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Subscribe to RSSThe Navy SEALs caught the kidnappers by surprise and rescued Jessica Buchanan and Poul Thisted in Somalia. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.
WASHINGTON -- As two aid workers freed by a Navy SEAL team flew out of Somalia to be reunited with family, details emerged Wednesday about the rescue operation that the Pentagon says left nine captors dead.
Vice President Joe Biden told NBC's "TODAY" show that the U.S. decided to stage the rescue because of concerns that the health of American Jessica Buchanan "was beginning to decline."
"We wanted to act," Biden said.
Buchanan, 32, and Dane Poul Thisted, 60, were kidnapped on Oct. 25, and then held for ransom. They both work for the nonprofit Danish Demining Group and had just finished training Somalis on how to clear mines when they were captured.
A Pentagon spokesperson in Washington characterized the captors as "criminal suspects," adding that the U.S. military has no firm indication they were connected to piracy or to any terror group, NBC News reported.
The first official recognition of the rescue operation came Tuesday night in Washington from President Barack Obama himself.
Danish Refugee Council
Poul Hagen Thisted
As the president entered the House chambers to give his State of the Union Speech, he pointed to Defense Secretary Leon Panetta standing in the crowd and said, "Leon. Good job tonight. Good job tonight."
The president made no mention of the hostage rescue, but finished his speech with a reference to the killing of Osama bin Laden last May in a similar operation to the one conducted by Navy SEALs Tuesday night.
Immediately after the speech, Obama telephoned Buchanan's father from the Capitol to tell him that she was safe and "on her way home," according to the White House.
According to the U.S. officials, two teams of Navy SEALs landed by helicopter near the compound where the two hostages were being held.
STORY: Second American, a writer, held in Somalia; rescue next?
As the SEALs approached the compound on foot gunfire broke out, the U.S. officials said.
Pentagon officials said the Americans originally intended to capture alive and detain the kidnappers. Instead, for reasons that have not been explained publicly, they killed all nine of them.
Tuesday's rescue was carried out by the same SEAL unit that killed Osama bin Laden, two U.S. officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss the operation. The unit is the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, also known as SEAL Team 6. The members of the unit who carried out the rescue operation were not the same personnel as those who killed bin Laden, the officials said.
STORY: Overnight Navy SEAL rescue frees hostages
Panetta's press secretary, George Little, said the kidnappers were heavily armed, with explosives "nearby." He said neither the two hostages nor any members of the U.S. assault team were injured.
An official for the group the finances the Danish Demining Group said Buchanan and Thisted were flown to Djibouti and would soon be moved to a "safe haven."
The Danish Refugee Council official, Mary Ann Olsen, added that Buchanan, who reportedly was running low on some medication, did not need to be hospitalized.
"One of the first things Poul and Jessica were able to do was to call their families and say they were freed," Olsen said. "They will be reunited with their families as quickly as possible," Olsen said.
Buchanan lived in neighboring Kenya before Somalia, and worked at a school in Nairobi called the Rosslyn Academy from 2007-09, said Rob Beyer, the dean of students.
She graduated in 2006 from Valley Forge Christian College, a small suburban Philadelphia school.
This article includes reporting by NBC Pentagon correspondent Jim Miklaszewski and The Associated Press.
More from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- 3 years after US accident, boat washes up in Spain
- American hostage in Somalia rescued by Navy SEALs
- Report: Amanda Knox 'loves Italy' and might return
- Envoy: US dead dishonored by Afghan split 'lies'
Leave a Comment:
Again, well done. Got to be proud of the people who did this mission and our military in general.
Bad kidnappers!
Bad kidnappers!
Whatcha gonna do when they come for you!?
You can run and hide, but in the end, Seal Team 6 is gonna f*ck you up! They did it to Osama, and they just did it to you....
And "they" say that there are no superheroes in the world.
This American loves her SEALs. Muah!
The article mentioned that they were rescued only because she was ill? Following that logic, any American held captive by the pirates will be left to rot........unless, of course, they had a medical condition, before they were captured.
Interesting policy
One thing I like about the way Obama operates -- he doesn't telegraph his every move and leak stuff out to the press.
Since Obama inherited the military intelligence system Bush put in to effect this rescue, do we now hear that it was Bush's doing or is it only the Obama failures that are excused by "inheritance."
Same re. the killing of Osama. Did Obama inherit the means to do that or was it his success? Osama and Obama - differ byy b.s.
"We sleep soundly in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm." - Winston Churchill
Watermoon Seal team six already existed before Bush Junior. Its just that Bush's focus was on oil (which caused this train wreck we are in)and not going after these bastards. Say what you want, but in regards to this subject Bush junior had the same tools as Obama but failed to used them. President Obama hasn't did anything that Bush junior couldn't have done if his focus had been in the right place. Thank GOD Obama used the tools. I am proud of him.
".... for reasons that have not been explained publicly, they killed all nine of them."
If I may offer my amateur opinion - it might have had something to do with all those bang thingies that always seem to turn up at these kidnappy thingies. Sometimes these other kids just don't want to play nice.
Killed all nine kidnappers,, I consider that in itself a success!
Sniderman: killing people does not equal success. Real success would be to rescue the hostages with no loss of life. Anything short of that is failure.
And proud of the President for having the intelligence to listen, learn and decide decisively to give the go-ahead. This form of intelligence must sound so foreigh to the republicans.
Thank you Team and thank you Mr. President.
I wonder why the SEALS seem to have the dibs on all recent rescue ops;
has the DOD forgotten about Army Special Forces and my own Air Force
Pararescue squads? throw us a bone, willya?
dslsca...what typical Liberal BS. NO...success IS killing the POS so that they do not get to do the same thing again. This it not a game of tag with your little kids, this is LIFE and DEATH.
Sometimes I am stunned by the comments people take the time to write.
MOSinEUR
The comment has nothing to do with being 'liberal'. You can think its wrong (and I agree) but don't tag it as 'liberal' just to be insulting. It's obvious you think being a 'liberal' is a bad thing and using the term is an insult for you but your determination is wrong.
Mosineur--quit calling dslsca ridiculous comments "liberal".
I consider myself liberal because I believe that every American deserves good basic affordable health care, we deserve not to be worked to death by big business, we deserve good basic wages, we deserve to have an FDA that tests our food and drugs ( see Chinas poisoned infant formula if you hate the FDA) I believe the law of the land should apply equally to all citizens gay or otherwise. I believe you should be able to carry a gun if you choose as long as you are not a threat to society. You should be responsible for staying out of debt and saving for your own retirement.
It was the conservatives that pushed for deregulation. HOw in the world is it okay to sell bad investments to the middle class and then bet that the middle class will default.. HOw is that OK? That is "conservatism"
People like to throw around the term "conservative" and say they are good Christian shepherds but you know what? If you pass many of the bills that the "conservatives" want the middle class with be paying more. I will have to go back to work instead of staying home with my kids---how is that good family values?
