4 American hostages killed by Pirates in Somalia

[DRM]

How do you cope with a situation like that? With such a tight nit group as a company of soldiers, its got to be like watching a close friend be killed.

We find ways. And he was a close friend. He was my roommate in the barracks prior to the deployment.

[lerxstcat]

Your probably right. that is the reason we have so much hate in this world......organized religion. everyone thinks THEIR beliefs are the ONLY way, and everyone else is wrong. Organized religion and greed, one or both of them has been the cause of every war since the beginning of time.

That's ridiculous and untrue. Human greed has been the cause of every war, and many, but NOT ALL, of them were justified by religious fervor. Genghis Khan? No religion, just rape and pillaging. Hitler? Some slapdash religious symbols, but Hitlers megalomania, straight up. Stalin, HIS megalomania and a conscious rejection of religion.

Having said that, trying to spread Christianity in the heart of the Muslim world is dumb, but it didn't matter what these folks did, they sailed into range and were abducted and then killed. For money, period.

[Rsmacker]

Of course they had pro footage. The radical Islamists most powerful weapon is propoganda.

The funny thing about Somalia was that Aidid played it smart while the Marines were there. After the Red Cross/Marine effort pulled out of Mogadishu, he killed the remaining humanitarian workers from Pakistan. That's why we went on the offensive by sending TF Ranger in addition to two battalions of Infantry back to Mogadishu.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Takur_Ghar - On 3 March 2002, two CH-47's were shot down on Takur Ghar during a recovery mission for a SEAL who had fallen off his Chinook and onto the peak. Lack of ability to relay intel to the birds while they were en route to the mountain led to the firefight.

Helicopters get shot down. Even a "dumb rag-head" can operate an RPG. They're not as primitive as people like to believe they are. In fact, the only KIA from my company during our year in Afghanistan was from an RPG. We had 41 out of 138 soldiers in my company receive Purple Hearts (myself included) and I'm pretty sure that our enemy know what they're doing.

Still, there's a lot going on all over the world to fight shit like this. Occasionally it makes it on the news. However, and thankfully, most of it never makes it to the mainstream media and therefore the public don't think twice about it. And to be honest, it makes us more effective at what we do when you don't know what we do.

I was under the impression that the pro footage was a news cameraman who just happened to be there, not part of a propaganda campaign. If it were, we'd still be seeing it cropping up. If it was the BBC, they've buried it.

I realise helicopters get shot down, they are actually the most dangerous way to fly (apart from one of those wingsuit things). If they aren't being knocked out by small arms, they decide to just drop. Chances of walking away from a 'copter crash are slim, broken backs are the order of the day. Those helicopter ejector seats are incredible though. Really. (I'm not talking about the ones the Irish Air Force use, he he, 100% death rate, all ejectees turned into hamburger)
No, I think it's all to do with our perception of our own superiority. We've had John Wayne, Rambo, Arnie and all, showing how we can defeat hordes of teeming Third World fuckwits; now we have video games where we can use massive firepower to frag them. It all helps to magnify the shock when losses are incurred. They can't kill us can they???

With the greatest respect to you DRM, your colleagues and your profession, soldiers get killed, that's the risk they sign up for when they take the Shilling, we shouldn't be so shocked when the boxes wrapped in flags are unloaded. Special Forces, even more so. We have a mental picture of indestructible supermen, performing clinical strikes and extracting with hardly a scratch. Though that's the plan, and I'm sure the majority of ops go to plan, in reality, Special Forces from around the world have a long history of absolute fuck-ups.
Don't forget, the first Commandos were never expected to come back from any mission, they were totally expendable. From the first suicide runs into Nazi occupied France, through the failure* of Vietnam POW rescue attempts, and on through Andy McNabb's heroic but farcical Bravo Two Zero operation, there is just a trail of shite intelligence, kit that doesn't work, and inbred goatfuckers foiling the West's attempts to make decisive strikes with miniscule casualties, usually by accident. Even Elite troops get their arses kicked now and again, remarkably easily sometimes. (Mostly down to circumstance, chance, poor support or intelligence, rather than their own shortcomings)

We're a long way on from the days of Omdurman when the British killed over 10,000 fuzzy-wuzzies with 20 Maxim guns at a cost of 48 dead. These days they have access to all sorts of stuff, and know how to use it. They are also used to living in the Middle Ages, we are very soft here now in the West, our great-grandparents would be shocked how soft we have become.

