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Official: US sea captain freed in swift firefight
breitbart.com ^ | 4/12/9 | ELIZABETH A. KENNEDY and LARA JAKES

Posted on 04/12/2009 11:00:01 AM PDT by bimboeruption

MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) - An American ship captain was freed unharmed Sunday in a U.S. Navy operation that killed three of the four Somali pirates who had been holding him for days in a lifeboat off the coast of Africa, a senior U.S. intelligence official said. One of the pirates was wounded and in custody after a swift firefight, the official said.

Capt. Richard Phillips, 53, of Underhill, Vermont, was safely transported to a Navy warship nearby.

The official was not authorized to discuss the matter publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.

A government official and others in Somali with knowledge of the situation had reported hours earlier that negotiations for Phillips' release had broken down.

The district commissioner of the central Mudug region said talks went on all day Saturday, with clan elders from his area talking by satellite telephone and through a translator with Americans, but collapsed late Saturday night.

"The negotiations between the elders and American officials have broken down. The reason is American officials wanted to arrest the pirates in Puntland and elders refused the arrest of the pirates," said the commissioner, Abdi Aziz Aw Yusuf. He said he organized initial contacts between the elders and the Americans.

Two other Somalis, one involved in the negotiations and another in contact with the pirates, also said the talks collapsed because of the U.S. insistence that the pirates be arrested and brought to justice.

Phillips' crew of 19 American sailors reached safe harbor in Kenya's northeast port of Mombasa on Saturday night under guard of U.S. Navy Seals, exhilarated by their freedom but mourning the absence of Phillips.

Crew members said their ordeal had begun with the Somali pirates hauling themselves up from a small boat bobbing on the surface of the Indian Ocean far below.

(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...


TOPICS: Breaking News; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: 444; first100days; navy; nothanktoobama; phillips; piracy; pirates; somali; somalia; somaliapirates; somalipirates; spartansixdelta; victory; waronterror; worst100days
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Happy Resurrection Day to Capt. Phillips and his family courtesy of the U.S. Navy.

God Bless Our Military!

1 posted on 04/12/2009 11:00:01 AM PDT by bimboeruption
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To: bimboeruption

YES! YES! YES! Excellent great news!


2 posted on 04/12/2009 11:01:29 AM PDT by amom (Proud Tanker Mom)
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To: bimboeruption

Hooray!


3 posted on 04/12/2009 11:02:04 AM PDT by Ted Grant
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To: bimboeruption

Wonderful news! Thank you for posting :-)

“doing happy dance”


4 posted on 04/12/2009 11:03:08 AM PDT by Stoat (Palin / Coulter 2012: A Strong America Through Unapologetic Conservatism)
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To: bimboeruption
"The reason is American officials wanted to arrest the pirates in Puntland and elders refused the arrest of the pirates," said the commissioner, Abdi Aziz Aw Yusuf.

Well, OK. Now we only have to arrest one guy. I call it a win-win situation.

5 posted on 04/12/2009 11:03:20 AM PDT by Billthedrill
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To: bimboeruption

Get back infidels, I Kill you!

....what? I am dead? Damn those Navy Seals!

6 posted on 04/12/2009 11:03:49 AM PDT by Kenton (Packing my hollowpoints with pig fat since 2001)
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To: bimboeruption

SEALS RULE-—TERRORISTS DIE. Thank you GOD for the Captain’s rescue,


7 posted on 04/12/2009 11:03:55 AM PDT by Uncle George
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To: bimboeruption

Hope the SEALs don’t get into any trouble - the FBI doesn’t like it when one of their crime scenes is disturbed.


8 posted on 04/12/2009 11:04:43 AM PDT by Ben Hecks
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To: bimboeruption
Happy Easter, indeed!!!

I guess Coburn and Bayh’s statement had finally made our whatever-in-chief to allow our Navy to be our Navy.

9 posted on 04/12/2009 11:04:46 AM PDT by alecqss
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To: Kenton

Don’t’cha just love it? 8^D


10 posted on 04/12/2009 11:05:16 AM PDT by amom (Proud Tanker Mom)
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To: bimboeruption
I hope they Miranda’d the captured pirate.
11 posted on 04/12/2009 11:05:49 AM PDT by BallyBill (Serial Hit-N-Run poster)
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To: bimboeruption

Where will they take the prisoner, hm?


12 posted on 04/12/2009 11:06:17 AM PDT by Mamzelle (BRING CAMERA EQUIP TO TEA PARTIES--TAPE THE DISRUPTORS)
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To: amom

Nice to see that that Navy is still a community that won’t be “organized.”


13 posted on 04/12/2009 11:06:25 AM PDT by AmericanVictory (Should we be more like them or they more like we used to be?)
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To: amom

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NAVY!


