Terrorize waters, face consequences

Never one to advocate violence as a means to an end, I must, nevertheless, applaud our President and the United States Military for making the right choice in freeing Capitan Richard Phillips.

What a moment of American pride to know when faced with such dire situations, we are capable of both studied patience and martial diligence. This was America at its best.

Still, this necessary action was not offensive, as much as it was defensive. Certain rouge elements of cultures can only be stopped with force. Diplomacy will not work. These Somali pirates are terrorists of greed and will not sail away empty-handed. They must be dealt with as they live, with brutal force. Terrorize international waters, face international consequences.

Moreover, America has been through the terrorist wringer the last ten years, from the Taliban to al-Qaida and beyond. We have hardened our responses in our right to exist in peace. America has bled and become stronger from that bloodshed.

If there is a lesson to be learned from this hostage taking, it is that two things stand in the way of international harmony: Extremist religious factions and the greed of wanton warlords. America in locked in a battle with the former, but if we are to show the world we mean to protect our own, we must approach the latter with calm nerves and harsh measures.

Gary Lukens

Rolling Meadows