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But Barack Did Not Bow To Pirates (Update II)

By Larry Johnson on April 12, 2009 at 2:10 PM in Current Affairs

The rescue of Captain Phillips came 24 hours later than I expected but it came and, based on initial reports, turned out swell. Score one for Barack. Does not matter that Phillips engineered his own escape (he jumped overboard for the second time in three days and tried to make a get-a-way) and U.S. military on scene were able to provide covering fire and killed the pirates who had been holding him.

I have been thoroughly disgusted with former Bush officials–e.g., John Bolton–who have been sniping about Obama treating terrorism as a “criminal matter.” This is a stupid red herring.

When the British raided homes in London the other day and snagged terrorist suspects who were in the process of prepping some bomb attacks that was handled as a “criminal matter.” Was that “ineffective?” Hell no.

The reality remains that we should be prepared to confront terrorism with all means available. More often than not we will have to rely on police and criminal investigative capabilities because terrorists are not organized nor do they operate in ways that make them easy targets for our military forces.

And talk about chutzpah by the Bushies. How dare these guys criticize Obama when the Bush Administration did nothing to confront the issue of piracy over the last four years. NOT A DAMN THING!! So they can shut up. They have no room to talk.

Obama deserves credit:

He remained silent and did not play politics with this.

He allowed the professionals to handle the matter.

He showed some patience.

On the downside, the inter-agency process for managing incidents like this is still broken and did not operate as it should have. That can be fixed.

For the near term, however, Barack Obama gets to take a victory lap and it is deserved.

UPDATE–Folks, churlishness is not a virtue. If this had dragged on for another couple of months who would have been blamed? Barack Obama. If the rescue went awry who would have been blamed? Barack Obama. Like it or not he is in charge. He was not sitting in the Situation Room running the op, but he did have the good sense to let Jim Jones direct the matter and it turned out well. Ergo, if he gets the blame if things go bad he also gets the credit when they do good.

I believe we need to keep our criticism focused on what Barack does or does not do. If we criticize him for everything he does regardless of outcome we end up looking foolish and have no credibility. As I wrote three months ago, we will judge him by his actions (or inaction). The rescue of Captain Phillips is a political plus for Obama regardless of how you feel about it.

UPDATE II–I’m listening to the Maersk CEO and I want to puke. Maersk was at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. a little over a month ago and the U.S. Government was trying to get them to upgrade their security. Maersk declined, stating that it would raise their insurance and was too much cost without any clear benefit. Now he wants to bask in the glory of a U.S. Government rescue operation? What an asshole.

Patrick Henry

Agreed Larry…He had to OK This..

Great News..Good well executed operation by Our Seals…

Well Done…

Patrick Henry

Larry…If I heard the ships crew right that the pirates chased the Ship for a week trying to Hijack it prior to them Boarding the ship…then you are Exacly RIGHT..

.Our Interagency Process is indeed Broken..There was plenty of time to Fly a Seal Team out to the Ship Prior to the Hijacking
and Provide On Board Security..

Easily Done..Should hve been done..and we still have not learned much about proper responses and or operational Policys and Proceedures since Beruit Onward..

Was this another “WAIT ANE SEE WHAT DEVELOPES” Policy…Just like with Bush waiting to see what the 9/11 Hijackers were up to..?

The Best defense is Aggresive OFFENSE..since thats the way Our enemys Play the game..

Don’t bring a Knife to a Gun Fight…

Jackarooty

Spot on Larry. I do remember hearing Charles Krauthammer say Friday night(?) on Bret Baier’s show that Obama was doing the right thing by keeping his mouth shut.

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

Yes Krauthammer did say that. Krauthammer and Larry Johnson have credibility — hard to come by — because they are WILLING to give Obama credit when credit is due.

No one can now say that Larry is unwilling to praise Obama when he has it coming. Now, that isn’t WHY Larry wrote the piece. He did it because it is true.

It was doubtless HARD for Obama to make this decision. There was a Navy guy on TV just a few moments ago who said that he thought if they’d just waited the pirates out, they would have given up. I could tell the Navy guy was both surprised and a bit skeptical of the decision to go with the attack. But I bet that, in the SitRoom, all possibilities were discussed and that there were some solid reasons for going forth, especially at night, and with the pirates getting increasingly tired.

And we can probably be sure that HILLARY was in the SitRoom too, and helping with the decision-making, as was Bob Gates. Two sensible people who, I bet, endorsed going with the “attack.”

So Obama had lots of great input not just from the military but also our civilian top leadership.

It was a group effort. But, as Commander In Chief, Obama gets the ultimate credit. And deserves it.

It’s also a GOOD thing for our country in that we look a bit less wimpy ’round the world.

Ellen D

I suspect the title of Larry’s post in juxtaposition with his previous one raised the negative level of the Obama comments. Let’s wait and see how this plays out.

texaslatina

i don’t understand how these pirates are able to have access to these arms, money, and organization? how are they able to have this power? how and why are they gettin away with this?

FLDemFem

They hijack ships with weapons and hold the ship and crew to ransom. That way they get the weapons and the money. Do that a few times and you end up well-armed and rich.

cynic

Yep. Estimates of the total ransom paid to pirates during 2008 range from the UN’s figure of $30 million up to an unofficial figure of $100 million.

Baba Rum Raisin

Street price in Asia/East Africa for an AK is about US$50-US$125. Buy ‘em in Turkey, Egypt, Czech Republic, the Balkans for chump change. Price of a Third World Briefcase (big ghetto blaster radio) here.

Mikhail Kalashnikov has done as much as COL Sam Colt to make all men the same size.

Carol HAKA

Sorry Larry. Obama had nothing to do with it. He was busy rescueing his $2000 dog from a close friend of Uncle Teddie.

CAROL HAKA

http://firefox AnnieCollier

I’m with you, Carol. The best he did was stay out of the way and let Gates and the Navy do their job. New dog, pizza, photo op at church (driven 2 blocks in The Beast due to “security concerns”)…all make a very busy day.

The new doggie, BO, they say is for Bo Diddley. I think it’s probably for Fraudo’s initials.
James Guglielmino

Oh, for god’s sake. The dog, the bow…Haven’t you got something more important to bitch about? Did you trouble yourself to note that Sarkozy lost one of his fellow countrymen? Probably you didn’t. You are too busy with your irrational hatred of Obama. Waht is it, that he is bright? That he is black? Or do you have any idea of why you dislike him so much. I will give you the very same challenge that I gave someone else over here:
List in order what your problems are with Obama. My suspicion? You can’t do it. It must be in your DNA, ehhh?
Gug
James Guglielmino

Oh, for god’s sake. The dog, the bow…Haven’t you got something more important to bitch about? Did you trouble yourself to note that Sarkozy lost one of his fellow countrymen? Probably you didn’t. You are too busy with your irrational hatred of Obama. What is it, that he is bright? That he is black? Or do you have any idea of why you dislike him so much. I will give you the very same challenge that I gave someone else over here:
List in order what your problems are with Obama. My suspicion? You can’t do it. It must be in your DNA, ehhh?
Gug

imustprotest

Wow! What a shocker! The race card….never seen that before! (just kidding…like, what about ALL through the primaries and thugfest caucuses)
Donna Brazile

Chug-a-lug some more kool aide Gugalooloo:-)

No hatred here but you seem pretty angry.

