Obama and the pirates: The political side
Barack Obama will probably reap political benefit from the way the pirate hostage crisis ended, and much of it will be undeserved. The tough work was done by those on the scene, not by the president. The decisions he made about the use of force were decisions most other presidents also would have made under similar circumstances.
But it is also true, of course, that Obama would have been undeservedly attacked if things had gone badly, and in fact was being bashed hard by the right even as the crisis was being brought to a definitive end. So I guess there’s a rough form of justice playing out.
On a more subtle note, I do think Obama showed good judgment in how he handled the issue publicly. He stayed out of the limelight, he didn’t make public statements or threats, he made the necessary decisions behind the scenes and let it play out without making himself the story.
Under the previous administration, those three Navy SEAL snipers would already be on their way to the White House, where the president could bask in their reflected masculine glory.
Something like that could still happen under Obama. But I hope it doesn’t.
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81 comments Add your comment
DB, Gwinnettian
April 14th, 2009
11:29 am
Something like that could still happen under Obama. But I hope it doesn’t.
Me too. By all means honor them, but no flightsuit struts, please.
Copyleft
April 14th, 2009
11:36 am
Obama, unlike Bush, isn’t an insecure loser trying to prove how “tough” and “important” he is. He’s doing a job, and doing it well.
Nice to have a grownup in the Oval Office for a change.
Corporal
April 14th, 2009
11:44 am
Jay:
The bottom line is that the President (any President) should not even be involved in this. It’s beneath the dignity of the office. These four illiterate pirates have forced the President of the United States to get on a world stage. Ludicrous!
This was nothing more than a “firefight” between SEALs and terrorists (with a hostage invovled) and the pirates lost. It happens every day in Iraq or Afghanistan! What should on the high seas be any different? Is a convoy being ambushed any different from a ship being ambushed? Not really.
The rules of engagement should be in place, the military should do their job as they see fit, when they see fit, how they see fit, why they see fit and the President should get the results it in his secret daily morning briefing or read it in the newspaper like the rest of us.
demwit
April 14th, 2009
11:46 am
No doubt about it.., those Navy Seals would have their pictures hanging in the Oval office of W by now. Just like all those from Iraq and Afganistand!!
Oh wait…
dbm
April 14th, 2009
11:47 am
Yes, after 16 years of children there.
Hillbilly Deluxe
April 14th, 2009
11:48 am
The situation was handled pretty well by all involved. I agree his decisions were along the lines most other Presidents would have made. All’s well that ends well.
In these pirate situations I think each nation should take care of its own. We took care of our people and if another country’s ship is taken, that country should take the action. All the countries should of course offer what assistance that they can. Piracy will end when the risk of being a pirate is greater than the reward.
Truth
April 14th, 2009
11:49 am
Bush was the leader of America so yeah, he was important and it was important for our leader to show toughness in the face of terror. So copyleft, Bush didnt act like a grownup??? It seems to me that you are the one who acts childish!
Susan Myers
April 14th, 2009
11:49 am
Swift, decisive, successful. Without boasting or arrogance, President Obama completed the task and continues with business as usual. We’ve been too long without a real leader in the White House!
demwit
April 14th, 2009
11:53 am
Liberals bask in Obama’s success
Meanwhile…., 4 more ships hijacked by priates.
jt
April 14th, 2009
11:56 am
“where the president could reflect in their masculine glory”.
I’m afraid that that will happen tomorrow, April 15. tax day.
Let us all hope that Obama doesn’t don a flight suit like the last bankruptor-in-chief.
jt
April 14th, 2009
12:01 pm
There are politicians who successfully steal more than any 17 year old somali pirate attempts to. How can anyone rejoice over bullits in the heads of kids.?
Corporal
April 14th, 2009
12:01 pm
To Susan Myers:
I don’t think you realize how the real world works. The SEALs “completed the task”. In all probablility (and we will eventually find out) Obama vacillated until finally being forced to let the military do their thing.
That should have been a done deal from the time he was taken hostage without even the President getting involved.
