Comments on: OBAMA PULLS THE TRIGGER: NOW HOW ABOUT SOME FOLLOW THROUGH?

By: mannning

mannning — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 01:09:48 +0000

Devastating the Somali havens for pirates has a grand feeling to it, but:
It is my understanding that the captured crews of the ships they have docked there are being held on those ships, which means the probable loss of some 230 crewmen or so, I believe, if we bomb the port and the ships.
If we attack the port and other facilities of the pirates, I believe the pirates would set off explosives preplaced on the ships in retaliation. Hitting Somalia has some unknown consequences.

By: Maggie's Farm

Maggie's Farm — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 10:05:46 +0000

Tuesday morning links…

Legal scam or real problem? Chinese wallboard
Is there a freedom not to buy medical insurance? Why does that question even need to be asked?
Animal nutritionists at the National Zoo
A "quick" bankruptcy for GM? Megan
Nuclear dis…

By: President Teleprompter tries to take credit for Navy Seal rescue

President Teleprompter tries to take credit for Navy Seal rescue — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 08:03:53 +0000

[...] The Atlantic Politics Channel, Sister Toldjah, Wonkette, Associated Press, CBS News, Balloon Juice, Right Wing Nut House, Taylor Marsh, AMERICAblog News, Outside The Beltway, Macsmind, Political Punch, Althouse, New York [...]

By: bobwire

bobwire — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 06:49:29 +0000

“Now, however, comes the hard part. It is time for the United States to take the lead and mount a military operation that will wipe out the scourge of piracy.”

Actually Rick the message has already been sent. Mission accomplished. If other nations fail to step up as we have, then why on earth should we carry their water?

Find some other lead for your pencil.

By: Joe

Joe — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:35:51 +0000

I predict Obama will follow thru and hit the Somali coastline. Oh, by the way, all Rush and Hanitty did today was badmouth Obama, saying Obama was trying to hog all the credit. Typical of the neocon fringe. Nothing Obama does will ever be good enough in their eyes. Fine. There party can continue to get there asses handed to them in election after election.

By: Gaia's Child

Gaia's Child — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 03:06:46 +0000

This is the second time in two months that our country has produced a real hero; first Captain Sully and now Captain Phillips. I’m glad that Obama didn’t wimp but to me the real story is Captain Phillips and his quick thinking crew and the planning and clear thinking of our military. Special kudos to the Seals who seldom get credit for their missions.

Though our Navy could easyily take out the Somalian coast and pirates, I have to ask, why at this point should we? Why shouldn’t the countries, whose ships and tankers are still being held, step up first.

I agree, if another American ship is taken, we should go in and clean up but just for once I would like to see Western Europe take care of their own problems. The countries who have wanted to negotiate and pay ransome should bring up the first war ships.

By: Obama shows he can pull the trigger, now what? « The Daley Gator

Obama shows he can pull the trigger, now what? « The Daley Gator — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 01:24:12 +0000

[...] Obama shows he can pull the trigger, now what? An excellent question posed over at Right Wing Nut House [...]

By: Magic Dog

Magic Dog — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 00:12:33 +0000

Hey wingers, why don’t you just swallow real hard and admit that Obama handled it perfectly? Is it really that hard for you to cheer the success of a president and your own country?

By: michael reynolds

michael reynolds — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:11:03 +0000

I suspect the “imminent execution” thing is a cover story. In other words, BS to make it seem we had a clear criminal justice sort of rationale for the shoot. Whatever, as the kids say.

Dave Schuler at Outside the Beltway has a good round-up on various responses. There don’t seem to be a lot of good options. (Surprise!) The simple “blow their s**t up” option may be rather ineffective and harder to pull off than it seems at first blush.

But I wonder about a “no-swim zone,” so to speak. Close down all shipping coming out of Somali ports. Harsh, particularly since it would probably result in blowing some innocent fishing boats out of the water, but within our capabilities in terms of resources.

By the way, the take-away is: Don’t piss of SEALS. Three simultaneous shots, three bullseyes, from that distance off a moving ship, at a target that was bobbing around on the sea? Damn. Makes my performance winning a stuffed bear at a carnival shooting range look, um, not real impressive.

By: funny man

funny man — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 22:10:33 +0000

Is it just me but I don’t understand half the comments here. Maybe old age is setting in..