The conclusion was stunning: U.S. Navy SEALs, on choppy seas, fired three clean shots to kill three Somali captors of an American cargo-ship captain -- ending a days-long standoff between the United States and ruthless pirates off the Horn of Africa.
Acts of piracy in that part of the world too often end much differently -- the captured ships' home countries typically cave in to the seagoing terrorists by paying ransoms for the hostages' release.
But it didn't end that way Sunday, in what was a huge foreign-policy test for the young Obama administration. And the administration passed -- but barely. The new president wants the rest of the world to love America, but he shouldn't have to wait on the consensus of the rest of the world before acting in a crisis. The United States let the incident boil for too long.
But the government should be commended for finally making the right decision of disregarding capitulation and instead relying on the U.S. military, which executed its mission outstandingly in the Indian Ocean this past weekend to recover the container ship Maersk Alabama.
And Capt. Richard Phillips clearly comported himself as a hero -- giving himself up as a hostage in a lifeboat to help protect his crew onboard ship. His bravery should be commended and rewarded.
Incidents such as this serve as a reminder that U.S. military might brings order to the world -- a good order. This is clearly a case in which government carried out its constitutionally charged mission of providing "for the common defense" -- a life-saving service.
Of course, that fact doesn't stop liberals from bemoaning America's current role as the planet's lone superpower.
Consider film director Ron Howard, appearing recently on HBO's Real Time with Bill Maher : In his self-professed optimism about our country's future, Howard said he dreams of an America that is no longer "so consumed with being the pre-eminent super-power and, you know, driven by sort of militarism and this need to export, you know, democracy."
You know, Howard apparently didn't have much to say about the oppressed people around the world who are craving to import democracy into their countries. Somalians might like a heaping helping of that right about now. But it's the political chaos in places such as Somalia that allows a thriving environment for piracy.
And lest anyone further wring their hands over the recurring U.S. role as global policeman, consider the alternative: having that power vacuum filled by Russia or China.
As recently as last week, these two countries gave their tacit approval to rogue North Korea to launch a missile in defiance of a United Nations resolution. Should countries who stand with the likes of North Korea be relied upon to foster freedom and peace in the world? Of course not.
The United States, on the other hand, has fired a quite literal shot across the bow of pirates. Plundering the world's shipping will not and should not be tolerated.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2010 Morris Communications, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
I would remind the ACES of the old saying that would certainly apply to their macho sword rattling statement concerning the termination of the hostage crisis, by charging that "The United States let the incident boil for too long." It cautions that, "Fools rush in where angels fear to tread." As to the rescue, Obama gave the order to resolve the problem and his officers chose the appropriate time to carry out that order; and they did so in an exemplary manner. They were not the "rushing fools" the ACES would have them be. Finally, I'm waiting to HEAR from the folks in those foreign countries (which ones?) that are "...the oppressed people around the world who are CRAVING (emphasis mine) to import democracy into their countries." I would propose that American Democracy, as such, may just not be the democracy those foreign countries wish to import. GGpap
GGpap - "Ordering" a rescue and "Authorizing" ROE that includes the use of deadly force if the Captain's life is in imminent danger are two different things.
PTHS, Yep; but "to resolve the problem," also includes the use of deadly force. "Resolve" is the operative word here. GGpap
I thought the Administration did well, The drama at sea was "crude, but effective". The new Administration didn't waste any time posturing and making empty promises to "smoke out" and "hunt down" the bad guys. They didn't raise the Terror Alert level to orange or blue or red, they simply went in and took care of business. That's exactly the change that the American people wanted. President Obama is keeping Americans safe. What more could the Augusta Chronicle ask for? There was no failure here.
Homeland security no longer exists, fred. The completion of the pirate incident was very "Bush like", action where action was needed.(no change) While the administration took no position until the incident was over ("we're talking mortgages now" was Obama's only response before the end of the incident) I'm glad to see Obama didn't follow the previous Carter administration practice and let things drag out until someone more competent was elected. I did notice Obama took full credit for the military action. I wonder if he'll continue to cut the military budget.
I applaud the President for making the right decision......It was a no brainer though.
Somali pirates are hardly "ruthless". In fact they have been called "gentle pirates" because they have never killed any hostages except in one disputed incident. Driven by economic desperation the Somali pirates are after ransom not blood. By no means am I condoning piracy, but until the chaos in Somali is resolved piracy will continue. 3 more vessels have been seized since the U.S. "took out" the 3 pirates two days ago. I question whether Captain Phillips' life was truly in danger. The situation could have been resolved without bloodshed in two ways. The first would be to pay the ransom for Phillips' release. The second would be to allow the pirates to escape in exchange for releasing Phillips. The U.S. Navy refused the second option. That, in my opinion, did more to escalate the pirates' anxiety than anything else. Remember that more than 200 people are being held hostage by Somali pirates because the shipping owners refuse or cannot pay the ransom demanded. The pirates have sworn to retaliate for the killing of their 3 comrades. The American Captain's life is not worth the lives of 3 hostages. Those who praise Obama's decision should realize there may yet be collateral damage.
