Report: US Crew Retakes Pirated Ship

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CBS News reports that the crew of the hijacked cargo ship Maersk Alabama has possibly overpowered the Somali pirates: American Crew Battles Somali Pirates.

(CBS/AP)  The crew of a hijacked U.S. cargo ship is in a standoff with Somali pirates after attempting to retake the vessel, military sources told CBS News correspondent David Martin.

The sources told CBS News that crew members overpowered the pirates, taking one into custody, but the hijackers still held the ship’s master hostage. The American crew is in control of at least part of the ship and crew members have been in contact with their families.

There has been no official confirmation regarding the ship’s status.

The U.K. Maritime Security Centre (Horn of Africa) issued a news release earlier Wednesday stating that a Danish-owned, U.S.-operated 17,000 ton container ship was seized in the Indian Ocean approximately 400 miles east of Mogadishu.

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405 comments
1 Ringo the Gringo  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:05:57am

“Dane-geld”

It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation,
To call upon a neighbour and to say:—
“We invaded you last night—we are quite prepared to fight,
Unless you pay us cash to go away.”
And that is called asking for Dane-geld,
And the people who ask it explain
That you’ve only to pay ’em the Dane-geld
And then you’ll get rid of the Dane!

It is always a temptation to a rich and lazy nation,
To puff and look important and to say:—
“Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.
We will therefore pay you cash to go away.”

And that is called paying the Dane-geld;
But we’ve proved it again and again,
That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld
You never get rid of the Dane.

It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,
For fear they should succumb and go astray,
So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,
You will find it better policy to say:—

“We never pay any one Dane-geld,
No matter how trifling the cost,
For the end of that game is oppression and shame,
And the nation that plays it is lost!”

~ Rudyard Kipling

2 rawmuse  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:06:09am

Way to go. Fight crime, shoot back.

3 Ward Cleaver  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:06:11am

Go sailors! GO USA!

/f-ck yeah!

4 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:06:14am

The ship is the ALABAMA:

GO BAMA ROLL TIDE!

5 Ford_Prefect  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:06:16am

May God protect them all.

6 CIA Reject  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:06:30am

Pirate THIS!

7 Desert Dog  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:06:38am

Time to send in the Marines and/or US Navy! They need back up and they need it fast. I am sure the scumbag pirates are hoping for some reinforcements as well.

8 Honorary Yooper  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:06:41am

I sincerely hope the reports are true. It’ll make the Somali pirates think twice before even attempting this again on a ship displaying the Stars and Stripes.

9 Shug  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:06:49am

Make ‘em walk the plank


/arrrrrrgh

10 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:07:09am

If the good guys hold only part of the ship, I hope that the USN is ready to helicopter in some Seals STAT to reinforce them.

11 capitalist piglet  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:07:13am

Real American men rock.

12 CapeCoddah  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:07:28am

Charles, they have retaken complete control.

13 Ward Cleaver  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:07:32am

Feed the pirates to the sharks. Cut them so they’ll bleed, then throw them overboard.

Hilarity ensues.

14 wiffersnapper  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:07:35am

Anyone remember the scene on United 93 when the passengers try to take back control of the plane? That’s immediately what ran through my head when I read this!

15 Shug  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:07:59am

What each ship needs is a single Texas Ranger

no more, no less

There will be no further successful hijackings

16 CyanSnowHawk  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:08:03am

Here’s hoping the crew comes out of this without loss of life.

17 Ringo the Gringo  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:08:16am

Nice to see that the American fighting spirit is still alive!

18 Ward Cleaver  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:08:21am

re: #15 Shug

What each ship needs is a single Texas Ranger

no more, no less

There will be no further successful hijackings

One riot, one Ranger.

19 reggie  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:08:31am

I’m surprised that a US ship would be targeted by these people. Surely they read Obama’s remarks in Turkey. Does news really travel that slowly to their part of the world? Come on, love us already!

20 windhorse  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:08:32am

I wonder if Michelle is feeling proud….

21 Leonidas Hoplite  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:08:44am

Awesome. The United States continues to be a candle in the wilderness. At least those of us that believe freedom is worth fighting for.

22 Kenneth  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:08:49am

Maybe it’s not too late for the crew to reach out to the pirates and ask them what injustices have driven them to this desperate act of violence recreational boating?

23 MandyManners  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:08:50am

re: #4 Nevergiveup

The ship is the ALABAMA:

GO BAMA ROLL TIDE!

Well, they’re all VOLUNTEERS.

GO UT GO BIG ORANGE!

24 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:08:56am

re: #17 Ringo the Gringo

Nice to see that the American fighting spirit is still alive!

Memo to the rest of the world: FIGHT BACK!

25 albusteve  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:09:01am

re: #15 Shug

What each ship needs is a single Texas Ranger

no more, no less

There will be no further successful hijackings

a New York Yankee works well too

26 Ward Cleaver  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:09:03am

re: #19 reggie

I’m surprised that a US ship would be targeted by these people. Surely they read Obama’s remarks in Turkey. Does news really travel that slowly to their part of the world? Come on, love us already!

Unclench!

27 Ward Cleaver  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:09:31am

re: #20 windhorse

I wonder if Michelle is feeling proud….

At the cycle of violence? Are you kidding?

/

28 CapeCoddah  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:09:32am

re: #17 Ringo the Gringo

Nice to see that the American fighting spirit is still alive!

America will never lose that.

29 Shug  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:09:35am

When does Eric Holder charge the sailors with violating the hijackers rights?


no sarc

30 MandyManners  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:09:35am

re: #15 Shug

What each ship needs is a single Texas Ranger

no more, no less

There will be no further successful hijackings

Just a photograph of Chuck Norris on each ship would suffice.

31 zombie  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:10:09am
The sources told CBS News that crew members overpowered the pirates, taking one into custody, but the hijackers still held the ship’s master hostage. The American crew is in control of at least part of the ship and crew members have been in contact with their families.

Yes! That is the American spirit:

“Let’s roll.”

Quite the opposite of the new Obama-era American spirit: “Let’s roll over.”

32 karmic_inquisitor  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:10:09am

Well that removes a major thorn for Obama.

Would he have used the Navy or would he have written an angry letter and asked for appropriate unclenching of fists?

We will never know.

33 LGoPs  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:10:12am

re: #13 Ward Cleaver

Feed the pirates to the sharks. Cut them so they’ll bleed, then throw them overboard.

Hilarity ensues.

And there was much rejoicing……Yay.

34 Leonidas Hoplite  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:10:16am

re: #20 windhorse

I wonder if Michelle is feeling proud….


No, becasue doing something for yourself that benefits you and those around you is not part of the hard core lefty playbook.

35 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:10:23am

re: #28 CapeCoddah

America will never lose that.

Your more optimistic than me?

36 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:10:33am

Why are these pirates alternative maritime grass roots organizations being deprived of the property that they had rightfully acquired?

US OUT OF MAERSK ALABAMA! END THE OCCUPATION!

/

37 reggie  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:10:38am

re: #19 reggie

I’m surprised that a US ship would be targeted by these people. Surely they read Obama’s remarks in Turkey. Does news really travel that slowly to their part of the world? Come on, love us already!

I’m also surprised that the US crew would try to fight back. Surely THEY heard Obama’s remarks in Turkey.

38 karmic_inquisitor  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:10:45am

re: #31 zombie

Yes! That is the American spirit:

“Let’s roll.”

Quite the opposite of the new Obama-era American spirit: “Let’s roll over.”

LOL.

39 Honorary Yooper  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:10:47am

re: #20 windhorse

I wonder if Michelle is feeling proud….

Don’t give a shit what she thinks. I’m proud of them for not taking this sitting down.

40 Kragar  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:10:58am

Fighting back? Don’t they realize they just needed to unclench?

/

41 Leonidas Hoplite  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:11:14am

re: #29 Shug

When does Eric Holder charge the sailors with violating the hijackers rights?


no sarc


There will be an investigation into the unorthodox retaking of the ship, an action that was against UN protocol.

42 Ward Cleaver  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:11:16am

re: #29 Shug

When does Eric Holder charge the sailors with violating the hijackers rights?

no sarc

And releases the hijackers into America, to live the American dream.

43 windhorse  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:11:17am

I think Geithner ought to fire someone…..

44 Desert Dog  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:11:22am

re: #9 Shug

Make ‘em walk the plank

/arrrrrrgh

Keelhauling would be even better

45 LGoPs  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:11:40am

This was not piracy. It was a Nautical Economic Excursion…….
/

46 joncelli  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:11:48am

Excellent if true. Now where the hell is the USN and SEAL Team 6? Now would be an excellent time for some support.

47 MandyManners  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:11:52am

re: #40 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Fighting back? Don’t they realize they just needed to unclench?

/

You can’t bitch-slap with a clenched fist.

48 Kenneth  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:11:53am

re: #31 zombie

Perfect, and well worth repeating:

“Let’s roll!”- Todd Beamer

“Let’s roll over” - Barack Obama

49 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:11:57am

re: #44 Desert Dog

Keelhauling would be even better

And that’s a LONG ship. Let the games begin.

50 ciaospirit  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:12:14am

re: #31 zombie

Yes! That is the American spirit:

“Let’s roll.”

Quite the opposite of the new Obama-era American spirit: “Let’s roll over.”

Meanwhile, Obama is considering how to respond.

51 Capitalist Tool  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:12:17am

An obvious usurpation of power by those who would undermine our nation’s diplomacy and new- found glory in the hearts and minds of the world.

52 zombie  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:12:20am

re: #1 Ringo the Gringo

“Dane-geld”

Amongst the best and most appropriate first comments ever!

How did you get that posted so quickly?

53 karmic_inquisitor  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:12:23am

re: #31 zombie

And let us not forget the other motto used in the West Wing:

“Let’s roll the taxpayer!”

54 CapeCoddah  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:12:27am

re: #35 Nevergiveup

Your more optimistic than me?

I will always have complete faith in Americans.

55 VioletTiger  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:12:37am

We’re Americans and we don’t stand for that pirate shit!

56 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:12:38am

I really think I have dyslexia. I swear I thought that headline read “U.S. Takes Retarded Ship.”

57 2by2  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:12:47am

Could we please send in a Marine expedition corps
to clean up this mess once and for all?

58 Desert Dog  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:12:49am

re: #24 Nevergiveup

Memo to the rest of the world: FIGHT BACK!

no, no, no….paying them off is much more civilized. Some one could get hurt if you fight back. What is a little money to us, is a lot of money to the poor pirates, who after all, are just trying to make a living….

/Europe

59 varmint  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:13:02am

re: #14 wiffersnapper

i know some companies have been talking about using blackwater type mercenaries while sailing in dangerous waters. that and just arming crews.

to early to tell. am watching the press conference. the spokesman won’t even confirm that the ship was taken back.

60 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:13:15am

re: #54 CapeCoddah

I will always have complete faith in Americans.

These liberal Democrats are a new breed.

61 calcajun  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:13:15am

Now, make the pirates walk home.