We were lucky on this one as they almost delayed too long.
Corporal
April 14th, 2009
12:02 pm
jt:
Because they had kidnapped, already shot at (and might have killed) an American citizen. Too bad it wasn’t your Dad as a hostage.
ByteMe
April 14th, 2009
12:03 pm
Corporal says: “In all probablility (and we will eventually find out) Obama vacillated until finally being forced to let the military do their thing.”
Dude, your eyes are brown, you’re so full of
Joey
April 14th, 2009
12:05 pm
I agree with your first 3 paragraphs. The only thing that could be questioned is why wait until Saturday? But there are ample reason for doing so.
The paragraph about the Bush adminstration hijacking the SEALs for a photo op is a case of you believing, or restating, your own left-wing propagandist view.
jt
April 14th, 2009
12:06 pm
My dad wouldn’t have been stupid enough to be in that situation to begin with. Further more, if he had, he still would not have been willing to see young kids die for money.
I mean, where does our military stop protecting stupidity.
GayGrayGeek
April 14th, 2009
12:06 pm
Corporal @ 12:01 – Since you obviously have those Incredible ESP Powers, instead of hanging out on blogs all day, why don’t you join the Psychic Friends’ Network? After all, you’ve already proclaimed that “we will eventually find out” about your fevered fantasies…
Corporal
April 14th, 2009
12:10 pm
You “liberals” were really getting off this weekend over the killing of pirates by the SEALs so please comment on my suggestions for stopping this piracy thing. Philosophy vs. real world ………..
a) Arm all ship crews so they can defend themselves. Fire warning shots at any small boat at 200 yards. Open fire at 100 yards – period -end of discussion.
b) Set a reasonable limit for those small boats from the Somali shore and take out any boat that violates that limit. If that upsets the local fisherman – that’s their problem. Let them help stop the pirates and then they can go back to fishing wherever they want.
c) Use “decoy ships” often. These are ships that look like sitting ducks for pirates but have a squad of Marines just waiting to burn some ammo.
d) Travel in daily convoys when possible.
Is this a go so I can send it to President Obama or not?
Corporal
April 14th, 2009
12:11 pm
To GayGrayGeek:
Is there something you would like to debate? I suggest you start with my 12:10 above.
Otherwise, I have no time for you.
Joe Matarotz
April 14th, 2009
12:12 pm
Jay, you just couldn’t resist a cheap shot, could you. When you bash the faction that sees that Obama can do nothing right, don’t forget to look in the mirror. You sing the same song, for the same reasons, you just change the names.
Corporal
April 14th, 2009
12:13 pm
ByteMe:
Is there something you would like to debate instead of childish phrases? I suggest you start with my 12:110 above.
Otherwise, I have no time for you.
I Report/ You Whine
April 14th, 2009
12:15 pm
Oh yeah, Bookman sets up the strawman and then dances in the end zone for the toadies-
Under the previous administration, those three Navy SEAL snipers would already be on their way to the White House, where the president could bask in their reflected masculine glory.
OK, so you should be able to name one time Bushie did something like that, considering that he was in charge of over 500,000 soldiers that did their jobs just as good as the three Seals did.
I patiently await your answer.
By the way, during the presidential debates, I forget the exact setup but I do remember Obozo I got me a soldier’s cross too, I got me a soldier’s cross too, look at me everybody!!
duh
Truth
April 14th, 2009
12:15 pm
jt, the “kids” asked for it!
Midori
April 14th, 2009
12:15 pm
WATCH: Hannity’s Own Guest Calls His Obama Attacks Excessive (Bernie Goldberg)
caught this while channel surfing last night.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/14/bernard-goldberg-hannity_n_186613.html
jt
April 14th, 2009
12:15 pm
Corporal- Your suggestions are called comman sense provided that any vessel is not in Somalian waters. Does the US allow unfettered commerce in her waters? Shippers avoid New York like the plague. Also, your suggestions are SOP in other parts of the world. Somalia isn’t the only country with pirate problems.
I beleive that there is more to this somalia problem than most people will understand.
