violence in the area -- fine. Look, these people have turned to piracy because they feel safe and its big easy money. So, if piracy is suddenly dangerous, deadly, and likely to end badly, I promise you'll have a whole lot fewer pirates.
That said, the world community needs to acknowledge the conditions that led these fishermen to turn to piracy, and do what they can to alleviate them.
But no economic conditions justify pointing AK-47's at an American citizen. And the American gov't can and will respond appropriately. Nice job, SEALS.
Exactly. What was done needed to be done, but outcome of this incident is no cause for gloating. It's like a disease: we've treated the symptom and we need to keep treating the cause.
Well said. And no economic conditions should allow Americans to point AK47s at Americans, either.
Maybe the Tea Baggers during their Tea Parties can hold a candlelight moment of silence and prayer for the "Somali Tea Bag Freedom Fighters," the far right's newest ally. (rolleyes)
They attempted to hijack a massive commercial vessel using assault rifles, pistols and grenade launchers.
Do Republicans REALLY want to be pro-pirate now? That's an...interesting...strategy.
Piracy is part of their 'free market' ideology.
this is what happens when you deregulate piracy in a free market.
I find it LOL HILARIOUS how today Republicans are the party of accommodation and gentle negotiation with terrorists. Who are the appeasers now?
Obama authorized the 100% CORRECT response to the situation, and the US Navy did their jobs perfectly. No debate.
The far right creatures in the MSM blamed Obama for this from the get-go and screamed for blood, hoping and praying he would fail.
Well, he handled the mission perfectly.
The Somali pirate situation started under Bush's watch. Two incidents in 2004, 35 in 2005 and two attacks happened in 2006. Another mess Bush and Cheney left for Obama to clean up.
Should we tell the DEA not to go after drug lords because we're afraid of "war" with them? How about other organized crime or street gangs, many of whom are "kids"?
Although I sympathize with their desperate plight, these are armed criminals who know what they are doing, threatened and displayed force, and they were given opportunities to surrender.
Obama did what any POTUS should have done, and the SEALs did a great job. In fact, I think this will serve as a deterrent to other pirates considering attacking another ship under the US flag.
They will think twice, understanding that the risks are higher than they had thought, that they can't count on an easy payday of high ransoms, and knowing that the US has the policy, determination, and capabilities to thwart crimes on the high seas.
Hopefully, under this administration, the world will see that we don't seek trouble, but we don't put up with it, either.
Obama made the directive and as a result three pirates were eliminated and the hostage is freed. Thanks to the commander-in-chief and our brave military, this situation was handled perfectly and ended up favorably. I don't think the pirates are smart enough to avoid American vessels in the future, but hopefully they will think twice.
Here’s how desperate Republicans are to find a winning issue: conservatives from Newt Gingrich to Glenn Beck to the rest of Fox News all bet against the Obama administration’s ability to rescue Richard Phillips, the American ship captain who was taken hostage by Somali pirates last Wednesday.
They must have thought that a tragic ending to the crisis would have been a political opportunity, so they pre-positioned themselves to take full advantage. Except their plan went up in smoke when Navy SEALs — acting on orders from President Obama — rescued the captain, killing three pirates in the process.
The loons will certainly deny that they ever made a political bet against the U.S., but they can’t run from the video proof:
http://www.dailykostv.com/w/001151/
Thank you GOP drones for making fools out of yourselves again! For a week they whined 'Obama is spineless' while the proper assets were brought on site and positioned.
Then when the move was successfully made they immediately switched to 'Obama had nothing to do with it', ignoring the fact that Obama as Commander In Chief authorized the use of deadly force. Their whining is so transparently stupid it's laughable.
As predictable as the sunrise.
Like headless chickens!
Like sweat rolling off their teabags.
Now the world knows we elected one tough guy!
Everyone in the world except -- republicans
Daniel Pearl.....what did Bush do?........nothing
other reporters and or other Americans that had gotten captured, what did Bush do...NOTHING!!
Bush took our eyes off of Osama bin Laden and Al-Qaida the real threat, and went on chasing after Saddam over NOTHING!!
Obama correctly helped a lone American Captain Phillips and guess what...MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!
you rock Obama and the Navy SEALS!!!
If Bush had been in charge, he would've ordered Blackwater mercenaries to take over another oil field.
