It's over, Captian is misspelled. by whozit

Thanks for the headsup, Zit.

As for the Navy, especially the Seals - Well done.

Now interrogate the prisoner, find out the location of their base, and blow it to freakin smithereens.

Although the navy will not mistreat the prisoner, and honor to them for it, please remember that piracy is one of the few crimes where, if taken in the act, you can be shot out of hand, and thus if they wanna keelhaul his ass till he talks, they're well within their rights to do so.

And I am pleased that the navy has decided to treat the prisoner as the common criminal these berks are, instead of inflating the egos of his brethren by considering him some kind of international menace.

Speakin of, kick the UN in the shins and point out that this is exactly the kind of thing they're supposed to handle with an international task force, and we ourselves can issue some letters of marque to encourage our own to join it.

And on a cynical note, why not have a TV Network outfit a Q-ship and run live coverage of attempts to take it - there's some "reality" television for ya, heaven knows it'd prolly make money, as warped as TV consumption has become as of late.

-Frem

It cannot be said enough, those who do not learn from history, are doomed to endlessly repeat it

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Sunday, April 12, 2009 12:05 PM

BRIGLAD

I live just 30 miles from where the Captain calls home. I've been watching the story unfold and I'm glad he came out of this ordeal unscathed.

That said, The next speed boat that makes a run on a merchant vessel within sight of a US Navy warship needs to introduced to several hundred pounds of high explosive... delivered by Harpoon Missile.

Brian

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Sunday, April 12, 2009 12:52 PM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

Awesome.

The news lady said the boat was some 30 meters away. That's darn close, for a sniper, damn near point blank. I wonder what the conditions were, if the water was calm or bouncing, what wind was blowing.....

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Sunday, April 12, 2009 3:39 PM

"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." -- William Casey, Reagan's presidential campaign manager & CIA Director (from first staff meeting in 1981)

Hmmm... Seems piracy isn't as lucrative a gig as it was a week ago!

Good job by the Seal team, and very glad the captain came out of it in good shape.

And to be honest, I'm rather glad that 75% of the pirates DIDN'T come out of it.

Mike

Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day...
Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

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Sunday, April 12, 2009 10:09 PM

US NAVY over two hundred years of tradition unchanged by progress. "We've been running blockades since John Paul Jones." Killing pirates is what we do. It started when the Royal Navy came over to raid the Carolinas. Black Beard realized that the English where stealing slave men for entertainment on board their Man of Wars. We as Mericans could not allow that kind of debauchery. It's in the history books. You can check Wikipedia yourself. That is all. Whistle blows and captain departs.

"Battle of Serenity, Mal. Besides Zoe here, how many-" "I'm talkin at you! How many men in your platoon came out of their alive".

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Monday, April 13, 2009 12:49 AM

SIMONWHO

*notes all the praise from the right wingers for Obama's smart leadership*

*checks again*

Oh.

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Monday, April 13, 2009 2:20 AM

GEEZER

Keep the Shiny side up

Pres. Obama's hand was pretty much forced on this one. No way he could have let the pirates get away with it.

Oh, and we've pissed off the pirates.

Quote:
In Eyl, a pirate stronghold on the Somali coast, one pirate chief reportedly threatened revenge against Americans.

"We will intensify our attacks even reaching very far away from Somalia waters, and next time we get American citizens... they [should] expect no mercy from us," Abdi Garad told the Associated Press by telephone.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7996659.stm

Now if Pres. Obama could arrange for Mr. Abdi Garad to disappear...

Or maybe Eyl...

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Monday, April 13, 2009 2:33 AM

HERO

Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
The news lady said the boat was some 30 meters away. That's darn close, for a sniper, damn near point blank. I wonder what the conditions were, if the water was calm or bouncing, what wind was blowing.....

I imagine even calm seas would make for difficult shots.

I never understood why the seals didn't just swim over and pop up in the middle of the night...perhaps with the assistance of a trained War Dolphin...

H

"Hero. I have come to respect you"- Chrisisall, 2009.

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Monday, April 13, 2009 3:05 AM

AURAPTOR

America loves a winner!

War Dolphins rule!!