Midori
April 14th, 2009
12:16 pm
well, Andy — one things for certain: Obama won’t need a specially ordered codpiece to stuff down his flight suit.
Red
April 14th, 2009
12:18 pm
In all likelihood, being the good progressive that he is, this President is busy dealing with the larger and grander themes of lawlessness and economic desperation that push 16 year old boys to attempt this kind of criminal activity in the first place.
jt
April 14th, 2009
12:18 pm
Truth- “the “kids” asked for it”
I guess a Sunni muslim will say the same thing about our “kids” in Iraq?
Corporal
April 14th, 2009
12:18 pm
jt:
Thank you for your reasoned comments.
Other liberals take note …. this kind of debate is possible.
jt
April 14th, 2009
12:19 pm
Doesn’t make it right.
ray
April 14th, 2009
12:19 pm
arming ship crews opens them up to being boarded and searched…but, hey, don’t let that stop you, corporal. Send your plan to Obama. I’m sure they could use a good laugh.
better yet, your words/thoughts would fit better in ‘w’s library…crayons, anybody? anybody?
DB, Gwinnettian
April 14th, 2009
12:22 pm
Your suggestions are called comman sense provided that any vessel is not in Somalian waters
Where “comman sense” = utter cluelessness about modern maritime practice re: firearms on cargo ships.
I Report/ You Whine
April 14th, 2009
12:22 pm
Look at who the new “enemy” of the United States is, the al Qaeda throat cutters probably didn’t make the top ten-
WASHINGTON – A newly unclassified Department of Homeland Security report warns against the possibility of violence by unnamed “right-wing extremists” concerned about illegal immigration, increasing federal power, restrictions on firearms, abortion and the loss of U.S. sovereignty and singles out returning war veterans as particular threats.
Puny, stupid little blanket clutching moonbats.
ignorant house of hate dwelling sissies.
ByteMe
April 14th, 2009
12:23 pm
Corporal: why not start with your stupid 12:01 comment instead? We expect what you wrote then from our resident Hanitized morons, but not you.
For the record: it’s already been reported that the President received 17 briefings, including several in the situation room. He gave the order to fire if the situation warranted. He was required to give that authorization before they could fire. He would have taken the heat had this turned out badly. He gets the credit for this turning out well. End of story. Stop supposing bad things when all evidence points to the contrary.
Corporal
April 14th, 2009
12:24 pm
Ray:
Now Ray, debate is so much more professional than personal attack. But the choice is yours.
AmVet
April 14th, 2009
12:25 pm
Talk about your rogue’s gallery of TV nitwits!
Newt the Amazing Nut, Glenn Eck Beck, 2 unknown Faux Noise bimbettes, Charles “Is he alive or dead?” Krauthammer and Britney Hume?
Zooks. No wonder the far right is so adrift and rudderless.
The lunatic fringe blind leading the lunatic fringe blind…
I Report/ You Whine
April 14th, 2009
12:26 pm
Using a national security organization of the United States as a political apparatus, so typical of liberals, Nazis, Soviets, Khmer Rouge………….
DB, Gwinnettian
April 14th, 2009
12:27 pm
This took about five seconds to google–guess that’s too brain-hurty for our geopolitical super-genius:
Question: It seems that pirates have no difficulty these days jumping onto a cargo ship; can the crew shoot back at them?
Generally, that’s a bad idea. If the crew were to engage in an at-sea firefight, the pirate is more agile and difficult to hit. If a crew starts shooting, it is likely the pirates will make a choice: leave or shoot back.
As I describe in my book, “Terrorism and the Maritime Transportation System” the weapon of choice for pirates are AK-47 assault rifles and Rocket-Propelled Grenades (RPG). If attacked by an RPG, the ship becomes vulnerable to fire and no sailor wants to face such a calamity at sea. If a ship burns, there’s nowhere to go. When combating a fire, the ship must stop otherwise the prevailing wind caused by forward motion of the vessel feeds the fire, making matters worse. The Captain generally has two choices: risk catastrophic damage to the vessel, risk crew safety and stop, or, protect the ship and stop. A minimal crew with no security protection stands little chance of successfully fighting a fire and out maneuvering a smaller, faster boat armed with weapons. The ship will always stop and the pirates know that.