Stop the lovefest and let’s let those bankers do whatever the hell they want. Oh, that’s right, they’re supposed to be giving their status reports but the administration told them not to. Got to hide those Zombie banks.

Well, there goes transparency.
viking

All of us undoubtedly were aware of the French man who lost his life and is survived by his wife and toddler-aged son.

Irrational hatred? First counter to common Obama-worship belief we do not hate him as a president, we hate that he usurped the Presidency through deception and bribery. We hate that he is utterly unqualified to steer the ship of this great nation and repeatedly proves it. We hate that he is swelling the federal gov’t. to an unsustainable size which is abhorrent to our Constitutional principle of limited government. We hate that he is weakening the U.S. dollar through his spending, borrowing and printing of U.S. dollars. There’s lot’s more, but chew on that James Guglielmino.
http://www.marklevinshow.com Seattle Moss

Obama is a disgrace to America and the constitution.
I don’t blame Obama alone, but do blame his America hating minions who can’t even find Mexico on a map for undermining our position in the world.
Playing nice with terrorists in the hope that they won’t attack us again is pure folly and will destroy completely the democrat party if we are attacked again.
Obama was elected by anti-Americans who wish the United States to be punished. Obama is proceeding as planned with his agenda to humiliate and weaken America in the world and dismantle our position as leaders of the planet.
Obama is bad for business. The talk of class warfare is right out of the Lenin play book and will result in myself having to quadruple my prices if the carbon tax transfer of wealth is enacted.
I hate people that constantly talk down about America…Obama’s whole career has been about how much america sucks and the need to apologize

As a leader in my community I’m beginning to see a nationalistic backlash against YOU and your scum haters.

Donna Brazile

Gugaloo loo as the race police:

If being a poser with no real accomplishments of his own (except taking credit for other peoples work) counts as being racist then well..

One day you’ll realize, people here DISLIKED Bush and questioned things he did and no one called us racists but yet to question That One and it’s the first thing that comes to your mind.

Seems to me you’ve got a problem there.

Stop the lovefest!

http://www.marklevinshow.com Seattle Moss

One day you’ll realize, people here DISLIKED Bush and questioned things he did and no one called us racists

I was totally against the Iraq war and look what we got..
Obama and his America hating scum.

My position has evolved from the anti-war demonstrations and my support for Dean back in 04.
I’m a pragmatic individual who see’s the world for what it is not what I wish it would be.
I support our mission in Iraq to finish the job, but Obama threatens all the blood and treasure we have spent which is now bearing fruit and like Israel Iraq is becoming Americanized and an ally against the fundamentalist tyranny of Iran and Alqueda.
What turned me off about Obama was his intransigence towards the success of the surge and his disgusting display of cowardice at the state of the union when he failed to stand and cheer our troops.
Those that stick to their positions despite the changes on the ground need to be prevented from ever holding leadership positions.

TeakwoodKite

He is an immoral, human being. Any questions? NO? Didn’t think so.

James you have issues. You sound like that fly that kept hollering “HELP ME! HELP ME!” in a real squeaky voice.

And when Nellie ask a very good question, about the reporter taken by Iran, you serve up BS.

KmX

I am happy the French showed us to how handle pirates and I am happy the Capitain jumped overboard another time to give Obama a second chance at it.

Bravo Navy Seals.
I’mFedUp

I agree Carol…Obama did nothing. His silence was not some moment of brilliance…it was him not giving a damn and letting someone else deal with it.

jwrjr

You are probably correct.
FLDemFem

Does anyone know if he ever called the family of the captain? Last I heard, he hadn’t. Usually, the president gets on the phone to the family, or families, first thing, even if he doesn’t give any other sort of statement. Does anyone know if Obummer bothered to pick up a phone to talk to the family of the hostage? Or was he too busy putting paper down for the new dog?

Ellen

Wrong. he called the family right away.

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

He had to make the call. The buck stopped with him. He made the right call, and it worked. No small thing.
Julia

Obama ignored the problem and he was waiting for a “diplomatic solution” where tribal leaders solved the problem to say ‘you see how is possible to solve whatever thing with a little bit of respect’
cynic

If he’d behaved in accordance with your expectations, he would have made highly publicized telephone calls to the family, interjected his opinion with periodic statements, and attempted to micro-manage the response from his desk at the White House. I have no problem with the fact that he did none of that. He likely defined response parameters, and then let the professionals on the scene call the shots. That’s how things should have worked.

imustprotest

He likely ate his pizza, took photo ops about the new dog and let the grownups handle everything else. Whew…he’ll probably need a vacation after all that hard work.
James Guglielmino

Congratulations on a sentient post. They are rare here.
Gug

James Guglielmino

Nope, it wasn’t a moment of brilliance. It was just a President doing his job.. Someone else gave a bravo for the French for “showing us how.” While I feel sorrow for the French man who died, leaving a wife and child, in the rescue effort, you don’t seem to make a s.i.n.g.l.e not of the fact that we didn’t lose any Americans….Oh, I can just imagine this blog if we had….Obama this and Obama, the dumb doodooo, that…But a successful effort….? Does he now deserve to be called a GREAT President? Hardly. But you dipshits ought to have the courage and honesty to give him the credit he is due for this…Naturally, that is asking way too much of you….My friend, Stephanie again: “These people are idiots. They have always been idiots. If they work hard and study diligently, they may, someday, reach the state of being imbeciles. They will, however, never be able to reach the exalted state of being regarded as morons.”
Gug

http://noquarterusa.net/ SusanUnPC

It’s true. I didn’t want to admit it, but then I realized that that was too, too twisted. I’m glad he gave the operation a green light, even though it was (we assume) the SEALs who pulled it off so brilliantly.

The patience factor was important… waiting until the pirates were tired and it was nighttime. Hotheads would have insisted on going in right away, but waiting was the smart thing — to wear them down a bit.

I hope we can bring the surviving pirate to the U.S. for trial and incarceration. We can show off our system of justice, and what happens to people who kidnap and threaten to kill U.S. citizens, no matter where they are.

termo

“he gave the operation a green light”

We don’t know that yet. Apparently the captain made a second attempt.

“We can show off our system of justice”

Let’s read him him his Miranda rights, let the ACLU give him an attorney, and have a liberal bleeding heart judge get him off for inproper procedures. The he can come and live in our neighborhoods.

He should be in a military prison and tried by a military tribunal for piracy.
Nellie

WE still have one woman as a hostage in Iran. Any news of her?

Iranians charge Saberi with espionage- American Held Hostage in Iran

http://hotair.com/archives/2009/04/08/iranians-charge-saberi-with-espionage/

James Guglielmino

Ummm, no, Nellie, she isn’t a “Hostage.” She has been arresed for espionage. No, I’m not trying to make a case that the Iranians are just fine with arresting her. She is a reporter for several outlets, including NPR. I don’t suspect she is REALLY guilty of spying but it is not correct to say that she is a “hostage.”

termo

Bush Administration did nothing to confront the issue of piracy over the last four years.

