« As They Say "That's Why We Play the Game" | Main | If I Say It and I'm On TV »
April 13, 2009
"This Could Escalate Violence..."
What mumbly jumbly gibberish from an Admiral
Reports suggest talks with the pirates stalled on Saturday because US officials insisted that the pirates be arrested and brought to justice.Admiral Gortney said the military end to the hostage incident might raise the stakes for pirates in the region.
"This could escalate violence in this part of the world, no question about it," he told reporters.
In Eyl, a pirate stronghold on the Somali coast, one self-proclaimed pirate said the US navy had become the "number one enemy".
I can think of three pirates who won't be escalating squat any more.
Well done, SEALs, and well done Mr. President in allowing them to protect our citizens.
Posted by Mr. Bingley at April 13, 2009 07:13 AM
Comments
Why is that mumbly jumbly gibberish? Of course the violence maay escalate. But that isn't our doing, that's their doing. And if they decide to escalate so will we. And then we might finally take the actions necessary to end piracy.
It's a shame that it takes escalation before we do the right thing.
Posted by: Skyler at April 13, 2009 09:51 AM
I'm sorry, but that's kind of like deciding not to send cops into an area that's got gang wars going on because "they might make it worse."
Or not sending anyone to do anything on the Mexico-Texas border because "it's already so violent there."
Feh. Not doing something because "it might make it worse" will guarantee that it WILL be worse in the future.
Posted by: ricki at April 13, 2009 10:06 AM
"Number one enemy", huh pal?
What say we send a few of the boys over to Eyl to discuss the situation? Don't move, they'll be there directly...
Posted by: mojo at April 13, 2009 10:13 AM
And the arrival of Enemy Number 1 should make them poop like Enema Number 2.
Posted by: tree hugging sister at April 13, 2009 11:46 AM
It's mumbly jumbly Skyler because that sort of phrasing plays right into the hands of the "what have we done to cause this oh it's our fault" assholes. It's a stupid thing for him to say in that way.
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at April 13, 2009 07:35 PM
I have a bit more faith in our admirals than that. You don't know what question he was asked or other context.
Posted by: Skyler at April 13, 2009 11:08 PM
No, but I do know what he was quoted as saying, and as he should know that the press will indeed cherry pick his quotes out of context for their own agenda he should know not to give them any. Tell reporters what you want to tell them, not what they ask. If they ask "don't you think this action could lead to an increase in violence" you say "the US government will do what is needed to ensure the safety of its citizens."
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at April 14, 2009 06:20 AM
For god's sake, look how the hand-wringing has started already. "Some fear escalation" my ass. There's no need for any type of land operation, simply a statement that "any and all speed boats operating off the coast of Somalia will be sunk." No questions asked, end of problem.
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at April 14, 2009 06:28 AM
The pirates don't operate from speed boats coming from the coast.
Their procedures now consist of waiting out at sea in a larger boat. They appear to be innocent fishermen until they decide to attack.
Posted by: Skyler at April 14, 2009 11:09 AM
There are to ways to take a fish from a barrel with water.
No 1. Shooting the fish in a barrel. Ridiculously easy, but making more damage to the barrel than the value of the fish.
No 2. Taking the water from the barrel, with a spoon, and grabbing the fish later.
U.S government Choose the alternative No. 1
Posted by: bluerose at April 14, 2009 11:27 AM
Not when you hit each fish with each shot, bluerose.
Posted by: Mr. Bingley at April 14, 2009 01:59 PM