Ex President Bush's having incurred a debt not that much smaller than Obama's is a huge factor in all of this; it takes more to clean up a mess than to make one.

Hi Rick,
First my greetings and s
Hi Rick,
First my greetings and sympathy to the family of captain Philips and those other sailors on board Mearsk Alabama cargo ship. As a Somali now living in Atlanta (GA) originally from Mogadishu (Somalia) and from the central regions of Somalia where most of Somali problems, including the piracy, brew) I am disgusted and sickened hearing bad news after bad news that sets Somalia agenda of stability and back to be an active member nation of the international community after nearly 20 years of civil unrest and modern anarchy. Although it is a tragic and shame action to see my beloved country being portrayed this way, I think this will put Somalia back on the global spotlight for positive action being taken against not only the pirates but the core source of the problem which is lack of central government that is able and willing to work with the rest of the world.

Thanks

With regards to the Pirates on the Life Boat. Anyone thought of dragging a large rubber tarp over that puppy and then hoisting it with a large Helicopter... then setting it down on the middle of an U.S. Naval ship or heck the middle of the desert?

They'll come out sooner or later...

How about a Navy Seal with a drill??? Make small leaks don't want to sink it too fast...just for psychological effect..

Hey Rick! What does the US know about the pirates? Are they rebels trying to survive in their wore torn country? or are they vicious, greedy men taking what they want? My point is, let's find out who and why these men are doing this!

Why doesn't the Navy put divers into the water to covertly attack, put the pirates to sleep with some sort of incapacitant, and end this. Then send in airstrikes to wipe out these pirate strongholds. In the days of the Barbary Pirates our Navy didn't mess around. Where is Stephen Decatur when you need him?

Rick Sanchez is the world's biggest douche.

Rick,

I am really disapointed with CNN coverage on the Human Rights aspect of the Immigration issue. As it pertains to the Spouses of US Citizens it seems there is no discussion of the rights of Citizens to live in the same country as foriegn national spouses. Harsh and draconian laws like the 3,10 and permanent bars to re-entry for civil immigration infractions affect and destroy families that contain US Citizens. US Citizen Spouses do not want more or different rights just the same rights as other citizens to live in the US with thier family.

Mixed status families need Immigration reform for Family Unity it is not getting the press it deserves. I know of a woman who is dying of cancer and the government will not let her husband in the country to be with her. Other families have children on Active Duty many are Veterans and cannot live in the country they served with thier spouse and children. This is an important story that is being ignored.

Rick, you're not very bright. You should read more.

why does the us navy not send in their seals to take the lifeboat. off somalia coast??? surely the seals could attck from underwater

Is it true that the Obama's new dog, BO, was responsible for the rescue of Captain Phillips? After all, he is a water dog!

You know,one of the most obnoxious things about Cable "news" right now is how much time these "news" organizations spend trying to embarrass and/or discredit competitors;I don't watch much Fox,but trying to blame them for shootings really seems pretty lame ,unprofessional,and insulting to ordinary Americans;;"dumb red staters believing everything they see on Fox and going on killing sprees?That's the narrative?You embarrass yourself as just another partisan hack on cable along with Olbermann,O'rReily,Meadow,etc..We have too many of these types already;When are we going to have another Ted Koppel?Someone with intellectual honesty,courage and integrity?I know the Circus makes big money but you're the one who has to look at those clown shoes at the end of the day.

I have a question????? The ship that was carrying cargo to Kenya and other African Countries– Was that food for the hungry that American are GIVING OR selling?

I hope President Obama will make a trip to Kenya to celebtrate with the men of the Alabama. While there, he can visit with relatives and enjoy walking around his hometown!

Rick-

I am glad this ended and hopefully pirates were taught a lesson. However, I am bit disappointed that no on has been talking about the big picture and the cause of this piracy crisis. I've visited this part of the country and the number #1 reason this started long ago was due to these foreign western ship either fishing illegally and damaging local fishers boats and other fishing equipments. There are also evidence of nuclear toxic waste being dumped along the cost of Somalia.

It is really sad it has come to this and I was hoping many would raise the critical issues...