All you have to do is follow the money trail of the republican bills -----and you will see how "conservative" they are. They will use their fake religious beliefs to create a smoke and mirror show for you. The uneducated who refuse to read the "conservative" bills and try to understand them will just sit back and say "oh they are good christian boys!" When they are proposing things that will destroy the family and the American cultural fabric. Look at the conservatives own lives they are such a loony and hypocritical bunch ( cheating, closeted gays)
I believe in conserving our fishing streams, our wetlands and forrest ( who wants to hunt on radioactive or polluted garbage?)) I believe in conserving the American family, I believe the government that the AMerican people elect have a responsibility to protect us from big business. I believe in a real GOD AND COUNTRY and Family ( yes my husband is a U.S marine) that is why I am a liberal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mosineur: Gee, I never knew kidnapping was a capital crime (and certainly never knew it was one where the death penalty could be enforced without the accused going to trial, having legal representation, confrontin the witnesses against them, etc.) How silly and liberal of me to think that fourth, fifth, and fourteenth amendments actually were intended to mean somethting. How silly of me to think that our conducting military action on the soil of a foreign country with whom we are not at war might just be a wee tad illegal. How would we like it if, for instance, some foreign nation with real free speech rights conducted a military operation here in the USA to free political prisoners like Bradley Manning and shot up those guarding and imprisoning him??
Off your meds again? Your non-compliance is going to make your psychiatrist very unhappy with you.
And the conservatives are against taxing everyone so that govt services are free at the point of use. So, I assume all you consertavites think this freed American hostage should reimburse the Navy for the expense incurred in rescuing her? I mean, if she has the Navy come rescue her with no cost to her and the taxpayers footing the bill, that's (GASP!) Socialism!
dslsca, please explain how the fourth, fifth and fourteenth amendments apply to Somali pirates in Somalia? It is quite obvious that you have never had to operate in a totally lawless war torn area with people who would like to kill you.
I certainly have never operated in a totally lawless war torn area. But my point is that the Navy Seals did not HAVE to operate there either. We are NOT AT WAR with Somalia and their presence there is illegal. The article states that the American hostage's deteriorating health was the cause of the timing of the incursion, but I'll bet 90% of those applauding this escapade would not support spending the exact same amount of money on domestic healthcare for those without insurance.
"How silly and liberal of me to think that fourth, fifth, and fourteenth amendments actually were intended to mean somethting. How silly of me to think that our conducting military action on the soil of a foreign country with whom we are not at war might just be a wee tad illegal. How would we like it if, for instance, some foreign nation with real free speech rights conducted a military operation here in the USA to free political prisoners like Bradley Manning and shot up those guarding and imprisoning him."
So, your questioning the legitimacy of a rescue operation, where 2 aid workers were kidnapped by criminals? What crime did the 2 aid workers commit that would legitimize them being "detained"? Were the kidnappers acting in an official capacity for the legitimate Somalian government?
A kidnapper here in America is entitled to the protection of the 4th, 5th, and 14th amendments, but that same kidnapper could be justifiably shot and possibly killed if he or she posed a threat to the kidnapped or any police officer involved in a rescue operation. Why would it be any different for the Somalis?
I did not say the kidnapping of the workers was legitimate or that the kidnappers were acting in an official capacity or that the hostages had committed any crime. What I said is that US military action on the ground of a nation with whom we are not at war is illegal.
And it seems very odd and sad to me that the Conservatives who are cheering the multi-million dollar rescue of this hostage because her health was declining would never even dream of spending the same amount of money on healthcare for the poor here at home.
dslsca my father is as liberal as they come, far more than myself but he would tell you historically what Obama is doing is not without basis. Jefferson quite decisively dealt with pirates in Tripoli when he took office and we were paying 25% of our GNP to pirates. He made the very bold statement that Americans do not deal with terrorists, pirates, kidnappers or the likes and thus set the precedent.
Who said that this is a multi million dollar rescue? Team six is actively working in that area, it was a matter of sending them in. Was execution the plan? Probably not but they probably met resistance with weapons and didn't have a choice. 2 American volunteers lives are now saved because of it.
Also consider it from this view point, the police would also go into and do go into a scene where they feel that hostages are at immediate risk and sometimes the hostage takers do not make it out. That is not illegal, the act of kidnapping is illegal, both in this country and international law. The same thing that led us to rescue Iranian merchants, because its the right thing to do. If the kidnappers want to live, they probably should learn not to screw with Americans, 200 years of us firmly upholding the we do not pay for hostages and have and will come take them should tell them something.
We have some real great Navy Seals operating around the world today don't we America??!!! I think this is just another reason why the GOP has to keep hoping the economy is going to worsen because they won't have anything to say about foreign policy.
No, their foreign policy credentials were shot to hell by the last GOP stooge in the White House. That doesn't mean people are going to come on here and say this administration had nothing to do with this gutsy call, like they did with Bin Ladin.
Isn't it funny that the President always owns something when it goes bad, but never gets credit when it goes spectacularly well?
Gotta love hypocrisy.
Correct, Greer.
SO what if our unemployment is 11% ? So what if our economy is tanked and Iran is building a bomb ? So what if we are the 99%-ers. So what if we lose our homes at unprecedented rates ? WE HAVE A SEAL TEAM !
You bleeding heart liberals are funny! If Bush was in office Ya'll would've been crying like a bitch that He killed someone, yet You praise Barry! It's because of You people that We weren't in and out of Iraq & Iran in a Month or two !
Cav, You are right, President Bush did not get the credit he deserves for the take out of bin ladin. If it were'nt for the policies of the Bush administration bin ladin would still be alive.
Joel, really? The twit that preceded the current CinC totally blew what needed to be done in Afghanistan and Iraq. I would recommend you read the following:
Each of the books describes from a different perspective in each volume, how totally screwed up B43 executed his wars. Ghost Wars describes the situation in Afghanistan from the Soviet invasion to 10 September 2001. Mostly we got it wrong. Kaboom in particular is good because it describes from a grunt level how messed up the effort was. There are many other books I could mention.
The upshot is that whatever else he may have messed up, the current CinC has done a much better job in allowing our military to kill bad guys instead of sending them to a was totally disconnected from the tragedy of 911. There is no doubt that al Qaida members are much more nervous now.
Cheers
Joel, what a idiotic idea. blaming Bush's quagmire in Iraq on liberals. Just when you think you've heard all the excuses and twists of logic. Someday your illogic is going to catch up with you. Meanwhile, know your bleeding heart liberal straw man is just a creation of your own f*%ked up mind.
Another example of how much better a leader Obama is than the one before him. He goes into other countries ONLY for special operations when it's absolutely necessary. No "nation building".
If people would work with him, he'd get the nation really going again; he's a very smart man with a heart and respect for others.
People who think labeling liberals as "Bleeding hearts" is a cutdown/insult are funny! So what kind of hearts do Conservatives or TORIES have? Heart of Stone. Heart of Ice?
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bleeding%20heart
@Joel - You say Liberals WOULD cry like a bitch but who is crying about liberals like a b*tch right NOW? Buster.
http://urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=buster
@ LEROY
You would be singing a total different tune if Obama was a Republican.
I don't think Conservatives even have hearts so they can't bleed. They seem to be made of clay, likely made by the devil himself.