There's the 4th pirate situation now. Will he be brought back here and released because he didn't commit any illegal action on U.S. soil? Or will he be sent to a federal prison for not committing any illegal act on U.S. soil? Gitmo is a no no.
justus4, are you posting under Cain's name?
How is a proposed 4% increase in defense spending (2010 budget compared to 2009) a decrease in spending?
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/assets/fy2010_new_era/Department_of_Defens...
"Victory at Sea" was the term used to describe the epic naval battles of WWII that contributed to an Allied victory. The Augusta Chronicle editorial staff (ACES) and American war-hawks are so sadly in need of something to pump their fists in the air about and scream "America is Number One, Don't mess with the U.S. military, and we kicked some pirate booty" that they conflate the great naval victory of WWII with shooting 3 pirates in an out of gas lifeboat who never fired a shot as "Victory at Sea". What a pathetic definition of "Victory at Sea".
Now Cain is defending the Pirates....what a freakin' surprise! "I question whether Captain Phillips' life was truly in danger." I truly hope that Cain is taken hostage some day so that NOTHING can be done about it. Just let him rot in captivity.
Cain, did you know the pirates attacked the transport needlessly? Do you think that is America's fault? Are you really groping that hard to find something to hate this country about? Why, if America makes you so miserable, do you continue to live here? There's a socialist utopia due north of us and another just off the tip of Florida.
Cain, Are you serious?
Glad they killed the scumbags and hope its only the begining of a string of direct actions against the skinnys doing the piracy. I would suggest the use of the Marines along the Puntland's shoreline to destroy the bases they operate from. To add insult to injury the ship was delivering food aid for the Somalis (no such thing as 'Somalians') so all the complaints about how these guys have no choice due to the condition on the ground haven't a clue about what they are talking about. KILL THEM ALL! Way to go SEAL's
The Chronicle could not resist giving the President the back of it's hand. Where in the hell do you get off saying they " barely passed" some azz backward test of yours? Where did you get the information that he was waiting for the 'World's consensus"? In any hostage situation the first actions are containment, assessing the situation, NEGOTIATION and resolution. I know you rather have the Chuck Norris version, but unlike the movies, you cannot go back and re shoot.
Whatever NEGOARATION is, I'm sure it's not US policy to engage in it with Pirates and terrorists.
Jackazz, if you had waited instead of being the pointed head azz you are, you will see where it was corrected. Now go give your self an enama .
Cain, I wonder how many people suffered because the Alabama did not deliver its humanitarian goods? The pirates were killed because they were threatening a life (not gently either). That said, it is unbelievable that the AC would criticize the president in any way on this issue. He absolutely did what he was supposed to do... give the military the authority to take action as they saw fit.
It's not just the AC, it idiots like SISSYX, PT and I am sure the cheerleaders christian and lippy and others will follow.
What does "No go give your self an enama" mean? Could you actually mean "NOW go give YOURSELF an ENEMA? " Or did I not wait long enough for you to correct discover that you can't proof read before clicking "Post." And we still don't NEGOTIATE with terrorists and pirates. And I'm sure spelling [filtered word] using z's will fool the ACES. Way to go.
Hypo is not entirely wrong. Either you approve or not. I take my hat off to Obama. He is becoming more like Bush daily.
Disagree with Hypo and you are an idiot.......no need to back that statement up with any facts or anything like that. Typical.
Again, jackazz is that all you have to contribute? Before your annal retentive azz was able to criticize I went back and corrected it. Dang SISSYX, I gave you more credit in the past than you deserve. If you are this petty of a person,
Aren't Somalians Girl Scout cookies:>)
Regardless, I am more than satisfied that you get my meaning. Again, stop be a petty little girlie man and stick to the subject at hand.
After all the right-wing foreign policy failures, this was a great example of strong leadership. The sam can be said about Obama's loosening restrictions on travel to Cuba.
Let's see how long it takes HYPO to realize that "annal" retentive is not a term anyone has ever heard of.....Perhaps he will go down in the anals of history! I'm just poking fun at you HYPO....have a sense of humor for God's sake. And we STILL don't negotiate with terrorists and pirates!
I think Somalians is the national currency in Toon Town.
It's not just the AC, it idiots like SISSYX, PT and I am sure the cheerleaders christian and lippy and others will follow.
Posted by HYPOCRITES 08 on Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:32 AM ----------------- Again, stop be a petty little girlie man and stick to the subject at hand.
Posted by HYPOCRITES 08 on Tue Apr 14, 2009 8:45 AM --------------- Way to follow your own advice and stay on topic! I guess you really earned your moniker!