Reasserting the Freedom of the Seas

U.S. Navy Seals, proving once again that you don't mess with U.S. Navy Seals, rubbed out three of the four pirates who held Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips hostage since Wednesday. The fourth is in custody and faces a life sentence in the U.S. for piracy and hostage taking.

Phillips's family could not have received better news on Easter Sunday than to hear about his rescue and safe return. The man is indeed a hero for being willing to trade his own life for that of his crew and he should be duly recognized as such.

President Obama deserves a nod of support for his actions here, too. Truthfully, I feared that his relative silence on the situation would lead to his attempt to try to engage the pirates diplomatically. That is laughable prospect, but this administration hasn't been a dazzler on the foreign policy front so far. I'm glad he proved me wrong here.