Comments on: USS Bainbridge: US Destroyer Tracking Somali Pirates http://military.rightpundits.com/2009/04/08/uss-bainbridge-us-destroyer-tracking-somali-pirates/ Sun, 22 Nov 2009 04:31:56 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: Anthony http://military.rightpundits.com/2009/04/08/uss-bainbridge-us-destroyer-tracking-somali-pirates/comment-page-1/#comment-201045 Anthony Sat, 18 Apr 2009 08:53:29 +0000 http://military.rightpundits.com/?p=5443#comment-201045 I hope that President Obama's decisiveness combined with the SEAL's ability will silence all you harbingers of doubt. I hope that President Obama’s decisiveness combined with the SEAL’s ability will silence all you harbingers of doubt.

]]> By: Ret. Navy Captain http://military.rightpundits.com/2009/04/08/uss-bainbridge-us-destroyer-tracking-somali-pirates/comment-page-1/#comment-195547 Ret. Navy Captain Fri, 10 Apr 2009 19:33:13 +0000 http://military.rightpundits.com/?p=5443#comment-195547 First, this is a hostage situation, not (anymore) piracy. The intrepid U.S. merchant mariners fought back and kept their ship out of the pirates hands. Many U.S. ships have been "targeted" by pirates since 1794. The U.S. Navy actions against the Tripoli and Barbary "pirates" occurred before and after 1812, ending in 1815. Piracy and attacks on U.S. ships continued into the 19th Century and U.S. ships have been threatened in the 20th and 21st centuries. Before the Somali pirates on the Horn of Africa, there was (and still is) a pirate threat in the Straits of Malacca. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piracy_in_the_Strait_of_Malacca U.S. ships were "targeted" by those pirates such that USNS ships transiting the straits were authorized to mount .50 cal. machines guns on their weather decks to use for self-defense. And do not forget the hijacking of the SS Mayaguez by the Kyhmer Rouge (lawless de facto controllers of Cambodia, but no different than pirates) in 1975. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayag%C3%BCez_incident So to make any suggestion of a link between Obama and some sort of invitation to test America's will, is invalid. Besides, what action would you have the U.S. government take? Deter future attacks by blowing up the life boat carrying the pirates and the U.S. captain, showing everyone that we care less for human life than the priates? Or perhaps Obama should take a clue from that great American president Ronald Reagan who sold Hawk missile to our enemy Iran as ransom for release of hostages taken by Hezbollah in Lebanon? Reagan was so effective in dealing with a similar situation that we now have Iran, Hezbollah and the Nicarguan Sandinistas (whose enemies, the Contras, got the proceeds from the weapons sale) enjoying even more power and influence than before. Hah! From Reagan, Islamic militants learned that they could make money and political capital from the U.S. and the results can be seen at Khobar Towers, USS Cole and 9/11. Also, I'm surprised no one mentions that USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) is the fourth U.S. Navy ship named for Commodore Wm Bainbridge. Here are some interesting tidbits from Como. Bainbridge's official U.S. Navy bio http://www.history.navy.mil/bios/bainbridge_wm.htm#Tingey-bio : "May 1800 - he was ordered to the frigate George Washington to carry “tribute” from the United States to the Dey of Algiers. He was employed by the Dey of Algiers to carry his ambassador and gifts to the Sultan of Turkey and was instrumental in securing an order from the Sultan to the Dey obliging him to release 400 prisoners." My comment: Does that sound like a courier for ransom or what? "He returned to the United States and on 2 May 1801 was ordered to Essex, one of the vessels of the squadron of Commodore Richard Dale fitted out to cruise against the Barbary Powers." "21 May 1803 ordered to command the Philadelphia, 44-gun frigate, of Commodore Edward Preble’s Squadron, to cruise against Tripolitan cruisers in the Mediterranean. 13 July 1803 ordered by the Department to sail in advance of the squadron. 26 August 1803 off Cape de Gatt, captured the Moorish ship Meshboha and recaptured from the Moors the American brig Cecelia." "31 October 1803 while in chase of a Tripolitan cruiser, the Philadelphia struck on a rock in the harbor of Tripoli, struck fast in the sands, was surrounded by Tripolitan gunboats and captured. Captain Bainbridge, his officers and men were taken on shore and imprisoned in the castle overlooking the harbor for 19 months. Upon the establishment of a treaty of peace with Tripoli, 3 June 1805, Captain Bainbridge returned to the United States in the frigate President." Seems that like his fourth namesake, Ol' Billy Bainbridge was no stranger to pirates and that any suggestion the U.S. hasn't been plagued by pirates since 1794 is more than a bit ignorant. First, this is a hostage situation, not (anymore) piracy. The intrepid U.S. merchant mariners fought back and kept their ship out of the pirates hands. Many U.S. ships have been “targeted” by pirates since 1794. The U.S. Navy actions against the Tripoli and Barbary “pirates” occurred before and after 1812, ending in 1815. Piracy and attacks on U.S. ships continued into the 19th Century and U.S. ships have been threatened in the 20th and 21st centuries. Before the Somali pirates on the Horn of Africa, there was (and still is) a pirate threat in the Straits of Malacca. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piracy_in_the_Strait_of_Malacca U.S. ships were “targeted” by those pirates such that USNS ships transiting the straits were authorized to mount .50 cal. machines guns on their weather decks to use for self-defense. And do not forget the hijacking of the SS Mayaguez by the Kyhmer Rouge (lawless de facto controllers of Cambodia, but no different than pirates) in 1975. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayag%C3%BCez_incident So to make any suggestion of a link between Obama and some sort of invitation to test America’s will, is invalid. Besides, what action would you have the U.S. government take? Deter future attacks by blowing up the life boat carrying the pirates and the U.S. captain, showing everyone that we care less for human life than the priates? Or perhaps Obama should take a clue from that great American president Ronald Reagan who sold Hawk missile to our enemy Iran as ransom for release of hostages taken by Hezbollah in Lebanon? Reagan was so effective in dealing with a similar situation that we now have Iran, Hezbollah and the Nicarguan Sandinistas (whose enemies, the Contras, got the proceeds from the weapons sale) enjoying even more power and influence than before. Hah! From Reagan, Islamic militants learned that they could make money and political capital from the U.S. and the results can be seen at Khobar Towers, USS Cole and 9/11.

