Somali pirates hijack a U.S.-flagged freighter, with American crewmen aboard. The ship is owned by a Dutch company, but the fact that it is flying the Stars and Stripes, with Americans aboard, means, as far as I am concerned, that this is a matter for the U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps. If President Obama doesn't order them to go and rescue these guys, and kill these pirates, then he is Jimmy Carter. It would be even better if he were to order the Navy and Marines to attack the pirate bases, burn them to the ground, and kill all the pirates they can get into gun range. That's the way to deal with pirates. Of course, he won't do that, because the pictures will not be pretty.

UPDATE....There are reports that the American crew has taken back control of the ship, with one of the four hijackers in their custody and the other three, presumably, in the water. This is going to be an interesting story, as we have seen numerous instances of hijackers taking ships in these waters off the East African coast, usually holding the crews and ships hostages and getting a ransom payment. Here, perhaps, in the example of the great American tradition of self-defense, we may have the solution to the problem (unless the U.N. is willing to sanction a military effort to clean up the pirate camps).

Economist Nouriel Roubini, who was right about the financial collapse, and predicts more hard times ahead, lashes out at CNBC's Jim Cramer. Cramer is getting it from all sides.

One analysts believes a new poll shows Americans are growing slightly more optimistic about the economy, still like Obama, and still hate the GOP.

Of course, they'll learn to hate Obama and the Democrats once they finally get around to raising every one's taxes, which at least one Obama supporter thinks they will have to do at some point.

The Vermont legislature overrides a gubernatorial veto, legalizing gay marriage in the Green Mountain State. It's the first time a legislature has legalized gay marriage, rather than a court.

Ralph Peters is critical of President Obama's words and actions while in Turkey.

Is the buildup of the Chinese Navy a threat to stability in the region?