Capt. Richard Philips on Today Show | 04/27/2009 10:50 am
Captain Richard Philips on 'Today Show': 'I Didn't Think I'd Ever Get Out of That Boat' (Video)
MSNBC
Richard Philips, the American captain held hostage by Somali pirate for five days, will appear on "The Today Show" tomorrow, but Matt Lauer offered viewers a preview of their conversation this morning. And it’s pretty grim. Philips tells Lauer that he "came to the conclusion" that he would never get off the boat and certainly never see his family again. It’s a morbid thought, yes, but after being taken captive, Philips worried he was "looking at the end." So, he spent the next few days reconciling any emotional hangups he may had because "I didn’t think I’d ever get out of that boat." A heartbreaking thought, and we’re happy his prediction turned out to be wrong.
Watch this preview of Philips’ exchange with Lauer:
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C Hardy….your post is more accurate than you realize. Word is that he could have been rescued earlier, but Obama would not give the order to the seal teams for over 36 hours.
Obama further imposed restrictions on their rules of engagement, which did not allow them to do anything unless the Capt. was in imminant danger. The first time that the Capt. jumped, the pirates were sighted in but not allowed to shoot. Indeed w even when the pirates fired on the Navy, the seals were not allowed to return fire.
Obama denied two seal team plans. Finally the seal team decided the On Scene Commander decided that they did have the authority to determine the risk to the hostage and took control. Not having heard from Washington from the day before, the Navy officer took the matter into his own hands. It was his sole decision that a clear and present danger was the case and ordered the team to take their shots.
Instead of a stand off that should have lasted no more than a few hours, this Capt. had to endure four days of captivity not knowing if he would live or die.
4 pirates with rifles held the US Navy at bay…for no good reason other than Obama could not give a decisive order.
"word is’ that’s a bunch of right wing nonsense made up because this president handled this situation so impeccably that we have a living Captain to show for it… NOT in the Right Wing Spin Plan.
Not like a president who refuses to leave his vacation, while American citizens are drowning in a hurricane and takes 2 days to even make a statement on tv about it! It is really shameful that the right would condone that behavior, yet make stuff up about how Obama handled this situation, merely because he handled it perfectly.
Well DeBurca…it does come out…the Seals know the story….Obama gave them no choice but for "a clear and present danger", they decided it was time enough. His is so inexperienced that even a decision to take over a life boat with 4 pirates took him days to resolve…sad and ridiculous.
Bush again DeBurca? Hmmm that means that the reports have struck a nerve, as they should.
How about the devastation of flooding in Iowa? Where is the concern from Obama? NO WHERE. No federal governmemt concern for them, no FEMA, no trailers, NO NOTHING. No free hotels. No one is screaming that someone blew up their levys. There are no liberal actors or comedians or singers speaking out for these people!
And guess what, no one is looting and stealing. Where is the coverage on this disaster? No one is screaming that Obama hates white rural people! Where is Angelina when they need her? Vouchers anyone? Government debit cards..where?
The difference between Katrina and Iowa? The values of the people…don’t give me the same old hullabaloo about Katrina.
Enough. Obamas adscence speaks volumes…
His story is tragic and unimaginable, but how amazing to hear him share it all in his own words - he exemplifies courage!