QUOTE OF THE DAY - AT 8:03 A.M. ET:  From the great Michael Ledeen, who notes that Iran and North Korea are holding American hostages, even as Captain Phillips is freed.  Ledeen comments:

The president’s promise to change the world by showing “respect” to our enemies was never going to succeed, and the mounting number of hostages seems to demonstrate that our enemies believe they can push him around. There was a moment–in 2003-2004–when the Iranians were frightened of President Bush, but that passed, and I don’t think they view Obama as a dramatic change from the last Bush years. They are doing what they are doing, taking hostages because that is what they do, and because they know it works. Just as the scorpion explained to the crocodile, who thoughtfully gave the scorpion a ride to the other side of the river, only to be stung. “Why?” cried out the croc. “Because I am a scorpion.” 

COMMENT:  Ledeen has warned repeatedly about Iran.  It's apparent that this administration will ignore his warnings.  But the Iranian regime is a scorpion.

April 13, 2009