Shores of Tripoli Part 2

Navy Seal snipers ended the hostage crisis on Easter with three simultaneous and well aimed shots into the heads of the three pirates holding an American ship captain hostage in an enclosed lifeboat. The NYT reported earlier that the navy had asked permission more than once to use deadly force to free the captain, and 44 had at last relented, giving approval if the life of the captain was in imminent danger. That moment arrived fortuitously as two of the pirates exposed themselves through an open hatch while a third was visible through an open window holding his assault rifle close to the captain. Night vision scopes and excellent marksmanship took out the pirates. A fourth, injured during the re-taking of the vessel by the crew, had already surrendered for medical care.
44 smartly took credit for the success of the mission, as was his right. If it had failed, he would not have been able to blame it on his predecessor. Lacking from his statement were details about how to prevent additional hijackings, other than it would entail working with our "partners." One assumes he was not talking about our NATO partners, who denied his request for combat troops for the war in Afghanistan. They will supply "trainers" for the Afghan army and most will leave after the upcoming elections.
44 gave no hints that the towns where the pirates live would be subject to attack. Tactically it would be best that any attacks come as a surprise. Time will tell if he chooses to be pro-active or not.

Introduction

What is the Charter Oak? And why should anyone care about it? It's the official tree of the State of Connecticut, my birthplace, for one thing. The tree itself went down in a fierce storm in 1856 on an estate in Hartford where it had stood for more than 200 years. I have a small pin with an acorn carved from the wood of the Oak. My namesake has his name on the original Charter of the Colony of Connecticut which had been granted by King Charles II in 1662. In 1687 King James II sent a representative to confiscate the charter. The document was spirited away when all the candles were blown out by the resourceful colonists and hidden in a large oak tree nearby. There it was safely concealed from its enemies until the rights of the colonists were re-affirmed later. The men who hid the charter are the spiritual ancestors of all who take risks today in defense of freedom.