What's better than 3 dead pirates?

Why, dozens of dead pirates and some flattened villages! According to this article "The U.S. military is considering attacks on pirate bases on land and aid for the Somali people to help stem ship hijackings off Africa’s east coast." The plans are to be presented to the Obama administration when completed. Here's hoping they're approved. Of course, we aren't looking for a broad military engagement. We have plenty of those on our plate as it is. Surgical strikes are a different matter, especially since prominent pirates in the area have "vowed revenge" for their dead mates. It's time to show them that they better start walking small, or invest in pine boxes.

The daring rescue of Richard Philips was executed by the Silent Professionals, the Navy SEALS. According to the Washington Post, "Vice Adm. William E. Gortney, commander of the Fifth Fleet, explained that Obama issued a standing order that the military was to act if the captain's life was in immediate danger. "Our authorities came directly from the president,"" If this is true, and I have no reason to believe it isn't, it scores major points for the administration. In my personal opinion, it would have been better to follow the Israeli pattern of hostage negotiation. Their style: The only offer on the table is the hostage-takers life. You free the hostage, you live. You don't, you die. First and final offer. Kinda deters future hostage takers.

Still, the fact that he was willing to put this on the line shows some courage. If things had gone badly, he would have presumably shouldered the responsibility for it. As it is, he deserves the praise. Good on ya, magic O.