“I would regard this as the most capable and purposeful Democratic administration in foreign policy since John F. Kennedy’s,” says Philip Zelikow, a former senior counselor to Condoleezza Rice, Bush’s loyal secretary of State.
That was only part of a broader program that Obama secretly inaugurated upon taking office. Although the administration does not publicly acknowledge the existence of the program, the number of Predator drone strikes on targets in Pakistan and elsewhere has more than tripled during Obama's presidency, and the CIA, supplied with more resources than it got under Bush, has conducted "the most aggressive counterterror ops in the agency's history," according to an intelligence official. A number of terror experts believe the terror group is now close to defeat.
And they say that he should get credit in areas that go well beyond his signature achievement: the takedown of America’s Bogeyman No. 1, Osama bin Laden, and most of his top lieutenants. They also cite Obama’s concerted effort to squeeze Iran in the last year, and the way the president has refocused U.S. diplomatic and military resources on constraining –but not “containing,” which would be considered a beat too aggressive—a rising China despite America’s enormous indebtedness to Beijing in Treasury bonds. And the dexterous way that Obama has used force in countering terror and ousting Muammar el-Qaddafi in Libya without a single American casualty. With NATO and the Arab League giving him cover, it could well go down as the least costly and most internationally supported success at regime change in U.S. history/
www .nationaljournal .com/nationalsecurity/obama-s-commander-in-chief-strategy-20120125
I wonder how much money that just costs the US? Funny if it were a man that had health problems the US would let him rot! They made the stupid choice to go over there in the first place! They knew what could happen and they went anyway! I call BS! We have people rotting over in the states and they go rescue 2 people over the tens of thousands that need help here! If they spent that same money over here, how people do you think that would help? A lot more then 2 people! What a waste of money!
Really? Romney donates 15% of his millions in income to charity while Joe Biden donates....$369? Even liberal George Clooney admitted the vast majority of the contributions to his charity came from conservative groups.
Proven fact: the more liberal politically a person is, the less they donate to charity. I suppose it is tied to the idea that " the government will take care of it".
Again, well done to the world class fighting force that is the US military. Again, anotehr fumble of the spin by the Obama admin. Today we get no less three or four "official versions" of events. It is a military operation, yet Joe Biden and Panetta have dueling statements of the events. Just like the aftermath of the ST6 termination of OBL, this is amatuer hour at the White House. Time for a change.
Romney has been trying to be POTUS for years now and before that a politician since 1994. Giving to charity looks good on his record to tout to voters and dont forget, charitable donations are TAX DEDUCTIBLE. We all know Romney loves to reduce the amount of taxes he is legally required to pay. Not a cent more he says.
And I bet you do not even take the standard deductions on your taxes? Or that you have given your tithe to charity too?
It was reported immediately after Romney release his tax report that Romney has done nothing illegal. He has done exactly what ever single American citizen has the ability too do. He even had most of his investments placed in a blind trust, something that most of us do not do, so that he would not have a chance of knowing if he was going to be making policital decissions on companies he may been invested in. Every single US citizen is taxed at the same rate on their capital gains income.
Yes, how dare they go into a third world country and try to clean up a mess that originated in the first world. You know, landmines? The things they were teaching people how to get rid of?
I wonder how much you would squeal if there were live mines in your backyard.
Why is it, that when some people try to make an actual difference and do the right thing to better their fellow human beings, the only response the selfish have is to throw rocks and cry about money?
Was single until age 33. Am 35 now. 2 years married. So yes many upon many of 1040EZs filed thanks to a steady career field (IT). Perhaps someday i will have a BUTTLOAD more deductions to itemize.
Married filed jointly standard deduction is 11,400. After I acquire some medical condition (knock on wood *knock *knock) that threatends to bankrupt me THEN I may have enought items to itemize (35 yrs old no cavities, no broken bones, super healthy).
http://www.cracked.com/article_17063_5-reasons-being-single-sucks-even-more-than-you-thought.html
adidas 503, that is the point. From how I was reading your previous post was that you were condemning Governor Romney for finding ways to reduce his tax burden even though he was doing it all in a legal way. If he was doing it illegal, that is one thing. But he was doing it legally. The same as just about all other citizens of the US. It is wrong to condemn Romney for doing everything everyone else does within the law while not also condemning the entire nation. It is just a sign of an envious attitude.
If we do not believe that capital gains should be taxed at a lower rate, than change that. But do not condemn those that paid their taxes on those capital gains at that previous rate. And also be aware that if you change the rate for those capital gains (and want to continue to make it fair), you are changing it for everyone including you.
Here is the question for everyone in this present attitude in the United States right now with these questions about tax the rich more, and Romney playing less on taxes, and using legal tax reductions, and making money via investments:
Since when did the Americian Dream become illegal in the United States? Since when did the idea that someone who worked hard, made money, invested that money wisely, gave money out to charity without being force too all becoem something that was demeaned wrong in the United States?
Bush formed team six and didn't use them, Obama allows the military to use their resources to get things done. Both should take credit for the teams successes but ultimately we have a kick ass military no matter who their party in charge is.
Interesting a direct contradiction in the same paragraph :P
not at all....same SEAL unit, different members of the unit.
No contradiction, Seal team 6 is an organization, Seal team 6 has personnel that rotate in and out of the unit.
No, no contradiction - same UNIT, not same PEOPLE.
It's actually not a contradiction. They said it was the same unit, not the same members. It's like saying they were members of the same football team, just not the same players (think offensive line rather than defensive).
And we are sending Seal Teams to other countries yet again. These people knew the risk yet went anyway. All GOP candidates (except Paul) are promising a larger military. We can't afford to take care of returning veterans now. Stop the intervention and stop the waste. Let's rebuild our country.
The SEAL unit is comprised of a cohort of personnel. The members of the unit (say, John, Hector, and Steve) who killed Bin Laden were not the same members (say Tim, Trey, and Jordan) who killed the pirates but they are all in the same unit.
sandtrich well RuPaul...under Ron Paul...these 2 would of died if he was President. He wouldn't A)not have the military needed to do this b/c he cut everything B) he wouldn't of done it b/c it's not in our national interest. Stop quoting campaign slogans troll.
Dark Magician girl,
It is NOT a contradiction. A Military UNIT can have a high number of Personnel in it so it is very likely that the UNIT did not use the same PERSONNEL for this mission... Example...My Military UNIT that I worked in had 150 personnel in it but when sent out on a mission there were only 8 or 10 of us involved in a specific mission. Don't make a comment on something you know nothing about...
Has anybody bothered to mention that it was the same unit, but different personnel? :-)
No, it isn't.
LOL BigJeff....when one or two people write the exact same thing it's understandable but when it's 10+ it gets to be a little sad.
Real time posting: I bet the same 10+ were writing the response at the same time, since the mistake is so obvious.
Same unit, different people. Except there are people out there that are probably still PO'd at Osama's death. Why don't you just give out the names and addresses of everyone. They'll just kill the entire unit.
Fantastic reporting.
Everybody that mentioning that it was different individuals of the same unit are forgetting to mention that many of the team that got Osama were kill in another mission that they were sent in on just a few months later, my you people have a short memory. The soldiers that are risking there life's are the ones that deserve credit for their missions and the respect. If you want to give Obama credit for these missions do the same as you all did for Bush and blame him for getting these heroes killed also. Lordy many of you people are short sighted and transparent in your political views and agenda.
