...a dramatic and successful rescue operation by U.S. Special Operations forces -- left Obama with an early victory that could help build confidence in his ability to direct military actions abroad.

Throughout the past four days, White House officials played down Obama's role in the hostage drama. Until yesterday, he made no public statements about the pirates.

In fact, aides said yesterday, Obama had been briefed 17 times since he returned from his trip abroad, including several times from the White House Situation Room. And without giving too many details, senior White House officials made it clear that Obama had provided the authority for the rescue.

The Horn of Africa was swarming with pirates yesterday, and is still swarming today, and will be swarming tomorrow.

Nevertheless, Obama's media trolls have put out the mission accomplished banner after U.S. Navy Seals effectively shot three fish in a barrel.

This "fish" deserved it of course, and the SEALS earned full credit for a well-executed operation, but it's beyond the pale for media assholes who denigrated the congratulations of a president to the armed forces after a successful invasion of a hostile country, to now be tipping their hats to the epic failure in the White House for giving the go ahead for a political no-brainer military operation.

The implications of piracy in the Gulf of Aden are almost beyond imagination. 11% of the world's petroleum passes through that water way, and its very clear that the Obama administration has no plan except to have the media ignore the situation.

If I was Osama bin Laden, I'd be very encouraged that the west appears to be incapable of learning strategic lessons.