Also, I’m surprised no one mentions that USS Bainbridge (DDG 96) is the fourth U.S. Navy ship named for Commodore Wm Bainbridge. Here are some interesting tidbits from Como. Bainbridge’s official U.S. Navy bio http://www.history.navy.mil/bios/bainbridge_wm.htm#Tingey-bio :

“May 1800 - he was ordered to the frigate George Washington to carry “tribute” from the United States to the Dey of Algiers. He was employed by the Dey of Algiers to carry his ambassador and gifts to the Sultan of Turkey and was instrumental in securing an order from the Sultan to the Dey obliging him to release 400 prisoners.”

My comment: Does that sound like a courier for ransom or what?

“He returned to the United States and on 2 May 1801 was ordered to Essex, one of the vessels of the squadron of Commodore Richard Dale fitted out to cruise against the Barbary Powers.”

“21 May 1803 ordered to command the Philadelphia, 44-gun frigate, of Commodore Edward Preble’s Squadron, to cruise against Tripolitan cruisers in the Mediterranean. 13 July 1803 ordered by the Department to sail in advance of the squadron. 26 August 1803 off Cape de Gatt, captured the Moorish ship Meshboha and recaptured from the Moors the American brig Cecelia.”

“31 October 1803 while in chase of a Tripolitan cruiser, the Philadelphia struck on a rock in the harbor of Tripoli, struck fast in the sands, was surrounded by Tripolitan gunboats and captured. Captain Bainbridge, his officers and men were taken on shore and imprisoned in the castle overlooking the harbor for 19 months. Upon the establishment of a treaty of peace with Tripoli, 3 June 1805, Captain Bainbridge returned to the United States in the frigate President.”

