The Historical Solution
in the early afternoon on Thursday, the 9th of April 2009 by Capt Jake Fortune
Washington, D.C., April 9, 2009— News that Somali pirates had seized an American ship and, after being repelled, held her captain hostage drew a response from analysts at the Competitive Enterprise Institute: the United States should consider authorizing private parties to attack pirate ships under little used instruments called “letters of marque and reprisal.”
I’d add much more comment but I’m kinda busy. But I think everyone knows what a letter of marque is..
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April 10th, 2009 at 4:34 am
I’ve heard that our response will be to follow UN instruction. Evidently, many feel that the pirates are the natural outcome of the dire straights that the Somalis are facing.
In other words, it is our fault, for not providing enought support, and we are forcing them to be pirates (yes, the ship is filled with supplies meant to help the Somalis, but why let facts get in the way?)
Of course, John Kerry has a brilliant idea. He would like to have a panel discussion in the Senate. Oooohhh, that will really scare the pirates.
Interesting that the pirates did not attack an American ship until they were convinced that the Americans were too lily livered to actually do anything….
But the captian of the captured vessel deserves our profound respect and admiration for his bravery…..
April 10th, 2009 at 7:58 am
What a panel discussion from John Kerry? I would have thought the vietnam war hero would want to jump in his swift boat and head off to the horn of africa to fight these pirates himself!
Yes, we should admire the captain, hope for his safe return and then blow the pirates the heck out of the water. As you say Katie, this is an example of what we can expect the world’s reaction to be to our presidents weakening of America.
Given the millions of dollars in ransom that have been paid to these guys over the years, why do these ships not carry security personnel? There were only 4 armed pirates. One or two guys with automatic weopons could have prevented this attack. Maybe now that an American ship has been attacked, the shipping industry will begin to arm vessels sailing under the US flag.
April 10th, 2009 at 4:16 pm
I have an evil thought.
The captain attempted an escape last night, actually breaking away and swimming for it.
Wouldn’t that have been the perfect opportunity for the Navy to blow the lifeboat out of the water?
Or is there a no-fire order? Because I know that our Navy is more than capable of doing its job….
As an answer to why to weapons on the ship – from what I understand, it is a bit of several “problems”. Some ships carry loads that could explode with gun fire. The big problem seems to be other nations’ refusal to allow ships into their harbors with armed crews. Any one with any money evidently hired Israeli commandos…
April 10th, 2009 at 5:30 pm
From what I heard…
It all happened too fast. Since no one knew what was happening and it was over within like a minute, the captain was close enough he’d have been hurt badly by any attack.
I’m sure that won’t happen again.
April 11th, 2009 at 4:17 am
Yes, from what I’ve heard, his attempt was over quite quickly. And, since there is no way for him to communicate with his hopefully to be soon rescuers, they had no warning.
What an incredibly brave Captain. Trades himself for his crew. Jumps into the ocean, in the dark, knowing that chances were slim.
But, I still wonder, is there a no-fire policy?