I need to watch things die, from a good safe distance.

[arcadian]

Let the games begin!!!




VS.





Eye on the TV
'Cause tragedy thrills me
Whatever flavour
It happens to be like
Killed by the husband
Drowned by the ocean
Shot by his own son
She used the poison in his tea
And kissed him goodbye
That's my kinda story
It's no fun 'til someone dies

Don't look at me like
I am a monster
Frown out your one face
But with the other
Stare like a junkie
Into the tv
Stare like a zombie
While the mother
Holds her child
Watches him die
Hands to the sky crying
Why, oh why?

'Cause I need to watch things die
From a distance

Vicariously I, live while the whole world dies
You all need it too, don't lie

Why can't we just admit it?
Why can't we just admit it?

[leftstreet]

1. K&R

[dem629]

2. Awwww, the poor little pirates. :(

[Uzybone]

3. Watching Capt Phillips die would have been more fun

US Navy vs Pirates is not a fair fight. Phillips vs Somali thugs is more even.

[arcadian]

9. Phillips with a cutlass vs. pirates with clubs.

Now, there is a fight. I'd watch that instead of Idol in a heart beat.

[Uzybone]

97. apparently Capt Phillips was tied up, so he couldnt wield a cutlass

I guess you can always watch Al-Queda beheadings to get your criminal captors vs defenseless hostage fix. Sorry that the Navy spoiled the fun.

[walldude]

4. I wonder if Bush had done the same thing if DU would be shouting

USA! USA! USA! and GO TEAM and "Today we are all freepers" at the top of thier lungs.

Nevermind I'm sure they would, I'm sure they would have been thrilled with the way Bush handled it.

[Godhumor]

13. I don't have any doubt that people would be thrilled it ended with the captain being returned alive

Bush being president should not and would not have made any difference.

[jpak]

5. The "vs. folks" have 200+ hostages - how bout some sympathy for them?

Poor widdle pirates

:cry:

[ecstatic]

6. When the Captain jumped overboard, the pirates pointed their

weapons at him. It was either the Captain or the pirates. The Navy had no choice but to shoot the pirates to keep them from killing the Captain. Why don't you seem to get that?

[Bicoastal]

7. Those poor, poor pirates...

Except for the part about storming a non-military vessel with guns drawn and firing at an unarmed hostage when he tried to escape, they were totally completely 100% innocent.

[arcadian]

11. Ya hate mirrors, huh?

[Bicoastal]

19. I iz a pirate?

Yo ho ho.

[tammywammy]

8. Those poor widdle pirates. n/t

[arcadian]

10. You don't like mirrors do you?

[tammywammy]

12. I just have zero sympathy for the pirates that were killed.

But go ahead on your sanctimonious rant, I'm sure it makes you feel better.

[dem629]

15. The OP is against senseless violence.

But pirates are OK!

[ddeclue]

79. I'm sorry but the only people engaging in senseless violence here were the pirates.

They attacked an unarmed aid ship bringing supplies to starving people in Africa so that they could hold it hostage for their own personal greed.

[Arctic Dave]

101. Interesting. Was the USA in the role of "pirate" when killing Iraqis?

All this is really starting to get fun.
Was Saddam in the role of Pirite when was killing people? Is the US still in the role of Pirate when they kill innocent people while killing other pirates?

You seem to be well educating in smart things and stuff, can you spre me a brain cell or two?

[Bicoastal]

14. I do believe arcadian just called you a pirate.

Yarrrrrr, matey.

[arcadian]

22. Naa, just calling out people who eat popcorn while people die on TV.

Then cheer it on. :D

[dem629]

30. We should eat popcorn and let the pirates do what they wish.

[Bicoastal]

32. I think you underestimate how much of the joy is for the hostages, who have NOT died.

You think we're cheering death. Most of us are cheering life--and we don't take kindly to you lumping us all in the same boat.

[tammywammy]

39. What??? NO!

None of us could possibly just be happy that the captain is alive!

