A Few Questions about Barack Obama have been answered.

Hello ParaTed, Bob Beckel declared this morning that Obama had a total of 17 meetings about this Capt. Phillips/pirate issue. Though, what constitutes a "meeting" is often no more than a query or a comment. At the onset, the president would have been asked by the Joint Chiefs of Staff for the authority to respond with military force. That decision would most surely have been granted early on, and would not have had to have been revisited, as the saga unfolded. I believe that all Americans have cause to celebrate the release of Capt. Phillips. I believe that U.S. Service men & women, as well as numerous law enforcement agents, as well as Capt. Phillips himself and perhaps certain of his crew are deserving of a hero's praise. If this incident demonstrates that President Obama did his job well, I'm not seeing how. I'm also not suggesting that he didn't do his job well. I'm simply a bit confused over how this incident, in any way demonstrates that Obama did his job well. Can anyone imagine any president refusing to grant the Joint Chiefs the authority to use military force in a situation such as the one? I see no circumstance where that permission would have ever been witheld, by even the most 'dove' of presidents. Frankly, I will withold judgement of Obama's performancer to wit, unless and until I learn that he used the power of the office in direct state to state level negotiations with either Somalia directly, or neighboring African nations in an effort to pressure Somalia into constricting the potential for an increase in aggression from other pirates who nest in Somalia's port cities. Or, some other direct intervention. As it is, we have no corroboration that Obama did anything but grant permission to the Joint Chiefs for them to do what they do best. To be fair to Obama, now is his time to either shine or not. What he does now, the decisions and the policy initiatives that stem henceforth, after the fact, will be a much better indicator of how 'involved' he may or may not have been. What makes me skeptical is Hillary Clinton's early response, indicating that this piracy incident was "criminal", as opposed to the first nautical attack on USA sovereignty in approximately 200 years! If this whole issue of piracy is allowed to by defined by the designation of criminality, then I have very low expectations for what Obama actually did over the course of the past few days, as well as what I expect from him in the future, as it pertains to this issue. Perhaps I'm missing something. If so, I sincerely welcome enlightenment. However, I remain befuddled over how this incident may be used to gauge President Obama's job performance, or even his direct involvement in the incident. Is my reservation based on the "we're talking housing" comment? Yes, of course it is. I find that response as truly surreal. It can certainly be interpreted in any number of ways. Though, it will likely 'dog' Obama as something that he will regret for a very long time to come. I was reminded of Obama's criticism of John McCain during the bailout debacle -- when McCain returned to DC and Obama remained on the campaign trail .... Obama suggested that a president should be able to do more than one thing at a time. Didn't Obama's 'we're talking the housing crisis' comment demonstrate a distinct inability to walk & chew gum at the same time?

I am not sure how politics work in th US, I am an Aussie but never really look at any decision to be wholly for one person surely, woukld it not be a party decision any way....I would hate to think such important decisions rely solely on one person but then I guess judges do that ....I guess I feel no-one should have such a big responsibility...

I also think he handled this well. I think not commenting or allowing the press to bate him was a smart move. Also, he trusted the military to handle things after he gave his order. This is the kind of calm, level headed leadership we could use more of and I hope he provides it.

Yes, I have to give props on this decision. It doesn't give him a pass on all the other uncosntitutional BS he has pulled since entering office but at least he showed he has a spine with this decision and for that, I will applaud him.

Everyone behind the scenes did their job well and with good results, including our new President. Even I am willing to give credit where it is due, and I am pleased that the President handled this crisis well and that Captain Phillips is free.

I am really not sure what is so suprising that he would order it. I am glad that he did... But if someone can say it's okay to kill innocent babies through late term abortions, he had better not have to think twice about killing people who pose a threat to so many other peoples lives. It was a good move on his part but not one that deserves any extra noteriety. Many presidents have had to make much harder decisions and never gotten anything but bashed for it.

I agree. President Obama for the most part does not impress me. But I feel he stepped up and made the right decision. I would like to say that if I were in tha position, I would have chosen the same. But people need to realize that there is always more information that what we get. I am very happy with his decision.

I'm so thankful this turned out as it did and I agree, it could easily have had a far different ending. Like most Americans, I've been following this story but I must confess, with the Easter holiday weekend, I hadn't followed it as closely over the weekend as I normally would have. I agree our new President did good in this and I also want to say you did good, Ted, in giving this fair assessment of the events that unfolded and in giving credit where it's due to President Obama. I'll tell you what, I'd sure never want to be forced to make decisions like this but all concerned made the right ones, in my opinion. I was amazed to hear earlier tonight about how many millions of dollars is paid in ransom to pirates each year worldwide. Many people I know had no idea pirates in this sense even really existed today! When they think of "pirates" they envision the "Pirates of the Caribbean" ride and movies and not something that's going on right now. I'm glad that in this real life story the pirates didn't prevail and I appreciate the efforts of all the unsung heroes involved in this. Annie

As a Canadian, and Great Admirer of President Obama, let me say,"I told you so!" Congrats to Para Ted for having the guts to write this Post! I've maintained all along - Obama is the Greatest American President in the last 100 years. Even though President Obama would have done almost anything to save the Captain without taking a Life, he could find no way out of the situation, so He gave the order! God Save President Obama!

President Obamas involvement in the decision was legally required officials said because it was a hostage situation and not combat. It he would have disastrous for his career if the Captain was killed. GO NAVY! I have two brothers retired from the Navy, one was a chief. I'm so proud of the Navy and am happy that they have finely shown the nation how great they are. Lol, I was watching Larry King the other night and he said he didn't know Navy Seals were marksmen. He thought they only dove under water and planted bombs.