Thanks Be to God, Navy Seals

Just a brief note of thanks to God, and the U.S. Navy Seals for rescuing Cpt. Richard Phillips from the clutches of the Somali "pirates," And to President Obama for authorizing the use of force.

It was the first pirate operation against a U.S.-flagged ship since Stephen Decatur and the Marines took care of the Barbary pirates "on the shores of Tripoli" early in the Thomas Jefferson administration. Apparently the pirates of the world have forgotten why no one messes with a boat carrying the American flag. With three of the four pirates gone to explore the mysteries of the afterlife, perhaps those still living will now remember.

Someone also needs to remind Navy Vice Admiral Bill Gortney, who worried at a news conference today that the successful rescue might have a ripple effect causing more violence.

No, Admiral Gortney. Failure to rescue Cpt. Phillips would have had a disastrous ripple effect. Pirates firing AK-47s are already committing violence; apparently they aren't accurate shooters. The pirates who failed in their attempt to hijack the Maersk Alabama, and in kidnapping and ransoming Cpt. Phillips, not only did not collect millions of dollars in ransom money, they no longer can enjoy the booty of previous exploits. This is no longer, as some idiot proclaimed over the weekend, a "successful business model." Hard times have set in, at least for the moment. Other pirates will take notice.

Another thing: can we please, please, please stop calling these pirates "criminals"? Piracy, while it involves criminal activity, goes beyond into a level all its own. You do not subpoena them and haul their sorry selves, and their parrots, into court for arraignment and trial. Hillary Clinton's remarks about finding a 21st Century remedy to 19th Century crime is about the stupidest sentence to come out of the mouth of a secretary of state in U.S. history. In the end, we did what Mr. Jefferson opted to do: send in the experts to administer an ancient remedy proven effective against pirates of any age.

Finally, it was rather interesting the parallel between Cpt. Phillips ordeal and that of Jesus. Phillips, a Catholic from Underhill, Vt., gave himself up in exchange for the safety of his crew, knowing full well that he might not survive. After spending Good Friday, and Holy Saturday in captivity, he was freed on Easter Sunday. Some might even say allowed to start life anew.

The best any of us could ever hope for is to do our best imitation of Christ. I'd say that Cpt. Phillips has done it well.