62 MandyManners  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:13:29am

re: #50 ciaospirit

Meanwhile, Obama is considering how to respond.

How can he work “I/me/my/mine” into a press release about this?

63 Adrenalyn  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:13:31am

this as US ambassdor to the UN, Susan Rice is apologizing for the Rwanda massacres

these guys just robbed her and her boss from another chance at a grand apology

well, they could apologize for the pirates being eaten by sharks, I guess

64 Capitalist Tool  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:13:39am

re: #61 calcajun

Now, make the pirates walk home.

lol

65 MarineGrunt  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:13:46am

Where’s Lt. Presley Neville O’Bannon.

Let’s do it all over again

66 J.D.  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:13:47am

re: #45 LGoPs

This was not piracy. It was a Nautical Economic Excursion…….
/


Good one.

67 jcm  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:13:47am

Pirate Memo:

To: All Pirates

RE: Target ships.

Don’t not target ships flying the flag of the Imperial Zionist Lackey United States.

End memo.

68 razorbacker  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:13:49am

That’s pretty darned rude of that crew. Poor pirates. Most of them come from broken homes, you know. Haven’t had the advantages of the rest of us. Just doing what has to be done to keep themselves in SUVs, satellite TVs, and other necessities of life.

Besides, they didn’t even give Obama a chance to shine. Would’ve looked mighty good for him when he called on the pirates to unclench their fists and they went all open-palmy.

No wonder sailors have such a reputation for cursing, wenching, drinking and other anti-social activity. Barely fit for polite society.

69 VioletTiger  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:13:51am

re: #45 LGoPs

This was not piracy. It was a Nautical Economic Excursion…….
/

Don’t tell Janet. She’ll adopt that phrase.

70 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:14:00am

re: #55 VioletTiger

We’re Americans and we don’t stand for that pirate shit!

That is pretty much how the Marines started off. Fighting pirates.

71 CapeCoddah  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:14:03am

re: #60 Nevergiveup

These liberal Democrats are a new breed.

True Americans will always defeat stupid.

72 ciaospirit  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:14:13am

re: #62 MandyManners

How can he work “I/me/my/mine” into a press release about this?

lol

73 Desert Dog  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:14:16am

re: #55 VioletTiger

We’re Americans and we don’t stand for that pirate shit!

“…from the shores of Tripoli”

We don’t take kindly to scumbag Pie-rats

74 Ford_Prefect  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:14:17am

re: #60 Nevergiveup

These liberal Democrats are a new breed.

Our leaders are not us. Americans will fight back even when it’s leaders won’t.

75 jcm  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:14:22am

re: #44 Desert Dog

Keelhauling would be even better

With a union coffee break half way through.

76 albusteve  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:14:33am

the pirates don’t seem too brutal…how in the world could they let themselves be taken down?….those fools surely underestimated the boldness of Americans….what a great story when the details emerge

77 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:14:49am

How did they retake the ship? AFAIK, guns are illegal onboard ships - which never seems to stop the pirates, of course.

78 calcajun  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:15:00am

Better yet, hold the pirates for ransom and get some $ out of the deal.

79 turn  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:15:02am

re: #10 Occasional Reader

If the good guys hold only part of the ship, I hope that the USN is ready to helicopter in some Seals STAT to reinforce them.

Aren’t you tied up here today OR?

80 LionofDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:15:03am

Wouldn’t it be great if the crew came out with a statement that said, in effect, “we knew we would have to do it because we have no faith in our cowardly, America-hating President or his plagarizing, moronic Vice President lifting a finger to protect Americans.”

Knowing Obama, he will try to give the Somali pirate asylum in the U.S. and a job with Acorn getting illegals to register to vote.

81 Ward Cleaver  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:15:05am

re: #30 MandyManners

Just a photograph of Chuck Norris on each ship would suffice.

Nope. Lone Wolf Gonzaullas.

82 MandyManners  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:15:08am

re: #77 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

How did they retake the ship? AFAIK, guns are illegal onboard ships - which never seems to stop the pirates, of course.

SPORKS!

83 Kragar  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:15:11am

re: #70 Nevergiveup

That is pretty much how the Marines started off. Fighting pirates.

Actually, we started fighting the British, after they were gone, the pirates were next in line.

84 Adrenalyn  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:15:13am

let’s rename the ship the
Ala0bama

85 experiencedtraveller  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:15:32am

MAERSK ALABAMA (ex ALVA MEARSK)
LR/IMO Ship No 9164263
Call Sign WDB9985
Flag United States Of America
Port of Registry Norfolk,
VA Status In Service / Commission
Official No 1163269
Group Beneficial Owner Moller AP
Location Denmark
Shiptype Container Ship (Fully Cellular)
Tonnages Deadweight 17,375
Gross 14,120
Draught 9.500 KTMH 0 Depth 16.300
Length Overall 155.000 Length (BP) 145.770
Breadth Extreme 25.300 Breadth Moulded 25.000
M/E B&W 7S50MC

86 acwgusa  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:15:43am

“Hope you can swim, Mr. Pirate!”

/glug, glug/

“Guess Not!”

87 Taqiyyotomist  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:15:45am

re: #70 Nevergiveup

That is pretty much how the Marines started off. Fighting Muslim pirates.

fixed

88 Kragar  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:15:58am

re: #77 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

How did they retake the ship? AFAIK, guns are illegal onboard ships - which never seems to stop the pirates, of course.

Gaff hooks and belaying pins obviously

89 VegasRick  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:16:03am

re: #74 Ford_Prefect

Our leaders are not us. Americans will fight back even when it’s leaders won’t.

I wish I had 1,000 updings to give you.

90 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:16:09am

re: #77 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

How did they retake the ship? AFAIK, guns are illegal onboard ships - which never seems to stop the pirates, of course.

I think they have to change that rule in certain parts of the world. But that’s just my opinion.

91 albusteve  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:16:14am

re: #82 MandyManners

SPORKS!

RUN FOR YOUR LIFE MUSTAFA!

92 Desert Dog  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:16:31am

re: #76 albusteve

the pirates don’t seem too brutal…how in the world could they let themselves be taken down?….those fools surely underestimated the boldness of Americans….what a great story when the details emerge

They are used to sheep and do not know how to handle a wolf….being pigs themselves

93 karmic_inquisitor  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:16:38am

re: #63 Adrenalyn

this as US ambassdor to the UN, Susan Rice is apologizing for the Rwanda massacres

these guys just robbed her and her boss from another chance at a grand apology

well, they could apologize for the pirates being eaten by sharks, I guess

We are responsible for Rwanda? So which ones are the neocons - the Hutus or the Tutsis? I need to know so I can print a bumper sticker calling one of the two BusHitler Wanabes.

/

94 JohnnyReb  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:16:41am

re: #77 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

How did they retake the ship? AFAIK, guns are illegal onboard ships - which never seems to stop the pirates, of course.

Any sane Captain has small arms stashed some where aboard a sip like that. Not a whole lot, but most times you don’t need a whole lot. Plus there are about a gazillion things that can be made into weapons aboard any ship that size.

95 nyc redneck  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:16:55am

i love how american crewmen are not bowing down to these thieves.
throw them overboard. let it be known that their barbarism will not be tolerated.
no more negotiating w/ these bastards.
let o keep hoping for some unclenching,
while sensible americans get the job done.

96 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:17:14am

re: #83 Kragar (Proud to be Kafir)

Actually, we started fighting the British, after they were gone, the pirates were next in line.

Well, the French Navy made for good practice before taking on the pirates.

97 Ringo the Gringo  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:17:38am

re: #52 zombie

Amongst the best and most appropriate first comments ever!

How did you get that posted so quickly?

I was just reading an old article about the Barbary Pirates in which a line from that poem was quoted…So I looked up the complete poem and had just read it just a moment before Charles posted this thread.

Perfect timing.

98 Taqiyyotomist  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:17:39am

re: #74 Ford_Prefect

Our leaders are not us. Americans will fight back even when it’s leaders won’t.

If 9/11 is any guide to the future, one fourth of us will fight back.

99 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:17:46am

Fox breaking news at top has a link to a streaming press conference on this… I can’t get it to play.

100 Kenneth  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:17:57am

US Predator kills 4 in South Waziristan strike

The US has struck yet again inside Pakistan. The latest attack was aimed at a target in the lawless, Taliban-controlled tribal agency of South Waziristan.

An unmanned Predator strike aircraft fired a Hellfire missile at a vehicle in a bazaar in the town of Gangi Khel near Wana. Four Taliban and al Qaeda operatives are thought to have been killed in the strike and four civilians are said to have been wounded, Geo News reported. No senior Taliban or al Qaeda leaders have been reported killed at this time.

101 Adrenalyn  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:17:59am

re: #93 karmic_inquisitor

We are responsible for Rwanda? So which ones are the neocons - the Hutus or the Tutsis? I need to know so I can print a bumper sticker calling one of the two BusHitler Wanabes.

/


the irony is, she worked for the Clinton state dept in 1994 when it all happened

102 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:18:01am

So question. Seems we have one of the pirates in tow. Were is he going to be incarcerated? Gitmo or let loose in Miami?

103 jcm  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:18:08am

Since a terror attack is now “man made natural disaster.” What do we call piracy?

Goods acquisition by un-conventional means?

104 Capitalist Tool  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:18:11am

The hapless pirates did think the ship was European, after all.

105 MandyManners  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:18:32am

I found myself sitting next to a Maersk truck this morning. I bet the driver is still wondering why some woman blew him a kiss today.

106 karmic_inquisitor  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:18:44am

re: #101 Adrenalyn

the irony is, she worked for the Clinton state dept in 1994 when it all happened

Well. Its settled then. I blame George Bush.

107 LGoPs  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:18:46am

re: #103 jcm

Since a terror attack is now “man made natural disaster.” What do we call piracy?

Goods acquisition by un-conventional means?

See my #45……..

108 tfc3rid  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:18:51am

re: #102 Nevergiveup

So question. Seems we have one of the pirates in tow. Were is he going to be incarcerated? Gitmo or let loose in Miami?

Perhaps he will be tortured?

109 Honorary Yooper  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:18:51am

re: #98 Taqiyyotomist

If 9/11 is any guide to the future, one fourth of us will fight back.

At a minimum. They had the advantage of knowing what the other highjackers were up to. The first two followed the old protocol and didn’t know until they hit the buildings.

110 zombie  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:19:26am

re: #36 Occasional Reader

Why are these pirates alternative maritime grass roots organizations being deprived of the property that they had rightfully acquired?

US OUT OF MAERSK ALABAMA! END THE OCCUPATION!

/

You joke, but I live with that attitude every day. For example.

111 Capitalist Tool  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:19:28am

re: #97 Ringo the Gringo

I was just reading an old article about the Barbary Pirates in which a line from that poem was quoted…So I looked up the complete poem and had just read it just a moment before Charles posted this thread.

Perfect timing.

And in light of recent events, one could consider modern Danes as some of our closest kin.

112 J.D.  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:19:28am

re: #99 Occasional Reader

Fox breaking news at top has a link to a streaming press conference on this… I can’t get it to play.