Seems that like his fourth namesake, Ol’ Billy Bainbridge was no stranger to pirates and that any suggestion the U.S. hasn’t been plagued by pirates since 1794 is more than a bit ignorant.

]]> By: beth http://military.rightpundits.com/2009/04/08/uss-bainbridge-us-destroyer-tracking-somali-pirates/comment-page-1/#comment-195185 beth Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:25:05 +0000 http://military.rightpundits.com/?p=5443#comment-195185 Frederiksen - regardless of the number of ships and crews that have been targeted by the Somali pirates over the years - there has not been an AMERICAN ship targeted by pirates since 1794. That's significant. I hope Obama handles it properly and refuses to try to buy his way out of it. If they think they can make money off attacking American ships, they will target them more often. Frederiksen - regardless of the number of ships and crews that have been targeted by the Somali pirates over the years - there has not been an AMERICAN ship targeted by pirates since 1794. That’s significant.

I hope Obama handles it properly and refuses to try to buy his way out of it. If they think they can make money off attacking American ships, they will target them more often.

]]> By: J.K. Frederiksen http://military.rightpundits.com/2009/04/08/uss-bainbridge-us-destroyer-tracking-somali-pirates/comment-page-1/#comment-194802 J.K. Frederiksen Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:07:36 +0000 http://military.rightpundits.com/?p=5443#comment-194802 Whoever the twit that wrote the narrative about Obama was, they should read a little history. The fact that President Obama is in office, has nothing to do with the American ship being targeted by pirates. Fifteen ships, of MANY nationalities are currently being held. Such overt partisan political garbage masquerading as news should be reserved for Fox network. At least on Fox, you know for absolute certain that the facts are nowhere to be seen. You should be ashamed, but hacks like yourself are likely to be proud of spewing this kind of bile on the internet in hopes that the less informed find it believable. Whoever the twit that wrote the narrative about Obama was, they should read a little history. The fact that President Obama is in office, has nothing to do with the American ship being targeted by pirates. Fifteen ships, of MANY nationalities are currently being held. Such overt partisan political garbage masquerading as news should be reserved for Fox network. At least on Fox, you know for absolute certain that the facts are nowhere to be seen.
You should be ashamed, but hacks like yourself are likely to be proud of spewing this kind of bile on the internet in hopes that the less informed find it believable.

]]> By: beth http://military.rightpundits.com/2009/04/08/uss-bainbridge-us-destroyer-tracking-somali-pirates/comment-page-1/#comment-194404 beth Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:20:36 +0000 http://military.rightpundits.com/?p=5443#comment-194404 Billy - I don't know if they know Obama or not - that's not the point. The point is that we can stop this nonsense - but Obama can't make a decision. Oh - and you can bet they know OSama. That's the point. Billy - I don’t know if they know Obama or not - that’s not the point. The point is that we can stop this nonsense - but Obama can’t make a decision.

Oh - and you can bet they know OSama.

That’s the point.

]]> By: billy http://military.rightpundits.com/2009/04/08/uss-bainbridge-us-destroyer-tracking-somali-pirates/comment-page-1/#comment-194309 billy Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:08:17 +0000 http://military.rightpundits.com/?p=5443#comment-194309 that is the most boneheaded commentary yet. these pirates have no clue who obama is. that is the most boneheaded commentary yet. these pirates have no clue who obama is.

]]> By: Walt http://military.rightpundits.com/2009/04/08/uss-bainbridge-us-destroyer-tracking-somali-pirates/comment-page-1/#comment-194248 Walt Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:17:30 +0000 http://military.rightpundits.com/?p=5443#comment-194248 You stupidly comment that the U.S. is perceived as greatly weakened with the election of Obama. I doubt that our enemies are likely to make such a boneheaded miscalculation. You stupidly comment that the U.S. is perceived as greatly weakened with the election of Obama.

I doubt that our enemies are likely to make such a boneheaded miscalculation.

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