Tuesday 14 April 2009

Quote of the Day: Mark Steyn

Civilization is not an evolution of mankind but the imposition of human good on human evil. It is not a historical inevitability. It is a battle that has to be fought every day, because evil doesn’t recede willingly before the wheels of progress."

So gratifying, in reflecting on those words, to see the ObaMessiah fronting up against the evil of piracy, in much the same manner as did Jefferson against the Barbary Pirates. Lindsay Perigo offers praise where it's due:

President Obama is to be congratulated for authorising the use of lethal force instead of making a YouTube video appealing to the savages' non-existent good faith. Let us hope this lesson in the realities of the world—that there are bad guys in it—has come early enough in his presidency to effect the rescue of America from his appeasement of the likes of Iran and North Korea.

The world is a more civilised place today for the Navy Seals' heroics over the weekend, in precisely the manner Steyn describes. Let us hope the lesson will be seen elsewhere.

5 comments:

KG said...

I'd think twice before giving Obama any credit at all for this. The Maersk captain had a gun at his back and under the ROE all military units operate under they're authorised to use force if a life is at imminent risk.
Obama could have done absolutely nothing (and probably did) and the outcome would have been the same.
Giving him credit is media spin.

Mark said...

Yeah KG I agree, but Obama might now see that the military does a good job in protect US interests around the world.

If he takes the kudos for this hopeful he is more likely to support future military options.

KG said...

Fair point Mark.:-)

Observer said...

Actually dear folk,
Obama had to authorise the mission, which gave the ship's captain the ability to order the snipers to follow the rules of engagement. So he was, to a degree, involved!

The person to give kudos to is the one who, on seeing that all three pirates were in sight for the first time, gave the order to shoot. You have to wonder how long they would have all stayed visible, and the reaction times of the spotter and sharpshooters to that visibility and order. THAT my friends is capability AND discipline!

BR said...

The US navy has the authorisation to attack pirate vessels wherever they are found without obtaining permission from the president. They have had that authorisation for more than 150 years.

Bill.