Hmmmmmmmmm…
Works for me.
Try again.

113 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:19:37am

re: #108 tfc3rid

Perhaps he will be tortured?

So they’ll be taken to the Celine Dion show in Vegas?

114 jcm  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:19:55am

re: #107 LGoPs

See my #45……..

LOL!

GMTA

115 albusteve  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:20:00am

re: #99 Occasional Reader

Fox breaking news at top has a link to a streaming press conference on this… I can’t get it to play.

whatever that is it’s a terrible link

116 Honorary Yooper  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:20:22am

re: #113 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

So they’ll be taken to the Celine Dion show in Vegas?

I believe that breaks the “cruel and unusual punishment” part of the Constitution.

117 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:20:28am

re: #110 zombie

Whose face is that on his t-shirt?

118 Ayatollah Ghilmeini  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:20:50am

I just love it when Americans show the mettle of our people.

I am so very proud of them. It takes courage to fight back. It takes a desire NOT to submit.

119 windhorse  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:20:57am

….the talking head will not confirm the ship is back in the crew’s control….

120 CommonCents  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:20:57am

re: #25 albusteve

a New York Yankee works well too

Great Idea! I’d love to see the Yankee’s sent out to sea.

121 yesandno  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:20:58am

re: #4 Nevergiveup

The ship is the ALABAMA:

GO BAMA ROLL TIDE!

Better then the O’BAMA which would sink itself rather then offend anyone.
LET’S FOLD

122 Taqiyyotomist  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:20:59am

re: #109 Honorary Yooper

I hope you’re right. Actually, one fourth of the Airplane-riding-class would be more accurate. The average joe is not a suit-and-tie metrosexual frequent-flyer.

123 Ford_Prefect  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:02am

re: #98 Taqiyyotomist

If 9/11 is any guide to the future, one fourth of us will fight back.

I would say much higher than that. If the same thing happened today every plane would have an uprising. Remember, before 9/11 no one would have imagined what happened. The people on those planes mostly figured they were going to be rerouted somewhere, not flown into a building. Today that scene would play out very different.

124 Dr. Shalit  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:06am

re: #13 Ward Cleaver

Feed the pirates to the sharks. Cut them so they’ll bleed, then throw them overboard.

Hilarity ensues.

Ward Cleaver -

“…Howya doin’ now CHUM?…”

-S-

125 tfc3rid  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:09am

re: #113 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

So they’ll be taken to the Celine Dion show in Vegas?

Celine doesn’t play Vegas anymore, it’s Barry Manilow….

126 razorbacker  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:26am

re: #96 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

Well, the French Navy made for good practice before taking on the pirates.

In all fairness, the French Navy has been playing the role of the homecoming patsy for centuries.

Makes you wonder how a nation (France) with so many brave individuals can field so many chickensh*t armed forces.

Could it possibly be leadership? Man, I hope not, what with current American trends.

127 LGoPs  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:32am

re: #118 Ayatollah Ghilmeini

I just love it when Americans show the mettle of our people.

I am so very proud of them. It takes courage to fight back. It takes a desire NOT to submit.

Our guys didn’t bow to the pirates……

128 Shug  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:32am

re: #117 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

Whose face is that on his t-shirt?

Rod Serling?

129 Dianna  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:38am

Go, sailors, go!

Make the pirates think six times before they touch a ship!

130 lurking faith  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:42am

from the press conference:
The company spokesman is saying they had a call about 90 minutes ago from the vessel, saying all the crew was safe, and that they can’t confirm anything else.

131 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:47am

re: #97 Ringo the Gringo

I was just reading an old article about the Barbary Pirates in which a line from that poem was quoted…So I looked up the complete poem and had just read it just a moment before Charles posted this thread.

Perfect timing.

And a little ironic, of course, since this is a Danish-owned ship.

Maybe the Danes are paying us the Americageld?

132 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:51am

Ten to one, Barney Frank has a hard-on hearing about pirates now in bondage………

133 zombie  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:52am

re: #117 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

Whose face is that on his t-shirt?

I can’t tell. Sorry!

134 acwgusa  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:21:54am

re: #125 tfc3rid

Celine doesn’t play Vegas anymore, it’s Barry Manilow….

Now that really is torture, under any Conventions!

135 pink freud  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:22:17am

Has anyone seem loflyer lately? He would love this thread.

136 Ford_Prefect  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:22:19am

re: #109 Honorary Yooper

At a minimum. They had the advantage of knowing what the other highjackers were up to. The first two followed the old protocol and didn’t know until they hit the buildings.

What you said.

137 albusteve  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:22:20am

re: #120 CommonCents

Great Idea! I’d love to see the Yankee’s sent out to sea.

heh…those NY boys fight like the devil…they don’t back down from anybody

138 karmic_inquisitor  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:22:25am

re: #132 LionOfDixon

Ten to one, Barney Frank has a hard-on hearing about pirates now in bondage………

Quite the visual.

LOL

139 Taqiyyotomist  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:22:25am

How many people who are frequent-flyers have ever been in a fistfight?

140 SixDegrees  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:22:49am

re: #7 Desert Dog

Time to send in the Marines and/or US Navy! They need back up and they need it fast. I am sure the scumbag pirates are hoping for some reinforcements as well.

Long past time, actually. Park a carrier group just off the coast, and promise to harass anyone coming and going to or from Somalia.

Giving pirates a safe haven is a recipe for…more piracy. Since the rest of the world seems happy paying ransoms as part of the cost of doing business, and hasn’t yet realized that this will lead to an inevitable escalation of ransoms and violence, it’s time to step in and clear the sea lanes for them.

All it will take is the sinking of one or two Somali pirate ships to convince them to find another line of work. Quit giving them low-hanging fruit.

141 J.D.  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:22:51am

Damn!
OR’s link says the pirates made $80,000,000 last year doing this.

142 jwb7605  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:22:56am

re: #104 Capitalist Tool

The hapless pirates did think the ship was European, after all.

What part of Europe do you suppose they think flies the stars and stripes?

143 CommonCents  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:22:56am

“Suddenly they all layed down their weapons and put their asses in the air. That’s when we started tossing them in the ocean.” …. details to follow in the official story.

144 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:23:00am

re: #128 Shug

Rod Serling?

From Binghamton NY

145 zombie  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:23:07am

re: #121 yesandno

Better then the O’BAMA which would sink itself rather then offend anyone.
LET’S FOLD

I like “Let’s fold” even more than “Let’s roll over”!

146 acwgusa  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:23:23am

re: #139 Taqiyyotomist

How many people who are frequent-flyers have ever been in a fistfight?

On the plane, in the terminal, or outside on the street?

147 LGoPs  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:23:41am

I predict that these incidents will decrease once the baseball season gets fully underway. Pittsburgh has a large contingent of these Pirates and this is apparently what they do in the off season……..
/////

:)

148 Taqiyyotomist  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:23:43am

re: #143 CommonCents

“Suddenly they all layed down their weapons and put their asses in the air. That’s when we started tossing them in the ocean.” …. details to follow in the official story.

ROTFLOL! :)

149 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:23:45am

re: #139 Taqiyyotomist

How many people who are frequent-flyers have ever been in a fistfight?

That’s a surreal enough post that I’ll answer it; I am, and I have been.

150 Ward Cleaver  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:23:46am

re: #132 LionOfDixon

Ten to one, Barney Frank has a hard-on hearing about pirates now in bondage………

“Rum, the lash, and sodomy”?

/the british on the high seas, according to michael savage

151 CIA Reject  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:23:59am

re: #25 albusteve

a New York Yankee works well too

Now there’s an idea about where to release Gitmo detainees (and pirates for that matter). Release them to Yankee Stadium … on Bat Day …

152 Leonidas Hoplite  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:24:07am

re: #84 Adrenalyn

let’s rename the ship the
Ala0bama


or Allah-Obama?

153 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:24:10am

re: #142 jwb7605

What part of Europe do you suppose they think flies the stars and stripes?

There is this small piece of land in Normandy France that does.

154 Shug  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:24:17am

re: #147 LGoPs

I predict that these incidents will decrease once the baseball season gets fully underway. Pittsburgh has a large contingent of these Pirates and this is apparently what they do in the off season……..
/////

:)


so they are Pittsburgh pirates?

No wonder why they were so easily overpowered

155 capitalist piglet  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:24:40am

re: #132 LionOfDixon

If you have a razor blade handy, could I please borrow it to scratch out my mind’s eye? It’ll only take a second. I’ll give it right back.

156 acwgusa  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:24:45am

re: #152 Leonidas Hoplite

or Allah-Obama?

Or name it the the S.S. Surrender, no difference.

157 CommonCents  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:24:51am

re: #137 albusteve

heh…those NY boys fight like the devil…they don’t back down from anybody

Maybe we aren’t talking about the same New York Yankees.

158 VioletTiger  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:24:59am

I hope they interview the crew.

159 Kreuzueber Halbmond  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:25:08am

Sometime sharks get hungry.

/just sayin’

160 razorbacker  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:25:16am

Shane Murphy.

You might be hearing a bit about that guy.

Just go ahead and kick ass, guys. We’ll worry about taking the names later.

161 karmic_inquisitor  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:25:23am

re: #149 Occasional Reader

That’s a surreal enough post that I’ll answer it; I am, and I have been.

I guess I am too, but haven’t been in a fistfight since becoming a frequent flyer.

162 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:25:38am

re: #153 Nevergiveup

There is this small piece of land in Normandy France that does.

NORMANDY AMERICAN CEMETERY
COLLEVILLE SUR MER

[Link: battlefieldsww2.50megs.com…]

163 Mithrax  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:25:38am

re: #126 razorbacker

In all fairness, the French Navy has been playing the role of the homecoming patsy for centuries.

Makes you wonder how a nation (France) with so many brave individuals can field so many chickensh*t armed forces.

Could it possibly be leadership? Man, I hope not, what with current American trends.

In the early Napoleonics it was because the revolution had killed off a large part of the officer corps, and then later it was because they just couldn’t get out of port often enough to build a trained group of seamen. By the end of the Napoleonic war the state of the French navy was getting much better, but not enough to make much of a difference.

164 albusteve  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:25:50am

re: #157 CommonCents

Maybe we aren’t talking about the same New York Yankees.

it was a double unpunder…not really a good one tho

165 jwb7605  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:25:54am

re: #153 Nevergiveup

There is this small piece of land in Normandy France that does.

Really? I did not know that, unless you are referring to the graves.

166 Dr. Shalit  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:25:59am

re: #63 Adrenalyn

this as US ambassdor to the UN, Susan Rice is apologizing for the Rwanda massacres

these guys just robbed her and her boss from another chance at a grand apology

well, they could apologize for the pirates being eaten by sharks, I guess

Calling Susan Rice!-

The President at the time of Rwanda Massacres was the Husband of the current Secretary of State (a/k/a the “Co-President then). DUH!

-S-

167 Mithrax  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:26:03am

re: #150 Ward Cleaver

“Rum, the lash, and sodomy”?