And yet another vote for our education system. As the saying goes "reading is fundamental."
Vinnny--who would have guessed? What campaign slogan? Just because our opinions differ--doesn't make me a troll--but it does make you dickish for calling me a "troll."
Chop that bloated pig of a defense budget and stay at home. It would help our standing in the world if we didn't constantly look for trouble.
Thank you Seals - another job well done under President Obama's watch. Another four years and he will accomplish greatness. Obama 2012 !
HE??? He who??? Obama didn't do diddly SQUAT. and yes, thank you to the Navy SEALS.
Semper Fi
Ultimately, it is the Commander in Chief who pulls the proverbial trigger, Heidi Ho.
any president would have done the same thing , when Americans are in harms way!... thank you seal team 6 awesome job, America thanks you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
any rescue attempt by the military of any branch can only come from the President. if you were unaware which its plain you are unaware the US has a no negotiation policy with black mailers, kidnappers,terrorists, etc. so any such attempts have to be done by Presidential seal. CAPT joe snuffy from seal team 6 can not do anything on his own . so i say damn good job Mr. President. so heidi in short learn something instead of know nothing.
They could not do something like this, go into another country for rescue without the leadership of the Commander in Chief, Obama. Another job well done.
Heidi-HO HO HO go do some squats how dumb cay you get these Seals couldent get a chopperoff of the ground W/O the commander-in-Chiefs say so
It is USN SEALs (SEa Air Land) NOT Seals (the animal torn to pieces by killer whales for lunch).
And FORGET YOUR POLITICAL CRONYISM. As All Presidents (All Parties) have distanced themselves from these High Risk Missions "to save the Office of the President of the United States of America". In most cases these High Risk Missions occur regardless of the objections of the President of the United States of America, with those read into the US President's Program (the Office not the person) having Presidential Delegated Authority, regardless of who is sitting in the Oval Office. It has been this way forever, just in case the President of the United States of America does not act due to indecisions or hesitates in time of "Immenient Danger", this is part of the "Line of Succession" (Chain of Command as Commander In Chief) in the event the President of the United States of America is incapacitated. If they fail by using Presidential Delegated Authority then (next paragraph below):
When these High Risk Missions Fail the USN SEAL Team Commander is very quietly brought before a US Congressional Closed Door Hearing, and then becomes "Prisoner" (last name) for "Exceeding Authority". The same thing (SH!T) happens to ALL US Military Asymmetric Warfare Forces Commanders (US Army Special Forces, USAF SOWs (STTs), USMC MARSOC, USN SEALs). In many cases past and present the Commanding Officers based on situation (window of opportunity of success of the High Risk Mission starts closing), these US Military Officers based on decades of experience have taken the initiative while the US Politicians have hesitated (in decisions and objections based on no US Military Experience) taking hours, days, weeks, months, years to make a simple decision (US Politicians taking responsibility being rare).
If you do not believe me, then you go become a US Military Asymmetric Warfare Officer, then spend about a couple of decades Training (90% of your time when not on Missions) and getting Operational Experience (from Low Risk Low Intensity to High Risk High Intensity to prove that you can do what you are trained to do, sometimes these "Training Missions" become actual Missions). And there is NO SUCH THING as a "Gentlemen's Course for Officers Only", you're arse trains with those that you will lead. If you survive the training, assessments, peer outs, not injured during operational experience, missions and become a Commanding Officer, you might get read into the Presidential Program (Presidential Delegated Authority) if you do not get passed over for promotions and make it to the US Military Officer Grade (Rank is for Enlisted or NCOs) that requires Presidential Delegated Authority (based on Missions and Command).
Neither president can take credit for what these guys do.
"We wanted to act," Biden said
(And the timing of the rescue to concide with Obama's State of the Union speech had nothing to do with it. Surely they didn't leave these folks in the hands of their kidnappers any longer than they had to..... surely not. Pure coincidence).
If you watched the State of the Union speech (which I doubt you did), you'd see that the president didn't even mention anything about the rescue. If they were waiting for just this exact day so that i would coincide with the State of the Union Address, don't you think he would have mentioned it? Sheesh....
Is it still called paranoia if people really are talking about you?
That's politics...reminds me of RR and the hostages.
I did watch the State of the Union speech, mik-a-lee, and Obama did hint at something going on. There's an article about it right here on msn in the coverage of his speech. And the comment below yours from wryobsever is true as well. No Democrat/Republican deal here. That's Washington politicians for you on the whole.
NORTON: Paranoid much???
It's gotta hurt to see Obama succeed time after time in international military matters. No "Mission Accomplished" theatrics, he just gets the job done. He issued the order to send in the Seal team only because the woman's health was failing and time was of the essence.
Once again, Obama put his political reputation on the line for a worthy cause. And it just kills folks like you to see him succeed. For many decades the GOP has prided themselves as being the "party of the military" based on nothing but bluster. Let's compare Obama's record to that of Dubya's, if you think you can handle being proven wrong.
NORTON: Paranoid much???
It's gotta hurt to see Obama succeed time after time in international military matters. No "Mission Accomplished" theatrics, he just gets the job done. He issued the order to send in the Seal team only because the woman's health was failing and time was of the essence.
Once again, Obama put his political reputation on the line for a worthy cause. And it just kills folks like you to see him succeed. For many decades the GOP has prided themselves as being the "party of the military" based on nothing but bluster. Let's compare Obama's record to that of Dubya's, if you think you can handle being proven wrong.
I remember a time not so long ago when ALL Americans would applaud this operation with pride and support of the President. Now that the GOP has declared war on anything done by this President as socialism or anti American, heroic actions like this draw immediate criticism from the right wingers... With these people it's all politics all the time and the hell with the country, they should be ashamed.
Intrepid: I'm not paranoid enough to post all my comments twice just in case one gets deleted. I'm not a GOP man either. Not a Democrat. I'll give you a hint. I'm a Lib......
obama did not plan these missions .bush did not plan the missions when he was president , they both only sign off on the missions ,we need to thank the military planers for these missions!why do ALL you dick heads politicize every thread that you read ????? can't any of you just thank SEAL TEAM 6 ?
cnorton, I watched the speech and heard the same BS I've been hearing since this clown came in office. The government needs to invest in this or that! I don't need them to pay My bills, tell Me what light bulb to buy, stimulate the economy for Me with My money. Did You catch that part of the speech ? They want to make everything work, yet everything, and I repeat, everything they have run is broke. Do You and the rest of You libtards get that ?
Big Al, I applaud the Military, and the president on this action. But on the other hand the buck stops with the president, and there has never been a time when there is more divisiveness in the government. Blame it on the Republicans if You want, but the buck stops with Barry, He created this!
I think it it was a great move how you going to stop that Thunder watch out hat snake is going to come up and bite you in the ass
BigAl Las Vegas
I for one am appaled also. I remember oh so long ago no body I mean no one ever disrespected the Office of President of the USA. we called our peers MISTER OR MRS we said Yes sir and No sir and respected people that were in positions of Office. these people just show how much they have become Idiots and fools. they do not impress anybody. the President should demand that rerspect Its President Obama. if these dimwits want to show their low intelligence by calleing him Obamer or what ever. they deserve on respect themselves.
