April 13th 2009
A Kudo For The Prez
S
hall we over-amp on the president’s role in yesterday’s rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips and the death of three Somali pirates, as WaPo did, calling it “an early victory that could help build confidence in [Obama's] ability to direct military actions abroad,” or should we be dismissive, as Rick Moran is, saying,
Does the president have the judgement to pull the trigger on this, a much more problematic operation where civilians are likely to be killed and the loss of American life is probable? That will be Obama’s first real “test” and not some quick thinking by a brave captain and the dead eye marksmanship of our SEAL’s.
I’ll admit deep satisfaction that Obama allowed the operation to move forward. A first test, whether it’s big or small, is an important test, and he passed it with a good grade. Had he acted as if this were Jimmy Carter’s administration, who knows what would be going on today off the coast of Eyl, but he didn’t. He knew there was risk Phillips could be killed in an action, but he also knew the safety of US flag vessels and US citizens had to be defended, and those who disregard our power must be sent the signal that it’s not wise to mess with the U.S.
But yesterday I read in the NYT that Obama said America “would need the help of other nations” to solve the pirate matter. That quote is missing from the article this morning – I wonder why? – but it was definitely the wrong quote for the moment. We don’t need their help to dispatch these brutes, and Obama made us sound like just another nation. Sure, it would be nice to have the support of other nations, but the message to the Somalis should have been left at “hands off American vessels and American crews.”
That’s the sort of message people around the world are envious of and admire. It’s the message the Roman legions enforced throughout their empire, making hooligans very wary of harming Roman citizens, and it’s the right message for the Somali pirates and nations with dithering leaders.
So, the president did well, but he didn’t speak well. The better statement would have been that America would seek the support of other nations willing to join us, so all ships in the area could be protected.
And as for the pirates’ braggadicio that we’d better watch out, here’s an idea. I think we can assume that every mansion in Eyl was built with ransoms from piracy. Let’s send them all a little note advising them to get the women and children out pronto, then obliterate them.
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