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Monday, April 13, 2009 3:25 AM

SW, AWH Butt if Mr Bush had done that we should have negotiated more with Johnny Depp and the poe muslims. Just like when I was in England I took up for the Peanut Farmer and if a muslim spits on O'Bama I'll put him down. Put that in your pipe and smoke it. It was the right thing to do. A big gamble with the skipper's life and it paid off. Hey, it's the US NAVY not the sleep with every goat Royal Navy.

"Battle of Serenity, Mal. Besides Zoe here, how many-" "I'm talkin at you! How many men in your platoon came out of their alive".

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Monday, April 13, 2009 3:28 AM

HERO

Quote:
Originally posted by AURaptor:
War Dolphins rule!!

Back during the Iraq invasion I wrote a series of short stories involving Squeakers the War Dolphin.

Squeakers...a highly trained United States Marine (mammal) swam all the way to Baghdad to stop a nuclear missile that was going to be fired at Isreal, he stopped the missile but was captured. In part 2, Squeakers was going to be beheaded by his captors on TV but being highly trained in martial arts (Dolph-jit-su) he escaped. He freed several other prisoners and stole a truck filled with French biological weapons (trained French poodle suicide bombers). They then fought their way free (truck chase through Baghdad with Squeakers hanging onto the side firing an M-16).

Other stories include a flashback of Squeakers in Flipper Camp (Dolphin boot camp) and Squeakers getting into a bar fight with a bunch of Navy guys after he cleaned them out playing poker.

H

"Hero. I have come to respect you"- Chrisisall, 2009.

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Monday, April 13, 2009 6:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Geezer:
Pres. Obama's hand was pretty much forced on this one. No way he could have let the pirates get away with it.

Oh, and we've pissed off the pirates.

Quote:
In Eyl, a pirate stronghold on the Somali coast, one pirate chief reportedly threatened revenge against Americans.

"We will intensify our attacks even reaching very far away from Somalia waters, and next time we get American citizens... they [should] expect no mercy from us," Abdi Garad told the Associated Press by telephone.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7996659.stm

Now if Pres. Obama could arrange for Mr. Abdi Garad to disappear...

Or maybe Eyl...

Ah - so when he "does nothing", it's because he's a coward or just doesn't care. And when he takes decisive action, it's only because "his hands were tied".

I see how it works now.

Just trying to see where BOTH sets of standards are set.

And just so we're clear here, are you saying we shouldn't have done anything, because now they're going to get revenge? You seem worried.

I don't doubt that the pirates will change their game, which is why we need to meet them head-on, BEFORE they get powerful enough to become a real threat. If we decide to do it militarily, that's one thing, but I'd still rather see it jobbed out to private security firms.

I also have my concerns about what these pirates are doing with the ransom they collect. Wouldn't surprise me if some of it - or even most of it - ends up in the hands of Al Qaeda.

Mike

Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day...
Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

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Monday, April 13, 2009 7:40 AM

CITIZEN

Give extra powers to the President.

Worked for Pompey

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Monday, April 13, 2009 7:40 AM

Yanno, just ONCE it'd be kinda nice for the Gov to tell these corporations - "Ok, look, we're not your fuckin bodyguard or babysitter, you want security down there, hire some you ninnys!".

Given how often historically the US Military has served as unofficial "muscle" for the corpies against us pesky peons whenever we dared question our treatment by the corporate lords...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_strikes

It kinda bothers me that they expect this kinda service for free, you understand.

We *DO* have an obligation to protect our own, sure, but outside our own borders in an area known to be a den of villanry ?

That's just being cheap, and while it's a difficult issue from a financial and ethical perspective, if we're gonna do it, at least lets do it right the first blasted time.

Put those damn overpaid intel goons to work on something other than spying on, fucking with, and otherwise shitting on their so-called protectees for once and find out who and where these bastards are, and then introduce them to some of our wonderful war toys all up close and personal like...

I mean, why do we have these alphabet agency goons in the first place if they're incapable or unwilling to do anything other than prey on the folk they're supposed to be protecting ?

We got satellites, we got all manner of black budget surveillence stuff, and plenty of black baggers for humint, heavens know we pay enough for their so-called "protection" that we oughta see SOME benefit out of it, yes ?