INTREPID 1,
You and those that voted for your post, go join up now, if you are age 18 to 20, you will be about age 35 by the time you make it to the Operational Teams, then you will see just how WRONG you were/are.
Read post# 4.7.
Thank you Admiral McRaven and US AFRICOM for taking the chance for this Rescue.
Joel, do your arms get tired from waving them around in the air CONSTANTLY making broad (lame) statements as if they are fact?
James, respect is earned. Most feel that Obama hasn't earned any respect.
@Linda - Lets just say "some" rather than "most" and call it a day. Am getting sick of people making grand statements based purely on personal OPINION as if they are facts.
Whats worse is when the claims are OUTLANDISH then they demand others prove them wrong; such grandstanders RARELY provide a link. ANY LINK is all I ask. Even if its the Heritage Foundation or Christian Science Monitor whatever just post something to backup your cra... err views.
Adidas, is that the presidential seal you are using for your picture?
adidas 503,
If you are part of the US Department of State why don't you go look at the Classified Sections of your own internet website. Then you will be part of the "some" as actually the "most" that Linda in Texas-469280 mentions.
Since most do not have access to the Classified sections of the US Department of State internet website, they can (if smart enough) view the Unclassified versions of the Classified US Department of State Documents and Records at:
http://www.state.gov/
And they too will become the "some" as the actual "most" when they find out just how FUBAR this Administration (your bosses) really is Internationally.
One more of President Obama's Political Appointees like Eikenberry spending Billions here (Afghanistan) and nothing getting done nor Built, as investigated by General McChrystal (real reason they wanted him fired) as requested by President Karzai, and later investigated by General Petraeus, President Karzai demands the US Department of State Account for every dime they spent, with President Obama's Political Appointee tendering his Letter of Resignation. The US Department of State is Full of these Political Appointee Hacks (that do not know anything about the Nation at they are at), not to be confused with the Professional US Diplomatic Corps.
Obama Admin is FUBAR? Eikenberry? McCrystal? Nice detraction from who really FUBAR'd the US Economy and the Iraq war (See Paul Bremer). Appointee or not people are put into positions based on confidence that they can do the job. Should some not be in a specific role or position? Is there waste and fraud in this administration and administrations past? Of course.
Large Organizations and Corporations are inherently bureaucratic. We can all agree that we must work to make Federal, State, and Local Govt more efficient, make internal controls (red tape) work as designed rather than hinder, and reduce fraud/waste.
As for the US Dept of State Seal that is my avatar, my father was a Linguist for the State Dept in Vietnam for 10 years. Saigon fell 1975, I was born 1976. The reason I wear the seal is that I believe all Americans represent America in everything we do or say. Thus we should all remain PROFESSIONAL at all times and NEVER. NEVER let em see you sweat :)
Do you want me to describe in detail what I saw here (Afghanistan) ever since General McKiernan?. Do you want me to describe the Deals that President Obama had to make to get General McKiernan's, General McChrystal's, General Petraeus's Letters of Resignation; since President Obama did not have a Legal Leg to Stand on? General McKiernan Retires as a Four Star General instead of a Three Star Lieutentant General, General McChrystal Retires as a Four Star General instead of a Three Star Lieutenant General, (General Petraeus becoming Director of CIA was part of the Deal, instead of being completely out. Same with Leon Penetta becoming the Secretary of Defense. Based on the dirt they have on President Obama (and yes, I do know what that dirt is, as different dirt that General McKiernan and General McChrystal have on President Obama.) that would end his Political Career.).
Iraq, How about reading post#11.5., #4.7 and (maybe you might learn something about the REAL World Life or Death School of Hard Knocks, not your Academic Idealistic World.):
http://david393071.newsvine.com/_news/2012/01/03/9928679-iran-2009-to-2012-straight-of-hormuz
http://david393071.newsvine.com/_news/2011/10/17/8369272-iraq
US Economy:
http://david393071.newsvine.com/_news/2011/02/22/6107088-the-current-global-economic-crisis
Tell that to all the other Newsvine Posters that claim that I was still not at Plei Can as a LRRP/Ranger calling in Airstrikes to slow down the NVA Advance until then so that the rest of the US Miliitary (and US Embassy) could unass Vietnam. (I was a stup!d kid back then (did not realize that if our exfiltration/evacuation helicopters were shot down or were not sent as too risky our arses would have been expendable), yes, I am that Old; as to why I keep b!tching about being continously Recalled to Active Duty over and over again.); like I said before it is now Generation X and Generation Y turn to step up to the plate and attempt to survive the Real World Life or Death School of Hard Knocks.
What do you think most of us (US Military) are thinking about President Obama's saying one thing (Praising US Military) while backstabbing the US Military in Reality, President Obama's Reduction In Forces of the US Military of 27,000 US Military Personnel, then in his 2012 State of the Union Address (Reelection Speech) stating either Strong US Military and Care of US Military Veterans OR Medicare, Medicaid, etc. and cannot afford both, up to the people to decide (blame the people for the decision, not take responsibility for himself as US President)(I save a copy of his 2012 State of the Union Address).
Whew, that's a relief. For a moment there I thought I was going to read Joe Biden declaring that "The Somali pirates are our friends".
just what sarah palin would have done
Sarah declared North Korea as our allies.
I'm sure the president consulted with her on this venture before proceeding.
I wish the Navy Seals would wear a helmet camera on these raids - just would like to see the face of those that suddenly find themselves surrounded by one of the best military units in the world. "Hey, (insert name) could you pass the......WHAAAA!!!!" We could have a pay-per-view to help the national economy. ;o)
maga, why don't you join the Seals?
You don't need to sit at home in your mom's basement wishing they had worn helmet cams.
Maga, I don't think they find themselves surrounded. I think they are standing or sitting somewhere, then they maybe hear a little noise like a shirt sleve ruffling or what sounds like a very sharp object being slid out of a sheath right behind them and then they know nothing again forever.
Maga, do you really want to watch a SEAL take down, really and truly? Do you really want to see someone take another persons life and pay money to watch it? To me, that seems really sadistic. Don't get me wrong, they did well and I'm happy they did, but don't say you would enjoy watching another human shot, killed and filmed for amusement.
If you watched the "Last Days of Osama Bin Laden" special on NATGEO you would see that video feeds from drones are the closest thing to a "helmet cam" as you are going to get.
http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/the-last-days-of-osama-bin-laden/
They need to stop broadcasting anything about the Teams operations. Enough to just say that our military saved these people.
maga,
IT IS USN SEALs !!!!!!! Not the cute animal that is eaten for lunch by Killer Whales. Why don't you go to Coronado and get your left and right ears screamed in so that you finally know the difference, and if they really do not like you then you will be screaming at the top of your voice, ARK!, ARK!, ARK! until you cannot and if you don't (not motivated enough) then your arse jumps in the ice cold water (with all your buddies that will love you for your f**k up).
