I just have to say...

[olde_fashioned]

...I love our Navy!!! ♥

If I was this guy, I think I'd be hugging every US Navy man in sight!! :-D

Hostage captain rescued; Navy snipers kill 3 pirates


Taken from this article here, I think the captain deserves a medal!

Phillips offered himself as a hostage after the pirates stormed the U.S.-flagged cargo ship Maersk Alabama on Wednesday morning, according to Maersk Line Limited, which owns the ship. The pirates eventually left the Alabama with Phillips that day aboard the lifeboat, where they would stay for four days.

[...]

Phillips was being praised for his apparent willingness to put his own life in jeopardy to secure the release of his crew and his ship.

But Gurnon, who described the captain as "the good shepherd who willingly exchanged his life for the lives of his flock," cautioned that the end of one hostage situation should not be taken as the end of the growing problem of piracy, especially with scores of other lives in peril from pirates who are holding ships and crews off the expansive Somali coast.

They don't (won't?) say so in the article, but that quote is straight out of the Bible, John 10:11, to be precise.

Not only am I relieved this captain is safe at home with his family, but I'm also glad something has finally been done about starting to resolve the problem with these pirates. Like the article says, this isn't the end of the problem, but it could be the beginning of the solution. It's ridiculous and idiotic that sailors aren't allowed to defend themselves and their employer's property. The UN seriously needs to wake up here.

Maybe now pirates will think twice about hijacking American ships. Heh.

Comments

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I almost cheered when my grandma turned on the tv and it was breaking news. ;-)

Were you aware that this was going on?

[elea24.livejournal.com]

I love hearing about selfless heros...and at easter too :D

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Yes, me too! :-D

And speaking of which, I trust you had a lovely one? :-)

[elea24.livejournal.com]

I did, thank you. I had a very nice day with extended family.

I did, unfortunately recieve some unhappy news about a family member that dented my belief in human goodness (I won't go into it as I've just vented it out at my journal) so it's nice to hear a story about selfless actions -- so thank you :)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I just went and read about that, and have commented accordingly.

I don't believe in basic human goodness, both from my own experience and due to the Bible teaching that "There is no one righteous, not even one; and there is none that doeth good, no, not one. (Romans 3:10 and Psalms 53:3, respectively.)

[elea24.livejournal.com]

Oh...?... :-/ Do you mean that goodness isn't simply innate, but something that comes from beliefs and upbringing? Or do you mean that people inherently act selfishly even when they think it's selfless? I don't mean to be rude with my question, I am honestly curious about your viewpoint :)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

And I hope I wasn't overly blunt about what I said earlier; I wasn't trying to snub your belief of human goodness!!

Yes, I think it comes from upbringing and/or beliefs. People, if left to themselves, do not turn out well; they would be little better than animals. Children don't need to be taught how to do wrong, they come programmed knowing how to be naughty. ;-P Humans have to be taught how to do right. I think basic human nature is to be evil and selfish, and a lot of "selfless" acts are actually selfish, as in love (you usually get love back), or a kindness (you usually get gratitude), etc.

[elea24.livejournal.com]

Ahh...I get it.

Well, yes I (particularly as a teacher) would have to agree. People, as you say, can't just be good. They have to learn that behaviour and we are all (even very 'good' and nice people) trying to suppress not-so-decent urges. We are naturally selfish creatures.

I suppose, thinking about it, what I meant by 'basic human goodness' was actually 'basic moral upbringing'. Most people (with the exception of a few poor souls) are at least taught what is 'good' and what is 'bad' behaviour. And I do (eternal optimist that I am) like to think that most people would prefer to act kindly if given the choice, or really think about it. :)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Yes, and that's what I meant by humans not being naturally good or selfless.

I understand what you meant, now. ;-) I do agree that most people know right from wrong, but precious little of them actually choose the right. :-/ I know I'm not an optimist by any stretch of the imagination, but I like to think of myself as a realist rather than a pessimist. Perhaps I've just had too much experience with mean and selfish people to believe them the exception rather than the rule.

[epea-pteroenta.livejournal.com]

That's an extremely heartening story- and I'm glad at least this situation has been resolved.

I hope you had a good Easter.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

Yes! And hopefully this is a step towards resolving the problem permanantly.

I did, thank you! I hope you did as well. :-)

[winterlillies.livejournal.com]

It took over 5 days to get him free. It shouldn't have taken so long and it wasn't until Obama finally gave the go ahead to use force that the Seals went to work.

I for one am glad he did what he did for his crew and I'm glad he's out alive too.

[drpaleophd.livejournal.com]

Navy SEALS rock.

Pirates smell.

The Ebd.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

ROTFLOL, yes, that about sums it up in a nutshell!! ;-D

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

It shouldn't have taken so long

I agree completely. That's not the Navy's fault, though, the permission needed (and finally did, at least) to come from above.

[ceallaighgirl.livejournal.com]

Maybe now pirates will think twice about hijacking American ships.

Unfortunately, they are thinking twice now. They're talking about all targeting American ships and treating hostages badly. But you can bet your buns they'll regret it. Unlike other ships who sail under flags of convenience, we look after our folks!

One of our local radio guys kept calling them "piratsites" this afternoon, heh heh heh. (You know, like parasites, but pirates . . . har har har.)

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

They're just stupid if they think they can get away with worse behaviour, after they've seen how we handle things??

Piratsites, ha ha ha, that's funny.

We were at my grandma's on Sunday for Easter, and she turned on Fox News (she has cable) and I was astonished at how conservative the newsachor was! I'd heard they were, but sheesh, I must say, it was kind of nice...

[ceallaighgirl.livejournal.com]

Must've been interesting! Yeah, we don't have cable either so I never get to watch Fox news. Joel has cable though, so I'll have cable in a week and a half! Hmm. But I'm not sure Fox is included. May not be Canadian enough. Dang. We'll see.

[visionsbeyond.livejournal.com]

I saw this on the news ! Bravo ! And I agree ! I`m glad someone took harsh measures and got the job done! This pirate thing is getting out of hand.

[olde-fashioned.livejournal.com]

I felt like cheering! It was all I could do to keep my big mouth shut so everyone else could hear the broadcast, ha ha ha. ;-P