The pirate problem was serious only the last 2 years – not 4 years – and Bush had zero political capital to engage in any other military operations. Also, where the hell are the other countries in the world (i.e. Old Europe)when it comes to patrolling the seas?

Another issue is that apparently this captain made a second attempt to escape which could have forced the Navy to act. We don’t yet know what actually happened or why, so don’t start giving Obama credit just yet.

KmX

Do you realize this Somalia priate problem is more than a decade old one. In fact there are pirates all over the world doing the samething. But most people only know about those off the coast of Somalia.

No AMerican Ship or citizen was ever taken by Pirates during the Bush administration. The last tiem this happen was over 2 centuries ago.

The French have been rescuing their people everytiem it happened. Other nations chose to pay the ransom. I know Bush would not have paid any ransom .

termo

Piracy is a problem that is centuries old.

The Somali problem became very serious only 2 years ago as pointed out in a previous post on this site.

I will wait to hear from the ship’s captain what exactly happened before giving Obama any credit.

KmX

The somalia pirate problem was just as serious 15 years ago. We only know about it more because an AMerican was captured. WHat about when they captured sailors from yemen and other african coutnries in the 80s and 90s

termo

No it was not. It has gotten a lot more serious since 2005.

Jim S

This was the first time an American flagged vessel and its’ crew were attacked so Obama had no choice but to do something. The blogosphere was heating up about his being a closet Muslim and how the pirates could be more distant cousins. The words Øbama and Carter were being used in the same sentence too often to be comfortable for him. Bush was never in the same situation but I would imagine the end result would be the same but this would have ended a couple of days ago.

KmX

Expect Obama to be all over tomorrow taking all the credit for this rescue.

http://noquarter foxyladi14

yep..you can bet your bippy on that..
James Guglielmino

Well, shrub Bush would have been on national TV telling the world about it…What do you say we both take a flier? I’ll bet you a six pack of really good beer, a micro brewery beer of your own choice, that Obama does NOT go on national TV ostensibly to “tell us all about it.” Frankly, I have some small trepidations about offering the bet…Obama is, after all, a politician. But I’m bettin on my sense of his humility…Oh, also, a public not on the list of the beer bought by the person who loses? I’m waiting.
Gug

TeakwoodKite

his humility..???

Bad bet.

Jim S

If he doesn’t, expect Joe Biden to tell the press that he had to explain to Øbama how it was going to go down. Something he taught cadets when he was stationed at the Navel war College in Newport, RI I’ll bet.

Ani

But Larry, Obama and the US got a very able assist from the brave Captain, who made a second escape attempt. If he had not — would we still be in the same position — waiting?

I’mFedUp

Exactly Ani…I don’t get how the Fraud gets the credit when the Captain himself jumped overboard? This isn’t the view my friends have of the situation. I’ve received more calls about how brave the Captain was, while the Fraud did nothing to help. Scratching my head.

James Guglielmino

Nothing, except refrain from getting the guy killed, as the French got their guy killed. But, what’s a life worth, right? I can just imagine what you would have been posting if the captain had died in the effort.
By the way, please outline your reasons for calling President Obama a “fraud.” Do you have any idea why you disdain him or is it that you are just spending too much time watching Limpbag, O’Really and Sean Hannity over at Faux?
Gug

http://www.marklevinshow.com Seattle Moss

James
I realize that you only now love your country by a previous post of yours.
I think you need expand your understanding of how great America is and the wonderful things we have done to save Europe and push back tyrannies across the world.
America needs not apologize to anyone…Period

When I lived in England for a number of years I defended America night and day against those that envy and are jealous of American power.
I continue to defend America today against the bottom feeders that have hijacked our great country.

Read history..Read the constitution..Respect America
You can start here for further information

http://www.marklevinshow.com/
TeakwoodKite

please outline your reasons for calling President Obama a “fraud.”

OUTLINE? Ahhhhhh! James Get help. Quickly.

For the record Jamsebot, the crew at Fox I could less about. News is news.
verify it.

What is the value of a human? the mere fact you have to ask is a pity.

firlight2012

It’s possible that the Navy started firing on the pirates in the lifeboat and then the captain jumped out….

In my mind this shows how necessary the military is which contradicts Obama’s general hostility to the miliatry.

Cardinal Law Republican

Good well executed operation by Our Seals

Has this been reported anywhere? I’m still thinking it could have been Marine Recon.

Ken in IL

At least our military learned from their mistake – being asleep at the switch the first time the captain jumped. Congrats to all.

Now it is time to bomb the “elders” who sanctioned the pirates.

NATO (European Union?) should send out “undercover” ships to take on the pirates and sink their “mother” ships.

I’m a Linda too

Well, then it is different from a rescue mission.

I am so happy the Capt was such an active and smart man in this entire mess.

I will agree Obama can celebrate the Captain being alive, but it seems this was at the hands of the Capt and a ready and prepared Navy.

Negotiations didn’t work and they were running out of time. Did Obama not want to give the go ahead for an agressive rescue effort that would have left the Pirates most likelly dead?

I am very glad that things did turn out well. And, that Captain Phillips is one awesome Dude!

I’m a Linda too

I guess Weary Barry could have given an order that no shots be fired at the Pirates and in that case he obviously didn’t, because the Navy still fired upon the Pirates giving the Captain a chance to swim away to safety after he jumped over, so then that would go to a Barry win.

…now, if he apologizes for the deaths of the Pirates, that all gets taken back.

UM

Kudos to our seals and Captain phillips who is a very brave man. Sorry, Baracvk had nothing to do with this. He just left it to the professionals. So let him not steal their thunder
candymarl

I agree with Mr. Johnson on this one. Obama allowed the military to do its job and stayed out of the way, Credit where credit is due as the Captain came out alive.

Portia Elizabeth

But isn’t “staying out of the way” basically the same as voting “present”?

candymarl

Uh yeah. But at least this time Obama was smart enough to know what he didn’t know. That is, how to handle this situation.

He gets credit for dropping his ego at the door on this one and letting those who did know what to do run the op.

I wonder how much of this came out of his playground meeting with Hillary. Funny how well things turned out after Obama talked to Hillary. Just a coincidence I’m sure.
http://thesibylspeaks.wordpress.com/ Anthony

But isn’t “staying out of the way” basically the same as voting “present”?

Bingo! I am totally in touch with my disgust of The Changeling, and in spite of that I still cannot give him credit for doing nothing.

Sorry if I offended anyone with this, but i just can’t do it. What’s next? Giving him a standing ovation for walking across the Oval Office without tripping on the carpet?
Ferd Berfle

Not if the military asked him to not say anything. We all now how great That One is about inserting a hoof or two in his mouth whenever he speaks. I’m sure the JCS took charge in this matter. If That One did as he was told, then I’m OK with it.

tillthen

Larry, I wonder if you would still hold that position had the “criminals” succeeded in their cowardly fashion with their plans and took the lives of British citizens. This is terrorism, just as the deeds of William Ayers and his comrades were.

JustMe~~

Well considering the head of terrorism messed up in the UK and has had to step down I give credit to the crew who had to go in early and arrest all those planning and meeting to do damage in the UK…

Good work done sadly the man at the top made a huge mistake walking into #10 with the paperwork out for all to see!!

