Obama On Pirates: Declines To Answer Question

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama has declined to answer a question about the hostage situation off the coast of Somalia.

The president was asked about the incident as he met with U.S. homeowners about refinancing mortgages. At the close of a Roosevelt Room event, the president was asked by a reporter if he were concerned about the piracy incident.

Obama responded: "Guys, we're talking about housing right now."

Reporters were then ushered out of the room as they usually are after such events.

Obama has yet to comment publicly on the incident.

Comments

[TherealSlaXX]

You all have your own opinions, but I understand what Obama is doing. The President is not supposed to get to closely involved with hostage situations. You're right, maybe he could have reacted sooner but he was gathering what he needed to know. Be mad at the pirates not Obama. He handled this situation in a good fashion. Plus, we needed to know EXACTLY what we were getting ourselves involved in before we went in to save the day. Bush didn't think things through like Barack Obama did about this situation and look where we are now. I understand Afghanistan but not Iraq. Give the Pres. a break.

[MRGOP]

OBAMA DOES NOT WANT TO RESPOND TO THE PIRATE CONFLICT. MATTER OF FACT HE RATHER RUN AWAY FROM IT! WHY? BECAUSE HE KNOWS NOW THAT HE HAS TO FIGHT AND PROTECT OR SHIPS.AND HE DOES NOT WANT TO GO INTO SOMALIA AND KILL THOSE THUG'S AND TERRORIST BECAUSE HE KNOWS HIS WACY LEFT WILL GIVE HIM A BUNCH OF SH_ _!!!!! OBAMA AND THE DEM'S ARE WEAK! THIS WAS A SOFT BALL FOR OBAMA AND IT STILL TOOK HIM FOR EVER TO GIVE AN ORDER TO THE NAVY TO SHOOT THOSE THUG'S! IT WOULD OF TAKEN ME 5 SECOUNDS!

[Naktyvyras]

People keep complaining that President Obama hasn't made any public statements about the pirate attack...THE PRESIDENT IS NEVER SUPPOSED TO GET PUBLICLY INVOLVED IN A HOSTAGE CRISIS (sorry for caps, but people just aren't paying attention). The last president to do so was Carter...

[BLKCPA]

Another Hostage Crisis.....

Let's see if Obama manages to beat Jimmy's record of 444 days.

And Let's not forget Obama got us run out of the South China Sea. Remember the USNS ship a few unarmed trawlers chased off.

Yup, "Change we can believe in" The change is the US going from a Superpower to a SuperNanny State.

BLKCPA - Taking on Libanazis in their own lair

[bluedov69]

yea yea we know OBAMA BAD LOL BLA BLAH BLAH

[HannahDuccab]

Obama won't comment because, truth be told, piracy fits right in with his philosophy on redistribution of wealth. This is simply a tax on evil corporations funding third world aid.

[bluedov69]

HMM never heard of pirates paying taxes . AND SPEAKING OF TAXES LET ME ASK YOU QUESTION .... WITH 90% OF THE PEOPLE OUT OF WORK WHO THE HELL IS WORRIED ABOUT PAYING TAXES ANYWAY... WHO ARE THESE SO CALLED HARDWORKING PEOPLE

[miamia]

He should have said that he would "smoke them out of their holes".

Or better, "Bring it on!"

[bluescat47]

Arghhh, Pirates!! Time for a few Simpson characters to save the day. They need the seamanship of Captain Horatio McCallister, Moe the Bartender (with his blackjack), and Monty Burns to negotiate.

[OliverEdwards]

What would Thomas Jefferson do? Or, what DID Thomas Jefferson do.
Old problem, just need to use updated military to take care of it.

[Wileynight]

To his credit, President Obama seems to be (wisely) emulating a Republican president of a century ago who counseled, "Speak softly, but carry a big stick." Obama's cool, thoughtful and restrained demeanor as Commander-in Chief is far more reassuring than was Bush's "We'll smoke `em out!" or "Bring `em on!" bluster that famously and tragically backfired.

[mat3]

I think he's going to apologize to the pirates today for Americans sailing so close to Somalia.

[TellitLikeItIs]

mat3: You're ridiculous.

[dredeize]

Nice black joke, r.a.c.i.s.t.!!

[bluedov69]

UNLIKE THE COWBOY CRAP WE'VE BEEN DOING FOR 8 YEARS , OBAMA IS MORE LIKE MICHAEL CORRELONE ... I AM HALF SICILIAN AND I RESPECT HIS STYLE. DO YOU DENOUNCE SATAN LOL

[jane gutowski]

what big stick? We didnt have one weapon on that ship when there have been constant pirate attacks in that area? I guess we can speak softly to the pirates like we did to north Korea and Iran by including them in talks and we can tell the pirates we were arrogant . I just hope we can get that brave American back.

[BLKCPA]

Another hostage crises. Obama is nothing more than Carter II.

For those of you not alive during the Carter years, they stunk.

BLKCPA - Taking on Liberals in their lair

[dredeize]

In their lair? OOOOOO..... tough guy!! Hey, I have an idea!! Join the military and do something!!

[Halter]

This time, Obama won;t have Reagan's henchmen negotiating with Iran to keep the hostages until after the election.

[RickThePick]

I respectfully disagree with you. We have a do-nothing commander-in chief. Is he going to bow to the pirates like he bowed to the king of Saudi Arabia? Our giggling sec of state is no help either.

[bluedov69]

What wouls like him to do Rick? Do business with him like President Bush did. Then offer to put a drums of waste material on the 42 nd street pier?

President Bush said that this was our sworn enemy but he still wanted to do business with them. Obama only bows to the king and he is a danger. Please give me a break

We had a dummy for eight years who wanted to do business with this king !

[Halter]

Teddy Roosevelt attributed this phrase as a West African adage.

[Halter]

The Church of the FSM holds that there is an inverse relationship between earth's temperature and ppiracy. It would be hard to take a stance without alienating FSMers!

[Knowledgeseeker]

Obama don't need to answer any question about the pirates, they guys are insignificant, they don't need any more publicity. the US army is on its way to deal with them...
I hope the exterminate them with bullets ....

[Roguewolf]

I didn't know the US Army had ships.

[chronic]

LOL!

[madisonhack]

Knowledgeseeker - continue to seek. Windows has built in spell-check and thesaurus for the writers who are challenged with putting together coherent posts.

[mat3]

I thought I heard him say present.

[ena]

You didn't just say that thinking that it was smart or anything did you? Is that all you got?

[phinney]

I did. I definetely heard him say present.

[mat3]

I said more than President Obama, do I win?

[Blackwell]

"I thought I heard him say present."

The dead horse called, he said to stop beating him.

[mat3]

If he's still riding it, it isn't dead.

[deadcustodian]

Ninja vs. Pirates
Arrrrrgh Matey!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-7vT4GSodk

Talk like a Pirate Day: The Five A’s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2cKCkbWDGwE

[ena]

Marvelous, I loved them. Thanks,

[eyepatch]

why comment on something when 1) you don't have all the facts
and 2) your military is in route to intercede in the situation???

seems prudent to me.......

some questions need not be immediately answered!

[chasethis]

"I like to think about things before I respond." Paraphrasing our prez, but, we gotta give him time to gather the facts.

[phinney]

Well, if that's the case, then he should shut up about the economy, as should Geitner.

[PigLipstick]

A big problem for Globalism, a major problem for America that is now almost totally an import economy. You don't have these problems when you manufacture in house. A side benefit is that everyone has a living wage job. No foreigners holding the note on our country !

[TellitLikeItIs]

PigLipstick: You've got that right!!