The full story is long so here is a link and a summary:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30178013/
MOMBASA, Kenya - The U.S. Navy has rescued the American sea captain held by Somali pirates.
A senior U.S. intelligence official said hostage Richard Phillips was not hurt in what appeared to be a swift firefight off the Somali coast on Sunday. Phillips was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.
The official said three pirates were killed and one was injured.
Yeah, that’s awesome. There aren’t any details out yet, but I’m going to guess there were some SEALs involved.
God, would I have loved to see that go down. Halfwit Somali wannabe pirates meet US Navy SEALs - you know that’s only going to end one way: Awesomely.
No kidding. Apparently the captain jumped off the raft again and that’s when everything went down. The only reason why the 4th one wasn’t killed is because he was on shore.
What’s comforting is that greasing somebody like that group of pirates had to have been approved at the highest levels of national military command authority. That makes me feel better about our current president and his advisors. Having lived through his adminstration (and serving under part of it), I can say that Jimmy Carter certainly wouldn’t have countenanced taking the appropriate action in this case. Good on the people currently in charge, at least in this case. And this is what slowguy and I and dvfmfidc and others talk about when it comes to keeping SLOC (sea lanes of communication) open to all on the high seas, and that’s the Navy’s highest priority, these days.
Too bad for those Somalis that there was a group of frogmen in the vicinity, ready to do the dirty deed. A hearty HOO-YAAAAAAAHHHH!!! to those boys is in order.
T.
Finally. My only questions: Why did it take so long? And, Why the F*** were we “negotiating” with them? Glad the captain is okay, he seems like a righteous dude.
“Why did it take so long? And, Why the F*** were we “negotiating” with them?”
Because taking down a lifeboat at sea with armed pirates aboard without killing the hostage is not easy. Just like any other hostage situation, you always look for the best way to get things done without violence that could endanger the innocent.
I’m pretty satisfied with the outcome and the Administration’s handling of it, with the details we know. I’m glad Pres Obama didn’t feel the need to get on TV to demand the release of the Captain or some other nonsense.
There were on a very small boat so firing without killing the captain was tricky, apparently. His going overboard is what provided the opening. That is my understanding, at least, based on the info we have. More has probably come out since I posted the original article.
Word now is they were taken out by Navy sharp-shooters, not SEALs. Either way, bravo!
Killing pirates makes my heart swell with patriotic pride (…for the first time in my adult life… 
Of course, ridding the world of pirates does not come without consequences. I don’t see how we can cap 'n trade our way out of this one.
America … fuck yeah!
There’s a lot more ammo than there are pirates. Interrupt their business model by killing a few of them and you soon find your merchant ships not being molested. I don’t see how other countries don’t get this. Freedom of passage on the high seas is supposedly one of the basic tenets of maritime, and international, law. Though that’s honored more in the breach than in actual practice.
T.
I will wait for the full story. I remember theJessica Lynch and Pat Tillman accounts all too well. I’m glad the captain is free but I am also cynical about the first wave of press releases.
There’s a Pentagon brief coming up shortly. But I agree…let’s hear what the skipper of the ship has to say about things, too. I’d love to be his ghostwriter when it comes to getting his story told, though. A lot of speculation is going on, right now.
T.
“Why did it take so long? And, Why the F*** were we “negotiating” with them?”
Because taking down a lifeboat at sea with armed pirates aboard without killing the hostage is not easy. Just like any other hostage situation, you always look for the best way to get things done without violence that could endanger the innocent.
I’m pretty satisfied with the outcome and the Administration’s handling of it, with the details we know. I’m glad Pres Obama didn’t feel the need to get on TV to demand the release of the Captain or some other nonsense.
I’m not questioning the tactics … I know less than nothing about maritime tactical operations.
I don’t think the FBI should have been invited to the party, and negotiating with pirates? Gimme a break.
Other than that, I agree in the mean with what you said.
Gimme a break.
Why? If they had a qualified hostage negotiator there why not bring them in? Grab the experts wherever you can.
Way cool…Pirates - Fuck Yu!
“I don’t think the FBI should have been invited to the party, and negotiating with pirates? Gimme a break”
Reports are that they were actually negotiating with clan elders ashore, and the sticking point was that we wanted the pirates so we could prosecute, and the elders wanted them released instead. Anyways, you should realize that there is no one on a normal Navy ship with much, if any, training on hostage negotiation. The FBI does this for a living, so you always bring in the pros from Dover when they’re available.
Anyway, first reports are always faulty or at least incomplete.
“Word now is they were taken out by Navy sharp-shooters, not SEALs.”
The Navy doesn’t really have “sharpshooters” in terms of snipers. We have Gunner’s Mate’s who are frequently pretty good shots.
Anyway, scuttlebutt on the Navy sites is that it was an NSW asset (SEALs) that took the final action deployed, likely, from USS BAINBRIDGE.
Gimme a break.
Why? If they had a qualified hostage negotiator there why not bring them in? Grab the experts wherever you can.
I don’t know. I guess it just feels wrong. A philosophical thing on my part, I suppose. 2 to the chest, 1 to the head just seems to send a clearer message.
Mega Kudos to our Navy…obviously patience and meticulous planning played a part…Navy SEALS have long been unsung heroes in recent wars, I hope that this incident gives them some very deserved exposure.