Before I post this, just in case anyone hard-of-thinking is reading, no disprespect to DRM or his comrades, I don't mean to say their losses are meaningless, acceptable or just one of those things, only that he bleeds just as easily as a rag-head when hit by a bullet (though I sincerely hope that his intense training and planning means he doesn't find himself on the wrong end of any fire). I'll happily admit I'd not want to do that job, I'm far too much of a pussy, I like staying in bed all morning and eating Jaffa Cakes, so thanks to DRM & Co for putting their lives on the line to keep the world less ropey for the rest of us (even Brits like me), your sacrifice is appreciated and not taken lightly.

I don't know whether we are as ignorant of your activities as you think though, DRM. I'd say that Americans in general are pretty ignorant of anything that's further than the end of their own street, and sadly, people here in the UK are following; "dumbing down" the news is becoming more and more prevalent. It's great if it protects troops on operation, but if it leaves people in the dark about what is actually going on out there, and ignorant of the true nature of war (ie. maimed and dead people, on both sides), I can't say it's a good thing.

Fucking hell, that's an essay isn't it? I must get back to baiting WB and informing you of Fat Chick Clam Chowder on my car seats.




*Can't remember the operation, but when they got there, no POWs, aircraft shot down (1 by friendly fire), immediate goals achieved - none, duh. However, end result was that North Vietnam started treating POWs humanely, realising that the US had a longer reach than they had been led to believe, so not a disaster in great scheme of things.

[DRM]

I was under the impression that the pro footage was a news cameraman who just happened to be there, not part of a propaganda campaign. If it were, we'd still be seeing it cropping up. If it was the BBC, they've buried it.

Take a peek on al Jazeera sometime. Yes, that footage is still actively circulating and being used.

[Endrik]

They are also used to living in the Middle Ages,

I wish they would live in the Middle Ages. During the early Medieval era when the Western Christians were dumb barbaric terrorists the Muslim world was rich, educated, cultured and very innovative in science. The sides have reversed now.

[horns666]

EVERYONE..if you're ever captured by these fucks...make 'em your bitches...like this!!!http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3Wgh...eature=related

[atomic charvel guy]

Take a peek on al Jazeera sometime. Yes, that footage is still actively circulating and being used.

if you have Direct t.V., check out channel 375- Link T.V., they play some hairy stuff on that channel, Al Jazeera included.

[clifffclaven]

Again, park 3-4 destroyers off the coast. ANY unauthorized ships are destroyed. End of story.

[Endrik]

Everyone can fight pirates but what's an unauthorized ship in lawless Somalia or in international waters?

[Rsmacker]

Take a peek on al Jazeera sometime. Yes, that footage is still actively circulating and being used.

Part of me fears going near anything to do with them, I don't want Secret Squirrel putting me on a list of subversive elements.

[clifffclaven]

Everyone can fight pirates but what's an unauthorized ship in lawless Somalia or in international waters?

One that is not flagged or will not respond.

[Endrik]

Respond to whom and how? There's no authority in the international waters. A lot of sea vehicles don't even have a radio, specially small boats which Somali pirates often use as do most Somali fishermen tho whom their job is a matter of life or death.

[Buslady]

Your probably right. that is the reason we have so much hate in this world......organized religion. everyone thinks THEIR beliefs are the ONLY way, and everyone else is wrong. Organized religion and greed, one or both of them has been the cause of every war since the beginning of time.

Bingo! At least a lot of wars, deaths, raids, etc is the past were "in the name of all thats Holy" bullcrap, God didnt tell you to raid, you hide behind that reason....

[lerxstcat]

So if I went into the mall and shot 40 people in the name of Jackson guitars, would that make Jackson guitars evil? Or would it make ME evil? the answer would be me, not Jackson guitars. Just sayin'.... "Randy Rhoads told me to do it, AAAAARRRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!111JUAN"

[Shawn Lutz]

again if don't negtioate with these fucktards and kill them immediately every time then they won't be taking people hostage. I may be a cruel but if I was taken hostage I'd be fine being blown to a million pieces along with the (butt)Pirates as long as it prevents someone else having to be taken hostage in future. Retarded as they are they will learn that taking a hostage and demanding money, a snickers bar or a bag of weed is suicide - they wouldn't be taken anyone hostage. We're too fuckin civil with people we shouldn't be, that is our weakness.