*gasp*

[jpak]

48. The rescue - like the revolution - was not televised

was not televised

was not televised

was not televised

You will not see freepers gnashing their teeth in poutrage on cable TV

You will not see Newt Gingrich chasing his tail on the White House lawn in a leisure suit he saved for this special occasion

You will see Americans thankful for the safe retrun of the ship's crew.

The rescue will not be televised.

But the thanksgiving and relief brother, will be live

:D

[tammywammy]

24. I hate that my weekend activites have now been declared out in the open

What can I say...

[Hanse]

16. Can we talk about the real reason this is so "compelling" to certain people?

Because it was a white guy victimized by black guys?

[Bicoastal]

23. O...M...G...

...now we're all racists.

[trotsky]

130. C'mon, you knew that was coming sooner or later. n/t

[dem629]

25. LOL.

The defense of the pirates has reached a new low.

Now, if you're happy about the outcome, it's because you're (drumroll, please....) RACIST!

:rofl:

[jpak]

27. Now that's just plain stupid

The RW pilloried Barack *Hussein* Obama for wearing Somali garb in Kenya.

So now this a a racial issue between the Obama administration and the Somalis?

just

plain

dumb

[Hanse]

34. The Obama administration? No.

The racist and xenophobic american public and their racist media.

Same phenomenon with the little white girls that go missing.

You'll notice nobody ever concerned themselves with the pirates until a white American got kidnapped.

[dem629]

42. Nobody concerned themselves?

This has been covered in the media for quite a while. Your lack of attention is your own fault.

Other countries have taken action against the pirates when their citizens were held hostage.

Some chose not to and they are STILL being held hostage.

Sorry if we've offended your beloved pirates! Too fucking bad.

[Hanse]

49. No, not at all.

Well, some people were concerned about piracy.

But not the American public at large. Or DU. Or all the keyboard commandos.

"Sorry if we've offended your beloved pirates! Too fucking bad."

That doesn't even make any sense. You sound upset. I must have really hit the nail on the head.

[dem629]

54. Oh. So nobody was concerned. Except for those who were.

Got it. You're a bright one.

I'm not upset at all. I'm glad the captain is free and some of the pirates paid for their crimes against him. More to come.

[Hanse]

57. Well, I don't think you were.

If that's what you're asking.

I don't really think you're all that concerned for the captain either.

[dem629]

62. Well, believe what you like. Clearly you're given to wild insanity.

[Hanse]

63. Oh c'mon.

If this had been resolved peacefully, you would have been disappointed.

[dem629]

64. As far as I'm concerned

it was resolved peacefully.

The captain is uninjured.

As for your pirates, not so much.

[Hanse]

71. As far as I'm concerned...

dead pirates is all you're interested in.

Hell, if the captain had been killed in crossfire, I doubt you'd be getting worked up over that either.

[dem629]

74. As I said before, believe whatever you wish. I'm sure your shrink could use the extra sessions.

Here's a flag at half-mast so you can mourn.

[Hanse]

81. Did you hear about that white sunday school teacher that killed that little white girl?

Pretty juicy story, huh?

[mrbarber]

100. Yadda yadda yadda.

Keep ASSuming, if you it makes you feel better.

Some of us will be happy at the safe return of an innocent hostage, although that seems to be infuriate you. Too bad, so sad.

[sendero]

111. No I would not..

... and it could have been easily.

I feel sorry for NO ONE that tries to take at the point of a gun.

That would be the pirates. I don't give a FUCK what their reasons are, they have and could have killed and when you take hostages at gunpoint YOU ARE SIGNING YOUR OWN DEATH WARRANT.

[Bicoastal]

47. AS OPPOSED TO ALL THOSE BLACK AMERICANS KIDNAPPED BY PIRATES?!

JESUS CHRIST this argument has hit a new low.

[Hanse]

51. So you're admitting nationality is the important qualifier.

Well there you go.

[Bicoastal]

59. And if our military went around DOING something about pirates...

...the same people would accuse of meddling in the affairs of other countries and trying to "police the world."

Here it is, our military defends one of our own--defends it well--and for some, that's a problem.