/the british on the high seas, according to michael savage

Actually, that’s a quote from Churchill.

168 calcajun  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:26:25am

re: #132 LionOfDixon

Ten to one, Barney Frank has a hard-on hearing about pirates now in bondage………

Eww. I just threw up in my throat.

169 Ford_Prefect  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:26:36am

re: #147 LGoPs

I predict that these incidents will decrease once the baseball season gets fully underway. Pittsburgh has a large contingent of these Pirates and this is apparently what they do in the off season……..
/////

:)

Judging by last years standings they should keep their day jobs. :-)

170 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:26:51am

re: #153 Nevergiveup

There is this small piece of land in Normandy France that does.

OCCUPATION! THAT’S ALWAYS WRONG!

/

171 Desert Dog  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:26:51am

re: #131 Occasional Reader

And a little ironic, of course, since this is a Danish-owned ship.

Maybe the Danes are paying us the Americageld?

Sounds like we did not want to pay Somaliageld

172 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:26:52am

re: #165 jwb7605

Really? I did not know that, unless you are referring to the graves.

Yes

173 joncelli  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:27:08am

re: #161 karmic_inquisitor

I guess I am too, but haven’t been in a fistfight since becoming a frequent flyer

You’re probably okay if you stay out of cattle class as much as possible.

174 Adrenalyn  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:27:08am

re: #152 Leonidas Hoplite

or Allah-Obama?

well, ah, er, um
that mean I implied his messiahness is Muslim
and I don’t ascribe to that

I just ascribe to the fact that he is dreadful
as is his whole party

175 MJ  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:27:20am

How long before President Obama bows before Somali President Sharif Sheik Ahmed?

176 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:27:21am

How soon before Al Sharpton takes up their cause and accuses the Alabama sailors of acting like Bull Connor by interupting the business of black entrepeneurs?

177 calcajun  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:27:50am

re: #165 jwb7605

Yes. And at Metz, and Chateau Thierry as well.

178 razorbacker  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:27:57am

re: #167 Mithrax

No, I’m pretty sure that it’s a Friday night in San Francisco.

179 Taqiyyotomist  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:28:06am

O.R. Why is it a surreal question? We have a nation which is composed of a majority of people who have been trained from birth to NEVER FIGHT BACK, that if you do, you’ll be punished too. You are, sadly, in the great minority.

180 JHW  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:28:11am

A neighbor of mine is a first mate on a tanker, from my own experiences and talking to him I’d thought we have virtually no significant amount of American merchant mariners anymore. Most US owned ships have been re-flagged to Liberian or Panamanian registry and are usually crewed by Filipinos or other Southeast Asian sailors. The exception is ships traveling between US ports which must have US crews (I forget the name of the law on this). Anyway, I checked the Seafarers International Union website, and apparently 12 of the men on this ship are members.
S.I.U. Statement on Maersk Alabama

181 jcm  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:28:27am

Puntland needs to pounded by the US Navy until the rubble jumps.

Otherwise more ships will fall prey.

182 calcajun  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:28:46am

re: #171 Desert Dog

Sounds like we did not want to pay Somaliageld

What’s that? You want a gelded Somali? I suppose that can be arranged.

183 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:28:56am

re: #179 Taqiyyotomist

O.R. Why is it a surreal question? We have a nation which is composed of a majority of people who have been trained from birth to NEVER FIGHT BACK, that if you do, you’ll be punished too. You are, sadly, in the great minority.

I’m just not sure what the “frequent flyer” aspect had to do with it.

184 karmic_inquisitor  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:28:56am

re: #167 Mithrax

Actually, that’s a quote from Churchill.

Ward? His version might be “Rum, plagiarism, sodomy, more plagiarism.”

185 mattm  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:28:58am

Jimmy Carter in less than 100 days. All 0bama could do was say they they are looking at the situation. Pathetic.

186 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:28:59am

re: #176 LionOfDixon

How soon before Al Sharpton takes up their cause and accuses the Alabama sailors of acting like Bull Connor by interupting the business of black entrepeneurs?

That fast bastard buffoon is to busy trying to make trouble for that Arizona Sheriff today. Oh and his commie bastard partner in that effort is Acorn!

187 acwgusa  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:29:00am

re: #181 jcm

Puntland needs to pounded by the US Navy until the rubble jumps.

Otherwise more ships will fall prey.

See, I read that too quickly. I thought you had said Portland.

189 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:29:17am

Next step: Regime change in Somalia. Some attitude adjustment if you will to convince them that piracy doesn’t pay.

190 LGoPs  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:29:25am

re: #181 jcm

Puntland needs to pounded by the US Navy until the rubble jumps.

Otherwise more ships will fall prey.

If we did bomb it into the stone age it would be difficult to tell the difference between the before and after pictures.

191 Leonidas Hoplite  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:29:46am

re: #181 jcm

Puntland needs to pounded by the US Navy until the rubble jumps.

Otherwise more ships will fall prey.

Bring back the Iowa-class!

192 flaivom  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:29:51am

The BBC is quoting the Pentagon as saying the ship has been retaken:

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk…]

U-S-A, U-S-A

193 nyc redneck  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:29:55am

re: #175 MJ

How long before President Obama bows before Somali President Sharif Sheik Ahmed?

i wonder if he has already called him w/ an apology for the american crew taking
action to protect themselves.

194 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:29:57am

re: #189 LionOfDixon

Next step: Regime change in Somalia. Some attitude adjustment if you will to convince them that piracy doesn’t pay.

In order to have “regime change”, you need a regime in the first place…

195 Ojoe  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:30:02am

This is exactly in the spirit of Todd Beamer & the passengers of flight 93.

It is the real America which we have no leader to make use of,

and have had no leader to make use of,

for decades.

196 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:30:50am

re: #193 nyc redneck

i wonder if he has already called him w/ an apology for the american crew taking
action to protect themselves.

They acted arrogantly and unilaterally! Why couldn’t they have waited for the UN to issue a sternly-worded letter?

197 Desert Dog  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:30:55am

re: #182 calcajun

What’s that? You want a gelded Somali? I suppose that can be arranged.

I prefer my Somalia Pirates “leaded”, as in full of lead

198 Adrenalyn  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:31:01am

has the ACLU filed a lawsuit on behalf of the pirates yet ?

199 karmic_inquisitor  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:31:02am

Isn’t “pirate” a strong word? Who are we to judge?

/

200 MandyManners  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:31:07am

re: #142 jwb7605

What part of Europe do you suppose they think flies the stars and stripes?

This ain’t no rag.


Youtube Video
201 lawhawk  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:31:21am

Let’s not overlook the fact that this is the sixth ship to be captured by pirates in a week. Seems even the pirates are testing international will and the Administration to see what they’d do.

202 Capitalist Tool  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:31:32am

re: #125 tfc3rid

Celine doesn’t play Vegas anymore, it’s Barry Manilow….

and Carlos Santana

203 joncelli  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:31:35am

re: #192 flaivom

From the BBC story: “The status of the other pirates was unknown, but officials said they were “in the water”. Heh. Yes, I’ll bet they are, and hoping the USN gets to them before the crew or the sharks do.

204 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:31:45am

re: #192 flaivom

The BBC is quoting the Pentagon as saying the ship has been retaken:

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk…]

U-S-A, U-S-A

I like this:

The status of the other pirates was unknown, but officials said they were “in the water”.

A bad day at ballet school, eh, pirates?

205 Honorary Yooper  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:31:51am

re: #192 flaivom

The BBC is quoting the Pentagon as saying the ship has been retaken:

[Link: news.bbc.co.uk…]

U-S-A, U-S-A

From the story:

Unnamed US defence officials said one pirate had been captured by the crew of the Danish-owned Maersk Alabama, which was seized earlier in the Indian Ocean.

The status of the other pirates was unknown, but officials said they were “in the water”.

In other words, the other pirates are shark bait.

206 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:32:13am

re: #194 Occasional Reader

The regime in force now is tolerated anarchy. Lawlessness can rule and dictate a country just as terribly as a tyrant.

207 Capitalist Tool  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:32:15am

re: #189 LionOfDixon

Next step: Regime change in Somalia. Some attitude adjustment if you will to convince them that piracy doesn’t pay.

there is no regime in Somalia…

208 Shug  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:32:17am

The scum are chum

209 catttt  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:32:27am

Good news - breaking, so I hope the thing is over.

“The crew is back in control of the ship,” a U.S. official said at midday, speaking on condition of anonymity because she was not authorized to speak on the record. “It’s reported that one pirate is on board under crew control—the other three were trying to flee,” the official said. The status of the other pirates was unknown, the official said, but they were reported to “be in the water.”

Source: [Link: www.breitbart.com…]

In the water. Did someone say something about walking the plank? You may be prescient.

210 LGoPs  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:32:40am

Ships cause piracy. If there were no ships, there would be no piracy.
C’mon, let’s get with it folks.

211 VegasRick  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:32:50am

re: #205 Honorary Yooper

In other words, the other pirates are shark bait.

Sea kittens need to eat too!

212 Kreuzueber Halbmond  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:32:56am

re: #199 karmic_inquisitor

Isn’t “pirate” a strong word? Who are we to judge?

/

Freedom mariners?

213 J.D.  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:33:02am

re: #210 LGoPs

Ships cause piracy. If there were no ships, there would be no piracy.
C’mon, let’s get with it folks.

I blame Spain.

214 tommygum  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:33:08am

re: #25 albusteve

a New York Yankee works well too

Not Sabathia.

215 acwgusa  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:33:09am

re: #199 karmic_inquisitor

Isn’t “pirate” a strong word? Who are we to judge?

/

Alternate Method Acquisition Engineer?

216 CIA Reject  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:33:13am

re: #205 Honorary Yooper

In other words, the other pirates are shark bait.

Or chum depending on whether or not they can out-swim a container ship.

217 VioletTiger  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:33:26am

re: #125 tfc3rid

Celine doesn’t play Vegas anymore, it’s Barry Manilow….


So, they have the choice between jumping in shark invested waters or listening to Barry Manilow….oh my. That’s a tough one.

218 windhorse  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:33:42am

Somalia needs to be spanked.

219 Adrenalyn  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:33:48am

malnourished mariners miss making a mockery on a Maersk

220 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:33:48am

re: #142 jwb7605

What part of Europe do you suppose they think flies the stars and stripes?

This part:

Youtube Video
221 KenJen  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:33:59am

I wonder if the pirates thrown overboard were chums?

222 catttt  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:33:59am

re: #199 karmic_inquisitor

Isn’t “pirate” a strong word? Who are we to judge?

/

Law-challenged seagoers?

223 JammieWearingFool  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:00am

What time is Obama’s press conference to apologize to the pirates scheduled for?

224 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:03am

re: #208 Shug

The scum are chum

While Obama unsuccessfully tries to get some thugs to be our friends, these brave sailors have much more successfully turned other thugs into chum.

I love it.

225 BingoBunny  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:04am

OK we have witnesses to piracy.. put the prisoner/s on trial.. hang them.

