This is a scary story. Anyone know if it is true?
http://open.salon.com/blog/ed_marrow...somali_pirates
the real story behind the somali pirates
PIRATE STANDOFF - THE REAL STORY
All of us want to raise our glass the highest this week to the Navy SEALs
who popped those three Somali pirates. And I'm sure you want to hear the
real story of what happened. Especially because there is a revoltingly
opportunistic and cowardly side to it. Guess which side Zero is on (ZERO IS
FOR "O". YOU KNOW WHO!) ?
Why, for example, did it take SEAL Team Six (aka DEVGRU, Navy Special
Warfare Development Group, the Navy's equivalent of Delta Force) over 36
hours to get to the scene?
Because Zero refused to authorize the SEAL deployment for those 36 hours,
during which the OSC (the On-Site Commander), Cmdr. Frank Castellano of the
USS Bainbridge - repeatedly requested them.
Once the SEALs arrived - parachuting from a C-17 into the ocean near the
ship - Zero then imposed Rules of Engagement (ROE) specifying the SEALs
could not do anything unless the life of the hostage, Captain Richard
Phillips, was in "imminent" danger.
Thus, when Capt. Phillips attempted to escape by jumping off the lifeboat
into the ocean, the SEAL snipers had all four pirates (one later
surrendered) sighted in and could have taken them out then and there - but
they could not fire due to Zero's ROE restrictions.
When the SEALs approached the lifeboat in a RIB (rigid-hull inflatable boat)
carrying supplies for Capt. Phillips and the pirates, the pirates fired upon
them. Not only was no fire returned due to the ROE, but as the pirates were
shooting at the RIB, SEAL snipers on the Bainbridge had them all dialed in.
No triggers were pulled due to the ROE..
Two specific rescue plans were developed by Cmdr. Castellano and the SEAL
teams. Zero personally refused to authorize them.
After the second refusal and days of dithering, Cmdr. Castellano decided he
had the Operational Area and OSC authority to "solely determine risk to
hostage" and did not require any further approval of the president.
Four hours later, the White House is informed that three pirates are dead
and Capt. Phillips has been rescued unharmed. A WH press release is
immediately issued, giving credit to the president for his "daring and
decisive" behavior that resulted in such success.
Zero has absolutely no military knowledge or experience whatsoever. He
demanded decisional control over the entire hostage drama to the last
detail. All actions required his personal approval. He dithered like a
coward while the world laughed at our warships flummoxed by four illiterate
teenagers with AKs in a lifeboat.
Only when the Navy Commander decided to ignore his Pantywaist-in Chief and
take action and responsibility himself, were the incredible skills of the
SEALs put into play.
That Zero could cynically and opportunistically claim that his "bold" "calm"
"tough" leadership was responsible should remind everyone that not a single
action, not a single word of this man can be trusted. He is bereft of
honesty and moral character. That's why he's Zero.
The HFR raises a glass full of pride and gratitude to Navy Commander Frank
Castellano, the Navy SEALs for their incredible competence, and our
military. Let's hold a Tea Party in their honor.