And if they can't do it, or won't do it, they damn well oughta be waitin in the unemployment office!

-Frem
It cannot be said enough, those who do not learn from history, are doomed to endlessly repeat it

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Monday, April 13, 2009 7:59 AM

Thanks, Frem - that's the point I was trying to make!

I'd rather NOT get the U.S. military or government "officially" involved, because then the likelihood that some "incident" occurs rises exponentially - either we get into a beef with some other nation's ship, or someone else sends THEIR navy to secure THEIR ships, and we get crossed up with them that way. Or some of our boys get in trouble and get in the headlines because they're treating the pirates in a way that they shouldn't. I'm with you - they're pirates, so they signed on for rough treatment when they took the job!

We need to tell the shippers and their insurers, "Hire security and let them handle it." Done. At the very least, allow the crews to arm themselves. Hell, any decent crew could fight off a couple boats of pirates, IF they had even semi-decent weaponry instead of just water hoses!

Mike

Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day...
Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

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Monday, April 13, 2009 8:08 AM

FF, CALM DOWN CALM down calm down, take a breather. Piracy has been around since we built a raft. Its a maritime law. Once you establish a official Maritime Service. TJ had to send the newly formed Navy to the shores of Tripoli to put down the pirates of North Africa. Most of what you ranted is correct. The USMC is for the president to use in support of corporate interests. Research General Smedly Darlington Butler. This has been going on for awhile we use the USMC as muscle. But you also have to understand citizens that sail and cruise ships also come under attack. Malaysia is another hot spot. But lets be real we have to import and export for commerce. Bananas good example. You can go on and on. Japan and England had to have powerful Navies so they could survive. The pirates come from areas that have no commercial value. So its there way to survive. It comes down to US or them. And they got to go.

"Battle of Serenity, Mal. Besides Zoe here, how many-" "I'm talkin at you! How many men in your platoon came out of their alive".

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 7:20 AM

FIVVER

Posted by Hero:

Quote:
I never understood why the seals didn't just swim over and pop up in the middle of the night...perhaps with the assistance of a trained War Dolphin...

They've just arrived...

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2009-04/14/content_11184581.htm

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 7:26 AM

WULFENSTAR

http://youtu.be/VUnGTXRxGHg

Can someone explain to me why these guys arn't armed?

If I were in charge of the ship..

"Hey, we are going to be floating by Somalia today...hmmm...Bub, break out the Bazookas, M-16's, and Ak-47s."

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 7:29 AM

ANTHONYT

Freedom is Important because People are Important

Hello Wulfenstar,

I think I would be loathe to roam international waters unarmed. I can only imagine there must be some law against it... though I wonder what law that could possibly be.

Perhaps it is the laws in the respective ports of call that limit them?

In any event, I'd be very tempted to have some good rifles on board my ship at the least. Some .50 cal pirate deterrent systems would be even better.

--Anthony

"Liberty must not be purchased at the cost of Humanity." --Captain Robert Henner

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 8:20 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Wulfenstar:
Can someone explain to me why these guys arn't armed?

If I were in charge of the ship..

"Hey, we are going to be floating by Somalia today...hmmm...Bub, break out the Bazookas, M-16's, and Ak-47s."

Been wondering the same. Yesterday I heard an interviewer talking with a longtime Navy veteran, and he says it has to do with the ports in the various countries. Apparently a lot of them refuse to allow ships into port if they carry arms, or if the crew are armed.

Probably dates back to when a Man-O-War would show up in the bay and lay siege to a port or island... Guess no one wants to risk being taken over by a shipload of drunken, well-armed sailors! :)

Mike

Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day...
Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 8:31 AM

WASHNWEAR

Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:
Quote:
Originally posted by Wulfenstar:
Can someone explain to me why these guys arn't armed?

If I were in charge of the ship..

"Hey, we are going to be floating by Somalia today...hmmm...Bub, break out the Bazookas, M-16's, and Ak-47s."

"Sure wish we had some GRENADES!"

Quote:
...no one wants to risk being taken over by a shipload of drunken, well-armed sailors! :)

Except maybe Rush Limbaugh.

W W L L D ?
What would Lisa Lampanelli do?

