ÿþ<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1"> <title>OnlineColumnist&reg;.com: Even Utilities Must Pay Their Bills</title> <meta name="generator" content="Adobe GoLive 4"> <style type="text/css"> .style1 { font-size: x-large; font-weight: bold; } </style> </head> <body bgcolor="white" vlink="black"> <center> <table cool width="598" height="1274" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" gridx="16" showgridx gridy="16" showgridy> <tr height="1" cntrlrow> <td width="1" height="1"></td> <td width="116" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="116" height="1"></td> <td width="31" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="31" height="1"></td> <td width="182" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="182" height="1"></td> <td width="267" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="267" height="1"></td> <td width="1" height="1"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="1"></td> </tr> <tr height="79"> <td width="1" height="79"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="79"></td> <td width="116" height="118" colspan="1" rowspan="2" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0"><a href="aboutdiscobolos.html"><img height="110" width="62" src="images/discobolos.logo.transp.gif" border="0"></a></td> <td width="31" height="79"></td> <td width="450" height="79" colspan="3" rowspan="1" valign="top" align="left" xpos="147"><img height="75" width="450" src="images/banner.GIF"></td> </tr> <tr height="39"> <td width="1" height="39"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="39"></td> <td width="31" height="39"></td> <td width="182" height="39"></td> <td width="267" height="39" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top" align="left" xpos="329"><a href="aboutdiscobolos.html"><img height="14" width="267" src="images/divisionofNEW.GIF" border="0"></a></td> <td width="1" height="39"></td> </tr> <tr height="20"> <td width="1" height="20"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="20"></td> <td width="597" height="20" colspan="5" rowspan="1" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0"> <table border="0" width="100%" bgcolor="black" cellspacing="0"> <tr> <td> <table border="0" width="100%" bgcolor="#99ffcc" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="4"> <tr> <td align="center"> <div align="left"> <a href="index.html"><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong>HOME</strong></font></a><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong> &#149; <a href="articlesindex.html">ARTICLES</a> &#149; <a href="books.html">BOOKS</a> &#149; <a href="teflon.html">THE </a><a href="teflon.html">TEFLON</a><a href="teflon.html"> REPORT</a> &#149; <a href="mailto:letters@onlinecolumnist.com">REACTIONS</a> &#149; <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html">ABOUT DISCOBOLOS</a></strong></font></div> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> </table> </td> </tr> <tr height="7"> <td width="1" height="7"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="7"></td> <td width="116" height="1135" colspan="1" rowspan="2" valign="top" align="left" xpos="0"><img height="172" width="111" src="images/johninframe3.jpg"></td> <td width="31" height="7"></td> <td width="182" height="7"></td> <td width="267" height="7"></td> <td width="1" height="7"></td> </tr> <tr height="1128"> <td width="1" height="1128"><spacer type="block" width="1" height="1128"></td> <td width="480" height="1128" colspan="3" rowspan="1" valign="top" align="left" xpos="116" content csheight="1123"> <font size="5" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><b>Obama&#39;s Pirate Dilemma</b></font><p><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><b>by John M. Curtis<br> (310) 204-8700</b><br> </font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"><i>Copyright April 11, 2009<br> All Rights Reserved.</i></font></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span class="style1">H</span>is first test of a global crisis, President Barack Obama must make a fateful decision 380 nautical miles off the Somali coast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Faced with a hostage situation involving American Capt. Richard Phillips of Underhill, Vermont, Barack must articulate the U.S. piracy policy on the high seas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Terrorizing the maritime commerce in the Horn of Africa, Somali pirates are no longer a problem for  other countries, now directly affecting U.S. interests.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>While the Oct. 4, 1993 U.S. battle of Mogadishu ended in two Black Hawk helicopters shot down and 18 Delta Force deaths, the Clinton administration blamed Islamic radicals loyal to Osama bin Laden.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Nearly 10 years before Sept. 11, Osama bin Laden s based out of Sudan, Yemen and Somalia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>After the 1998 al-Qaida bombing of U.S. embassies in Khartoum, Sudan and Nairobi, Kenya, Bin Laden moved shop to Kandahar, Afghanistan.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Former President Bill Clinton had little success containing Saudi terrorist Osama bin Laden, the world s most dangerous man.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Only a few months before former President George W. Bush took office, Bin Laden blew up the U.S.S. Cole Oct. 12, 2000 in Somalia s Port of Aden, killing 17 U.S. sailors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Less than one year later, Bin Laden completed the greatest terrorist act in world history, hitting the World Trade Center and Pentagon Sept. 11, 2001.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> No one knows for sure his relationship, if any, with the Somali pirates or warlords.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Like the opium traders in Afghanistan, millions of dollars in ransom has been paid to pirates, perpetuating the problem that plagues maritime shipping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>With the destroyer U.S.S. Bainbridge already at the scene and the amphibious U.S.S. Boxer expected soon, the Obama must make a fateful decision of how to respond to an act of war.