As far as giving credit to President: It’s not the job of the C-in-C to micro manage when shots are to be fired. The Rules of Engagement (ROE) that are in effect from National Command Authority (NCA) allow what happened. For the President to say “you can use standing guidance” is well…stupid beyond belief, or, it implies he will control every action taken in conditions that clearly fall within the standing ROE. Does that mean all service members now have to wait to attack in the face of hostile acts and hostile intention, or in self defense (including acts of violence against US citizens in a known danger zone (Oh, yeah, which was why the Navy is there in the first place)?

Just a few days ago, President Obama felt the hostage situation was an “annoying distraction.” Now. it’s his Presidential responsibility. I know, taking over the US economy is far more important that the life of one American citizen. I understand those looking at being homelss in America face a bleak situation, but not like the possibility of being fish food, right after Somali pirates shoot you in the back…It’s a question of the most immediate threat.

Had President Obama said “My Secretary of Defense is in control of that situation and keeping me apprised continuously. I am relying on the military to handle this effectively and they have their orders.” That, I would say, would have sounded, well, Presidential. Don’t bother me with one guy in danger when I can talk to homeowners and grab more votes type of response is, well, self centered and indicative of a complete mis-understanding to the reason his bank account is getting those direct deposits from the US Treasury on the 1st and 15th of each month.

On any given day, in any given town or city, if a whack job is in a 7-11, holding a loaded gun at the head of the clerk, and the SWAT team sees a chance to engage to rescue the hostage, must they now call Eric Holder? That would be the same thing.

Now, allowing air strikes into a sovereign nation, that takes a specific authorization from the C-in-C, for keeping the heat on the Taliban and AQ in Pakistan…oh, yeah, BZ to him, that’s his decision and I think it was a good one to aid in keeping us safe, and other nations as well.

The President needs to face facts: The pirates are a threat, the Navy is there to protect American shipping in international sea lanes, the pirates held a hostage and specifically threatened that life. Another fact: The Constitution requires a standing Navy, but not a standing Army. Why? Well, international trade is and has been a fact, by sea for millenia. Pirates have been along for the ride with all nations in all recorded history.

Next step: Use “proportionate force” to neutralize the pirates. The On Scene Commander (OSC) determined kill shots were that. Sending a Marine Harrier in with APAM/ROCKEYE cluster munitions would have been overkill (disproportionate) force, and would have killed the hostage (Capt Phillips). The OSC is to be commended for cool headed thinking, and a through understanding of the ROE.

The President’s duty now is to compliment his sailors, airmen and Marines and, in this case, the FBI (which shouldn’t have been involved anyhow), then get back to handling the business of the people, not strutting and getting stroked for something that is way below his paygrade.

I’ll cheer when he takes action to stop the nuclear proliferation in NK, Syria and Iran. That’s right down his alley, therefore commensurate with the duties of his paygrade.

I’ll quit complaining when he takes the role, in the chain of command, he was elected to take, not usurping the credit of a well trained, dedicated, experienced group of Navy Petty Officers on the triggers.

Side note: The only non-proliferation he is doing is own own, and that will put us at a disadvantage in the future. How come the MSM isn’t calling him on this?