[jpak]

55. Was it a full moon last night - or did you eat too many peeps today?

koo koo

koo koo

koo koo

[MadHound]

69. The only thing that I'm noticing is that you haven't been reading the news for the past few years

I have, and I was noticing these pirate attacks four years ago or so. Hell, there were articles in the papers, reports on NPR, reports on television, hell there were threads here on DU.

People noticed, wondered what to do, and all seemed happy with the arrangement, which was essentially an arrangement between private parties, those who owned the ship and the pirates.

An American ship got taken, and for the first time, a government decided to employ military force, yes, that makes the news. Yes, it was due to an American being held hostage, but to say that race played any part in this is simply ignorant.

Your obsession over race is as bad as any white supremacist's obsession over race. Both fail to believe that race is not a factor in most events that take place in this world. Both are equally wrong.

[Hanse]

91. People didn't give a shit about piracy until this incident...

and now they're going to stop caring now that it's over.

[MadHound]

106. Gee, I guess YOU weren't paying attention last fall when that Saudi oil tanker was seized by pirates

Not our fault that you weren't paying attention, hell, it was front page news for days, people found it abhorrent, amusing, were worried about whether an environmental disaster would occur, etc. But I guess you weren't paying attention.

Nor were you apparently paying attention a couple of years ago when the pirates seized a UN cargo ship that was delivering aid. Again, front page news, top of the TV headlines, etc.

And it sounds like you weren't paying attention three years ago when the pirates seized a South Korean ship. The US Navy was dispatched to help, but was forced to back off when the pirates threatened the crew with death. Again, front page news, top of the TV headlines, etc.

Sounds to me like the rest of the world was paying attention, and actually did give a shit about piracy. It just seems to me that you, in your little insular world missed out on this, didn't read the news, etc. Not our fault if you don't keep up with current events, and really now, you should stop projecting your lack of engagement and caring onto the rest of us.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

76. Dude. This is the first time the pirates have kidnapped ANY American.

Do you really think that if Phillips had been black the whole incident would have been ignored? Are you nuts or just stupid?

[Hanse]

89. well, now that supports my point, doesn't it.

Nationalism is just another form of racism.

[Bicoastal]

94. I guess Barack Obama hates Africans too...

...since it was he who gave his approval to the military to use force on the pirates.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iqznz3bUMKIUbrDYAUHHuMQ4vyJAD97H4LVO0

[cali]

31. you're a sick little person.. get the help. you so desperately need.

oh yeah, and fuck that bullshit you're spewing out of your... wherever.

[Hanse]

38. I think the same of you and your obsession with this story.

All your weird posts about this and Obama?

Makes me think you're not playing with a full deck.

Well, those, and plenty of your other ideas.

[cali]

75. simple, dear. Captain Phillips lives a few towns over from me

I know Underhill well and quite a few people there- though not Phillips. It's a Vermont thing.

As for you, well, contemptible sums up your sick as shit posts. And not very swift either. Oh, and did I say you need serious help from your local MH agency? Just do it.

[Hanse]

83. Ah, geography.

That makes all the difference.

:crazy:

[Bicoastal]

90. Just admit it, Cali...

...you're a bloodthirsty racist xenophobe because Hanse here sez so.

[cali]

93. hansy is a real

winner, ain't he/she?

[PopSixSquish]

36. Not I Phrase I Use Often But....EPIC FAIL!!!!!!!

[ecstatic]

43. No. I think you're the first person to bring up that angle nt

[Uzybone]

53. Nice projection there

I have a hard time believing that anyone else on this board thought about that insane angle other than you. Thats pretty sick.

[dem629]

67. Exactly. I'm convinced it's just trolling now.

[JVS]

56. Oh shit!

:popcorn:

[TahitiNut]

68. Well, I'll be damned. It didn't even occur to me.

Thank God. :shrug: I guess this is one time I'm kinda glad to be blissfully unaware.

(I'd hate to be you.)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

70. Oh, fer fuck's sake.

That's the dumbest comment Ive seen on DU in at least ... oh, maybe an hour or so.