I am over joyed Captain Phillips is safe and praise his bravery! The USA Navy did a great job too putting a citizen FIRST~~

catherine

I agree that Bush officials are in NO position to critique a situation that they did NOTHING about in 4 years.

The military alone cannot handle this. It’s going to take ALL our resources including intelligence agencies and yes local police.
catherine

And yes kudos to Barky for this one
I’mFedUp

Well the good news is that the remaining pirate will be given a free ride, probably be migrated to America, fed, clothed, housed and given a welfare check by Obama.
UM

In fact, I would say barack is to be blamed for this taking as long as it did. Sarkozy had given his people a deadline beyond which they were to go in. This rescue need not have taken so long.

catherine

But did’nt a French hostage get killed yesterday?

UM

Out of 3 or 4 operations that the french conducted one hostage was killed in one operation. That is a good track record. Only the Jimmy Carter type of lambie pambie democrats will be afraid to take action when action is called for.

I’mFedUp

Exactly UM…Any real American President would have gotten on top of this and shown some leadership. This is crap that he gets the credit. He sat on his azz flying pizza chefs all over the country and picking a frigging dog. Period.

jangles

Larry, Larry, Larry. Be still your heart. Please do not give this to Obama. This was the courage, skill, resourcefulness of a very brave man and his equally brave crew. It was our military doing what it knows how to do and apparently also the FBI which is skilled in hostage situations and kidnapping. Obama is not even a side show here and for God’s sake, do not give him the stage.

UM

Agreed. He did not even have the guts to address the issue. If the operation had failed he would not have been touched, see? He cannot take undeserved credit in this victory. That belongs only to the good captain and the seals.

imustprotest

My kudos do not go to Obowma. Capt Phillips put his crew first, made sure they were safe, then made his own escape. He was very brave on the second considering he was not backed up on the first. I think the navy realized their mistake on the first attempt and was ready when he made the second jump. What I wonder is how he got away after the first attempt. I had read that he was tied up after the first try. Smart and brave man.

beebop

0bummer could not muster any of this brave fortitude. He would have wet his pants.

Julia

He had crossed lines and gone with them

I’mFedUp

He doesn’t want to kill his fellow Muslims. That’s why we’re going to get blown off the planet. He will never harm one of his own.

cynic

He authorized that the Muslims holding Captain Phillips could be killed if it appeared the Captain’s life was in immediate danger. A moment of immediate danger was perceived and three Muslim pirates are now dead. I’m not following your reasoning.

catherine

Absolutely kudos go first and foremost to the Captain. Without his courage and tenacity this outcome would not have been possible. But can we agree that under any other administration the POTUS would receive credit for giving the green light?

Anyone who reads my comments knows how much I absolutely DESPISE 0bama, but I think if we allow our feelings and thoughts (which are more than well justified) about this loser blind us from an equitable view we lose not only credibility but diminish our cause.

If Hillary were now POTUS I’d be jumping up and down congratulating MY President and I think republicans would feel the same way if McCain were now POTUS.

We all know 0bama is a cheater, fraud and useless neophyte and we will continue to expose him but I think we’re all big enough to acknowledge when something is well done.

I’mFedUp

I wouldn’t have been praising Hillary for doing NOTHING when an American Citizen was held hostage. Furthermore, my understanding of what was going on is slightly different. And I think we all know that McCain would NEVER sit on his azz and let an American be held hostage that long without issuing some ultimatums. You people have to get over this thinking that playing pattycake with terrorists is going to get us anywhere. We’re lucky this Captain had the balls to jump overboard. Why does the Fraud get the credit for a brave American jumping ship? If the Fraud had taken action sooner, then this man would have actually been RESCUED, rather than having to take the risk to jump. Would you all be saying this if the Captain was dead as a result of this jump? HELL NO. You would be blaming Obama, as he should be blamed.
WhatNow

Catherine – How do you know Obama gave the “greeen light”. Theye tried it Obama’s way first, negotiate, but when that didn’t work, people at the scene did what they had to do, support the Captain as he jumped to escape.

Sorry Larry, Obama’s initial resolution of negotiating didn’t work. IMO the FBI was out of their element. The Kudo’s go to Captain Phillips and the Navy/Marines.
Peggy Sue

Exactly, catherine. Nice to read a sane post!

I don’t like Obama and have little confidence in this administration. But he did what was required, and then got out of the way. We had the best, the very best result. Captain Phillips is safe and our guys did a great, great job.

If you cannot see the good in that then there’s something fundamentally wrong in your thinking processes.

This is a moment to put politics aside and celebrate a small moment of victory for us all.

I’mFedUp

Thank God that this country has a military that is competent even though the Stoner in Chief isn’t.
Ellen D

I suspect the Navy was prepared and took advantage the second the opportunity presented itself. Not so sure it had anything to do with Obama. The Navy is notoriously independent.
Now expect all container ships that go that route to fly the American flag. Seems like a good argument for American registration.
HARP

Obama gets credit???? He is still trying to figure out where Somalia is.

I’mFedUp

Do they speak “Austrian” in Somalia????

beebop

hahahahaha

http://thesibylspeaks.wordpress.com/ Anthony

or spell it

TeakwoodKite

I give credit to Capt. Richard Phillips, who stayed frosty and the shot and killed these subhumans dead.

To call them pirates is a mistake.

I strongly agree with SusanUNpc that the one they did not kill get whats coming to him.

Now I know what SOS Clinton was saying to BO at the picnic table…”patience”.

Mr. Johnson, If BO makes ANY political hay out of this, it will not go well for him. If he gives credit where it is due and none for himself, then only then will will his “victory lap” have meaning.

Docelder

To call them pirates is a mistake.

Yes, it romanticizes them with imagery of Captain Jack Sparrow… when in effect they were holding life for concessions which makes them plain terrorist kidnappers. Probably, jihad terrorist kidnappers more to the point.

catherine

But there was never anything romantic about pirates to begin with. They did terrorize civilians around the Caribbean. They were the worst kind of criminals. It’s Hollywood that’s romanticized them.

TeakwoodKite

BBC; US captain held by pirates freed

catherine, Happy Easter to you and yours
Hollywood was not even an orange grove when this romanticizing was on the rise. As to them believing in ‘jihad’, were it true, they would not “hurt a tree”, (as I understand it) and if food going to the impoverished peoples of the region constitutes an offense worthy of jihad, then I am mistaken.

I quite agree that the global economy and the nations of the “several companies” will be forced to address this poverty that grew from the seeds of a black hawk down.

If the navies of the world need some advice on ways to stop piracy off Somalia, they could look to Lord Palmerston, British Foreign Secretary in 1841.

-”Taking a wasps’ nest… is more effective than catching the wasps one by one,” he remarked.

mel

Does Obama deserve any credit, absolutely not, he deserves only fault since this event would never have happened had Obama’s people had the balls to tell Maersk that like it or not, you sail in this area of the world, you will have armed people onboard. Maersk like the G20 told Obama to f*ck off and Obama did, thus this kidnapping is the fault of another failed Obama exercise!

You have to wonder if Maersk gave a huge check to Obama towards his campaign slush fund while rejecting Obama’s administration seeking to put armed protecters onboard, like the Crown family did when ignoring the workers at Maytag!