"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we."
gwb, Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004
Bush would have invaded the Congo
No strutting. No bluster. No "dead or alive". No "mission accomplished".
Thank God we have a real man in the presidency, rather than a serial failure infant whose only life purpose was to show up his dad.
Better days are ahead.
Since the operation was authorized by Obama, we can be sure Rush wanted it to fail.
Yes. Just like he wants US unemployment to rise, industry to fail, corruption to increase, more community disruption, more violence - he wants more of all of that. It's a different phase of "operation chaos". He wants Obama to demonstrate that his strategy for healing the country is the wrong one - yet ignores the evidence that the strategy followed by the supply-siders and the free marketeers - that he cheered on - was a demonstrated to be a failure. He is not at all helpful or civil, and he's not sociable, except in a sociopathic kind of way, in my opinion.
Will rush be saying Barack was too hard on the bad guys? I bet rush will say they got rights also; repubs take any crap postion and run with it!
bet your sweet ass rush and all the MSM rethugs were rooting for Obama to fail! that won't change for the next eight years.
leave it to a right to follow the smallest of shiny objects....Our President just quietly and with conviction changed the game on piracy. But rather than admit it, the repubs will chase chase chase the laser light pen just like a simple cat.
Poverty is not an excuse for piracy. Just like losing employment is not an excuse to kidnap company managers.
Only in GOP land do the comments of a half dozen people represent 'everybody'. Typical GOP lie.
And very amazed by Captain Phillips. He should be given some sort of medal. He negotiated with the hijackers to be taken in the place of his crew members. He escaped TWICE while his captors held automatic weapons on him. And he came out of all of this physically well.
You just don't find many people that brave.
He went "all in" when he gave himself for his crew and ship and won the jackpot. I'd hate to play poker against him.
Kudos to the Navy, the Captain, the crew, and President Obama. What a great ending to this story. Do not mess with the US or this will happen to you.
On my way to work this morning I thought I would listen to the Right Wing Radio to hear their take on the Situation. A guy named Mike Gallager essentially praised Obama's handling of the situation and said he will scorn anyone who says otherwise. Thought that was interesting.
This would have been a much smaller story had the right not ran their mouths off. If Rush and Hannity had just said "I'm sure the navy has this in hand" this would have been a 2-3 day story. Maybe the captain gets a book deal and Obama would get a minor bump.
But the wingnuts cannot wait for Obama to fail at something. Anything.
So they made a foo1ish decision and bet against Obama and the U.S. navy secretly hoping the captain would be killed or that Obama would pay the ransom so they could gloat.
So how's that workin' for ya?
Now they cannot say that Obama does not deserve the credit since they were all about Obama being at fault before the crisis even ended.
Another EPIC FAIL by the leaders of the GOP. (Rush, Hannity, Newt and Fox news)
Agreed. This would have been a much smaller story had the conservatives kept their mouths shut until the situation was resolved. Instead they bet against Obama and the U.S. Navy, and they lost big time.
NAIROBI, KENYA - Somali pirates today voted in a secret ballot to organize under a labor union agreement and enter into collective bargaining negotiations with the Somali warlords.
Representatives for the pirates say the recent outbreak of on-the-job deaths left the group no choice but to organize and demand a safer workplace and higher pay.
Officials in the warlord's pirating headquarters could not be reached for comment.
"We do all the work and take all the risks, but it's the fat cats back in Mogadishu that are cashing the big checks." said Timiri al-Haribiti, a skiff driver and grappling hook thrower speaking through a translator. "We just want our fair share."
Union organizers say higher pay is merely the beginning of their demands. "It's clear that we need better escape boats," said former AFL-CIO executive Martin Sweeny, who helped the pirates to organize at the urging of actor Johnny Depp. "We could use some body armor, too."
The new union, the International Brotherhood of Maritime Vessel Abductors, will structure itself as a trade union, establishing apprenticeship programs, providing journeymen for other trades and defining strict job description parameters to specialize skills.
"Whether we need to secure a rope ladder, or tape up some hostages, we'll have a well-trained man ready to do the job." said Sweeny.
- Dr. B. -
ROFL
LOL Priceless
Glad I checked back here!
you rule, doc.
exactly! funny stuff
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