Three pirates were shot by Navy SEALs snipers, freeing American freighter Captain, Richard Phillips, from captivity. The naval commander who ordered the SEALs snipers to shoot was acting on his own initiative to save the hostage. He took this initiative in the absence of any orders from Washington or higher military channels. This is what leadership is all about. That and fast, lethal action by US servicemen will continue being a genuine solution to piracy of US ships.