Sunday, April 12, 2009

Heroic U.S. captain escapes; SEALs kill 3 Somali 'pirate' terrorists, capture another

Go Navy!

More at Memeorandum.

UPDATE 3:34 P.M. ET: The Associated Press:
An American ship captain was freed unharmed Sunday in a U.S. Navy operation that killed three of the four Somali pirates who had been holding him for days in a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, a senior U.S. intelligence official said.
On Twitter, Tammy Bruce responded to the news by observing that the U.S. had apparently employed her plan: "Four bullets for four terrorists." Meanwhile, our friend Paco has a modest proposal.

UPDATE 3:37 P.M. ET: "The spirit of United 93 remains alive and well."

UPDATE 3:51 P.M. ET: I'd been curious to know how William Teach at Pirate's Cove would react to this news, but nothing yet. However, it is "Patriotic Pinup Sunday."

Meanwhile, I'm wondering why the headline at Ace of Spades HQ is not:
Somali pirates die of dehydration, seasickness and precisely aimed automatic weapons fire from U.S. Navy SEALs, but mostly . . .

UPDATE 4:10 p.m. ET: Fausta on Twitter: "The real meaning of Easter SEALS!"

UPDATE 4:17 p.m. ET: Via Outside the Beltway, the statement from the shipping company:
Norfolk, Va., April 12, 2009: Maersk Line, Limited was informed by the U.S. government at 1330 EDT today that Captain Richard Phillips has been rescued. John Reinhart, President and Chief Executive Officer of Maersk Line, Limited, called Captain Phillips' wife, Andrea, to tell her the good news. The crew of the Maersk Alabama was jubilant when they received word.
Mr. Reinhart said, "We are all absolutely thrilled to learn that Richard is safe and will be re-united with his family. Maersk Line, Limited is deeply grateful to the Navy, the F.B.I. and so many others for their tireless efforts to secure Richard's freedom. We join Richard's family, his crew and his colleagues ashore in celebrating this wonderful news. We look forward to welcoming him home in the coming days." Mr. Reinhart will hold a media briefing in Norfolk, Va., later on Sunday.
"Somebody grew a pair."

UPDATE 4:20 p.m. ET: "From now on . . . 'negotiations' should be us telling the pirates and their envoys that if they surrender, we'll let them live. If not, no quarter."

UPDATE 4:27 p.m. ET: Linking a Boston Herald story about Capt. Phillips' family reacting to the news, Jules Crittenden adds:
"[T]hose Somali elders the Americans were negotiating with might want the bodies of their clansmen. I’d suggest a delivery from altitude."
Nah. Freaking pirates. Dump 'em overboard. Sharks got to eat too, ya know.

UPDATE 6:45 p.m. ET: Tom Maguire says, "Go Navy!"

UPDATE 7:30 p.m. ET: Donald Douglas: "[M]any of those on the left aren't celebrating this event for the triumph of heroism that it is." You don't say! Professor Douglas links a liberal blogger who says: "I wonder which principled member of our corporate media will point out that, in the big picture, the Somali pirates are acting in self-defense?" Classic.

UPDATE 8:18 p.m. ET: "Anyone want to join me in a rousing game of Spank the Weasel?"

UPDATE 8:21 p.m. ET: by Smitty
Gateway Pundit points to Blackfive reporting, contrary to the AP, "This was not a rescue attempt ordered by National Command Authority i.e. the President. It was a reaction by the on scene commander under standard authority to safeguard the life of a hostage." IOW, common delegation from policy makers to military has occurred. Encouraging.

UPDATE 10:07 p.m. ET: by Smitty
Squid blog Information Dissemination links Reuters quoting the pirates:
Somali pirates were quick to vow revenge over the shooting of their comrades, as well as a French military assault to rescue a yacht on Friday.
"The French and the Americans will regret starting this killing. We do not kill, but take only ransom. We shall do something to anyone we see as French or American from now," Hussein, a pirate, told Reuters by satellite phone.
Because, somehow, merely ransoming prisoners makes the US the bad guy here.