/don’t pass them back to Somalia warlords.. UN..

226 pat  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:15am

Obama might have to put away the surrender his staff was preparing.

227 MJ  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:16am

President Obama and his Middle East adviser Jimmy Carter will announce that the responsibility for the Somali pirates actions rests solely on the lack of progress of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

228 Dianna  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:21am

re: #201 lawhawk

Let’s not overlook the fact that this is the sixth ship to be captured by pirates in a week. Seems even the pirates are testing international will and the Administration to see what they’d do.

Then it’s truly a good thing the crew didn’t sit and wait for the administration to do something, isn’t it?

229 Dreader1962  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:28am

I’m wondering if these ‘crew’ had short haircuts and excellent physical condition…

They have one pirate ‘in custody’.

230 tfc3rid  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:44am

re: #223 JammieWearingFool

What time is Obama’s press conference to apologize to the pirates scheduled for?

He will get on and say that the Americans on the ship were not at war with Islam…

231 iceman1960  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:46am

They should make the bastards hold their tounges and say “I was born on a pirate ship”

232 joncelli  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:51am

I just had a thought — could this have been a sting? Put a bunch of SEALs on a container ship, do the maritime equivalent of flashing a hundred dollar bill in a bad neighborhood, and wait for the bad guys to arrive…or maybe I just have an overactive imagination.

233 jwb7605  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:58am

re: #210 LGoPs

Ships cause piracy. If there were no ships, there would be no piracy.
C’mon, let’s get with it folks.

Finally, a well reasoned and educated observer!
/// (but an upding)

234 lawhawk  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:34:59am

re: #189 LionOfDixon

Next step: Regime change in Somalia. Some attitude adjustment if you will to convince them that piracy doesn’t pay.

Regime change in Somalia. You must be joking, because there is no regime in charge of Somalia. It’s a failed state and no one is in charge. The Ethiopians threw out the ICU (Islamic Courts Union - I know, I’m shocked too that Islamists are involved /sarc) but there’s no one with sufficient power to run the place so the ICU is again claiming control, although most of the country is a lawless mess. The pirates have their own not-quite-underground economy supporting them, and the world is uninterested in nation-building in any event to deal with the mess despite the fact that failed states are breeding grounds for terrorists.

I fully expect al Qaeda and other Islamists to use Somalia and other failed states as recruiting grounds, just as they’ve done in the past and are doing in places like the Afghan-Pak frontier. Doing nothing in Somalia is not an option, and yet the Adminstration simply shrugs its shoulders. That’s some leadership Obama’s showing.

235 VioletTiger  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:35:04am

re: #211 VegasRick

Sea kittens need to eat too!

THis is an evul plot by sea kittehs to take ovur teh wurld!

236 tommygum  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:35:40am

re: #42 Ward Cleaver

And releases the hijackers into America, to live the American dream.

With welfare.

237 karmic_inquisitor  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:35:44am

Isn’t retaking a ship from poor people a little “selfish?” These were just oppressed people “spreading the wealth around”.

238 kynna  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:36:02am

re: #228 Dianna

Then it’s truly a good thing the crew didn’t sit and wait for the administration to do something, isn’t it?

I just hope they didn’t hurt any pirates. 0 will have to apologize for something else, and he’s running out of script.

239 kynna  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:36:27am

re: #238 kynna

I just hope they didn’t hurt any pirates. 0 will have to apologize for something else, and he’s running out of script.

I hope the sarc tag wasn’t necessary. ;D

240 lawhawk  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:36:29am

re: #209 catttt

Sounds like the pirates are going to be quite chummy with the sharks.

241 CIA Reject  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:36:31am

re: #225 BingoBunny

OK we have witnesses to piracy.. put the prisoner/s on trial.. hang them.

/don’t pass them back to Somalia warlords.. UN..

That would be a pretty neat thing for the commanding officer of the first USN vessel on the scene to do: try them and then hang them from the yardarm- all within half an hour of arrival.

/And he would be within his rights.

242 nyc redneck  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:36:43am

wasn’t it thomas jefferson who actually formed the u.s. marines to combat pirates marauding off the barbary coast. (in l803 ?)
maybe that’s what o was thinking abt. when he gushed over how islam had
inspired and shaped the founding of our country.
lol.

243 catttt  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:36:48am

Expert on Fox trying to figure out why crew fought back. Maybe because they’re Americans?

Anyway, he’s going on and on and on about how crews should not resist, once the pirates are on board.

244 capitalist piglet  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:36:54am

re: #227 MJ

President Obama and his Middle East adviser Jimmy Carter will announce that the responsibility for the Somali pirates actions rests solely on the lack of progress of a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.

They have a full plate today:

Obama team readying for confrontation with Netanyahu

245 Capitalist Tool  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:37:14am

re: #232 joncelli

I just had a thought — could this have been a sting? Put a bunch of SEALs on a container ship, do the maritime equivalent of flashing a hundred dollar bill in a bad neighborhood, and wait for the bad guys to arrive…or maybe I just have an overactive imagination.

Just a bunch of average Americans, I would say..
Are You paying attention Nancy and Harry and BO?

246 Silhouette  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:37:14am

It’s nice to know that little voice in my heart that said, when reading of other hijackings, “They’d better not try that with Americans! Because a free man knows he is free and will kick you tail,” wasn’t without some justification.

247 Dustyvet  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:37:24am

re: #75 jcm

With a union coffee break half way through.

Arrrrrrr Matey, but Rum would be better!

/S

248 JohnnyReb  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:37:32am

Here is the money quote from the ships owners on CNN:

“We have very strict policies on the vessel … crews are trained to handle these types of situations,” Storgaard said from Maersk’s headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark. “

I am betting they had small arms aboard that ship and they were trained in their use. And what to do if this very thing happened.

249 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:37:55am

re: #241 CIA Reject

That would be a pretty neat thing for the commanding officer of the first USN vessel on the scene to do: try them and then hang them from the yardarm- all within half an hour of arrival.

/And he would be within his rights.

Ain’t to many Yardarm’s on USN ships anymore?

250 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:37:56am

re: #234 lawhawk

See my post #206. We have tolerated this crap too long… it is a failed state, like Afghanistan, which breeds terrorism and deadly criminal activity.

251 capitalist piglet  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:38:24am

re: #243 catttt

Expert on Fox trying to figure out why crew fought back. Maybe because they’re Americans?
Anyway, he’s going on and on and on about how crews should not resist, once the pirates are on board.

If I were in trouble, I wouldn’t trust this administration to rescue me. I probably wouldn’t trust ANY administration to rescue me - but this one, especially.

252 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:38:34am

re: #241 CIA Reject

That would be a pretty neat thing for the commanding officer of the first USN vessel on the scene to do: try them and then hang them from the yardarm

Do USN ships still have yardarms? I think they’d have to hang them from the Phalanx gun, or something.

253 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:38:38am

Ronald Reagan and Charleton Heston are smiling down from Heaven right about now.

254 jcm  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:38:39am

re: #191 Leonidas Hoplite

Bring back the Iowa-class!

I love the Battlewagons.

I want the pirates to see the flash on the horizon, listen to the approaching freight train sound. And know what’s coming.

255 CIA Reject  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:39:00am

re: #249 Nevergiveup

Ain’t to many Yardarm’s on USN ships anymore?

I’m sure something could be arranged- Naval Officers are very resourceful :-)

256 Diamond Bullet  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:39:08am

American sailors retake their own vessel while the White House “monitors” the situation. Ladies and Gentlemen, the Obama Presidency! It’s almost like people remember that waiting for a Carter-esque President to rescue you from foreign nationals is, with apologies to Serenity, a long wait for a train that don’t come.

257 Kenneth  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:39:52am

re: #189 LionOfDixon

Next step: Regime change in Somalia. Some attitude adjustment if you will to convince them that piracy doesn’t pay.

What regime? Somalia hasn’t had a central gov’t since 1991. It’s a wasteland of pirates, warlords, Islamists and bandits.

258 Dustyvet  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:39:57am

re: #254 jcm

I love the Battlewagons.

I want the pirates to see the flash on the horizon, listen to the approaching freight train sound. And know what’s coming.

Don’t you just love a surprise…:) BOOM!


/S

259 Silhouette  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:40:06am

re: #237 karmic_inquisitor

Isn’t retaking a ship from poor people a little “selfish?” These were just oppressed people “spreading the wealth around”.

Actually, since they had been in charge of it for awhile, regardless that they originially stole it, it is technically the pirate’s property for all time.

Like Spain is to Islam.

Etc.

260 DanishMade  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:40:17am

According to Danish media, the ship is back on the US-crews hands..and the pirates is (back) in the water…
That really pleases my heart..

261 LGoPs  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:40:40am

re: #229 Dreader1962

I’m wondering if these ‘crew’ had short haircuts and excellent physical condition…

They have one pirate ‘in custody’.

It’d be a shame if he had an accident. Those decks can get pretty slippery……..
/

262 Just Another Four-letter Word  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:41:06am

Well, well, well, some GOOD news for a change - some Americans opening up a can of Whoop-ass on some Scum of the Seas. Nice going, guys.

No details yet, and at the video press conference the CEO/President decided not to give names or details. Good for him. I imagine the crew had a few handguns and rifles, but I can fantasize that they could have opened up on the SotS with a CSW or maybe a Sniper rifle or two. Wouldn’t that be FUN?!

JAFLW

/target practice, anyone? Meet my friend Barrett…

263 pat  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:41:08am

If this ship is really in Mogadishu as early reports said, they are not out of the woods yet.

264 reine.de.tout  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:41:38am

The ship was taken by pirates, the re-taken by the crew.

I have looked around at some news sources.

Has Obama made any statement yet about this?

266 _RememberTonyC  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:42:02am

Wow … I leave for 40 minutes for a conference call and a new thread springs up. I am so proud of our guys for doing this. The spirit of Todd beamer really does live.

Note to Mr President:
People may hate us and think we’re militaristic, but they also FEAR us because we have guns and the will to use them.

PLEASE LEARN THIS LESSON NOW!

267 reine.de.tout  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:42:25am

re: #243 catttt

Expert on Fox trying to figure out why crew fought back. Maybe because they’re Americans?

Anyway, he’s going on and on and on about how crews should not resist, once the pirates are on board.

What “expert” is this saying that crews should not resist?

268 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:42:40am

re: #257 Kenneth

See my post at 206. Anarchy can be a prevailing regime.

269 Silhouette  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:42:43am

Violence never defeated anything!

(Except nazism, slavery, piracy, etc.)

270 _RememberTonyC  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:43:21am

re: #266 _RememberTonyC

Wow … I leave for 40 minutes for a conference call and a new thread springs up. I am so proud of our guys for doing this. The spirit of Todd beamer really does live.

Note to Mr President:
People may hate us and think we’re militaristic, but they also FEAR us because we have guns and the will to use them.

PLEASE LEARN THIS LESSON NOW!


PIMF … Apologies for the lower case typo on the great Todd Beamer’s last name.