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Somali pirates hold Russian, German, Chinese, Filipino and other hostages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>They re trying to coordinate with comrades holding Capt. Phillips in a 24-ft. fiberglass life raft, nearly 400 miles from Somalia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Fearing a U.S. military response, they re threatening violence against the hostages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> We hope before launching any tactical action against the pirates, the welfare of every hostage is guaranteed and ensured, said Philippines Vice President Noli de Castro, urging Obama to consult with the U.N. before taking action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Somali pirates expressed no fear over an American response, threatening, to kill Capt. Phillips and other international hostages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Obama must decide whether or not it s feasible to pay ransom and meet demands for Phillip s release or launch a no tolerance policy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>There s little practical difference between the blackmail practiced by pirates or terrorists.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>When Phillips jumped into the Indian Ocean to escape Friday, it became clear that the pirates continued to play hardball.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>After firing AK-47s, they plucked Phillips out of the water and resumed the standoff.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Despite the U.S. show of force, they have no intention of surrendering.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> Marooned 380 miles off the Somali coast, the pirates find themselves running out of options.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Now that the world s watching, demanding $2 million and safe passage for Phillip s release would send the wrong message, conveying weakness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>According to the International Maritime Bureau, Somali pirates hold about 12 ships and 200 hostages, listing 66 attacks since January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>While Barack would like to pony up for Phillips, the situation is more complicated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Seizing an Italian-flagged U.S. tugboat in the Gulf of Aden, the pirates seek more leverage to regain control in the Horn of Africa.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>FBI hostage negotiators haven t made too much progress winning Phillips unconditional release.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Somali pirates have operated with impunity, terrorizing international shipping for years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>When the anti-piracy flagship Boxer arrives on the scene soon, Obama will place the prestige of the U.S. Navy on the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Where other countries have failed, the U.S. must prove that it s still the world s last superpower, not cowing to global hoodlums.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>In the run up to Sept. 11, the U.S. ignored the warning signs, culminating in dramatic loss of American prestige.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Iraq and Afghanistan damaged U.S. prestige, proving a small band of terrorists could compete with the mighty American military.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Somali pirates threaten more credibility damage if Obama capitulates to international outlaws.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Placating terrorists and Somali pirates have left the civilized world less safe.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <![if !supportEmptyParas]>&nbsp;<![endif]><span style="mso-tab-count:1">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>President Obama is caught between a rock and a hard place, playing more games with Somali pirates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Caving in to pirates demands would send a loud message to terrorists and outlaws from the Horn of Africa to Iraq and Afghanistan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>If the U.S. pays to get Phillips out, U.S. citizens will be less secure all over the planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>On Friday, French commandos stormed a sailboat seized by Somali pirates with Florent Lemacon, his wife and three-year-old child.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Though Lemacon was killed, the French stood against kidnapping and blackmail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Whether Obama likes it or not, he must not let Somali pirates further damage U.S. credibility.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>White House officials know the names and hideouts of Somali pirates, demanding urgent action.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span>Letting them go unpunished hurts all law-abiding citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes">&nbsp; </span> Kidnapping and blackmail can never be tolerated, even when it s sold as piracy on the high seas.</p> <p><u><b>About the Author</b></u></p> <p><b>John M. Curtis</b> is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for the Los Angeles Daily Journal. He&#146;s director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in political consulting and strategic public relations. He&#146;s the author of <a href="books.html">Dodging The Bullet</a> and <a href="books.html">Operation Charisma</a>. <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" width="75" height="25"> <tr> <td></td> </tr> </table> </td> <td width="1" height="1128"></td> </tr> </table> <table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="2" width="597"> <tr> <td><font size="1" face="Arial,Geneva,Helvetica"> <hr noshade size="1"> </font><a href="index.html"><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong>Home</strong></font></a><font face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular" size="2"><strong> || <a href="articlesindex.html">Articles</a> || <a href="books.html">Books</a> || <a href="teflon.html">The Teflon Report</a> || <a href="mailto:letters@onlinecolumnist.com">Reactions</a> || <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html">About Discobolos</a></strong></font> <div align="left"> <p><font size="1" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular">This site designed, developed and hosted by the experts at</font><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular"> <a href="http://www.cmeonline.net" target="_blank"><img height="30" width="138" src="images/cmelogoANIM.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle"></a></font></p> </div> <p><font size="2" face="Arial,Helvetica,Geneva,Swiss,SunSans-Regular">&copy;1999-2001 <a href="aboutdiscobolos.html">Discobolos Consulting Services, Inc.</a><br> (310) 204-8300<br> All Rights Reserved. </font></td> </tr> </table> </center> </body> </html>