FYI, to cover our arses from becoming Politically Expedient Scapegoats in case of a Mission Failure US Military Asymmetric Warfare Forces wear "Mission Cams". This is why I kept saying in about 20 years under the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) go get the Mission Videos (Ground to C4I Helicopter), Video Conferencing from C4I Helicopter to Afghanistan (General Petraeus and Bagram AFB), JSOC (McRaven), SOC, CIA (Penetta), Pentagon, White House; then you will see just how much President Obama has NOTHING to do with these US Military Operations. see post#4.7.
I tried to tell all of you before, then all the name calling, collapsing posts (based on popularity, and not because of facts (Firsthand experience)), etc.. So you can all wait 20 years to learn the truth.
This is all on you Generation X and Generation Y to step up to the plate, as most of us are in less than 6 months "Too Old" to ever be Recalled to Active Duty again (and again and again).
Again thanks Director CIA Petraeus, Admiral McRaven, US AFRICOM, NSWDG aka DEVGRU (no longer called that) for taking the risks.
Now that was funny, Maga.
David,
You say 'potato,' I say 'potatoe' - Navy Seals, USN Seals - whatever. You need to relax a little....just a little. You come across like an eight on the Richter scale.
Gordona, I don't have time to sit in my mother's basement - I have a career, family, volunteer at a local non-profit, working on a college degree (this late in life), take care of an elderly father, remodeling my home, finishing my basement, making scarves for children in homeless shelters, making homemade bread for my family, cooking, cleaning, dusting, laundry, training a puppy (didn't think through that one), finishing up some genealogy research, reading three different books (but not all at once), etc., etc. Unlike the workers in Apple's factory in China - I can take a break during work hours and check out MSNBC. Ah, life is good.
To all the rest - take it out of fourth gear- I was just kidding around - like a SNL skit. Okay, not totally, I would like a helmet cam - but I wouldn't want to see someone die - unless they hurt my children.
AWESOME!!!
"Instead, for reasons that have not been explained publicly, they killed all nine of them."
I think the reason is abundantly clear in the article---"As the SEALs approached the compound on foot gunfire broke out".
The details of the raid may not be public (and may never be) but the reason the captors were killed is they fired on SEALS. Kind of seals the deal, doesn't it?
Great point! Imagine, shooting bad guys...what sort of explanation is needed after the term "pirates?"
This is NOT some Video Game. President Obama's Rules of Engagement pertain to ALL US Military, as, "Cannot Shoot Until Shot". Ever since President Obama, the use of "Immenient Danger" is no longer a viable defense during your Trials (no such thing as double jeopardy for US Military). And don't say no, that is what the hundreds of Lawyers that were sent here (Afghanistan) during his August 2009 US Civilian Surge tried to do (prosecute US Military for violating President Obama's Rules of Engagement). With those US Military Personnel Charged, hiring US Civilian Defense Lawyers at their own expense, as the Prosecutor is usually the boss of the appointed US Military Defense Lawyer.
2 helicopters, couple o' galons fuel and 9 bullets, lets say 18, I'm a crappy shot. That's roughly the same cost of the Bin Laden trip.
Nothing for Haliburton to rebuild? No private security corporation to screw the US taxpayer? No olympic size swimming pool for the local police? The military industrial complex is not gonna like this one bit!! No wonder Republicans can't wait to get him out of office.
The taxpayer got screwed by having to pay for the rescue.
This pair deliberately placed themselves in harm's way in a country which hates the U.S. if the number of Somalis in the U.S. support terrorism is any indication. Not that long ago Somalis murdered 4 Americans sailing a private yacht.
Buchanan could find plenty of humanitarian work in the U.S. if she tried.
The taxpayers got screwed BIG TIME when we invaded Iraq to get saddam to the tune of a trillion dollars and 4500+ lost Americans.
jkatze
I'd rather see my taxes go to rescue an American humanitarian than given to Halliburton or Blackwater for shoddy workmanship building a half a billion dollar (boondoggle) embassy that will be closed shortly due to civil war-- but that's just me
I'm sure the young woman knew very well that there were risks (including the possibility of being killed) for working in this part of the world. That she was willing to undertake those risks and help her fellow human beings is a testament to her. This young woman and gentleman were trying to teach people how to disarm and remove land mines. That is not exactly what you would call a safe occupation.
Some people are saying this was a waste of Taxpayer Money. Well, I'd hate to tell you this, but everything in life is not about money. Sometimes your government does things because its the right thing to do. Whether it is overthrowing a dictator who is committing genocide (Milosevic) or rescuing a humanitarian being held, sometimes the dollars and cents cost really don't weigh into the equation.
Likewise, the removal of the dictator Saddam Hussein might have been the right thing to do. Lying to the American people, the Secretary of State, and the Congress in order to get the authorization was not the right way to do it. That is the difference between this President and the last. Its a matter of how President Obama operates as being an upbeat, straightforward person instead of a member of the GOP.
Because you were not involved, no risk to your life, no sweat off your balls, you do not know squat. If your butt were on the line you darn sure want to know why. And if you are the Commanding Officer you better know the REAL Reasons in case those you lead ask (and they will know if you are bullsh!tting, you lose their earned respect your done finished if not dead.).
Written Historically Documented Facts:
This is where all that Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) crap came from:
In Clinton's 1998 State of the Union Address demanding that US Congress pass US Law H.R.4655 "Iraqis Liberation Act of 1998" Justification Weapons of Mass Destruction:
The ONLY person to Lie (again, I did not have sex with that woman) was President Clinton as the Chemical Weapons used against the Iranians and their Armed men women children Allies the Kuristanis was used to end the Iran Iraq Wars, that stopped Millions from being killed on each side, just like the US use of Nuclear Weapons so that the US did not have to invade Japan during US Military Operation Downfall.
US LAWS (with US Congressional Appropriations), it is NOT the US President's Job to create US Laws, that is the job of US Congress, it is also the Job of US Congress to find the money to fund the US Laws US Congress Creates. IT IS NOT THE US PRESIDENT'S JOB TO DECIDE WHICH US LAWS TO ENFORCE:
US LAW, H.R.4655 "Iraqis Liberation Act of 1998" with US Congressional Appropriations, as demanded by President Clinton during his State of the Union Address to a joint Session of US Congress, 1998. Justification WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION, Section 2 "Findings" of US Law H.R.4655 (scroll down to Section 2 "Findings"):
http://209.157.64.200/focus/f-news/1057063/posts
It was believed by President Clinton that Overthrowing President Hussein would "Liberate the Iraqis People". This is when we (US Military Asymmetric Warfare Teams) were sent into Iraq to buy hundreds of thousands of Shiites as assassins and insurgents to Overthrow President Hussein. After this failed, as they were turning each other in for rewards, and being apprehended, tried and executed as Traitors, with President Clinton stating, "Dictator Massacring His Own People". After this attempt Fails to Overthrow President Hussein, Operation Desert Fox, the US Bombing and cruise missile attacks of Baghdad, also Fails. US Law H.R.4655 "Iraqis Liberation Act of 1998" becomes US Military Operation Iraqis Freedom (1998 to 2011).