271 LGoPs  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:43:22am

re: #246 Silhouette

It’s nice to know that little voice in my heart that said, when reading of other hijackings, “They’d better not try that with Americans! Because a free man knows he is free and will kick you tail,” wasn’t without some justification.

And a corrollary of this action by Americans is that pirates will probably give a wide berth to any ships flying the American flag from this point on……
Makes me proud.

272 jcm  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:43:23am

re: #258 Dustyvet

Don’t you just love a surprise…:) BOOM!

/S

That has it’s place too…..

I just like big guns. The Iowa class, or a Des Moines-class heavy cruiser with 9 8” semi-automatic guns putting 960 rounds a minute onto a target.

Air Force Arc Lights are nice too.

Precision and stealth has it’s place.

Sometimes you need to make an impression.

273 Nevergiveup  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:43:35am

re: #267 reine.de.tout

What “expert” is this saying that crews should not resist?

Yeah because if a fire fight broke out there could be casualties?

274 Orangutan  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:44:02am

Nice….I wonder if this lesson will impact our approach to Iran.

Well, with HRH Carter II in charge, likely not.

275 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:44:08am

re: #264 reine.de.tout

The Messiah is too busy looking into cloud seeding to reduce global warming.

276 Ford_Prefect  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:44:52am

re: #264 reine.de.tout

The ship was taken by pirates, the re-taken by the crew.

I have looked around at some news sources.

Has Obama made any statement yet about this?

I am sure he will be apologizing to the pirates any time now.
/

277 anubis_soundwave  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:45:05am

If former PotUS Jefferson (not Clinton) were around today:

T. Jefferson: “Two hundred and five year have passed since our Naval war with the Barbary States, and we *still* have not finished with them!? What manner of incompetent governance do we have in these United States?”

acsound: “…we’ll get back to you in the year of our Lord two thousand and ten. On the bright side, we did end slavery in the United States in the year one thousand eight hundred threescore and five. The war was a rather bloody affair, though.”

Obscure reference to: this and this, both waged to fend off these jerks.

278 razorbacker  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:45:41am

“Were there any U.S. diplomats on board?”

Gotta love the newspeople.

279 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:45:53am

re: #267 reine.de.tout

What “expert” is this saying that crews should not resist?

Ohferpetessake.

280 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:45:55am

re: #273 Nevergiveup

The liberal news media will say they shouldn’t fight back, because that would violate the Obama administrations support for affirmative action for Somali pirates who have long borne the brunt of racist imperialism.

281 LGoPs  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:46:22am

re: #267 reine.de.tout

What “expert” is this saying that crews should not resist?

Same kind of ‘expert’ that told people not to resist an airline hijacking……until 9-11 happened.
I am usually skeptical of ‘experts’….

282 SixDegrees  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:46:30am

re: #185 mattm

Jimmy Carter in less than 100 days. All 0bama could do was say they they are looking at the situation. Pathetic.

The situation existed long before Obama took office, and has grown steadily worse ever since. It represents an enormous drag on world trade, and will ultimately escalate to include higher ransoms and increased violence. “Looking at the situation” should be “addressing the situation,” and it should be addressed by calling up the Secretary of the Navy and saying, “Deal with it. Use whatever means are necessary.”

Thanks to numerous earlier encounters, we know everything that we need to know to put a stop to this. We know who’s running the operations. We know who works for them. We know where they do business, and where they live. We know what boats are used. The last three items should be converted into smoking holes in the ground and sea, respectively, along with a simple statement that the party’s over.

It isn’t like this risks becoming an international incident. That means an incident between two nations - and Somalia, at the moment, is NOT a nation. It’s a small chunk of the world run as an anarchy, with no one in charge of anything other than whatever their own personal power can control.

In fact, maybe we could offer free passage to Somalia for all the self-proclaimed Anarchists who frequent places like the G20 and other economic summits in protest. Give them what they want - a country with no laws at all. I’d be interested in seeing how long they last.

283 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:46:37am

re: #278 razorbacker

“Were there any U.S. diplomats on board?”

Gotta love the newspeople.

You’re kidding me… they really asked if there were US diplomats on board a frickking container ship?!

284 Hengineer  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:47:32am

Heres to US Merchant Mariners!

285 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:47:47am

re: #276 Ford_Prefect

Yeah….I can just hear him now…”As the only nation who has used an atomic bomb, and shot down kamikaze pilots, I apologize to the muslim seafarers who were only trying to feed their starving children…….

286 tommygum  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:48:05am

re: #113 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

So they’ll be taken to the Celine Dion show in Vegas?

Hog-tied and left in Barney Frank’s basement……

287 SixDegrees  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:49:13am

re: #241 CIA Reject

That would be a pretty neat thing for the commanding officer of the first USN vessel on the scene to do: try them and then hang them from the yardarm- all within half an hour of arrival.

/And he would be within his rights.

It worked in the past. Piracy is a crime of opportunity. Making it unattractively expensive is easy, and those involved immediately find other lines of work.

Leave one alive to take the story back, is the only change I’d make to this solution.

288 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:49:22am

re: #282 SixDegrees

In fact, maybe we could offer free passage to Somalia for all the self-proclaimed Anarchists who frequent places like the G20 and other economic summits in protest

I’ve been advocating that for years, in fact.

As for Somalia… I recall a news story about how they screened a bootleg copy of Blackhawk Down in Mogadishu, and the audience cheered every time an American soldier was shot. The hell with ‘em.

289 razorbacker  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:49:50am

re: #283 Occasional Reader

No, I was not kidding.

State Department press conference.

*I know, since I don’t do sarc tags, sometimes it is hard to tell.*

290 SixDegrees  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:50:11am

re: #264 reine.de.tout

The ship was taken by pirates, the re-taken by the crew.

I have looked around at some news sources.

Has Obama made any statement yet about this?

If the US Navy isn’t on their way to secure the coastline, I’m going to puke in a bag and mail it to the White House.

291 CommonSense  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:50:51am

My money is on Navy Seals deployed from a submarine which is kept quite with “US Crew retakes ship.”

292 reine.de.tout  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:51:52am

re: #280 LionOfDixon

The liberal news media will say they shouldn’t fight back, because that would violate the Obama administrations support for affirmative action for Somali pirates who have long borne the brunt of racist imperialism.

We actually have no clue yet how this will play out in the media, because I cannot locate anywhere where the President of the United States has made any statement yet about this kidnapping of our citizens, the taking of the ship they were working on, and then the re-taking of the ship.

293 Hengineer  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:52:08am

re: #291 CommonSense

My money is on Navy Seals deployed from a submarine which is kept quite with “US Crew retakes ship.”

I’m not so sure, I don’t see Obama as the commander in Chief okaying that.

I DO see the crew being trained in the use of small arms capturing a rag-tag bunch of Somalis.

294 charles_martel  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:52:44am

Why are there no US Navy destroyers escorting our vessels?

295 Hengineer  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:53:13am

re: #15 Shug

What each ship needs is a single Texas Ranger

no more, no less

There will be no further successful hijackings

Chuck Norris wouldn’t put up with it.

All he’d need is his left thumb

296 Hengineer  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:53:42am

re: #294 charles_martel

Why are there no US Navy destroyers escorting our vessels?

No, not every single ship. If they request it, supposedly they can be escorted.

297 reine.de.tout  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:54:28am

re: #285 LionOfDixon

Speculating in that way as to what Obama might say is - odd.

I think it’s amazing enough that he has apparently said nothing yet.

298 charles_martel  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:54:29am

We may need to do escorted convoys, as we did during the Big One.

299 [deleted]  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:54:51am
300 Hengineer  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:54:57am

re: #297 reine.de.tout

Speculating in that way as to what Obama might say is - odd.

I think it’s amazing enough that he has apparently said nothing yet.

He must be reading a story about Goats to children.

301 CommonSense  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:55:35am

re: #297 reine.de.tout

Speculating in that way as to what Obama might say is - odd.

I think it’s amazing enough that he has apparently said nothing yet.

Telepropter broken?

302 _RememberTonyC  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:55:54am

Nothing makes me happier than seeing the good guys open up a can of whoop ass on the bad guys.

303 razorbacker  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:56:13am

re: #294 charles_martel

Why are there no US Navy destroyers escorting our vessels?

Probably because there just aren’t that many destroyers in the Navy, anymore.

304 anubis_soundwave  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:57:30am

re: #297 reine.de.tout

Speculating in that way as to what Obama might say is - odd.

I think it’s amazing enough that he has apparently said nothing yet.

What needs to be said? The pirates attacked one of our ships, our people; we (the US crew members)fought back. The end.

305 SixDegrees  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:58:12am

re: #294 charles_martel

Why are there no US Navy destroyers escorting our vessels?

The amount of traffic through the region is huge, and schedules are determine by market factors; ships sail the moment they’re ready in order to maximize transport, making the organization of convoys impractical as well.

A better use of the Navy would be to pummel the pirate’s land-based homes and offices, and their boats, into oblivion. They’re concentrated in just a couple of locations which are well known. Cordoning off the area immediately adjacent to the Somali coast is also a workable option. But on the whole, this is a situation begging for an aggressive response.

306 charles_martel  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:58:29am

Aw, heck, just mount a few miniguns on the container ships. Slice their little pirate boats in half.

307 BigAl  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:58:56am

This has the makings of another great movie. Unless of course, the pirates jumped over the side when they realized they had made a mistake this time.

308 Silhouette  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:59:02am

re: #293 Hengineer

I DO see the crew being trained in the use of small arms capturing a rag-tag bunch of Somalis.

Yes. I don’t think these pirates are all that formidible and all it takes it some resisitance to, well, resist.

The flip side of that is that vital to the success of loser pirates are victims who are trained and encouraged NOT to resist. I once worked as a bank teller, and we were told to hand over the cash, even if there was no weapon in sight, but they merely demanded money by note or by voice.

309 wiffersnapper  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:59:21am

re: #303 razorbacker

Wouldn’t it just be cheaper to arm the crew instead?

310 jcm  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:59:53am

re: #293 Hengineer

I’m not so sure, I don’t see Obama as the commander in Chief okaying that.

I DO see the crew being trained in the use of small arms capturing a rag-tag bunch of Somalis.

The pirates would not be expecting resistance.

311 anubis_soundwave  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:00:26am

re: #309 wiffersnapper

Wouldn’t it just be cheaper to arm the crew instead?

Bingo, bingo! You win the prize.

312 Silhouette  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:01:00am

re: #307 BigAl

This has the makings of another great movie. Unless of course, the pirates jumped over the side when they realized they had made a mistake this time.

Sometimes, a movie can be too short if people defend themselves.

Can you imagine the movie ‘Cujo’ had the woman been armed? “Mommy, that dog looks mean.” Blam. blam. blam. (Roll credits)

313 wiffersnapper  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:01:48am

re: #311 anubis_soundwave

Thinking out loud here for a moment, would they be subject to international laws on the seas? Like if they went into Danish waters they couldn’t carry guns or whatever?