14 posted on 04/12/2009 11:08:17 AM PDT by Kenton (Packing my hollowpoints with pig fat since 2001)
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To: bimboeruption

God bless the Navy SEALS


15 posted on 04/12/2009 11:08:32 AM PDT by Armedanddangerous (I think you're so full of inconsolable rage, you don't care who you hurt.)
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To: bimboeruption

I KNEW the Lord would deliver today! I knew it in my heart!!!!!! Thank you Jesus and Happy Easter!


16 posted on 04/12/2009 11:08:33 AM PDT by ReformedTreeHugger
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To: bimboeruption

Now we should destroy the port, kill the elders, issue Letters of Marque, and post a bounty on pirates’ heads.


17 posted on 04/12/2009 11:10:15 AM PDT by Navy Patriot (Welcome to the Obama-Democrat Depression.)
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To: bimboeruption
I love a great outcome.
Makes sense why no one was talking.
Pres. Obama’s popularity will go thru the roof....for awhile
18 posted on 04/12/2009 11:10:59 AM PDT by stylin19a (Obama - the ethically excepted asterisk administration)
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To: AmericanVictory

Great news! This is an Easter Present presented to the American people by the USN. He has risen!


19 posted on 04/12/2009 11:11:19 AM PDT by Forward the Light Brigade (Into the Jaws of H*ll)
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To: Ben Hecks
“the FBI doesn’t like it when one of their crime scenes is disturbed”

As a good detective friend of mine said “ the FBI couldn't follow a menstruating elephant in a snow bank.”

20 posted on 04/12/2009 11:12:41 AM PDT by dalereed
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To: Kenton
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO NAVY!

Aren't they great?

21 posted on 04/12/2009 11:12:49 AM PDT by amom (Proud Tanker Mom)
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To: bimboeruption

BRAVO ZULU - SEAL TEAM.


22 posted on 04/12/2009 11:13:05 AM PDT by BuffaloJack (To stand up for Capitalism is to hope Teleprompter Boy fails.)
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To: bimboeruption

And now the pirates home bases and training facilities should be blown off the face of the map!! Right now!!


23 posted on 04/12/2009 11:13:28 AM PDT by GoldenPup
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To: bimboeruption

I know you’re all wondering what Obama’s role in all this was. Here’s the anwer:

“The negotiations between the elders and American officials have broken down. The reason is American officials wanted to arrest the pirates in Puntland and elders refused the arrest of the pirates,” said the commissioner...

In other words, the only reason why we have a favorable outcome is that the Somalis would not let Obama have his way.


24 posted on 04/12/2009 11:14:06 AM PDT by Brilliant
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To: bimboeruption

The only thing that could possible be better is to end the day with a working gallows and a swinging pirate.


25 posted on 04/12/2009 11:14:33 AM PDT by BuffaloJack (To stand up for Capitalism is to hope Teleprompter Boy fails.)
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To: Forward the Light Brigade

And what a Captain Phillips was; handed himself over to save the lives of his crew. “No greater love hath any man...”


26 posted on 04/12/2009 11:14:38 AM PDT by glide625
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To: Armedanddangerous
God bless the Navy SEALS

Absolutely. Can't wait to hear the details of the operation.

27 posted on 04/12/2009 11:14:50 AM PDT by hugorand
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To: bimboeruption

EASTER SEALS!!!


28 posted on 04/12/2009 11:15:58 AM PDT by Choose Ye This Day (Tu ne cede malis.)
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To: bimboeruption

Now, eliminate all ships and boats from the coast of Somalia so pirates no longer sail, and if a boat leaves from the Somali shore, sink it


29 posted on 04/12/2009 11:16:14 AM PDT by Son House (Make A Bad Situation Worse, Raise Taxes, Increase Government Spending, Thanks Mr. Ă˜bama)
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To: dalereed

It was now or never, once they got to shore, we would have lost our Captain Phillips.

Thank you, God for this Easter gift.

NO credit to BO for this. Captain Phillips’ & his families suffering could have ended days ago if we had a legitimate CIC.


30 posted on 04/12/2009 11:16:15 AM PDT by jazminerose
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To: stylin19a

He hasn’t talked yet. You are way ahead of yourself.


31 posted on 04/12/2009 11:16:17 AM PDT by Steamburg ( Your wallet speaks the only language most politicians understand.)
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To: bimboeruption

3 - 0

32 posted on 04/12/2009 11:17:33 AM PDT by anymouse (God didn't write this sitcom we call life, he's just the critic.)
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To: Armedanddangerous
God bless the Navy SEALS

Yes! My dad was Navy UDT during WWII, the first "Seals" so to speak. They were called Frogmen back then. What a great organization. If you can, check out the UDT-Seal Museum which is located in Ft. Pierce Florida. Great history of the UDT and Seals there. Ft. Pierce is where the UDT teams trained during WWII.

33 posted on 04/12/2009 11:18:41 AM PDT by mc5cents (Show me just what Mohammd brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman)
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To: hugorand

The only better outcome would have been four dead pirates.

