Lion's Daily Blurb - Sat., Sun., April 11-12

[Lion]

I assume some of ya have been following the hijacking of the America cargo ship about 300 miles off the coast of Somalia in the Indian Ocean. It's just one of many pirate hijackings that's taken place by Somali pirates over the past several years. They hijack a ship, and then hold it for ransom. In most cases they get paid, so it's a very lucrative multi-million dollar business for them. This latest incident is the first time they've hijacked an American ship. The Somali pirates currently have the ship's Captain held hostage in a lifeboat nearby the ship that they had hijacked. They no longer have control of the ship. US Navy vessels are on the scene. What happens next is anybody's guess. The pirates are NOT terrorists. They have no death wish or 10,000 virgins waiting on them if they die. They are conducting business, but may have bitten off more than they can chew this time. Of primary concern is the safe return of the US Captain being held hostage. This pirate problem has escalated over the past several years, and little to nothing has been done to address the problem. Anyhoot, the pirates who are holding the US Captain want to give him back in return for safe passage to Somalia. They have decided they don't want any ransom this time. Obviously the attention of the US Navy has become a factor now. For the sake of the captain's safety the US should make the deal. Let the pirates go and ensure the captain's safe return. Going forward, what can be done to put a halt to these hijackings? IF you cut off the snake's head, it will die. That head is the lawless country of Somalia where the pirates originate from. The world has been ignoring the unrest in Somalia for some time now. Isn't it about time the international community do something to bring law to Somalia?

[Camel]

Gunboat diplomacy, anyone??

[amak1131]

We have many ships, most of which could blow some countries off the map, in the area and they are not allowed to shoot at some dingys...wow. Obama has no idea how to handle this. Our Seals are trained for situations similar to this...they could've gotten the guy, kill many of the pirates, and hopefully scare the warlords.

When he tried to escape (heck, before that), why were those mini subs our spec-ops have not around? Most powerful navy in the world is having its ability taken away by a president who has no idea wtf he's doing...

As for preventing this, we have to stop GIVING IN! We need to start attacking them (only in self-defense, of course). We need to scare them, or kill enough of them so they aren't a threat.

[SgtRicko]

Going in guns blazing is not going to work against these guys, because they're not like the pirates that infested the Carribean back in the 1700-1800s (no pun intended). Guys like Blackbeard and such thrived because of the nature of the economy or government at that time, which actively encouraged, sometimes even legalized such things. What brought it to an end was when the regional governments decided to cut the ties between them both politically (eliminating Privateers, mercs and such) and economically (military escorts, blockades, and search groups), which made it too difficult to turn a profit as a pirate.

However, the thing that's giving these guys motivation isn't those things, it's outright lawlessness and desperation. For them, ANY return on ANY thing they catch is worthwhile, and the only ties they usually have is to some small warlord or illicit dealer who's about as fleeting and slippery as it gets.

Only real way to solve it, unfortunately, lies with the Somali government itself... and they aren't the helpful, let alone competent types.

[Ace]

having 1000 us dollars in Somalia makes you very rich I've heard.

The waters of Somalia was being fished out by other nations fishing boats and stuff where dumped in their waters aswell.
And the local fishermen started thsi business and got rich and then got more rich so they can sit at land and let other people come and do the job for them...

Highjacking is wrong and Somalia probably needs something stabilize itself.
I read in the paper pirates made so much money they could buy Gps systems and fast speedboats and stuff.
Sounds like pirates gone miami vice

[Thumper]

i agree with camel. but i say just glass the region.

[General Kane Nash]

Well Lion, I assume you watched Blackhawk Down, and also if you remember there is a economic crisis going on, so we better let those guys be, just add some security teams to the ships going across the somalina sea, fire at will if they seem to be hostiles.

[C4]

Originally Posted by Camel

Gunboat diplomacy, anyone??

I vote for it.

[KrasnyOktyabr]

Captain is safe, 3 of the 4 pirates are dead, pirate 4 is in custody.

[Derek]

Shores of Tripoli, bitches.

Somewhat ironic as well, since the Destroyer that rescued the captain was the USS Bainbridge, named after a captain who fought in the war against the Barbary pirates (and more notably in the War of 1812).