The Rest of the Story
While the AP plays errand boy for President Obama, Blackfive gets the story right. Here’s what the AP reported:
Officials say Obama gave the OK on Friday and Saturday to rescue Capt. Richard Phillips from a lifeboat off the Somali coast. Officials say both times the Pentagon believed Phillips’ life was at risk.
The officials spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.
Administration officials say Obama was told Sunday of the rescue while he was in the White House residence. Officials also say Obama has phoned Phillips and Phillips’ family.
THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.
WASHINGTON (AP)—Administration officials say President Barack Obama approved the military operation that rescued a U.S. captain held hostage by Somali pirates. The officials say Obama ordered the Defense Department to use military resources to rescue Richard Phillips from a lifeboat off the Somali coast. The officials discussed this information on the condition of anonymity because they were not yet authorized to disclose the president’s decision-making process.
Obama praised the captain for his bravery and courage. The president also said the United States needs help from other countries to deal with the threat of piracy and to hold pirates accountable.
That’s a nice-sounding story. Its only flaw is that it isn’t factual. Here’s what Blackfive is reporting:
I just finished listening to the press conference w/ ADM Gortney about the rescue of Captain Phillips. At the time it happened the USS Bainbridge was towing the lifeboat to calmer waters as the sea state was deteriorating. One of the pirates was on board the Bainbridge as the talks about obtaining Phillip’s release continued. The lifeboat was approx. 25 m behind the Bainbridge when snipers on the fantail observed one of the pirates in the pilot house of the lifeboat pointing an AK-47 at the back of a tied up Phillips and the other two pirates on board were visible (at least shoulders and heads). The standing authority gave them clearance to engage the pirates if the life of the captain was in imminent danger. The on scene commander deemed this to be true and gave the order to fire. All three bad guys were taken out and then a rigid inflatable boat went to the lifeboat to retrieve Phillips. Iti is unknown at this point whether the shooters were SEALs or Marine Scout Snipers as both would have been available. This was not a rescue attempt ordered by National Command Authority i.e. the President. It was a reaction by the on scene commander under standard authority to safeguard the life of a hostage.
The AP is reporting that President Obama gave the order to use military force to rescue the hostage, that is misleading.
If I’m forced to pick between believing Adm. Gortney’s statements and the AP’s reporting, I’ll trust Adm. Gortney’s statements. In fact, that isn’t even a fair fight.
It’s time that the AP stopped carrying the Obama administration’s water. Instead, it’s time that they should start worrying about getting the facts right.
Technorati Tags: Military, Pirates, Gulf of Aden, Admiral Gortney, Captain Phillips, USS Bainbridge, Somalia, President Obama
Cross-posted at LetFreedomRingBlog
April 13th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Im not active and dare not speak with any authority, as to what the standing rules of engagement are.
However, it sounds as though Adm. Gortney had the spine to use his own authority as OSC.
In that situation, for anyone, including AP to assume there was time for the snipers to report their opportuinity all the way up the chain of command to the White House for Obama to say ‘take em out’ like some stupid hollywood script, and back is naive and laughable to say the least.
Those guys were probably briefed that if they got a clear shot, to take it.
However, I wouldn’t be surprised if Adm. Gortney was listening to the radio and personally gave the order himself or through a staff member.
Good news is this takes away an oppportunity for some wimp ass group like the ACLU to get their nose into it. And hey, think of the trees that were saved.
April 13th, 2009 at 11:44 am
When it comes to action taking place in foreign waters outside of the United States on behalf of the United States, the president has no control whatsoever.
And when it comes to news from a source no one has ever heard of before, trust Blackfive.
April 13th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
Ive read your drivel before.
Dont put words in my mouth, that were never there.
If you’d want to discuss this intelligently, try growing up!