For Maersk’s rejection, who is now footing the bill, shouldn’t Obama charge Maersk for the government intervention and assistance?

The only hero here is Capt Phillips, for all we know at this point in executing a second attempt at escaping and thankfully this time the Navy was awake and watching and took action to protect his escape.

firlight2012

Are you saying the Obama administration wanted to put armed protectors on cargo ships but were rejected by the cargo ships owners? Do you have a link?

mel

Just read Larry’s newly posted update above, He wrote on it a few days ago.

ExDemInVA

Didn’t Obama say in his radio address yesterday that he was dealing with it the 21st Century way and without force? I guess he got that wrong?

He could have cared less about this situation. The Captain and the Navy Seals get the credit. Period.
Cardinal Law Republican

What I wonder is how he got away after the first attempt.

It may have to do with what some posters are calling “taking too long”. Part of the so-called negotiation process involves wearing the perpetrators down through lack of sleep, food and water deprivation, distractions etc. Eventually this impacts their ability to think and react effectively, making them an easier target – the main point being that you don’t want it to be a fair fight, you want all the factors on your side.

The other part of that equation is the hostage who is also subjected to the deprivations, and the team judges how to fit that into the tactical plan. In this case they knew they had a determined fighter in the captain and it paid off. IMHO.

fsteele

Maybe so. But this FBI tactic may fit situations within a civilized country, not on the open sea where the pirates can bring in reinforcements including more hostages.

So what is going on with the other hostages, 200 of them? Does Obama declare victory now that we’ve got the one American? So the Navy can go home with “Mission Accomplished” leaving the 200 foreigner hostages to their fate?
I’m a Linda too

I don’t think it had anything to do with the negotiation process that. Just the sheer lenghth of them being on the lifeboat and the stress will dull their wit. Obviously not the Captains.

They were almost at land, which would have been in their favor, that is hardly a plan that we would have wanted to intentionally allow.

fsteele

It does seem hasty to praise Obama, at least at this point. We don’t know what his orders were. Maybe on the first escape the Navy stayed inactive because Obama had ordered them not to harm the pirates. Maybe on the second escape the Navy disobeyed Obama and did the right thing anyway.

The clear fact is that US inaction let the pirates bring in more ships and more hostages. This may yet result in some of those hostages being killed. Is it a victory if we save one American at the cost of many French and others — when we might have saved the American sooner by sooner action?
KmX

Lets hope the Obama administration does not punish the navy Seals for going against his orders to stand back. John Kerry was suppose to have a pirate commission on monday to figure out what to do.

I think they didn’t want the deaths of any muslim pirates on their hands.

Benjamin

I concur with Larry and Susan on this one. Obama did the right thing by keeping his mouth shut and leaving this up to the professionals.
Portia Elizabeth

Somehow the idea of a pirate commission seems very funny.

Ferd Berfle

They can all wear peg-legs, perch a parrot on their shoulders, and say arrrgh the entire session.

Jim S

Perhaps Teresa can whip up a batch of her gin soaked raisins but, in honor of the situation, use rum instead.

kgirl

The the dead muslim pirates needed to have acted like they wanted to live and left other people ships the hell alone. I can’t help it if you break into my house at night and I shoot you. Too damn bad.

I’mFedUp

What I understand is that the US was “negotiating” with these scumbags and that the “negotiations” broke down because the Somalian “Elders” refused to let the pirates be arrested and brought to justice. So much for playing “nice nice” with terrorists Pantywaist. Way to go Fraud and your loser Sadministration. Any other decent President would have opened a can of whoopass. Before the moonbats attack me with America can’t be strong and vital, I hope it never happens to YOUR family. This was frigging AMERICAN CITIZEN who had to jump overboard because Barfy’s minions were discussing whether or not the terrorists should go to jail. Christ.

Elizabeth

Oh, really ? You’re going to start calling Reagan a wuss now too ? Cause During the Achille Lauro incident happened under Reagan’s command, you may remember he ordered U.S. troops to STAND DOWN when the the Italian authorities refused to let Navy SEALs board the terrorists’ plane and apprehend the hijackers. The Italians allowed Abu Abbas, the mastermind of the hijacking, to escape to Yugoslavia
where he was only captured a few years ago at the start of the Iraq War.

When you start making human life of the captive the most important outcome, all other aggressive outcomes are pretty much immediately off the table.

Peggy Sue

Thank you, Elizabeth!

Of course, we could have nuked them. That would have shown our true ferocity, Rambo-style.

We ended up with the “very” best outcome. We should be happy for that! Captain Phillips is being heralded a hero, our guys did an outstanding job, three of the pirates have met their maker, and yes, even Obama did what he needed to do as Commander-in-Chief–he gave the nod and then stepped out of the way.

It’s a good day! A very good day.

TeakwoodKite

I am glad for the families of the crew and captian.
Lee Ruth

I didn’t realize the pirates had taken American prisoners during the Bush administration. Guess I missed that one.
It seems to me that the Captain and the military are the ones to thank for this outcome. BHO was just eating pizza.
I hope he enjoyed it.
I can’t see that Obama has done anything that would deserve my applause.
By the way, we should be so lucky if we were to have a John Bolton in the Obama administration. He is by far a better man than any in this group of Socialists.
Sorry, Larry.
kgirl

You know Obama didn’t have to say much, but he could have at least comforted the families telling them he would do everything he could do to solve this problem. Instead he choose to dismiss it to discuss housing. and as much as I like Hillary I was a offended when she started laughing at the press conferance, it didn’t look good at all. I’m a nurse so I can appreciate triage, and tackling the most important thing first. But just to be fair i’ll give him an A for effort on this one, but that doesn’t change the fact that over all he’s failing.

UM

If doing nothing merits an “A” for effort, then we all need to queue up.

jangles

Larry: I do hear your point but I disagree. The world and all that is in it does not revolve around Obama and we are at fault when we try to make it so. I would even go so far as to say that I would not blame him if went bad any more than I credit him for the good. I am tired of responsibility being shifted to people who really are not part of it. Good for Gen. Jones if he ran the op and I will credit O for having selected him. But Jones is not out there trying to wrap himself in glory. I refuse to give ground on this. And I absolutely had no problem with the time for this. It was clear to a moron that 4 pirates in a lifeboat with one hostage against the assets of the US was pretty much not a winner for the pirates and that time was on the side of the US not the pirates. The only real question was if the pirates were going to face reality and surrender or stay their course and end up as dead bodies. If Obama keeps his face out of this an lets the true heroes of the day get the attention then I will give him a little credit. Otherwise, he did nothing; he deserves nothing.

imustprotest

I agree with this comment. If Obama really stays out of this and lets the Capt and others take the deserved credit I will be impressed, but I won’t hold my breath.

http://deleted Buzz Latte

If Obama did the right thing in this instance then good for him. It still doesn’t excuse the rest of his gaffes, obfuscation of his background, and anti-american subtext.