After all the lesser means of US Law H.R.4655 "Iraqis Liberation Act of 1998" (money still being appropriated by US Congress, 1998 to 2011, the US Law does NOT go away until the US Law is Accomplished). US Congress uses the Final Option, the US Military, by DECLARING WAR WITH IRAQ, with US Law, 2002 Iraqi War Resolution with US Congressional Appropriations. The only valid excuse for a US President to NOT enforce a US Law, is if there is no money (US Congressional Appropriations).
US Declaration of War With Iraq, 2002 Iraqi War Resolution:
http://uspolitics.about.com/od/wariniraq/a/jt_resolution.htm
Shortly after 2002 Iraqis War Resolution we are redeployed from Afghanistan to Iraq to conduct Operation Hotel California, 2002 to 2003.
The wasted money due to 2 wars have nothing to do with wasted money to save people who purposely put themselves into bad situations.Its not an either or Equation. Yes we could have Never gone into Iraq but that has nothing to do with wasting not only our tax dollars but putting extremely valuable national assets at risk. If you put yourself into a warzone as a civilian, we should not support wasting out money and assets to bail you out of your bad decision. Anymore than we should spend tax money on bailing out insolent companies.
A bail out is a bail out. Send her and her family the bill for this bail out and i'll be happy. I'm pleased she is alive, but I am not pleased that someone can ignore all logic, put themselves at risk and the rest of us are expected to bail her out by putting national assets at risk. Seal team 6, U.S. special forces etc are not your personal mercenaries to save you from your bad decisions.
The fact that this rescue took place just prior to the State of the Union address has no bearing on the timing, Right! Obama should have ordered this done a long time ago rather then waiting and trying to make more political hay out of it.
Glad they got her and the Dane out of there. Kudos and a Salute to Team Six, they did a great job and it is much appreciated. True Heoes all.
Hello, troll. If he were going to make political hay out of it, he would have mentioned in his speech. Or, they would have timed the raid so that they could inform the press in time for it to make today's newspapers. I believe the first article I saw was breaking news from MSNBC.com that was from 1:15am EST last night. They couldn't have picked a WORSE time if they were trying to get political benefit out of it.
Why can't you just be happy that our country has such capable military units, President willing to use them appropriately and that SEAL Team 6 has now pulled off two high profile raids in a row with zero casualties to the good guys? Oh, wait, I forgot, it's the nature of trolls.
Idiot.
The woman was rescued for health reasons- that explains the timing. I wouldn't want President Obama to exploit the rescue of Jessica Buchanan the way President Bush exploited the rescue of Jessica Lynch.
Wrong President Bush barely mentioned that, the News Media blew it all out of proportion ("Investigative Reporting", Interviews of the Parents, etc.). And President Bush NOR President Obama NOR any President should NEVER take credit for something that was done regardless of their Political Oppositions.
See post#4.7.
In the case of the Rescue, Recapture, and Recovery ("Triple R") Operation for Jessica Lynch, that was all the Responsibility of General McChrystal as the Commander Joint Special Warfare Task Force Iraq ("Righthand man to General Petraeus"). If he would have failed, his arse would be in a Closed Door US Congressional Hearing. The credit goes to him, the US Army Rangers that secured the Area of Operations, the USN SEAL Team, the US Army Special Forces, the USAF STTs, the USMC MARSOC, the CIA SAD, the 160th SOAR, and the US Military Medical Personnel that knocked her arse out so that she would not be screaming while she was taken out on a stretcher (Too Much Information?). You want more details about that (Classified portions), the Rescue of Captain Phillips, the Termination of OBL, this operation, wait about 20 years (of course you could if you figure out how to sneak into the VFWs if you are not a US Military Veteran and talk with the actual participants after you gain their trust (might take months to years to gain our trust). You go in there demanding answers your arse will be eating asphalt parking lot or concrete sidewalk after being literally thrown out (many of us become Law Enforcement or First Responders after leaving the US Military Asymmetric Warfare Forces).).
Nice job Seal Team 6. Now all we have to do is turn the country into a glowing parking lot and tell the rest of the worlds terrorists this is whats going to happen to you if you try the same thing. "GO USA"
Job well done.. "So That Others May Live".. God Bless the USA!
What were those people thinking being in an area that is known to be unsafe? Our SEALS have always done a great job and I hate seeing them being put at risk -
They were teaching the Somalis HOW TO CLEAR MINES ... in other words, they were saving lives... you know, I'm an agnostic, and I'll call holier than thou mega right "Christians" to task for hypocrisy every time ... but when someone is living his/her ideology ... doing instead of preaching, saving lives instead of judging others ... basically, being an example of a decent human being, I can give that person all the props he/she deserves. It's called "not being a hypocrite oneself". Yes, these people knew they were in harms way, but the trade off of helping others trumped their own safety. Sounds like good, decent human beings in the model that America was founded on ... so be a peach and stop always looking for the negative in everything. Some things in life are positives, and we should celebrate those to counter some of the darkness around us.
Jessica was "winning hearts and minds" -- isn't that what Americans are supposed to be doing overseas?
Outstanding response, spiritdance. She was involved in humanitarian activities. What is wrong with the conservatives - no, what is wrong with the far-right that they have to put a negative, selfish downside on just about everything?
Great job, SEALS. Good call, Mr. President and Mr. Panetta. I know their families thank you, and most people with a grain of decency and common sense thank you too.
Spiritdance, you wrote exactly what I was going to write, but I think you put it better than I could have. Thanks.
spiritdance, Arnold Clapsaddle,
As a known "Conflict Area" this is NOT a place for any US Contractors (Money, Profits) or Civilians, this is a Mission for the United Nations; again, just like UN Mission Somalia I and UN Mission Somalia II.
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html
If this would have gone bad, what, you would have been blaming the greedy US Contractor for sending the Engineer, the Civilians for wining the Darwin Award, or blaming the US Military, or anyone else except President Obama.
david-475776
No, if this operation had gone bad, I would have just been sad that the operation failed. I would still have been proud of my country for trying to rescue these people.
As for the folks being there in the first place, I think they were incredibly brave and were demonstrating their commitment to making the world a better place. I have not read anything that indicates they felt their respective governments had any obligation to rescue them.
I'm glad we did it, though. And I'm glad it was a success.
Thank you SEALS. One thing, among others, I do not understand. They have been held since October 25th and the SEALS were just sent in because of concerns over one of the captive's health? Had they both been kept in good health would we have just left them there indefinitely?
State Of the Union~
Gotta use the military to boost moral for people to vote for him. SEAL missions happen all the time.. This one he just happend to brag about.
Thou I will Admit. I love Leon Panetta :D Best Def Secretary ever.
It's hard to say if the timing was politically motivated, but I doubt it. The article says the command had actionable intelligence. That's the key. You don't go without it. Whether or not, having got it, you do go is a command decision. Usually that decision must be made in the near term, because "actionable intelligence" is perishable. The circumstances that are "actionable" won't last. They normally represent a very short window of opportunity. I therefore do not think we knew where the hostages were for the last couple of months and waited for a politically beneficial opportunity to rescue them--in an operation that could well have gone wrong. A self-serving politician trying to look good would never take the chance of looking bad instead.