:eyes:

[doctor jazz]

84. Exactly because we all know there has never been a black criminal.

...

[TK421]

86. You have got to be fucking kidding, right? Please tell me you just forgot

the sarcasm tag

[HughMoran]

17. Mmmmmm - killlllll!!

Who doesn't love a good bloodbath first thing in the morning! :)

[Political Tiger]

18. Are the pirates victims?

Did they not start this? Did they not use weapons against unarmed people? Did they not hold a innocent man against his will at gunpoint?

[PopSixSquish]

20. Oh For the Love of God

Either start drinking or stop...

And if the Obama administration did nothing and Captain Phillips ended up dead, what would your reaction have been?

[EFerrari]

60. arcadian has said about ten times that this isn't about the pirates or the outcome

but about the blood lust with a nice side of nationalism.

[Bicoastal]

72. What is "nationalism" to you?

Is it nationalist to be happy that--FOR ONCE--our military did exactly what it was supposed to do? Protect its own citizens from certain harm without escalating the conflict?

The Freepers do not have a monopoly on pride in our armed forces.

[EFerrari]

112. There's nothing wrong with being happy or even proud of how well this went.

But it is twisted when people salivate over destruction and dress it up in the flag.

And, Bicoastal, I don't give a flying f#ck what freepers do, say or feel.

[PopSixSquish]

73. Arcadian Has Another Post in This Forum About the Very Same Topic

This post is nothing but shit-stirring with pictures. So, I suggest he take up a new hobby...

[arcadian]

80. Bullshit. This post is about media manipulation and bloodlust.

[PopSixSquish]

92. Well Then Direct it at the Media

Posting song lyrics on DU ain't gonna help you make your point...

[EFerrari]

114. Those lyrics made his point very well. Do you have a reading problem?

[EFerrari]

113. Oh, baloney. I know arcadian's posts. He doesn't do that. n/t

[ddeclue]

21. Boo f'ing hoo.. pirates out to get rich vs. aid ship bringing supplies to starving people

and you want us to feel sorry for the PIRATES?

Not a chance...

:crazy:

[cali]

26. awww, did you want to Captain Phillips killed? Poor you.

Many of us, don't get any thrill out of the deaths of the pirates. I am thrilled about Captain Phillips.

[MadMaddie]

28. I don't get it, it seems that people are okay with Pirates

committing crimes? Why is that? They boarded a ship with AK47's and they would have used them if they needed too.

If this happened in your neighborhood and the SWAT team takes out gangbangers or robbers who have threatened you and your family would you feel the same way.

These Pirates had every chance to release the Captain and surrender, they CHOSE not too. What is so hard to understand about that?

The Captain saw a window of opportunity to jump from the boat and what did the Pirates do? They tried to shoot him in the back and that sealed their fate.

These Pirates made their choice and it cost them their lives.

[MadHound]

29. I don't have much sympathy for thugs that take over unarmed ships, in international waters

Who are currently holding over two hundred hostages, who have killed and looted. When you are engaged in pirating, sooner or later you're going to run into somebody with a bigger ship, or more ships than you have.

The pirates could have simply returned Phillips to the Navy and they would be alive right now. Instead they tried to continue to hold Phillips hostage, even when the odds were clearly not in their favor. Sorry, but that sheer stupidity. Then they threatened Phillip's life, well, when you're surrounded by the US Navy, and threaten the life of an American sailor, you're going to wind up killed or wounded.

What, you would rather have allowed Phillips to die? Paid a ransom? What other options can you come up with?

[MadMaddie]

33. I am with you MadHound!

[tammywammy]

46. If we have just asked nicely

You know, pretty please with a cheery on top, will you pllllease return Captain Phillips, the pirates clearly would have done it.

[arcadian]

50. My posts isn't any judgement call on the pirates.

My posts cocerns the bloodlust by "some" people on DU. People just really don't like having mirrors held up in their faces. Amazing how obtuse, "some" people are and intentionally so.