  1. I am so stoked right now my head feels like it is going to explode! Go Navy!

    Now comes the important job of making sure everyone understands that if you mess with the USA we will mess back in spades. Sadly, I don't have a lot of faith that this administration is up to it.


    Real brilliant, Carol.
    The Navy Seal rescue mission sends a clear message about how we deal with these situations, but it isn't good enough for you, is it?
    Reminds me that all the bullshit about how GW protected us for the last 8 years is so warped as to not merit any real serious response.
    I give the credit to the military and intelligence agencies. Kind of the same way you credit the Navy Seals for their bravery in this rescue mission while trying to shit on BHO.
    GOP= no credibility.

  3. Thanks for the link, Stacy!

    I kind of put the info in the end of a post on global warming.

    I think it is great that Obama let the SEALs out. Maybe he is learning something on the job.

  4. Sheesh, 4 Eyes, who pissed in your Wheaties? Do you have a problem with people stating an opinion in general or only when the opinion doesn't conform to your particular mindset? My number 1 interest is that those people who would bring harm to my country are given a BIG reason to think twice. I believe that the current administration and I may share that goal but I have no reason to believe that we have the same means for achieving that goal.

    Simple enough or should I write it again in crayon?

  5. Do not pollute the ocean with the corpses of the pirates. Take them ashore, set up a video camera and do a Daniel Pearl on 'em - long close-ups of their bodies being devoured by swine, followed by release on YouTube with the promise of equal treatment for any other pirates.
    Or release satellite photos of the biggest homes in Somalia. The pirates have 30 days to release all ships and prisoners. In case of non-compliance, one structure is JDAM'd on day 31. Still non-compliant, 2 structures on or before day 33. Repeat as needed

  6. I can hardly wait to see how you wingnuts will try to spin it against Obama. We all know you'll try, so have at it!!

  7. whoa, Carol.
    Easy with the roids there.
    First I'd like to remind you that this is OUR country, not just yours luv.
    Second, I was pointing out that despite the good news concerning the rescued Captain, you decided that it was as good a time as any to take your typically cheap pot shots at the POTUS.
    That in itself doesn't really qualify as an opinion on your part.You had no opinion to express except your knee-jerk reaction to everything Obama.

    But the kicker is your claim that you and the current administration may not have the same means in mind to achieve our security goals:
    let's see....was Obama not cowboy enough for you?
    Perhaps he should've dropped a nuke on Somalia?
    Maybe you miss Cheney style bluster and chest thumping, maybe a huge "Mission Accomplished" banner hung from a freighter or two....
    Give me stealth operations without the fireworks and bullshit feel-good flag waving any day.
    Let the others get their kicks from Jack Bauer or Glenn Beck....

  8. Dearest Y4E, with all your pomp and circumstance you still didn't answer my question. Do you oppose people stating an opinion in general or only when that particular opinion doesn't fit with your mindset? It seems that you are expending a whole lot of oxygen, buy judging from hat you have displayed so far, your brain cells could use all the fresh air they can get.

  9. Wow! What we have here is a perfect example of drunk commenting. Kind readers, please exchange a "t" for a "y" and add a "w" where necessary. Although, I doubt Y4E will notice. Goodnight.

  10. Hey Carol, ya desperate wingnut, you don't have confidence in the administration? Who do you think authorized the kill? President Obama. Yeah, you'd better get used to it. President Obama. Repeat after me: President Obama. Have you had a stroke yet? Ha ha!

  11. I only give the navy SEALS credit. Giving them the go-ahead was a no brainer. Our SEALS rock.

  12. ACtually Fausta's twitter was originally from Gerard van der Leun

  13. I like the real Easter SEALS quote. Read also about an Angel wining the masters...On Easter Sunday!