314 SixDegrees  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:03:18am

re: #309 wiffersnapper

Wouldn’t it just be cheaper to arm the crew instead?

So far, fear of escalation has prevented such measures; to date, no one has been killed or even much injured in these incidents. The crew gets held for ransom, as does the cargo, and the shipping companies have simply paid the pirates off. The amounts of money are huge, and escalating, and shippers feel that if they start shooting back, the pirates will up the ante and obtain more firepower.

Best to let the world’s navies (pretty much just the US) deal with the problem, by sending the whole flotilla of pirate boats to the bottom, while taking out their land-based facilities at the same time.

315 wiffersnapper  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:04:15am

re: #314 SixDegrees

Hmmm, ok.

316 BigAl  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:04:31am

Maybe if all cargo ships carried an American flag to hoist up when approached might just do the trick.

317 Pickles  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:04:43am

FWIW I think the crew should be able to arm themselves given the current situation. I know there are international laws but those laws can’t provide an ounce of guarantee for the safety of the ships.

318 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:04:49am

re: #297 reine.de.tout

Not odd at all…..if you have a modicum of a sense of humor.

319 BigAl  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:05:39am

Ransom covered by insurance. We all pay.

320 SixDegrees  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:05:44am

re: #313 wiffersnapper

Thinking out loud here for a moment, would they be subject to international laws on the seas? Like if they went into Danish waters they couldn’t carry guns or whatever?

Actually, this is in fact a major problem. Quite a few countries have laws against weapons possession, and those laws apply to ships docked at their ports. Special permissions are granted for some vessels, like Naval ships from other countries. But you enter a legal rat’s nest when you start arming civilian crews bound for certain destinations.

321 razorbacker  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:05:46am

re: #309 wiffersnapper

Wouldn’t it just be cheaper to arm the crew instead?

Look, if you’re going to keep wandering about spouting off common sense, you’d better watch your back.

*He who speaks only the truth should always own a fast horse.*

322 UberInfidel67  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:05:48am

re: #317 Pickles The laws don’t mean a damn thing if both sides aren’t following them.

323 Dreader1962  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:06:30am

re: #261 LGoPs

It’d be a shame if he had an accident. Those decks can get pretty slippery……..
/

Nope - you need someone to question; I mean ‘aggressively interrogate’.

Oh yeah, we don’t do that anymore!

324 Lincolntf  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:06:34am

No time to post. just heard the news about the sailors taking the ship back. Hell-fuckin’-yeah! Later all.

325 varmint  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:06:36am

might make a good movie. but since muslims would have to be the villains, hollywood will not have the stones.

maybe they could construct a plot where an evil cabal of white business executives were behind the attack…

326 wiffersnapper  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:06:52am

re: #320 SixDegrees

Damn laws!

327 reine.de.tout  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:06:59am

re: #318 LionOfDixon

Not odd at all…..if you have a modicum of a sense of humor.

I didn’t insult you, so that was unnecessary.

328 UberInfidel67  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:07:42am

Question: Armed Somali pirates hijack a cargo ship…..the crew kicks some ass and takes said arms. Who gets in trouble for violating “international law”?

329 SixDegrees  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:07:43am

re: #316 BigAl

Maybe if all cargo ships carried an American flag to hoist up when approached might just do the trick.

Depends on what the official US response to this incident turns out to be. If it’s another trip to the UN to ask permission from Russia and China to defend US citizens in international waters from criminal activity, raising the Stars and Stripes will mean “Come and get it!”

330 wiffersnapper  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:09:03am

re: #328 UberInfidel67

The crew. The Somalis were simply confused people when they took over the ship. They need rehab, not punishment!

///

331 BigAl  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:10:03am

America loves these stories. Remember ‘Sully’.. Networks already scrambling for interview rights.

332 Just Another Four-letter Word  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:10:38am

re: #320 SixDegrees

Actually, this is in fact a major problem. Quite a few countries have laws against weapons possession, and those laws apply to ships docked at their ports. Special permissions are granted for some vessels, like Naval ships from other countries. But you enter a legal rat’s nest when you start arming civilian crews bound for certain destinations.

Nevertheless, when you’re in a bad neighborhood, you’d better be packin’. Otherwise, your name is Victim… or Dead.
JAFLW

333 Oh no...Sand People!  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:11:23am

re: #328 UberInfidel67

Question: Armed Somali pirates hijack a cargo ship…..the crew kicks some ass and takes said arms. Who gets in trouble for violating “international law”?

If this is the mettle we have from Americans on cargo ships, just wait till they mess with our actual Navy.

Let this resound in the ears of the world what America is.

334 SixDegrees  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:11:27am

re: #328 UberInfidel67

Question: Armed Somali pirates hijack a cargo ship…..the crew kicks some ass and takes said arms. Who gets in trouble for violating “international law”?

If the pirates want to bring suit, they’re welcome. I wouldn’t hold my breath.

The law favors reasonable action to ensure personal safety. I’d think this would be a non-starter.

Regarding ports of call with laws against guns, mentioned above, this shouldn’t present any problems except that the confiscated weapons would likely have to be turned over to the local authorities.

335 razorbacker  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:13:09am

Gotta go do something useful, instead of simply enjoyable.


See ya later.

336 BigAl  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:13:44am

Psychology drives the stock market…nice little bounce when this news broke.

337 StillAMarine  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:15:11am

re: #242 nyc redneck

wasn’t it thomas jefferson who actually formed the u.s. marines to combat pirates marauding off the barbary coast. (in l803 ?)
maybe that’s what o was thinking abt. when he gushed over how islam had
inspired and shaped the founding of our country.
lol.

The United States Marine Corps was founded on 10 November 1775. It is the oldest branch of the United States Armed Forces. They first fought the English; the pirates came later.

338 SixDegrees  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:16:10am

re: #332 Just Another Four-letter Word

Nevertheless, when you’re in a bad neighborhood, you’d better be packin’. Otherwise, your name is Victim… or Dead.
JAFLW

Sort of true. But the crews are up against a force with at least some degree of cohesion and experience, something that can’t be said for the crews themselves in nearly all cases when it comes to defending against an armed, organized attack. If you’re going to start shooting, you need to be prepared to take losses. And so far, such losses are deemed unacceptable, because the outcome to date has been no deaths or casualties. The ransoms get paid, everybody goes home.

I wouldn’t recommend arming the crews. That’s not what they’re trained for. It’s a much simpler and surer idea to send in the Navy to deal with the source of the problem.

339 SixDegrees  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:18:21am

re: #333 Oh no…Sand People!

If this is the mettle we have from Americans on cargo ships, just wait till they mess with our actual Navy.

Let this resound in the ears of the world what America is.

That’ll never happen. Pirates aren’t looking for a fight. Just the opposite - they’re looking for easy money, and the Navy doesn’t carry a lot of case and puts up a hell of a fight when openly provoked. The Navy, in fact, as I’ve been saying throughout this thread, could solve this problem in a matter of a couple of days if given the directive to do so.

340 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:18:32am

re: #327 reine.de.tout

Q.E.D.

341 Dreader1962  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:20:23am

re: #337 StillAMarine

The United States Marine Corps was founded on 10 November 1775. It is the oldest branch of the United States Armed Forces. They first fought the English; the pirates came later.

Sorry, but the Continental Army was formed before the Continental Marines - on June 14, 1775.

342 reine.de.tout  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:21:00am

re: #340 LionOfDixon

Q.E.D.

You may find gratuitous insults to people funny.
It is simply not my type of “humor”.
Carry on.

343 Elcid  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:22:39am

FanDamnTastic!

344 badger1970  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:24:27am

re: #69 VioletTiger

The pirates that go “nee”?

345 CommonSense  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:24:52am

re: #337 StillAMarine

The United States Marine Corps was founded on 10 November 1775. It is the oldest branch of the United States Armed Forces. They first fought the English; the pirates came later.

Ummmmmmm…US Army 14 June 1775….a.k.a Flag Day. Had an Army before a nation.

346 Canoe Train  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:26:29am

Way to go ! Well Done! I believe the naval term is “Bravo Zulu,” or something to that effect.

347 hellosnackbar  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:26:40am

re #1 Ringo the gringo,
Rudyard Kipling’s pithy poetry made him the outstanding social commentator of his day.
His ability to capture common sense and correct principle is unsurpassed.
Like all literary greats his apposite writing still endorses everything that takes place almost a century after his death.
He could write a good story too.

348 nom de boom  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:27:11am

At times such as these, I find it instructive to envision Barry’s response, were he in a similar situation.

349 tommygum  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:28:09am

Maybe Jack Bauer was one of the crew……

350 Gearhead  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:32:12am

Now showing in the galley of the Maersk Alabama: Crimson Tide.

351 varmint  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:33:17am

re: #337 StillAMarine

the national guard traces it’s history back to the 1600s.

352 CommonSense  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:34:37am

Still awaiting the Obama response……..nevermind citizens realized there would be none and created their own response.

353 Gearhead  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:36:05am

I hear the crew kept chanting “Neither carpetbaggers nor scalawags!” as they retook the ship.

/

354 HDrepub  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:38:27am

Arggg me maties, now that the scurvy rats are subjugated, make ready with the plank walk, or keelhaul, prisoner’s choice.

355 tradewind  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:43:51am

re: #352 CommonSense

He’s got bigger things up his sleeve, like seeding the clouds….
[Link: www.breitbart.com…]

356 mad_scientist  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:50:38am

I cant wait to hear the story on this. It would be great if they did just toss them overboard and leave their asses in the middle of the ocean.

357 Catttt  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:52:02am

re: #267 reine.de.tout

What “expert” is this saying that crews should not resist?

I got in on the middle and never saw him - listening with one ear. I THINK, but am not sure, that he was from homeland security. I picture him as the timid guy in a 70s movie - who hides behind the stewardess on the hijacked plane and screams before Rambo (yes, I know I am mixing my flicks) takes care of the hijackers.

358 shifty  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:52:21am

I can see it now - “Pelosi Chastises US Crew For Stealing Property From Somali Pirates”

359 shifty  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:54:36am

re: #349 tommygum

Maybe Jack Bauer was one of the crew……

or the chef was Casey Ryback, former Navy Seal who is now a lowly Chef due to bad behavior.

360 LionOfDixon  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:56:08am

re: #345 CommonSense

The Coast Guard is the nation’s oldest continuos seagoing service……according to defense link…..

361 FightingBack  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 10:58:40am

What’s this I hear? Fighting Back?
Go USA!

362 hous bin pharteen  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:00:33am

I have not been able to read comments yet. I am sorry if it was posted before.

[Link: www.blackfive.net…]

He has a good report about the hijacking, and the ROTC info is good to read also. In the past, leaders for the country were made, but now the left wants it to go away. See what the leftist in college (students AND professors) have done so far.

363 NukeAtomrod  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:07:56am

Yeeeaaahaa! That’s right! Don’t mess with the USA!

364 idioma  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:09:14am

If those sailors have ever dealt with Navy chiefs while crossing the equator, then they are not afraid of any pirates. That’s really what wog day is for.