Good for the americans who carried out the mission and for Capt. Phillips. They are the true heroes.
kgirl

by the way are we sure obama would have done anything if he hadn’t been ragged by the press. What obama wants to do and what he will do are two different things, especially when he thinks it will be seen as unfavorable or un Messiah like.
Pingback: Larry Johnson is Dead Wrong to Credit Obama for Doing Nothing to Stop Pirate Terrorists « DONE (Democrats Over Nominating Elitists)
Docelder

Well, after thinking about it… The “cowboy” rode away in the end as it should be. The cowboy is not Obama… rather in this case it was the captain. He guided the episode by giving himself up and then he painted the “pirates” into a corner by letting them position themselves into a strategic position the could not win from… floating adrift in a rubber raft in the high seas. Then he jumped overboard twice. The day was won in part because of a “cowboy”. No doubt there are those in the world that hate this country just for that. We to an extent… are still a nation of cowboys. Maybe worldwide Bush II hate never was so much about Bush II personally… but rather what he represented.
imustprotest

According to Richard Clark, on 9/11, when Bush was reading My Pet Goat and Cheny was hiding in some bunker, Condi Rice stepped aside and let Mr. Clark take over. She knew this was way over her head and let someone competent take the lead. Perhaps, this is all Obama did, step aside and let the grownups handle it.

Jim S

When Reagan was shot, Al Haig said that he was “in control” and, like Little Dickie Clark, he was blowing smoke out of his a$$. The master list of inept, political buffoons has them both listed as #1 & #2. Who’s first? Who cares?

KintheNorthwest

I’m not sorry for how I feel about Obama. This incident started on Thursday and Obama couldnt even offer some type of encouraging word or even a message to tell Americans to keep the captian and the ship in our prayers.

It seems lately the only time we hear from Obama is to take credit that is not his or to put down our Country to other nations.

http://NoQuarterUSA.net Larry Johnson

You are wrong and you do not know what you are talking about. Obama was following recommendations from folks who know how to manage these incidents. The minute the President gets out in front as the public spokesman for the U.S. Government on the hostage matter it gives the hostage takers more power and puts the President in the same position that JImmy Carter and Ronald Reagan were during the hostage incidents that dominated their presidencies.

On this your opinion is irrelevant. Obama did the right thing and followed the advice of the experts.

Manu

His/her opinion might be different/wrong, but not irrelevant. I think Obama voted present on this crisis too and you are wrong, Larry (although your opinion is still relevant =)

http://undercoverblackman.blogspot.com Undercover Black Man

Amazing analysis there, Manu. And you didn’t even wait for the Navy press conference to learn what actually went down. Well done.
http://NoQuarterUSA.net Larry Johnson

I don’t give a fuck what “You think” Manu. I’ve been talking to people who are directly involved in support of this operation. You’re sitting at home with no experience in these matters whatsoever.

So, I have zero patience with someone as ignorant as you.

imustprotest

Then why do you have a blog Mr. Johnson. If you really don’t care what others think and you would comment in such a hostile way, complete with an obscene word, when the commenter did no such thing to you… or why not just post a closed blog and not allow any comments?

http://NoQuarterUSA.net Larry Johnson

Because I pay the bill and I write what I write based on what I know from experience. Therefore if you don’t like it go fuck yourself too!

I really do not care if others read this blog. It is not a money maker nor a source of income for me. It is therapy. I get a chance to write about my experience and knowledge. Understand?

imustprotest

I do respect you Mr. Johnson and I enjoy your blog. And if I disagree with you, or anyone else does, then I or they should make a respectful comment, that seems most appropriate to me.

KintheNorthwest

Me thinks that I have made Mr. Johnson mad, for that I apologize…But what I said is my opinion and my feellings.

I have been waiting on pins and needles for some positive change from Obama. I have been waiting for Obama to show the world what a great country we are and how proud he is of it…
But this is not an incident that I can say is Obama’s child….I say give credit where credit is due…The military and the Captain.

I will agree that we would probably be point fingers at Obama if things had gone wrong…But I also think that Obama would be pointing fingers at everyone else Yelling “Not my fault!!”
JMO
PS Thank you Manu

imustprotest

You said nothing to make Mr. Johnson mad. You stated your opinion and that is all. And I agree with you. We should all be grateful for our brave, experienced military men and women who put their lives on the line for us every day and for the bravery and level head of Capt Phillips. Obama has a long history of taking credit for things he has not done and blaming others for his mistakes. The brave and heroic actions of the navy seals and others today have nothing to do with Obama.

KintheNorthwest

TY imustprotest

Cardinal Law Republican

NBC reports that the captain praised the SEALs, so I guess it wasn’t Recon snipers.

Also reporting that the lifeboat had been towed farther out to sea when was getting too close to shore. That means divers attached a line, and probably listening devices also.

Oorah.
-
http://www.dwarfhamster.com dst

Larry, I would agree with you up till now BO deserves credit (unless it is found that his orders prevented interacting in the first escape attempt) for remaining cool. But the US was still attacked and something more than then killing of three end of the chain Somali thugs is needed and that is what BO should be judged on.
I have to assume that these little speed boats are not first cruising out 300 miles before attacking, thus a so-called mother ships has to be in the area somewhere whenever one of these episodes occur. Since non-military Google mapping allows me to see how many cars are in my driveway, and I would doubt the pirates once out on the water can be stealthy in any manner, seeing the launching of these mosquito boats via live satellite and then dealing with the mother ship does not seem that far fetched to me.

KintheNorthwest

Me thinks that Larry is mad!
I am sorry if I offended you Larry…But that is my opinion…
I have truly been waiting for Obama to do something that did not have a negative effect on our country.
Sorry but I do not feel that the credit for this is Obama’s…and I do feel that if this had turned out badly Obama fingers would be pointing at everyone else saying “Not Me!”
But I will agree that if it had turned out badly we probably would be pointing our fingers at Obama..

L

I am baffled as to why Obama should get credit for
the rescue of the captain. This was just luck and
the pirates could have just as easily killed the captain as he jumped over either time and then would
it have been Obama’s fault?? Obama is a figure head
and that’s it. I find it very patronizing to give
him credit for the rescue of this captain.
imustprotest

Okay, Obama did the right thing by stepping out of the way and not saying anything, agreed! Now, can he do the same with the rest of his presidency. Step aside, resign and let someone with experience and character take over?

KintheNorthwest

Right on Imustprotest
Carol HAKA

Exactly. Perfect. A great idea. Good Plan.

CAROL HAKA

Ellen D

I think it is time for all us dual citizens to think about the times we get irritated with the U.S. government and are tempted, out of pique, to use our alternate citizenship when we travel.
When you’re in a bind, who do you want coming after you?
Think about it.

Jim S

I have dual citizenship (US & France) and I travel extensively. It depends where I’m going as to which passport I carry. 90% of the time it’s US, but there are times that I’m glad I have the other one.

http://undercoverblackman.blogspot.com Undercover Black Man

I believe we need to keep our criticism focused on what Barack does or does not do. If we criticize him for everything he does regardless of outcome we end up looking foolish and have no credibility.

Hear hear, Mr. Johnson.

Clever headline as well.
candymarl

I think I understand what those who are refusing to give Obama credit are saying.

According to his supporters Obama is the be all and end all to all things domestic and international. Although I agree Obama did the right thing in this instance, staying out of the way, why couldn’t Mr. Perfect, World Peace, and Savior of Humankind come up with the answer himself? You can’t have it both ways.