Thanks

Hey Rick,
Why don't they send decoy ships into the area with special forces aboard. After trying to capture one of those boats and getting captured or killed, they might think twice about going after the next ship.

Presidential?? No. Quiet because if it went sour he could blame the Navy. If it went well then he could use it in his ongoingmnre election campaign.

The actions taken by the special forces to rescue the captain should be taken on all hostage taking situations. The people (pirates) who are doing this will then realise what they will have comming to them everytime they do such acts. Gary from Canada

Presidential?? No. Quiet because if it went sour he could blame the Navy. If it went well then he could use it in his on going re election campaign. Either wy he comes out the winner.

Scott explained to you in a great way how the president handled this event at sea...We don't need to know everything the president is doing or saying. Thank you, Pam

What a monumental step forward toward resolving the U.S. and Cuba's relationship. Thank-you President Obama.

Rick,

International law allows merchant vessels to be armed provided that it is for self defense. Apparently, the pirates are attacking these vessels with small boats. Why aren't these vessels mounting guns in order to defend themselves against these pirates. Surely this is less expensive than paying tens of millions of dollars in ransom and an unkown amount of lost cargo.

Allen

Rick!.. I like you show – I was in Mog back in 1995-96 before we closed it down permanently with the help of KBR (aka: Halliburton's underdog) – I was instrumental in ensuring all of our equipment was shipped out on Russian LOLO ships (man where they a mess!) and all UN equipment was sent from there to the Brindisi warehouse in Italy – You or someone should do show on that place! – and a majority of all equipment (from computers to tanks/AH-1 Cobras) where assigned to other hot spots such as Kosovo, Rwanda, etc – which I also went to. To make it short there are over 300 clans fighting for power – I was surprised to see and meet Mohammed Aidee'd son on a breakfast morning there – I knew he was an ex-Marine (Corporal!) and he is now empowered by (the CIA) and hoping to take his place in Somalia history – we are still working behind closed doors with him and his clans. but the pirates are from another area (another town) and I know that he is against this pirates who are just bored Muslims with AK-47s to amuse themselves at human risks!. We need to see about getting MPRI or Dyncorp and even yes, even Blackwater the authority and contracts to escort ships coming to and from both Bahrain, Kuwait and other countries for self-defense. The rethorics from Al Gur are just that – Talks – he cannot backup what he says half the time – he is but one minor warlord with very little power except what the does best – attempts at usurping money from boats he and is little minions try to get – and the money is then turned into buying more arms, more phones (the S. Korean have a thriving Cell business there and so do the Chinese! – another lead there Dude!) – war is profits – make no mistakes – it always amaze me on how creative this people can be – mounting a AAA gun on the back of a mitsubishi pickup truck! – that shows ingeneousness to say the least – but this creativity could be channeled towards something more creative!. they have the capabilites. the guys that worked for me in Mogadishu where highly educated – graduating from Mogadishu University – and one was an ex-finance minister for the former power at be before Aideed got killed!. The country has very little resources – and there is no employment of any sort – except for 12-10 years old being showed into manhood and proving their abilities with an AK-47 or a M-16 which is almost as big as they are!. Shame – that the Shaira's would concentrate on war and not learning!. But this muslim enclave is ripe for the picking and Al-Queada bases have been and are successfully recruiting fanatics and training them there – we know this – and we are just a step from using this excuse to force our powers at will to this ungodly place – a place I called evil incarnate – where God does not exits, nor reside in!. They (some of the clans) think that by shooting our helicopters (blackhawk down!) – which was just a fluke really – that they have "wiped the Americans" and they will do it again!.. NOT!. Again – what I saw from their fighting skills – is nothing but brutal mugs, gangsters, children who will have no qualms in killing you with no regards – no remorse – Soldiers they are not – I am retired from the US Army – and to me – they are nothing but the scum of the earth – and as such – they should be dealt with accordingly!. My hats off to President Obama for his courage and fortitude to make sure our people are protected – no matter what!.
You may quote me for any of the above. Enjoy your show!.. Keep up the good work!.

As a veteran and as a Cuban American, I welcome the new Obamas' policies toward Cuba. This should be one of the many steps to fix a policy that went wrong for more than fifty years. Thanks President Obama!!