365 lifeofthemind  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:11:05am

LGF was ahead of me, I just posted this on the spin offs. It feels good to win one.
Hope we revive the Armed Merchant programs.

366 alegrias  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:11:58am

Whatever happens, I don’t want these pirates rewarded by President Obama dand the democrats, with being housed in my neighborhood, along with the GITMO enemy combatants, and given welfare & a warm fraternal welcome to the USA.

Let Fidel & Raul “help us out” by keeping these pirates in Cuba proper.

367 June_July  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:12:06am

America!

368 alegrias  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:13:06am

Have you heard the ship’s Captain is still held by these third rate medieval pirates?

369 WindHorse  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:16:55am

those bastards….

370 FightingBack  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:20:24am

Here’s a 2006 incident that involved the USN:
USS Nassau and the Pirates.

I know that USN personnel appeared in Kenyan court hearings to give testimony, and explained why they had replaced the pirate’s clothes with green coveralls, an apparent violation of arrest procedure. The clothes were infested with roaches.

371 lifeofthemind  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:21:15am

Shark #1, Yusuf why aren’t you eating the pirates?
Shark #2, Irving, they are good moslems, it is haram to eat them.
Shark #1, I’m not a moslem, I’m a lawyer. Chomp.

372 hous bin pharteen  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:24:16am

Only one pirate was captured. The other 3 are in the ocean. It does not say if they are alive. There must be some ex-military trained crew. Like we said before: “When you mess with the best, you die like the rest”

373 Occasional Reader  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:31:59am

Brace yourselves, of course, for the inevitable outcry about the “human rights violations” regarding the pirates who wound up in the drink. I’m serious.

374 shiek al beif salami  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:34:13am

re: #372 hous bin pharteen

The captured pirate was handcuffed to a live steam pipe, the one with a pressure leak that blows when the ship gets under way.

/damn. forgot about the leak.

375 Sifty  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:39:18am

I hope the crew kills every single one of the subhuman sonsabitches.

376 jcbunga  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:39:25am

re: #100 Kenneth

US Predator kills 4 in South Waziristan strike

So…..they’re hiring?

377 gonecamping  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 11:57:50am

Chuck is one bad a** dude, but perhaps a life sized figurehead of Michelle glaring from the prow would be even scarier.

re: #30 MandyManners

Just a photograph of Chuck Norris on each ship would suffice.

378 blangwort  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 12:03:37pm

Two nations with shipping in the area you don’t screw with: The Israelis (A Zim container ship thwarted an attempted pirate attack with barbed wire) and The United States (crew overpowered pirates and kicked their asses back in to the sea).

My only hope is that these Somali Pirates are only crazy, not stupid. These idiots aren’t even worth the C4 it would take to remove them from their misery.

379 AZDave  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 12:07:33pm
Report: US Crew Retakes Pirated Ship

But wait! I’m sure the fearless leaders (Obama & Hillary) will want to negotiate a just settlement: the pirates take 75% and hostages, 25% (but must pay federal tax on it). Ah, social justice — make everyone happy and love us for being compassionate: the new world order, comrades.

380 AZDave  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 12:12:37pm

re: #53 karmic_inquisitor

And let us not forget the other motto used in the West Wing:

“Let’s roll fuck over the taxpayer!”

Fixed.

381 AZDave  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 12:20:03pm

re: #60 Nevergiveup

These liberal Democrats are a new breed.

Yeah. Too much inbreeding.

382 azul93gt  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 12:21:26pm

I haven’t seen where Military support has been sent to rescue the ship.

Obama hates sailors. /semi-sarc

383 AZDave  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 12:26:10pm

re: #77 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

How did they retake the ship? AFAIK, guns are illegal onboard ships - which never seems to stop the pirates, of course.

Old Barney Frank speeches.

384 AZDave  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 12:28:55pm

re: #102 Nevergiveup

So question. Seems we have one of the pirates in tow. Were is he going to be incarcerated? Gitmo or let loose in Miami?

St. Paul where he has lots of lantsmen.

385 AZDave  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 12:34:40pm

Has the New York Times come out with an editorial blasting the American crew for demonstrating their arrogance in retaking the ship?

386 Caboose  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 12:57:59pm

Why the harbors these pirates operate out of aren’t lined with iron at the bottom, thick with mines on the top and black with the smoke of burning docks is beyond me. Sink their ships, deny access to the open seas and obliterate the infrastructure on land that supports them, seems like an easy enough plan to me. Repeat as necessary until the piracy is no more. Don’t expect the Somali government (as if there is such a thing) to do anything, as this is probably a major source of their GDP.

387 Noam Chumpski  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 1:15:26pm

re: #386 Caboose

Why the harbors these pirates operate out of aren’t lined with iron at the bottom, thick with mines on the top and black with the smoke of burning docks is beyond me. Sink their ships, deny access to the open seas and obliterate the infrastructure on land that supports them, seems like an easy enough plan to me. Repeat as necessary until the piracy is no more. Don’t expect the Somali government (as if there is such a thing) to do anything, as this is probably a major source of their GDP.

You bet, or just some ship-based little birds from the 160th SOAR (A) running night-time attacks in the “hot” areas could put real fear into those pirates.

388 SaracensAtTheGates  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 1:39:11pm

From ABC News:

A Defense Department official told ABC News that the U.S. destroyer Bainbridge was heading toward the location where the Alabama was captured. The official said the Bainbridge intended to get close enough to the container ship to be able to monitor the situation.

How ironic. Let us hope that the captain of the USS Bainbridge does not surrender to the pirates as its namesake had done.

389 Mosin Nagant  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 2:00:17pm

We should paint our ships with a picture of Hillary nude (full frontal).Problem solved.

390 Mr Spiffy  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 3:00:13pm

re: #125 tfc3rid

Celine doesn’t play Vegas anymore, it’s Barry Manilow….

what’s the difference?

391 Curt  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 3:32:23pm

re: #77 BeerDrinking_VictoryMonkey

How did they retake the ship? AFAIK, guns are illegal onboard ships - which never seems to stop the pirates, of course.

Well, that just goes to show you that a US Merchant Sailor, with only the implements found aboard a civilian vessel, can whip a slim ball terrorist’s butt any day of the week…

Yep…like Flt 93…they saw, they acted, they knew what had to be done…and using some of the damage control equipment, such as big crowbars and fire hoses with brass nozzles spewing about 100-150psi such can come in handy…when you’re trained.

BZ to that crew. No kudos for The One asking us to bow in shame before them (by his tone in Europe).

Point of order: Remember how Clinton changed his hair color depending on what age group he was soliciting (pun intended)? See what Obama does: He changes his tone, depending on what audience he is talking to. The man is a walking poll taker, with no internal mechanism for knowing what he wants, or what is right, just what the “audience” wants to hear….

392 Curt  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 3:36:13pm

re: #388 SaracensAtTheGates

From ABC News:

How ironic. Let us hope that the captain of the USS Bainbridge does not surrender to the pirates as its namesake had done.

Close enough to “monitor?” DAMN! NO: CLOSE ENOUGH TO COME ALONGSIDE AND USE THE SHIP’S SELF DEFENSE FORCE TO PICK OFF THE PIRATES ON THE WEATHER DECKS - AT CLOSE RANGE!

If they only pull up a few hundred yards away and “monitor,” then we may as well call the ships home and decrew them, leaving them to rot in anchorages up the James River, because we’re never going to be allowed to shoot at Chinese or Russians, if we can’t take down a few pirates.

Who’s the wussy in charge of this op?

393 Curt  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 3:38:31pm

re: #387 Noam Chumpski

You bet, or just some ship-based little birds from the 160th SOAR (A) running night-time attacks in the “hot” areas could put real fear into those pirates.

Did you see any helos? Nope…I didn’t…:) But hey, it was dark out…

This would be but a cake walk…simple target practice, if TF160 was in the neighborhood…just sayin’…

394 Curt  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 3:39:56pm

re: #374 shiek al beif salami

The captured pirate was handcuffed to a live steam pipe, the one with a pressure leak that blows when the ship gets under way.

/damn. forgot about the leak.

Would that be 1200, or 600 lb superheated? :)

395 Last Man  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 4:47:31pm

All this hemming and hawing, Hillary pleading for World Community action and surface fleet whack a mole. Deploy two LA class attack subs, 1 for Aden Sea the other South, surveil for pirate mother ships then torpedo them, problem solved, no more blue water operations for Somali pirates.

396 Curt  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 5:02:50pm

re: #395 Last Man

All this hemming and hawing, Hillary pleading for World Community action and surface fleet whack a mole. Deploy two LA class attack subs, 1 for Aden Sea the other South, surveil for pirate mother ships then torpedo them, problem solved, no more blue water operations for Somali pirates.

We’ve never fired a Mk-48 warshot in anger…we need the practice…

397 zickyzacky  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 5:18:50pm

Where are you Stephen Decatur? You don’t know how much you are missed.

398 Silvergirl  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 5:22:47pm

I’m late in this conversation so maybe this 10-photo slideshow of Somali pirates has been posted. It is NOT from today’s hijacking, but just as a matter of putting faces to this. I know we have had more than one thread on the pirates in the past, so posting these pics as a refresher.

399 RondinellaMamma  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 5:48:25pm

May God bless the crew of the Maersk Alabama and may God keep them brave.
There are some unconfirmed internet reports that the crew threw three pirate overboard.
Go Maersk Alabama Crew!
Thank heavens Obama wasn’t there - perhaps he’d have tried to vote “present” or worse…tried to have a ‘dialogue’ with the pirates…..

400 astronmr20  Wed, Apr 8, 2009 9:38:48pm

About 12 hours late to the thread. Been on the road.

But I’d like to say;

THAT’S how it’s fucking done. Fight back.

Hopefully the American crew will inspire others.

401 arie  Thu, Apr 9, 2009 8:51:17am

What insensitive behavior.

They should have tried sincere dialog.
Maybe they could have offered the hijackers a stimulus package.

402 OtherBrotherDarrell  Thu, Apr 9, 2009 10:58:18am

Obama: “Pirate! Lie down with your hands behind your back.”
Pirates: “What’s this? Six of you. Such nice, tidy uniforms. Oh I’m so scared!”
[the World Leaders look at each other]

Pirates: “What you guys don’t have sarcasm anymore?”

[Obama talks to his automated assistant (TOTUS)]
Obama: “Pirate has responded with a scornful remark.”

TOTUS: Approach, and repeat ultimatum in an even firmer tone of voice. Add the words, “or else”

403 Humanitarian2112  Thu, Apr 9, 2009 8:32:33pm

Hey, cobdenite! Notice the name of that ship? Anything odd about that to you? I’m sure you can’t stand it…

404 rduke305  Fri, Apr 10, 2009 1:09:53pm

Where are our SEAL teams? Surely they can pop 4 t’s in the head quietly. This is getting ridulous.

405 bullskin  Sun, Apr 12, 2009 7:28:15am

I wonder how many arms were bought with paid ransoms.


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