[MadHound]

85. Yet instead of thread calling out "some" people on DU,

You post a broad based attack on all the folks on DU. This isn't holding mirrors up to people's faces, this is you trying to imply that if somebody was happy that Phillips was safely recovered and didn't properly mourn the pirates, then that person is an asshole. Sorry, that doesn't fly.

The vast majority on this board are happy that Phillips was returned safe and sound. Very few are wallowing in the death of the pirates. For you to call out the DU community in this manner is over the top and frankly flamebait. And by your snarky little comments I think that's what you wanted, a thread or two where you can berate people for being happy. Aren't you just the fine one:eyes:

[Raineyb]

35. I find it particularly distasteful that these same people who seem to relish

this particular situation didn't seem to give two shits about the problem before a lone American captain became a hostage. There have been ships being boarded from other countries and no one said boo.

It's looking very much like the stereotypical ugly American.

It's really not pretty.

[leftstreet]

40. +1

Well said.

[ddeclue]

45. No I wanted something done about it several years ago..

and its about damned time.

[dem629]

58. Awww. Do you need a tissue?

Other countries have taken action against the pirates when their citizens were held hostage. Some countries did nothing and their citizens are still held hostage.

Seriously. Check out the news sometime.

[Raineyb]

122. I'm well aware that other countries have taken action. What part of this has been going on for some

time tells you that this is new? Perhaps some remedial reading comprehension would be in order. My point is that ON THIS BOARD no one gave a bloody damn before it was reported that an AMERICAN pilot was taken. Then all of a sudden it's crucial and something must be done. It's extremely disingenuous to say the very, very, least.

[Phoonzang]

37. Maybe we should have hugged them into surrendering then. nt

[patrice]

41. You need a brand logo for Proxy Wars from Wars 'R' Us

[Pavulon]

44. Backwards..

mcdonalds fries are tasty..BMW makes a great car. heinikin is skunky, but drinkable. DHL almost bankrupt...

We all have to die sometime. Someone has to do it in an entertaining way once in a while.

[patrice]

78. Let us know when you're ready to entertain "us".

I'm sure Faux news will want to be a part of it.

[Pavulon]

88. One never knows..Strange News

is filled with all kinds of stupid shit. Again those guys chose to be there, choose not to surrender. They made that call and died for it.

This OP is all wound up on this topic.

[patrice]

95. I understand how the Pirates got to be who they are and, as oppressed as they are, Choice is still

what makes a human a human, so not living with the consequences of one's choices is a negation of human dignity. Simply put, I feel for them, but I don't excuse them.

[skooooo]

52. stupidest post i've seen in a while..actually. nt

[DS1]

61. Don't bring Tool into this, you ignorant douche

Screw the pirates

[EFerrari]

65. And speaking of ignorant douches, no one is defending them.

[arcadian]

77. And aren't you so cutting edge?

With your keffiyeh. :eyes:

[DS1]

82. I met a boy wearing Vans (skip to the chorus)

[Lone_Star_Dem]

66. Asinine post

It's not as if the armed assailants didn't have ample time to release their hostage unharmed. They chose not to, just as they chose to take him hostage in the first place. Attempting to portray them as victims, rather than the desperate criminals they are/were is beyond the pale. It's a shame anyone had to lose their lives, but that doesn't make them martyrs.

[comrade snarky]

87. Yeah! Some of those poor Germans didn't want to join the SS

They were forced into it by circumstance. Just like those Somali's who took to piracy.
We should have risked more or our peoples lives to take them alive and hold them for trial. If it cost the lives or health of 10 of our people to capture the pirates alive it would have been worth it right? Our Navy seals knew what they signed up for so fuck em.

Jesus, these may be the stupidest threads I've ever seen on DU. Yes, I'm happy the captain and crew are safe and I'm NOT sorry it cost the lives of the criminals.

Games... Seriously, fuck you and the sanctimonious horse you ride in on. I've never put anyone on ignore, not even through the primaries but you, your posts have been so lacking in thought or the ability to listen to what another poster is saying, you may just make it.

