Captain Richard Phillips, the Captain of the Maersk Line cargo ship Alabama, was resued today by navy seals in the Gulf of Aden. The Captain was rescued as navy seals executed three shots to the head killing three Somali pirates that were holding the Captain hostage aboard a lifeboat. A fourth member of the pirates was being detained by the U.S. Military and may face charges on Piracy and Kidnapping.
We commend the Obama administration for authorizing the kill order in this incident and all those involved in executing this mission. Captain Phillips represents the best of America. His willingness to give himself over to the Somali Pirates in exchange for the safety of his crew is truly heroic. The President should savor the out come of this incident and recognise how quickly it could have escalated to a Jimmy Carter moment, had the pirates been capable of reaching shore in Somalia.
The issue before the administration now is what does America do next to prohibit further incursions by Somali Pirates on American flagships. The pirates may be emboldened by the attention they garnered by attempting to secure an American registered vessel and in fact it may awaken the opportunity to terrorists based in Somalia. America must respond at the appropriate time to do what is best for America.
This is no longer an issue exclusive to endless rhetoric and impotent resolutions of the United Nations. America has become militarily engaged and should complete its mission with the appropriate force required to insure that seas remain safe for American vessels.
One Point:
we don’t actually know if Obama actually “green lighted” the Op beyond a general statement of “if the Captain is in immediate danger…”
One or more Naval careers may be in jeopardy right now depending on political situations and Obama’s personal feelings.
Jonolan might be right, God forbid. I don’t know why the Navy wasn’t green lighted when they got the order to go to the rescue. Like the Administration could have said, “Rescue Capt. Phillips immediately and show no mercy.” It would have been over much much sooner. I am sick of the national security dithering and hemming and hawing and umming and er-ring and all those apologies about arrogance. [Who is the REAL arrogant “One” here?? hmm?] We have a right to defend ourselves. At least we didn’t give bailout money to them. LOL And God Bless our Navy!