Question: Is the crew allowed to carry firearms in a cargo ship?
Title 46 of United States Code applies to U.S. Merchant Mariners. There is no provision within the code allowing crew to carry firearms. In fact, mariners are subject to standing regulations defined by the Master of the vessel. Typically, prohibitions include drugs, alcohol and weapons being brought aboard the vessel. Violations can result in punitive measures, including a charge of misconduct resulting in suspension or revocation of their license or document as noted in 46 U.S. Code § 7703, “Bases for suspension or revocation. “
Additionally, the regulation pertaining to Personnel Action against mariners is included in 46 Code of Federal Regulations 5.27:
“Misconduct is human behavior which violates some formal, duly established rule. Such rules are found in, among other places, statutes, regulations, the common law, the general maritime law, a ship’s regulation or order, or shipping articles and similar sources. It is an act which is forbidden or a failure to do that which is required.”
That’s the long answer. The short answer is: No.
jt
April 14th, 2009
12:28 pm
As per DHS, if you speak the truth, you are a threat.
Just shut up, Hate who we tell you to, Fear who we tell you to, and we will take care of the rest.
mm
April 14th, 2009
12:28 pm
REALITY FOR THE CORPORAL
HavingMySay
April 14th, 2009
12:28 pm
Corporal,
The piracy issue has been going on for years, but you act as if it just started last week. It has only escalated the last few years, why didn’t you ask Bush to look at a means of resolving it.
After this incident, I believe that President Obama has piracy on his radar and doesn’t need any suggestions from you.
Matter of fact, I believe the other countries who have paid ransoms in the past, will look to follow in the foot steps of the USA. You betcha.. and there will not be a need for a War on Piracy.
DawgBite
April 14th, 2009
12:32 pm
At ease Corporal! I bet you’ve heard that several hundred times. All that time in the Corps and the best you could do is E4? Or is it E3 in the Marines? Aren’t some “corporals” in the Marine Corp the equivalent of an Army PFC?
I Report/ You Whine
April 14th, 2009
12:36 pm
jt: They issued an Orange Alert for returning war veterans, people that just voluntarily risked their lives for this country.
You watch, Obozo, the man who promised to end the childish stuff, to stop the partisanship, will remain silent on this.
This guy is a real live #@$%$#!
fearless fosdick
April 14th, 2009
12:37 pm
Corporal…I think you’d better send it now! Words out that Obama, Mullen and the other joint chiefs are down in the war room at this very moment waiting in much angst for your strategic report.
Anyone tell me which one is the corporal?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59YKlP–PhU
jt
April 14th, 2009
12:41 pm
The accepted rule is(as pertains to fighting men)
One marine corporal is equal to 10 air force colonels or 6 Armey rangers or 2 squids.
jt
April 14th, 2009
12:42 pm
I report-
I read about that. Us disgruntled vets have seen more than they like.
ByteMe
April 14th, 2009
12:44 pm
Whiner, you got a cite for that supposed alert you claim to know about? DHS has no new press releases on their site since Jan 16 and the threat level is the same as it’s been for a while: Yellow, except Orange for domestic/international flights.
Methinks you are full of it, but I’ll wait to see whatcha got before publicly saying so.
ByteMe
April 14th, 2009
12:46 pm
Amended 12:44: I found the latest press releases. NOTHING in April about it this supposed alert. Could it just be more rabble being roused?
jt
April 14th, 2009
12:47 pm
Byte me- I think whiner was referring to the latest DHS report where it lumps vets in with the other miscreant if we don’t happen to believe in high taxes, illegal immigration, and ignoring the constitution.
Red
April 14th, 2009
12:47 pm
jt @ 12:28 – it’s merely the spoils of victory. How many DHS files exist from the Bush years on activities of anti-war demonstrators?