I'm waiting for the liberals to go after the Navy for use of excessive force against the Somali pirates that were holding an American skipper captive on a 27 foot lifeboat. Apparently the Captain of the USS Bainbridge gave the order to fire when the three pirates holding Kalishnikov rifles were all visible at the same time. U.S. Navy Seal snipers hit all three with simulataneous clean head shots ending the standoff. A fourth pirate quickly surrendered. The liberals will now say we violated the pirates human rights and should have used advanced negotiation techniques or non-lethal intervention like water cannons to disarm the pirates. If the American hostage had died during the process....oh well who cares about his rights, he's not a criminal and doesn't really count. These pirates were actually amateurs, poor Somali fisherman that thought they would cash in, hit the jackpot and take early retirement. Apparently they have retired early, too bad. You have to almost feel sorry for these guys, it was almost like a Keystone cop episode where everything goes wrong from the get go. It reminds me of how often these get rich quick schemes seem to end tragically.

Kruz

I was thinking that this would be the exact resolution of the situation, and had been wondering for days why it took them so long to do it... -bg

Yes, I strongly believe they have right's. With the number one right being exactly what they received. A bullet to the head. Only delivered in a more timely manner. To bad they missed the last guy. The liberals will reward him and probably try to get the snipers thrown in jail, just like the Boarder Patrol Officers a few years ago!

The fourth will be tried in the U.S. it looks like. Does he have the same rights as a U.S. citizen or is he tried under International Piracy laws? Do we turn him over to the U.N. heaven forbid or let Kenja, the nearest responsible African government deal with him? I hate to see anyone lose their life but there are consequences to our actions. Rather than make the other pirates think twice, I hear they are planning to take revenge on the next American crew to fall into their trap. I can only hope this is a wake up call and the merchant marine starts taking active precautions against this in the future. They need to figure out a way to arm the crew.

Kruz

^^^I can see no reason why crew members shouldn't be armed at least when they are outside of the coastal waters of any country. However, it would only be a short time before pirates acquired rocket launchers, torpedoes, etc.. They would never even have to board the ship to take hostages. They could simply threaten to sink or burn the ship unless their demands were met.

I don't see heavy artillery ever being allowed for use on civillian vessels. They would be better able to defend themselves but a lot of opportunities for big mistakes and more reason for pirates to want to take those ships over.

Rook

I agree Hub, without freedom of the international shipping lanes, we are all screwed. I heard this morning on the way into work, the pirates took another ship last night this one flying a Greek flag. I feel sorry for those guys, when will they ever learn? Put me on board with a 50 cal and I'll blow them out of the water at 1000 meters, like shooting rats in a barrel. You mean to tell me we have satellites that can read a license plate from outer space but we can't pickup a 40 foot skiff full of AK waving Somalis at sea? If you are 350 miles off the shore line in shipping lanes, you are in a small boat and you are armed with AK47s and RPGs you are not a fisherman. Open season like Hub was saying, good practice for the seals and marine boyz to keep sharp. We did this 200 years ago off the Barbary coast and the pirates went into another line of work.

Kruz

I'm waiting for the liberals to go after the Navy for use of excessive force against the Somali pirates

Hard to imagine anyone being as liberal as that after 9/11. Can't see how anyone would sympathize with any group of individuals who took a hostage before attempts to negotiate were driven off by gunfire. Sorry, I'm sure not conservative but no way would I ever be that liberal. They asked for it. The best thing that could happen would be for the latest group of pirates to get killed. I really hate to wish death on anyone, even murderers, but all other pirates need to see the example.

Rook

* Last updated by: Rook on 4/14/2009 @ 10:08 PM *

Pirate Rights ! yes they have the right to a peg leg, parrot, eye patch, and a hook.
They also should have the right to be keel hauled, walk the plank, and be hung from the yard arm.
Yarrr! eyiiiie! yarrrgh !

they got what they deserved. at least they didn't suffer a painful death. that's what the libs get upset about, torture.

hey paladin, you got a full screen shot of your avatar? i hate straining my eyes

Sorry for the eye strain, is says "We run over the competition" and I DO NOT belive that if we catch a terrorist in this country that has planted a nuclear weapon in our country that we should only be able to politely ask them where it is or to please not detonate the device. Water board em' with molten lava! post videos around the globe.
This is why I am not in charge. My meathods would get results and scare people and get respect and fear.
yyyaarrrggghhhh!!!! Pirate aarrgggghh!

yeah, but it's not really on top of him is it? the bike wouldn't be standing if he was under the bike. he's got to be behind the bike right?

one thing is certain ..If the shipping companies and other vessels do not arm themselves now ..very very effectively,and make pirating a loosing game every time, the pirates will become more and more wealthy and THEY will start building much more sophisticated pirating vessels with lethal weaponry. then it will be
good buy shipping.