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]

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.