One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
American Officials, Family, and Friends, React to Killing of 4 Hostages By Somali Pirates
Scott and Jean Adam (via Quest)
Reaction to the killing of two couples at the hands of Somali pirates aboard the SoCal-based yacht The Quest has been widespread among Americans. Jean and Scott Adam are being remembered as "gentle and adventurous" Christian missionaries who loved sailing, and were passionate about their faith, according to the Daily Breeze. At the Del Rey Yacht Club, where the couple were members for a decade, the flag was lowered to half-mast. Friends say the Adams "knew the risks" of sailing around the world to hand out Bibles, but that they probably didn't think anything bad would happen to them.
Among the U.S. officials voicing public reaction is U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, who called the killing a "deplorable act" that "underscores the need for the international community to act more decisively together," and "have a more effective approach to maintaining security on the seas, in the ocean lanes that are so essential to commerce and travel," reports LA Now.
Relatives of the Adams issued a statement through the FBI, though their full names have not been released to protect their privacy:
"We would like to express our deepest gratitude to the brave men and women of the Navy and other military branches who risked their lives trying to save them [...] Our loved ones were tragically taken from us and our hearts are broken."
In addition to the reaction from officials, relatives, and friends, the military is working to sort out the details and chronology of the events that unfolded in the dangerous waters of the Gulf of Arden. There were "signs of dissent" among the pirates who boarded the Quest, and some showed signs of surrender, however they ultimately "fired a rocket-propelled grenade" towards a military vessel shadowing the Quest, which missed. The bodies of the Adams, and a Seattle-based couple, were removed from the Quest yesterday.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