[rockymountaindem]

108. I can't believe all the sympathy for people who hijacked a food aid ship n/t

Shouldn't we all feel bad for the people who could have been denied food by this criminal act? Well?

[Ikonoklast]

96. Criminals made their choices. They chose...badly.

No tears. They knew what they would be up against.

[Odin2005]

98. The pirates can go fuck themselves.

That there are DUers defending these jokers is disgusting.

[DS1]

99. I think your seeing the result of people who have been nothing but fucking losers their entire life

getting on the Internet and not being able to stand that fact that our guys won. It just doesn't process with them.

[mrbarber]

104. The captain of this story's crime is that he was a white American.

And no matter what, that makes him the villain, no matter the circumstances.

[arcadian]

125. Nevermind

You're an idiot

[slay]

102. Interesting post - something to think about - yet most will just flame you

I like your post. Are we happy cause we are wrapped in patriotism? Are the USA always good guys? Look at what we have vs what they have. The reality of living in somalia is terrifying. Also the fact that we are a vicariously entertained nation by these and other similar stories.

I'm not saying what we did was wrong - but more than just celebrating, it can be a time to look at some serious questions as well. Just don't be too surprised when quite a few DU'ers don't want to see it that way. Thanks for posting this though.

[slay]

105. test

now i see why my post duped - is not even showing up as my post under MyDu... weird.. so just testing a reply to it

[varkam]

109. Goodness. An actual, thoughtful message. And it only took until...oh...102 posts.

Yeesh.

[EFerrari]

116. It's like people are reading some alternate OP.

:crazy:

[arcadian]

120. Thanks.

At least somebody understands me. :rofl:

[LanternWaste]

137. When I find myself misunderstood...

When I find myself misunderstood by a large segment of my readers, more often than not it's simply because I'm not doing an adequate job explaining my position, and/or offering valid alternatives. :shrug:

[slay]

103. dupe

woops -= don't know how it posted twice

[Laelth]

107. Profound.

I won't be watching.

:dem:

-Laelth

[Renew Deal]

110. The difference between you and most sane people is you'd like to see hostages die

And pirates live.

[EFerrari]

115. You completely missed the point. Congratulations! You should get something for that

because this is a long thread and it's been explained 25 times already.

[Renew Deal]

127. The point is completely clear.

Now, if that's not what the OP intended, they wouldn't have to explain it 25 times.

[EFerrari]

136. The OPs point was very clear. That you don't understand it is your problem. n/t

[RetroLounge]

117. Epic fail

:puke:

RL

[arcadian]

119. Epic win!

:thumbsup: :hi:

[ShareTheWoods]

118. I guess you have never had to stop someone from killing you

Killing someone up close and personal is no better than from a distance.

Until you have done either one, none of the cute links to pictures will make a dent in the reality of the situation.

[arcadian]

121. What the fuck are you talking about?

:wtf:

[ShareTheWoods]

124. stopping someone from killing you

As long as you stop them, it does not matter if they are near or far. The close they get, the better
chance they have of succeeding.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

123. 100 feet isn't very far away.

[nichomachus]

126. We're Americans goddamit -- we blow stuff up -- that's what we're good at. Yay us!

[redqueen]

128. Oh, the drama.

[we can do it]

129. Fuck ANYONE Who Kidnaps Someone for Money

They deserve what they got.

[progressoid]

131. I love these humorous threads!

:thumbsup: It would be even better if I was still drunk!

[jmg257]

132. Rest in pieces, assholes.

[LanternWaste]

133. And the appropriate and valid response in kind should have been...?

And the appropriate and valid response in kind should have been precisely what? The consequences of that would have been precisely what? The precise and measurable cost in dollars of your alternative wold have been what? The prevention of loss of innocent life would have been assured by what? The valid, objectively measurable consequence of your proposed (?) scenario would have been what?



And of course the preceding does beg one last question, on what precisely do you base these answers... ?

[WeDidIt]

134. TEH STOOOOPID!

it burns.

[Vickers]

135. That's the worst song on the worst Tool album.

Oh, and fuck the pirates, matey.