In Rescue of Captain, Navy Kills 3 Pirates

By: Micah Bacheller

The Somali pirates continue their rampage. Last Wednesday the boat called Maersk Alabama was captured by the pirates who demanded a ransom from the US government. Captain Richard Phillips traded himself for the crew and his boat, which later reached their port. Captain Phillips stayed behind, hidden in a lifeboat off the Somalian shore line.  President Obama said that the use of force would be acceptable if an american citizens life was in danger.  This was the case with Phillips. Three Somali pirates were holding him hostage, with guns pointed at his head and torso. The pirates seemed like they were going to use force on Phillips, so a navy sharp-shooter took out the three pirates holding phillips hostage.

This was a small victory for the US. But there is a more troubling part to this story. A pirate named "Ali" said that the navy rescue will not discourage other Somali pirate groups from doing damage. He continued to say that as long as there is no form of government in Somalia, the pirates will be the local coast guard. He also added at the end "If we get an American, we will take revenge".  This is just scary to think that a pirate is this ruthless and would openly talk about taking revenge.