The brave Captain, Seals, negotiators, diplomats, and others will get no credit. Obama will give himself all of the glory. There will be a media fest for days.

The folks who did the actual work and deserve the credit? Nothing. In the military we despised folks like that. The ones that showed up at the end to take credit but did none of the hard work. Obama reminds me very much of those people.

HARP

Exactly why I didn`t want Hillary for SOS.

Earn Your Own Credit

You are right Obama needs to earn his own credit

KintheNorthwest

Give credit where credit is due. The captain, the crew and the US military…But with Obama NO WAY should he be taking the credit.

Hey I know the WH / Obama administration will sugar coat the news to put Credit with Obama…Guess you cant blame them…Obama can sure use something positive that he gets credit for. I say let Obama actually earn his laurels….

cynic

I’m crediting Obama with the good sense to let trained professionals handle what they were in a position to handle best.

What personal credit for the good outcome has the administration even attempted to take?

If things had gone horribly wrong, they would certainly have been a target for the blame.

Donna Brazile

If things had gone sour, That One surely would have laid the blame at the right person’s feet as he always does:-)

Stop the lovefest!

cynic

I keep forgetting that part of the anti-Obama argument is how he always reacts in purely imaginary situations.

Donna Brazile

You obviously have been in dreamland:-)

My staff did it.

That’s not my signature.

I wasn’t present when he said those things.

Always accept the credit and displace the blame. Good rule of thumb don’t cha think– sic nic.

Stop the lovefest and come back to reality.
imustprotest

If things had gone horribly wrong, they would certainly have been a target for the blame.
cynic…didn’t you just say this? Wouldn’t you call that an “imaginary situation”?

cynic

I would call that a safe bet.

candymarl

A real leader doesn’t just stay out of the way. They give direction to those they lead and take responsibility. Leadership is not letting other people take over. Then you let the chips fall where they may. I know. I’ve done it and I’m not the President.

Get real.
Peggy Sue

Cynic, you and I rarely agree. But you’re on the right side of this one!

KintheNorthwest

I do not credit Obama with this…Obama was not there…And we all know Obama was not giving the direct orders…
If Obama had said anything about what was going on, even some crazy encouragement to the crew the Americans or anything I would feel differently.

Obama is like all the farm animals in the story “Little Red Hen” None of the farm animals wanted to help but they all wanted to reap in the end results.
viking

FOX just reported that the DOD asked twice for authority from WH to use necessary force, authorization came after the second request. I think the second request came after Captain Phillips attempted escape and the DOD was without authority at that time.

imustprotest

That’s what I think too. Thank God Phillips had the intelligence and fortitude to try again.

http://deleted Buzz Latte

One statement saying a congratulations to the SEALS and Capt. Phillips is all that is needed in the media from Obama.

Why did it take the DOD two times to get permission? Just a question. Was it procedural or a lack of attention on Obama’s part?

KintheNorthwest

Buzz why would Obama want to do that…he will do it later after he get most of the laruels..
I will agree with some on here that Obama would have been also been blamed if things went sour. By not saying one word, even just in encouragement Obama made it so he could put the blame where ever and on whomever…that is what galls me…(This is where I am up set with Obama).
Just like his voting Present…Obama does not have to take the blame for what ever becomes the worse for we know not his real role.
viking

Read LJ’s next post on this issue but it still seems to me that Obama held back authority to execute initially. I suspect that after the escape attempt Obama was strongly urged to provide the authority should the window of opportunity present itself.

KintheNorthwest

I read LJ’s post — But I still believe that Obama used his old standby “Present Vote” tatic to keep himself out of trouble. Obama hides his head like an ostrich until he know the outcome and then Obama either says “Look at me I’m so great”(if good outcome) or says “Loook at him, it wasnt me”(if a bad outcome).
Look at what we know from Obama himself since Thursday. Now that it is all over and done…We are to look at Obama and say Great Job Mr President…
Hmmm I think its Great Job Captain and the Military..

http://deleted Buzz Latte

Just read Breitbart.com.

Seems Obamalamadingdong did get some things correct.

I will give him credit where it is due. However, I will not change my mind on his being a fraud.
TeakwoodKite

Maersk declined, stating that it would raise their insurance and was too much cost without any clear benefit

Is it normal to be a named party in over 20 Federal civil proceedings in less than 18 months?

I was trying to find out who is their insurance carrier, no luck so far…I would not be surprised if it was AIG and company.
TeakwoodKite

Performance:
In fiscal 2006, Maersk recorded revenues of $44,518 million, approximately 27.7% higher than in the previous fiscal year.

The total value of the assets held by Maersk in fiscal 2006 was $55,409 million, approximately 22.7% higher than in the previous fiscal year.

.

Lobbying by Møller-Mærsk-2008.

A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S’s Annual Revenues

A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S had revenues for the full year 2008 of kr311.8B. This was 11.8% above the prior year’s results.

If the Coast Guard approached this company and said increase your security as Mr. Johnson is reporting. Makes you wonder why they can’t co-operate.
bri

Kudos Larry. I was so sick of right wing blood thirsty concervative ranting all week about how ineffective the approach toward this situation was cowardly and you know the usually talking points “bacK to Clinton days etc.” mocking SOS Clinton’s press conference etc.
As an former Naval Hospital Corpsman, I can’t express my pride and joy toward those currently serving.

GO NAVY!!!
Carol HAKA

Hey Larry – still waiting for that response on North Korea shooting a missile over Japan!

Tick Tock, Tick Tock, Tick Tock ………

CAROL HAKA
elise

Credit should be given where it is due, and since I’m not in a good position to know who that is, I will take Larry’s word. It is just wonderful this man was rescued and I’m so happy for his family.

Peggy Sue

Me too, Elise. A very good Easter Sunday!

Ashy1

“Maersk was at Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington, D.C. a little over a month ago and the U.S. Government was trying to get them to upgrade their security. Maersk declined, stating that it would raise their insurance and was too much cost without any clear benefit.”

I hope Maersk is now being billed for the cost of this rescue.
http://www.homephilippines.webs.com alvin fidelson

Larry, you are truly right about your superb analysis. Pres. Obama should be given the credit for good decision to rescue Capt. Philips. Pirates or Terrorist should be dealt with stronger decisions and not to be easily carried away by Pirates demands. And as for Navy, Go Navy go!!! High precision sniper shooting for the Navy Seals. I remember Steven Seagal’s movie Larry.

I wonder why these Pirates still free on moving to coast of Somalia. The President of Somalia or their military should be castigated on not doing their job of stopping these Pirates or it is really a business nowadays in Somalia? How about gun running of unlicensed AK 47 which is now a hot item in Somalia. Do they really serious in stopping the proliferation of high powered guns and amunitions?

david

The President and military of Somalia?

There is no such thing.

Somalia is a near complete anarchistic state – there is no functional state apparatus and hasn’t for nearly two decades. I’m not bashing Bill Clinton here, but Somalia has only worsened since the failed intervention in 1994.

There are two choices here — either an extensive and enormous military deployment to embark on a nation building escapade, or, an expensive and extensive naval deployment (I’ve heard 200+ ships to properly control the sea lanes at risk… we have 16 in area).

