I agree with J.D., Obama is to be credited to the extent of his involvement, if for nothing else than realizing that the UN's expressed way of handling it would have been a dismal failure, and rejecting it.

Rockmom, I guess I'm confused as to your position this?

 

Do you think the action taken was proper?

Would you rather they continue to negotiate as not to upset pirates by killing them?

I'm fully on board with the action taken to protect the captain's life. There are three less pirates in the world now to do this type of thing again.

Rockmom, I guess I'm confused as to your position this?

 

Do you think the action taken was proper?

Would you rather they continue to negotiate as not to upset pirates by killing them?

 

 

I agree with the action taken. I disagree that Obama is "afraid" and will hesitate to take similar action in the future. I feel the previous poster misinterpreted the phrase "feared reprecrussions".

I agree with the action taken. I disagree that Obama is "afraid" and will hesitate to take similar action in the future. I feel the previous poster misinterpreted the phrase "feared reprecrussions".

 

Thanks for clearing that up, I was totaling reading that a different way.

Really? I would've never guessed...

 

Then don't ask.

^It shouldn't take the US Navy as long as it did to take over an 18 foot boat. It's a perfectly logical question, despite the normal "I'm more intelligent than you" sarcastic answer that is the norm from you.

I imagine they would have taken it sooner if they wanted the captain killed.

Now that Captain Phillips is free, the next question will be will the US and other countries do anything to stop these piracy attacks.

 

I saw one person talking about as long as they can retreat into Somali, this will be a continued problem.

 

But for the US, the thought of going back into Somali to strike at the root of the problem sends cold chills up their spines.

 

Will or actually can we even do something about this problem without invading a Somali or are we doomed to see these scenarios of American hostages, every couple of months?

 

VERY HARD QUESTION for our new President to handle.

But for the US, the thought of going back into Somali to strike at the root of the problem sends cold chills up their spines.

 

Will or actually can we even do something about this problem without invading a Somali or are we doomed to see these scenarios of American hostages, every couple of months?

 

VERY HARD QUESTION for our new President to handle.

 

That's the billion dollar question, lbbc. Personally, I think its a good example of where the United States can't simply go it alone.

I took his comment to mean that he fears reprecussions as in, this will embolden the pirates to kill rather than negotiate. Not that he is afraid.

 

 

Unlikely the case with these pirates as killing any captives is simply bad business for them. They are in it for profit, plain and simple. Once they show that they will kill a captive then it makes their offers to let them go for a prices less believable.

 

While we don't pay it, many other nations do.

 

I think it is time to place a C.B.G. in the area, monitor activity with satellites and wipe them out either at sea OR at their home ports. What good is a government if it is unable to protect its citizens from foreign threats?

 

This time our government proved up to the task.

I imagine they would have taken it sooner if they wanted the captain killed.

 

 

Exactly, they had to wait for the opportune moment. If the timing had been off the Captain could have been shot and killed. A rowboat is by no means spacious enough for him to dive for cover. Act to hastily and you get dead captain AND dead pirates. If that was the goal then just blow it out of the water with the deck gun of a destroyer and move on.

Seems there's another point of view out there:

 

 

 

 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/piracy

 

The pirate can't sit there and say "We're scared out of our wits that the United States might actually take action against us."

 

Do you think that pirates during the age of sail were any less boastful when speaking of the Royal Navy?

 

I am quite certain the last thing the pirates want is truly active involvement by the navies of any developed nation, least of all the United States. We have a greater ability to project power of longer distances in the sea than any other nation, if we chose to use it then things might get a tad difficult for the pirates.

 

 

In fact, concerted action by NATO navies might lead to good will in the area for relieving the pirate threat. If nothing else it would foster goodwill in nations shipping through there. If it irritates the locals then so be it.

That's the billion dollar question, lbbc. Personally, I think its a good example of where the United States can't simply go it alone.

 

See my point on NATO. :thumb:

That's the billion dollar question, lbbc. Personally, I think its a good example of where the United States can't simply go it alone.

 

And if no one else is willing to do anything?