Last week I wrote about the
Mayaguez, a US ship captured by the Khmer Rouge back in 1975, in a Memorial Day tribute to a shipmate lost at sea.
This week I learned that a United Emirates registered ship has been captured -- this time by pirates in Somalia. Twenty Filipino crew members are hostages, and one has reportedly died. This was reported by satellite phone by one of the hostages, who also said he is only being fed once a day. The hostages have been held for 9 weeks so far, but we are just hearing about it. The shipping company lied about the incident even happening until that one seaman phoned home on his satellite telephone. The story is a big one in the Philippines, but it's not getting any international coverage. The seamens' wives are appearing on TV pleading for their release -- but who is negotiating for them? The public doesn't even know who owns the ship.
At this same time, headlines are announcing that the
Somalia capitol has been captured by an Islamic Militia!
I don't know what will be done to free the Filipino hostages, but I haven't seen this news on US television. Gay marriage, the teen strangled by her bikini, and the burial of the wrong student have dominated my cable news.
I guess it has to remain that way since the president has announced that "Democracy is on the march!"
When the Mayaguez was captured, Ford and Kissinger used the opportunity to show American military dominance in the world by sending in the US Navy and some special forces. Congress was notified rather than consulted that the action would take place -- Sound familiar? Donald Rumsfeld was the White House chief of staff at the time which should come as no surprise. I don't anticipate more military action this time -- it would detract from the president's mission to advocate for an amendment banning gay marriage and if oil tankers are captured by pirates that's not good press for the War on Terror or gas prices.