" I really can not understand how anyone can praise Obama for his actions during the pirate/hostage situation. He attempted to NEGOTIATE with terrorists and only issued orders to use deadly force if Capt Phillips life was in immediate peril.

Don't get me wrong. I am glad the Capt. was freed and gets to see his family again, but this whole thing should have been over 24-36 hours after it started. Not days. "

" While I'm glad that the Skipper is ok, the Pirate Story is far from over. As far as The President getting it done, he didn't plan or execute anything, he simply rubber stamped an operation at the request of his advisors. "

" thanks terrence, i agree, bombs would be falling. "

" I understand it is hard for you conservatives to give Obama any credit.

Jim thinks it should have been over in 24-36 hours. TELL US HOW. The pirates had a totally enclosed boat; had we sent in destroyers to shoot up the board, the pirates would have shot the captain first.
It's totally illogical to think it could have ended in 24 hours: if you really think otherwise: TELL US HOW. [Remember Somalia has NO government, so that route is out of the question.]

Medic, "he rubber stamped the operation". Wellll, would you have have had him go there personally and shoot the place up? I don't recall GWB doing anything but rubber stamping what Rummy wanted to do; so did you write nasty letters about that??? Thought not. Obama's priority was the life of the captain, and he thought the people on the scene could handle it moment by moment as circumstances changed. I guess you think he should have followed it moment by moment, telling the sharpshooters the exact instant to shoot. Your conservative views have made you totally irrational. "

" Cognitus wrote on Apr 17, 2009 11:09 AM:
"Your conservative views have made you totally irrational. """""

that's a mouthful! look at the so called "tea parties". what was a reasonable slant to protest just turned into another ugly hate spewing republican showing, just like the hate-filled "hang him" rallies around john mccain and sarah palin. just more of the same. "

" The How is the NAVY SEALS. They can be anywhere in the world in 24 hours and they train extensively for this kind of thing. Odds are they were on the seen within 24 hours anyway, and they were the ones that ended it once Obama FINALLY gave the authorization for deadly force to be used. "

" LMAO @ TERRENCE McGUIRE and you all. The only pirate story ending in the news is the one about music and movie file sharing on the net.
This goof writing the letter says this> "Isnt it great to have a president who gets it done. The pirate story ends, no looking at what me worry, no listening to Cheneys ranting."
The ship pirates have not been slowed down at all. The only way to slow them down is by making dummy ships. Have every country that is fighting this problem make 2 of these ships. Take the dummy ships fill them with fake cargo and 50 cal machine guns. Put several military people on the ships, when the pirates attack let the military cut them in half with the 50 cals. I would think after a few times of their buddies ending as fish food might slow the piracy down some.
They are all terrorist cowards. They should be treated as such and shot to pieces. They will only pick on the weak and unarmed. "

" I really can not understand how anyone can praise Obama for his actions during the pirate/hostage situation.
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You know, it's an open question whether you can really understand anything at all, period. "

" This was one of those wow, now thats Americans soldiers training and dedication that pulled this off. simultaneously 3 snipers shot from a ship bobbing in the water, into a small life boat also bobbing in the water.

Many times, negotiations are a means of steering the situation to a solution, not necessarily aimed at bartering for anything but distraction and time. If you cold simply say relax, and move here, and get compliance, waiting for a specific firing solution wouldn't take so darn long. "

" Cognitus ... hmmm. Seems like I've heard that screen name before. Oh yeah, that's right. That's one of the city employees who posts all day long while on-the-clock, you know, while not doing whatever it is your supposed to be doing to earn your taxpayer dollars.

Too bad Ray Hamilton didn't get elected. You'd already be gone. I wonder when our mayor or our commissioners will look into city employees abuse of the blogisphere on the clock!!!! "

" Just read a report that stated that it was 36 hours BEFORE Obama agreed to allow the SEALS to head for the area even after repeated requests from the on site military commander. Once on scene the SEAL team commander wanted to go in ASAP and fully believed a successful rescue was very possible but was given orders not to attack in any way unless Phillips life was in imminent jeopardy.

All Obama's actions in this have done is to paint a bigger target on shipping, and in particular US flagged ships. It tells the pirates that the US is willing to negotiate and the only reason that group was killed is they messed up during the negotiations. "

" You know, it's an open question whether you can really understand anything at all, period. "
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When responses such as that one are made it signals that the "speaker" has just lost the debate. "

" Jim1969 wrote on Apr 17, 2009 3:26 AM:

" I really can not understand how anyone can praise Obama for his actions during the pirate/hostage situation. He attempted to NEGOTIATE with terrorists"

Oh really???? Who, how, when? Please, do tell. We are all on the edge of our seats on this one. "

" Did you see the 16 yr old remaining pirate on tv? All that was missing was a parrot on his shoulder and an eye patch.he had the smile.What are they gonna do put him in juvenile hall? "

" Isnt it great to have a president who gets it done.

Get what done, he waited 3 days before before giving the Seals the ok. During those 3 days the white flag was flying high while he negotiated. "

" Becky wrote: Oh really???? Who, how, when? Please, do tell. We are all on the edge of our seats on this one.

Obama was negotiating for 2 days, the fact that he was negotiating was in the fact that after they killed 3 pirates they told the 4th pirate he was now under arrest, they didn't have to chase him, he wasn't already under arrest, he was talking about what the pirates would take in exchange for the captains release. "