Everyone acts like this guy was/is the only hostage. If that was the case I am sure the call would have been easy to make to send in the SEALS or take out the pirates with snipers as was done.
To make the call to save 1 person while endangering the lives of hundereds of other hostages, which although may not be US citizens, I am sure are apart of some allied country's.
How do you think it would have / will pan out if the pirates said alright you killed 3 of our men we will take 3 to how ever many of the hundreds we have and kill them. We will only kill those that belong to a country that is currently allied with the US.
It easy to sit here and be as macho as possible and talk about strong arming anyone who gets in our way and talk about a president who doesnt have the "balls" to make the call. But I think about this war in Iraq started by the good ol southern boy who if nothing else had balls, yet I didnt see us as a nation going in saying screw it and taking everyone out. As a matter of fact the only reason why we suffered "ANY" casualties is because we were / are being diplomatic about it.