A lot fewer Somali men will think piracy is an attractive occupation after today.


34 posted on 04/12/2009 11:18:42 AM PDT by BigBobber
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To: alecqss
Happy Easter, indeed!!!

I guess Coburn and Bayh’s statement had finally made our whatever-in-chief to allow our Navy to be our Navy.

Coburn for president!

NOBODY intimidates him and he is NOT ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I just love this man.

P.S. I stlll love Sarah.

35 posted on 04/12/2009 11:18:45 AM PDT by bimboeruption (Clinging to my Bible and my HK.)
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To: bimboeruption

Capt. Richard

Capt. Sully

Americans know who the tough guys are.

The world should know them too!

I am busting with pride at the moment.


36 posted on 04/12/2009 11:18:48 AM PDT by Glenn (Free Venezuela!)
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To: bimboeruption

A genuine American hero was rescued by other genuine American heros (SEALS).

WHAT A GREAT EASTER SUNDAY!!


37 posted on 04/12/2009 11:19:34 AM PDT by A Navy Vet (An Oath is Forever.)
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To: bimboeruption

What wonderful news! Kudos to the Navy!


38 posted on 04/12/2009 11:20:19 AM PDT by American Quilter (Donate to FreeRepublic--keep this great forum alive!)
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To: bimboeruption

“Happy Resurrection Day to Capt. Phillips and his family courtesy of the U.S. Navy.”

“God Bless Our Military!”

YES!!!!


39 posted on 04/12/2009 11:20:22 AM PDT by combat_boots (The answer to 1984 is 1776)
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To: Choose Ye This Day
From an earlier BBC story: Meanwhile pirates holding a US captain hostage have warned that using force to rescue him could result in "disaster".

Now we know the pirates were right. It resulted in disaster...for the pirates.

40 posted on 04/12/2009 11:21:11 AM PDT by Choose Ye This Day (Tu ne cede malis.)
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To: bimboeruption

Great news. How long until Obozo goes on the air proclaiming this a great victory for his foreign policy?


41 posted on 04/12/2009 11:23:38 AM PDT by rfreedom4u (Diversity causes division and resentment.)
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To: Navy Patriot
Now we should destroy the port, kill the elders, issue Letters of Marque, and post a bounty on pirates’ heads.

Amen! We're on a roll. Let's put an end to pirate terrorism now.

To the rest of the world: You betcha I'm a PROUD American and I don't give a hoot what you all think. You should be on your knees thanking us for making the seas safe.

42 posted on 04/12/2009 11:23:48 AM PDT by bimboeruption (Clinging to my Bible and my HK.)
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To: All

Wonderful news!


43 posted on 04/12/2009 11:24:35 AM PDT by EdnaMode
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To: bimboeruption

It was reported that three of the four pirates were killed.
Good. It leaves one to warn other pirates what will happen if they mess with another U.S. ship.


44 posted on 04/12/2009 11:24:44 AM PDT by kik5150
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To: Choose Ye This Day
"EASTER SEALS!!!"

PERFECT!

45 posted on 04/12/2009 11:24:46 AM PDT by Miss Behave
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To: rfreedom4u

**How long until Obozo goes on the air... **

Have they even TOLD OBOZO yet??


46 posted on 04/12/2009 11:25:36 AM PDT by gwilhelm56 (I GIVE UP .... HEIL Obama!!)
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To: bimboeruption

Maybe I’m very naive, or remembering the Americans of the era of Ronald Reagan, but for the life of me, I can’t understand how something like this could happen:

Crew members said their ordeal had begun with the Somali pirates hauling themselves up from a small boat bobbing on the surface of the Indian Ocean far below.

As the pirates shot in the air, Phillips told his crew to lock themselves in a cabin and surrendered himself to safeguard his men, crew members said.

I think we ought to pulverize and flush them while their boat is approaching. If we miss that opportunity, then at least blast them into chum while they’re ‘hauling themselves up onto our ship, no?


47 posted on 04/12/2009 11:25:56 AM PDT by Nuhna di Abuv
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To: Choose Ye This Day
EASTER SEALS!!!

I just love that!

48 posted on 04/12/2009 11:26:01 AM PDT by bimboeruption (Clinging to my Bible and my HK.)
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This outrageous action by the gun happy U.S. military will never be accepted by the U.N. Those Navy seals and sailors involved in the murder of the Somalis will be brought before the highest court in the world and receive due justice.

49 posted on 04/12/2009 11:26:32 AM PDT by red flanker
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To: Mamzelle
Left to their own devices, SEALs would take him far, far away from the prying, traitorous eyes of the LBM.

However, as things stand, he'll probably be on With Ol' Tingleleg on Noballs by Wednesday and on The Spew by Friday.

50 posted on 04/12/2009 11:27:43 AM PDT by SAJ
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