I don’t think we have the capabilities or the will to nation build in Somalia at this time.

rickya

I would have agreed with you, Larry had it not been for the fact that Obama did not want to act early on because of the fear of failure. It took the Navy seals strong arming him for Obama to act(Navy seal appearing on CNN saying in many words that it was the lack of political will on the part of the administration that is keeping the military from acting). This is cowardice in the highest degree.

So no, Larry. I DON’T agree that Obama deserves any credit.
Boo Zoo

>I believe we need to keep our criticism focused on what Barack does or does not do. If we criticize him for everything he does regardless of outcome we end up looking foolish and have no credibility.

I agree with you, Larry. If you listen to Hannity and Rush, no sooner does Obama get out of bed each morning than he begins to f*ck up. Dude can’t even brush his teeth right. The cartoonish portrayal of him hurts conservatism. Give credit where credit is due.
david

Reading the comments here, I cannot help but think some of you (not all by any means) are disappointed that Captain Phillips isn’t dead and the pirates escaped…

Does Obama deserve a medal? No.

But – the captain is free, 3 of the 4 pirates are dead – the 4th is in custody. Trying to find some sliver of a way to attack Obama on this is pretty stupid.

Our nation functions best with a vibrant and REASONED opposition… BooZoo is absolutely right – when the opposition becomes so automated that everything the opponent does is wrong, you become pretty irrelevant in the national discussion.
D.K. Jamal

Reading the comments here, I cannot help but think some of you (not all by any means) are disappointed that Captain Phillips isn’t dead and the pirates escaped…

Inflammatory, for one, and nonsense, for two.

The comments here indicate that all agree the captain is a genuine American hero who deserves much credit (except according to Larry), regardless of how they feel about Obama.

To suggest otherwise is shameful and indicates that you have an axe to grind.

david

Inflammatory?

Maybe.

But I sure am reading plenty of comments here that ring more with disappointment than happiness. I still see plenty of posts that echo last week’s well… wurlitzer echo chamber (He didn’t act soon enough… He waited… He had to have his arm twisted).

I defer to Larry’s expertise, but everything sure seems to have worked right here.

The hijacking happened Wednesday. The first naval response arrived Thursday. Per ABC news, the special ops team was secretly dropped in over the weekend.

Seems to me, the smart thing to do WAS to ‘negotiate’ until you had the assets in place to attempt a military solution.

Credit

The people saying that the credit belongs to the captain and the military men who put their lives in danger to do the rescue.
Most have expressed the feeling that if things had gone wrong Obama most surely would have made sure that he was not to blame. Obama would have made sure that everyone else would be pointing their fingers elsewhere.

I’mFedUp

If anything had gone wrong, Obama would have blamed Bush. So would just about everyone here. In fact, there was a thread about Bush and Cheney being to blame for pirates in the first place. It’s getting ridiculous. As someone said…Obama didn’t save the Captain, the Captain saved Obama. Period. That is the truth of the story. The military saved us, and so did that amazing, courageous man, Phillips, who knew no one was going to rescue him. And they weren’t.

david

Based on….?

The failed state of Somalia is to blame for the pirates. I think there are plenty of tendrils of blame that can go to a whole host of entities – the AU’s lack of a response, the UN ineptitude, and the US (under both Dem and GOP administrations, including the current one) for having virtually nothing in terms of policy to deal with the situation in Somalia.

I take nothing away from Captain Phillips – especially his bravery in offering himself up as captive to get the pirates off his ship and ensure the relative safety of his crew – but it seems to me that having the special ops team in place and their amazing marksmanship in a difficult environment also played a big role… and like it or not – and as much as the decision was certainly influenced heavily by the appropriate folks on the JCS and others – the buck ultimately has to stop with the CiC who gives the order.

I’mFedUp

Gee, David, what else would the so called CIC have done? NOT given the order? LMAO. At least the jizzbrain signed the order that SOMEONE ELSE put in front of him. Yeah, he signs just about everything put in front of him. The Navy and Phillips saved the day. Obama signed a document. And he never once, never addressed this country about the situation, or made ME (I pay his salary) feel that he knew WTF he was doing. I don’t think he did. And I certainly don’t relish the thought of him handling a major sized crisis. Maybe when he screws that up the bots will get that he is not only way out of his league, but he really doesn’t give two shits what happens to this country. In fact, as we all know, he is purposely destroying us for this “I’m going to rule the world” mental illness he has.

david

Wow.

That’s some serious psychosis you’re cultivating there.

Get some help.

I think Larry’s point makes perfect sense – Obama’s job here isn’t ‘chief negotiator’ and find it quite the correct course that the President didn’t see the need to grab a microphone at every juncture over the last 4 days. In fact, if he held a daily press conference and given a big a speech on the situation — I think many people would have quite rightly had PLENTY to criticize.

Containing the situation until assets were in place and a rescue plan ready to go necessarily means keeping the public and press out of the situation to the greatest extent possible… so while Gingrich, Beck, and the rest of the doomsayers were taking their free shots about a feckless response — the “feck” was coming.

A bunch of tough-talking and speechifying would have served absolutely no purpose in this situation.

FBI negotiators kept the pirates contained, while the navy cordoned off the area – remember Friday, we had a situation with other pirates supposedly en route – and a SEAL team was dropped into the area to enact a rescue plan.

I’m sorry you had to spend a few days worried about piracy because the administration didn’t feel the need to assure you that your weekend fishing trip would be pirate free — but I trust now that 3 pirates are dead, a 4th is being held, and Captain Phillips is free and unharmed — you can again feel safe taking to the waterways?

I’mFedUp

Yawn…Bot…Nice try.

david

I’ll take your yawn to mean that you again feel safe from the baddies that were causing you to flee from local waterways… boredom = safety, right?

I’mFedUp

Of course I feel safe, thanks to our military and the Captain who had the courage to jump ship. Because of the Fraud? Not so much. YAWN.

david

So the anger is with how you think Obama would have acted in a hypothetical op gone wrong?

That doesn’t seem to track to me… every statement that’s come from the administration has done precisely that — heaping praise on the military for accomplishing the mission.

I’m just pointing that from all reasonable points of view, everything seems to have worked properly.

The pirates were kept at bay by negotiators until the assets and opportunity arose to resolve the situation, the President authorized a military solution, and once the assets and opportunity were in place — and the military performed the mission flawlessly.

Whether rightly or wrongly, the CiC has always gets too much blame or too much praise when an operation goes well…. FDR faced investigations (and more than a few voices of blame) over Pearl Harbor. FDR also got an enormous amount of credit for directing US efforts in WWII. Kennedy got a lot of credit for handling the Cuban missile crisis, the same as he got a lot of blame for the failed summit that many think gave Kruschev the idea he COULD plant missiles in Cuba. Reagan got plenty of credit for the end of the cold war, and also got plenty of blame for Beirut and the Achille Lauro and the escape of Abu Abbas. Clinton got plenty of blame for Somalia. Bush got/gets plenty of blame for Iraq.

So far as military actions go, the buck stops with the President, for better or worse. It just seems silly to use this as an opportunity to attack Obama over some hypothetical.