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 11:21 AM

Isn't it ironic.

So apparently the high seas are a "gun free zone".
Maybe someone should tell the pirates that, eh ?
*SNARK!*

Yeah, it works SO well, doesn't it ?

I think the shipping insurance companies ought to make light defensive armament a REQUIREMENT of the contract - and the vessels can clear, unload and present for inspection just like they do with the cargo, it's really simple enough.

Self defense is never a bad idea, and does not necessarily involve violence, even.

The Oceana Lines M/S Nautica, back in Nov 2005 had a pair of pirate vessels come loping up on it and the crew advised Captain Jurica Brajcic, who noted the approaching vessels speed and simply put the pedal to the metal, ordering flank speed and leaving the rapacious bastards eating his wake.

Had it been me, I woulda given over the con to my first officer and headed to the stern to flip them the bird personally.

Btw, apparently the Yemenis ARE offering port to a couple of international task forces, but the US has been less than cooperative with em, we need to get some diplomatic action goin on there and resolve that before something unfortunate comes of it due to miscommunication, I think.

-Frem

It cannot be said enough, those who do not learn from history, are doomed to endlessly repeat it

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 11:39 AM

Quote:

So apparently the high seas are a "gun free zone".
Maybe someone should tell the pirates that, eh ?
*SNARK!*

Problem is, I think the pirates have that pretty well figured out!

Outfit a "container ship" as a Q-ship. Leave a couple "containers" on deck, and when the pirates break free from the fishing fleet and come at the ship, drop the container's sides to reveal a couple old AA guns, and just open up on 'em. And never say a goddamned word about it, to anyone. Let the legend be spread BY THE PIRATES THEMSELVES! It's the best PR you can get for being left the hell alone!

Mike

Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day...
Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 12:59 PM

FF, Yemenis offering to help. Excuse me but the last time the US NAVY anchored in Aden the USS COLE was attacked. WHOOPS, No wonder the US is hanging back on that one.

"Battle of Serenity, Mal. Besides Zoe here, how many-" "I'm talkin at you! How many men in your platoon came out of their alive".

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 1:13 PM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

"Can someone explain to me why these guys arn't armed?"

Apparently the insurance companies find it cheaper to pay off the ransom than to try and protect ALL the ships going through the area. The shipping companies look at what their rates would be if they either armed themselves or had private companies doing the protection, and find it is more cost-effective to go without.

***************************************************************

Silence is consent.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 1:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by rue:
"Can someone explain to me why these guys arn't armed?"

Apparently the insurance companies find it cheaper to pay off the ransom than to try and protect ALL the ships going through the area. The shipping companies look at what their rates would be if they either armed themselves or had private companies doing the protection, and find it is more cost-effective to go without.

***************************************************************

Silence is consent.

Up to a point. When pirates are taking three or four ships a day, and escalating, it becomes rather a different story. It's the kind of thing you can let go for a while, but at some point you're probably going to want to say "Enough of this shit!"

Mike

Build a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day...
Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 4:01 PM

RUE

I have a vote and I'm not afraid to use it!

"About 20,000 merchant ships pass through the Gulf of Aden yearly ..."

http://wbt.com/news/details.cfm;jsessionid=2a301df43163ee7181147773282
c84429564?ap_id=D97HJI3G0

That's a LOT of protecting. Even if it only costs 10,000 per ship to outfit and man, it's still 200,000,000. Maybe it will be cost effective at some point, but it looks like they've run the numbers and said it's not, at present.

I'm not defending that. I think even if it costs more to protect the ships than they pay in ransom it should be done. It's just that, AFAIK, it's all cost-driven.

***************************************************************

Silence is consent.

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Tuesday, April 14, 2009 4:30 PM

GEEZER

Keep the Shiny side up

Quote:
Originally posted by Kwicko:
Ah - so when he "does nothing", it's because he's a coward or just doesn't care. And when he takes decisive action, it's only because "his hands were tied".

Duh. No. he does something because it's politically expedient. Politicians, regardless of party affiliation, who've left U.S. Citizens hanging in such hostage situations have usually suffered in the polls.

"Keep the Shiny side up"

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Wednesday, April 15, 2009 4:48 PM