Where Was The Navy?

The details are still too sketchy to be sure, but if Phillips managed to escape from the Somali pirates to any significant distance and our Navy did nothing, I'm wondering if Kerry didn't report for duty early and is already on the scene. Obama is said to have been observing this closely. Any Rules of Engagement issues rest fully on him. Or maybe he was practicing his bow at the time and didn't see the escape?

Phillips’ brother-in-law, Tom Coggio, said he has no confirmation that Phillips made a dash for freedom and was recaptured, but he’s outraged if it’s true.

“Who the hell knows what went down?” he said this morning. “Where the hell is the Navy? They have all these people over there. Why wouldn’t this boat be monitored 24 hours a day in case he escapes?”

Comments

[Barrh Hoffman]

One can only wonder why snipers didn't have guns trained upon any person that showed themselves topside on the covered lifeboat. If the Captain had indeed "escaped" overboard, sharpshooters could have easily neutralized the pirates and ended to crisis with an outcome satisfactory to all, other than the pirates themselves. A very clear message would also have been sent to the pirate community in Somalia.

Feckless response just elevates the crisis needlessly. Overwhelming and instantaneous response is the only remedy for the future.

[mark l.]

"One can only wonder why snipers didn't have guns trained upon any person that showed themselves topside on the covered lifeboat."

It is a tough shot. The boat is moving, the target is moving, and there are very few cues to gauge wind. The odds of making 4 kill shots, without killing the hostage, but eliminating the gunman who is nearest would make it all look like a 'mini' waco.

The pirates plan?
They have to make it to port, with the hostage. Not only do they have to get to land, but they will need a large contingent of supporters waiting for them. Haven't been following the particulars, but I would imagine the pirates would like to augment their numbers on the sea, before heading home. The pirates already know that if they haven't been attacked thus far, they probably won't be. Small encouragement for the current pirates, but big encouragement for those who are hoping to join in.

The admin's plan?
The delay has probably proved invaluable to US intel ops-communication and coordination amongst the pirates must be thru the roof, but the liklihood of Obama proceeding to bomb targets in somalia remains nil. They also want to be sure that the hostage will be released, upon payment-which, although highly probable, must be certain, to avoid emabrassment. The current standoff provides a situation where the belief-'we can't lose' if we don't do anything is sinking in fast.

The outcome?
the admin knows that the hostage cannot be killed. Better to pay the ransom, and try and 'arrest' the pirates later. The nightmare of it all will be captured when the boat pulls in harbor and there are hundred of smaller vessels greeting the 'victors' along the way. They'll disembark into a throng of of well wishers, with hostage in tow, and release him within a few days.

the pictures won't be as graphic as 'blackhawk down'/corpses dragged thru the street, but the photos that will resonate will be of the crowd of indigs gathering in victory. much like I imagine the pics of the WTC burning adorn the caves of afghanistan, the coming pics will serve as a rallying cry for the fame and success of piracy, particularily against the US. I understand that obama does not want to replace the gwot, with the gwop, but after watching the terrorists garner strength and power with impunity thru the 90's, does obama really want to ignore history? yep.

[bloodstar]

Also, it should be noted that the Company that owns the boat has specifically requested that this be treated as a civilian matter. Which means they've told the navy to keep their distance. I'd hazard that the Warship that is down there is a couple of miles away keeping an eye out.

Now any pirate ship dumb enough to sail out to help the other pirates should be sunk with due haste. And I cannot conceive why the Company that owns the boat wouldn't want the military around, but if that's their call, that's their call.

[Michigan State sucks]

Since when was the National Sovereignty of the USA handed over for Obama's scum-licking Courtesans and whores in the turning into Anti-American liberal FBI.