France frees yacht; hostage killed
April 10th, 2009 . by TexasFredFrance frees yacht; hostage killed
PARIS - France’s navy stormed a French sailboat held by pirates off the Somali coast Friday in an assault triggered by threats the passengers would be executed, but one hostage was killed in the operation, French Defense Minister Herve Morin said.
Two pirates also were killed. Four hostages, including a small child, were freed.
In a break with French government policy, authorities proposed a ransom but the pirates rejected the offer, Morin said. Three pirates were taken prisoner.
A grim-faced Morin said that “negotiations were leading nowhere, and the boat was approaching the coast.” He said French President Nicolas Sarkozy gave the order to attack.
Full Story Here:
France frees yacht; hostage killed
OK, so I am going to say something I never would have imagined me saying, KUDOS to the French for their courage and tactics, and for their ability to take this pirate crew down and save most of the hostages. For far too long we have criticized the French, called them *surrender monkeys* and so forth. It now appears that the French government may well have more intestinal fortitude than our own government.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - An American captain held hostage by four Somali pirates tried to swim for his freedom but was recaptured Friday, and officials said the high seas hostage drama escalated as both pirate ships and U.S. warcraft sailed to the scene. Pirates recapture US hostage after escape attempt
We’re talking 4 pirates, out of food, out of gas and probably short, or out of water, looking down the guns of a U.S. Navy destroyer. Excuse me, but we have highly trained individuals that are supposed to be the very best in the world at resolving these types of situations. Those individuals are the U.S. Navy SEALs. Why in the hell have they not been given orders to take this 4 man pirate band down? I am fairly certain that 4 SEALs on the railing of a Navy destroyer, after dark, with night vision sight acquisition gear could take out all 4 pirates in less than a second.
For crying out loud, 4 Somali bilge rats are standing off the U.S. Navy. Obama and Company are making us the laughing stock of the world.
President Barack Obama, who is getting regular updates on the standoff, declined to answer questions about it Friday for a second straight day. Pirates recapture US hostage after escape attempt
He can’t respond just yet. He has to decide how many billions of U.S. taxpayer dollars we’re going to send to Somalia, and then there’s that other decision that has to be made. You know the one, right? Do we surrender the Navy Destroyer to these pirates too?
I am not criticizing our Navy personnel, our military can and will DO the job, but they have to have a Commander in Chief that has the balls to lead and allow them to DO the job. We do NOT have that CiC in one Barry Soetoro, aka, Barack Hussein Obama.
why haven’t we set 4 sharp shooters to work in a coordinated event and put an end to this whole deal?
How can 4 guys in a life boat be that big a deal?
Looks like the French will be telling American jokes for a while.
I agree with you all the way Fred. Our Navy and the Seals are the best, but I imagine it’s just like in Iraq…………..you had to get PERMISSION from some PC ASSHOLE IN THE WHITEHOUSE
before you can take action. After all he doesn’t want to be subjected to abusive language from the worthless assholes setting in the un now would he? I say FUCK the UN and the bunch of third world asswipes that vote against everything except when it is for THEIR benefit only. Have to hand it to France today.
One more freakin’ embarrassment to come out of the WH…..cowardice.
Well, phooey. I read the headline, the article, Fred’s commentary, and then the other comments. You guys are all spot on, and there’s nothing left for me to contribute.
A SEAL team coming out of the water at night could easily dispatch the pirates and rescue the American being held.
“Phillips, 53, was taken hostage aboard the enclosed lifeboat with four pirates who fled when his crew overpowered pirates trying to take their U.S.-flagged ship, the Maersk Alabama.” That is a quote from a news report. How could snipers pick the four pirates off if the vessel is enclosed? Here is a website with an image of the boat and information as to what it contains. You might find it interesting (if my efforts for a “hot link” work.)
Maersk Alabama Lifeboat FAQ
Admin note: Now you have a HOT link… ~Fred~
Oh heck, Fred … I didn’t see your note until after I submitted the second attempt at the hot link . Thanks.
Fred, THE ONE is surely going to limpwrist this one. Two tests in one week-Korean missle and the Somali hijack-and he flunked both. The only people THE ONE brutalizes is his own people. Whatta mess…
One look at that boat,and I’m thinking combat divers could get to it and pull off what needs to be done. SEALS not needed thank you, but some courage from that White House impostor is.
What in the hell do you people expect from him when carter has been seen around and leaving the White House lately?
He’s pulling another Carter, no balls to go in and end this fiasco.
You put one 50mm round through the hull after dark, and what do you have then, fish in the water and easy picking with night vision scopes.
They need to act before those other pirate ships, that are on there way to the scene, get there and disrupt the mission and give the Navy more issues to deal with.
Fred wrote:
“We’re talking 4 pirates, out of food, out of gas and probably short, or out of water, looking down the guns of a U.S. Navy destroyer. Excuse me, but we have highly trained individuals that are supposed to be the very best in the world at resolving these types of situations. Those individuals are the U.S. Navy SEALs. Why in the hell have they not been given orders to take this 4 man pirate band down?”
The answer to you question…the Obamessiah (a.k.a. — the Commander-In-Chief) is all talk and little to no action.