'NUFF SAID

HAIL THE SEALs

"They're the superheroes," said a relaxed looking Capt. Phillips upon his arrival at Burlington International Airport. "They're the titans. They're impossible men doing an impossible job, and they did the impossible with me ... They're at the point of the sword every day, doing an impossible job every day."

Far-effin-out.

We may never know what really happened for a couple of years, but at least Capt. Phillips knows.

And, gah-damn! but that was one helluva take down.

Hail the Squids!!!

I gotta tell ya ... it feels really good to be part of the spec-ops fraternity.

UPDATE: 4/19-09 1519LT: Seems like not only was I a little fast in saying that Captain Phillips was a dead man, it also seems that I may have jumped the gun (so to speak) on thanking President Obama for his actions. Apparently — and so far, aside from what's appearing in the blogs, there seems to be only one Congressman (Buyers) from Indiana questioning the timing — the Prez was loathe to use force, and delayed the rescue via restrictive ROEs, by 36 hours. Unfortunately, with Obama glad-handing the likes of Chavez and Castro like they're old roomies, this has the ring of truth to it. It's unfortunate we won't hear from the men involved.

VERY COOL TEE

While I still don't buy the official story on how the SEALs took out the pirates .... this is a VERY cool T-shirt.

Go to Ranger Up to get your own.

NUFF SAID

UPDATE:4/14/09-1452LT: While the above is funny, the American press didn't give much play to what happened in the French rescue attempt on Friday (4/10/09). The captain of the French-flagged sailing yacht Tanit and two pirates died in a rescue operation by French special operatives. Four hostages were freed, including a three-year-old child. But Florent Lemaçon, the 28-year-old owner of the yacht, was shot dead as his wife, their son and two friends were being rescued. Get used to this type of news, mainly because these pirates are impoverished (versus religious) terrorists to whom life means less than little (watch the scene in Blackhawk Down in which a terrorist chief, lectures the captured pilot on why they will win). What should be done is a coalition (and by this I actually mean any country that owns ships) sends their people, and the entire area coastline becomes a free fire zone ... and yes, innocent civilians will die. We — that is to say, the "civilized" world — won't do this, of course, but that's what should be done.

CAPTAIN OF MAERSK ALABAMA FREED

Sounds like a SEAL ops, but the captain of the freighter Maersk Alabama who was taken hostage after the ship's American crew was able to retake the ship from Somalian pirates, was freed today.

I don't have anymore on this, other than three of the four pirates holding him are dead ... which is pretty damn neat.

My apologies to the captain for writing him off so early.

Congrats — again — to the crew and welcome home to Captain Phillips.


UPDATE: 4/12/09-2034LT: The full story from REUTERS.

UPDATE 2:4/13/09-1636LT: Kudos to the SEALs and any other special operators involved. And all you civilians out there — chances are that nothing whatsoever like how the MSM is describing the event took place. Suffice to say,nonetheless, it was a quite successful takedown. We also have to give a nod to President Obama for giving the go.

WHAT THE REAL AMERICA IS ALL ABOUT

Despite what the world may think, and despite what our President says, America isn’t about kissing anyone’s ass.

Every GI, Grunt, Swabbie, Coastie or Flyboy who has said, “I don’t think so” is America.

Ships have been pirated by rag-tag pirates working from Somalia for the past several months. A cargo ship, with some 20 American crew aboard — including some Kings Point guys — took back their ship today. The captain is still held hostage, and perhaps will end up dead.

But guess what … so will the pirates. No capture for trial BS, no Geneva Convention shit (which never applied to pirates or other terrorists), no niceties and civilized punishment.

Screw apologizing, screw liberal “oooh, be nice,” screw “we don’t waterboard.”

Kill the bastards and let God sort them out.

We need to give a hero’s welcome to the American crew of the Maersk Alabama when they come home … alive, well and successful.

If you don't agree with that, you ain't an American.