Do you want the Politically Correct (Excuse) or do you want the real reasons.
Ask yourself how long does it take to place Credible Verifiable Intelligence Assets (obtain Actionable Intelligence (Location, Size of Opposing Forces, etc.)). How long does it take to train and gain Operational Experience for US Military Asymmetric Warfare Forces to conduct Special Reconnaissance to independently verify the Intelligence before planning the Mission.
As the US Intelligence Agencies were Gutted by President Clinton, resulting in Intelligence Blackouts of entire Regions, the US having to rely on "Potentially Hostile Sources" of Intelligence (like Pakistan and Jordan, Nations with their own Agendas first). This left the US Blind to everything happening prior to the 9/11 2001 Attacks (US Congressional 9/11 Committee and their later Recommendations including start of ODNI). Ironically, the CIA as previously built up as Director of the CIA Bush (later President Bush (41)), is the President's Own Executive Intelligence Agency, basically, President Clinton stuck a sharp stick in his own Eyes on the World as well as the US Congressional Intelligence Committee (Blinded).
So from the millions of credible verifiable and vetted intelligence assets, the US went to thousands Worldwide (many previous US Intelligence Assets at these Nations abandoned, so they joined the opposing side as possible Counter Intelligence). To even think these intelligence assets can be developed overnight is not only uninformed but criminal (getting people killed unnecessarily as Political embarrassment, International Incident). As the Potentially Hostile Nations Counter Intelligence Agencies will be waiting for you to attempt to develop Intelligence Assets within their Nations (think about you going from a big US City to rural small town USA and then attempting to gain their trust and "blend in", how long will it be before they trust you with their lives.).
Because of President Clinton's Cut to the Bone Reduction In Forces (RIF) of the US Military there were not enough of us (US Military Asymmetric Warfare Forces) left to independently verify intelligence (intelligence then becoming Actionable Intelligence) thru Special Reconnaissance (with or without uniforms).
These are the reasons why during Operation Gothic Serpent we went in Blind (could not verify the location of the Somalis Warlord). The same with when we went into Afghanistan weeks after the 9/11 2001 Attacks. And when we (survivors from all the other previous Missions) conducted Operation Hotel California, 2002 to 2003. Other Missions that are none of your business.
It is known by our opposition that it will take decades to undo the damage of President Clinton's Gutting of the US Intelligence Agencies, and his Cut to the Bone Reduction In Forces (RIF) of the US Military. And do not tell me I do not know, because I survived all of that mess (Firsthand Experience), as to why we keep getting Recalled to Active Duty (no replacements trained and experienced, until maybe about another decade from now (they still need College Level Language(s) and Culture based on their Area(s) of Operation)).
Okay, now that the story is out, isn't it time for the bleeding-heart liberals to start complaining about the tragic deaths and violated rights of the nine Somalian pirates? Great job, Seals!
Doop-thats a dumb and stupid thing to say. I'm a liberal and also have more kills than many of the Seals on this mission. Just because a person is a liberal does mean we are unarmed and afraid to kill the enemy. Just because you are a Republican does not make you John Wayne.
DOOP & HITOBITAO: Bad analogy. Big rough, tough John Wayne, "The Duke" was as a big time candy a$$/
He dodged military service during WWII while millions of average Joe's were being drafted and sent around the world to fight and die. John Wayne is just one more far Right Wing Chickenhawk. They sure talk tough but prefer to send other people's children to do the fighting, bleeding and dying.
NO, it's time for this liberal to say "good job" and celebrate the recovery of two American citizens. But then, some of us are more complex than a poster board picture for a political philosophy. You should try not reducing everyone to labels some time. The world would be a much more interesting and rewarding place for you...
Did that happen after we dropped the pirates that took the Maersk Alabama? How about when we took out Bin Laden?
Oh wait ... You're not talking about reality. :P
Doop, I'm liberal and know many liberals. You're short on facts. I nor any of my crowd are complaining about Somali Pirate's rights violations. I'm sorry for their tragic lives, but how they were treated by U.S. SEALS is as expected, at least in my world.
U.S Navy SEALs ftw. Glad these guys are on America's side and not some middle eastern country who ignores sanctions and keeps doing what the world doesn't want them to.
These guys are the true Elites.
it's amazing noone got hurt or killed except for the kidnappers.
yeah it's great !
Wonderful success story "God Bless"
The US Navy Seals killed all nine of the bad guys because they were fired on. Thats not a wise move when you fire on highly trained commandos. Its like an instant death sentence. Great mission accomplished for Seal Team Six! History will show that you represent the very best of the United States of America!
Wow, it took 3 whole posts for this to turn into dems vs GOP. Would expect nothing less from MSNBC. Get a life people.
Yeah, it doesn't take much to get these people worked up. They just don't seem to be able to help themselves. They just gotta get their little digs in, even if it is completely irrelevant to the article.
I think this lends credence to the current idea of scaling down the larger traditional military while simultaneously building up the Special Forces portions. The current defense situation in the world is more about surgical strikes against smaller more embedded groups than taking and holding large areas of land or defeating traditional, uniformed armies. Maybe if we can continue to swell the ranks of Special Forces (maintaining quality of course), we wouldn't have to do operations like the Afghanistan War again. They have shown they could possibly have just gone in and double tapped Osama back in October '01, with the proper intelligence, of course.
Barnaby, that is a excellent idea, but I feel we still need to stay strong in the conventional arena, China is growing stronger by the day, and they don't care for us. Also North Korea, unfortunately we have to keep a strong military. I do believe in the middle east and africa, special forces and drones are all that is needed.
Too bad they had to kill all of the kidnappers. Bummer! :)
Great job by the Obama administration and our armed forces for carrying out another amazing mission!!!
Gopstomper. are you serious. The freaking Obama administration are a bunch of losers following blindly a scheme to bankrupt the American economy. The Seal team is an outstanding group of men committed to
answering their country's call. When did Obama serve his country? Where was he born? and who does he swear allegiance to? Does he salute the american flag or even wear the flag on his chicken #### lapel. Be real
Are you on drugs? Obama first served his country as a community organizer, then as a State Senator, then as a Unities States Senator, and now as President of the United States. He has a lifetime of service. The military is not the only way to serve. You birther's are so blinded by irrational hatred you can't just say "Good job. Well done." Amazing how you perceive Obama as bankrupting the country when it was Bush who turned a surplus into a massive deficit and created the worst economy since the great depression. Your refusal to deal with fact is very sad.
rg-3643907,
Nice failed Blame game.
Read this, until you KNOW the problem you cannot figure out the solution(s):
http://david393071.newsvine.com/_news/2011/02/22/6107088-the-current-global-economic-crisis
As far as credit where credit is due (NOT President Obama; but, Director CIA Petraeus (fourth known success), Secretary of Defense Penetta (second known success), SOC (Admiral McRaven, second known success), JSOC, Commander NSWDG (second known success), USN SEAL Team Commander (Operational Team Commander), Commander AFRICOM (first known success):
Read post#4.7.
David, .. everybody deserves credit except Obama? Interesting. Isn't he the president? I am sure you would have blamed him if things would have gone wrong.