Rick its the Right Wing who has kept us from talking to Cuba. Its old time Politics. Its time we talked and traded with a country 90 miles from our shore. We trade with China, Russia, Viet Nam and even countries in the Middle East who hate us. Its just time for this to happen.

Rick,
With Obama's move today – how can the average American like myself go about sending money or supplies to a Cubin Family in need and make sure they get it. Is there a foundation with a list and address? – $100.00 and care package would mean the world to a Family with kids.
Keep up the good work Rick! – Keith in Va.

Regarding the Cuba lifting of restrictions..... as a Cuban-American with family there, I am very happy.... I just hope that with this would come the freedom of exchanging ideas, free expression and the ability for Cubans on the island to freely express their thoughts without fear of governmental reprisals.

Obviously, the embargo hasn't worked (duh!) so it's time to really try what HAS worked (pieces of the Berlin wall attest to that)...

I just hope this isn't too threatening to the Castro brothers obsession with power and control.

Hello, I was researchin the Solmalian pirates, and I found out that the pirates in Solmalia are rich, they are national heroes, all the women want to maryy them, and all the men want to be them. But it seems everywhere else they are enemies!

Rick, I support you wholeheartedly in your statements on Beck and Fox.
You are one of the few CNN people with Balz to takeon the Repubs for their frauds.

Also, Go Full force into Cuba with capitalistic advances.

Our Seal teams are the best.

Cant we just wipe out all the boats somalia has since they dont use them for non combative purposes anyway? then what would they do?
wipe out their ports, wipe out their shoreline boats anchored etc.

Rick... you should post 1 new blog title per day. This one is from friday and for last week's topics.

Wake up it is beautiful. I hope this protest on Tax is pointed out. ! One
it is a commercial, it is a REPUBLICAN voted Tax hike from previos
adminisrtation,and The National Conversation is BIGGER than this.

Gracious,

greg

SE what Honesty does, it lets other nations THE UNITED STATES cares . It seems like wkd had eveybody Buffaloed. What a shame

Rick .... Since you are so obvious pro-Illegal, perhaps you can rationally explain to your viewers how ..1) One subsistent worker at minimum wage pays enough taxes to support their subsequent 5 to 6 dependants (the last estimate their cost exceeds $50 BILLION a year to the rest of us) .... 2) WHAT makes them more deserving than anyone else??? .... 3) Why the rest of us taxpayers have to pay for the birth of the ILLEGAL & PURPOSELY PLANNED "anchor babies" at $10,000 a birth (repeal that 14th and most of this problem would stop immediately).... 4) Why people like you keep trying to convince the rest of us its OK for LEGAL citizens to have to work and contribute their entire lives to pay for social services now thrown at ILLEGALS by our politicians and Latino Lobbyists (traitors) – while they deny and continue to cut benefits to our OWN seniors and rightful workers of the USA.... 5) WHY we have to accept the taking over of our neighbor hoods by gangs, violence and crime associated to these S. American immigrants, living 10 to a house, trash all over the yard – Terrorism at its very definition....
6)AND most of ALL, why these so called illegal aliens supposed contributors to our country and culture DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to advance or change the corrupt governments in their OWN countries – seeking not integration into the United States, but A FREE HANDOUT while flying the flag of their nationality in their front yards ... I AM SURE LISTENERS WOULD LOVE TO HEAR YOUR DIRECT COMMENTS & NOT REDIRECTION ...

Rick Sanchez,

I am in the construction Business. I have seen Carpentry, Drywalling, Concrete Finishing Etc.... Taken over by mostly Illegal Immigrants . They are driving down wages. Because they live 10 -15 to a household and all chip in on everything from cars to rent . So how can an American Man with 1.2 children and a Wife compete? They work under the table and send as much money as possible back to their country. Which converts to 5 times the American dollar. They have no interest in living here and supporting our economy . Can you tell me and all other hard working American men where we are wrong?

open the border economics would improve law could move more freely on both sides

here's a story i challenge you to cover- what's the truth about 9/11? i know most reporters wont even look into the obvious, the fact that the government story is completely impossible.