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Andrew C. McCarthy: Pirates Test the ‘Rule of Law’
National Review Online ^ | April 10, 2009 | Andrew C. McCarthy

Posted on 04/11/2009 5:56:12 AM PDT by kellynla

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To: Rocky
There is nothing less civilized than rewarding evil and thus guaranteeing more of it. High-minded as it is commonly made to sound, it is not civilized to appease evil, to treat it with “dignity and respect,” to rationalize its root causes, to equivocate about whether evil really is evil, and, when all else fails, to ignore it — to purge the very mention of its name — in the vain hope that it will just go away. Evil doesn’t do nuance. It finds you, it tests you, and you either fight it or you’re part of the problem.

Words to live by all right, and words that OB will never, never understand.

61 posted on 04/11/2009 11:02:47 AM PDT by CRBDeuce (here, while the internet is still free of the Fairness Doctrine)
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To: Mr Rogers
30 years ago, some guys wanted to rob me (based on their actions). I had a 6 shot S&W .22 with me. There were 8 of them. None of the 8 had any desire to see if I really could shoot them in the head or not. They didn't complain that my gun wasn't large enough, or point out that I had fewer bullets than they had people. They just backed away and I left the area. I was carrying illegally and didn't file a report of any kind. These 'pirates' don't strike me as any braver than the folks who wanted to rob me. The ships don't need to be able to repel the Vietnamese Navy...

Perfect analogy (not that OB would understand, of course).

62 posted on 04/11/2009 11:07:41 AM PDT by CRBDeuce (here, while the internet is still free of the Fairness Doctrine)
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To: mefistofelerevised
It’s one thing to talk tough, it another to be in lethal situations. Go watch your favorite Rambo movie.

You're not inferring that since I have (thankfully) never been in a military combat situation that I have no right to keep and bear arms for the protection of my or my loved ones lives are you?

63 posted on 04/11/2009 11:15:52 AM PDT by !1776!
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To: kellynla
these posters throw around war like it’s some kind of computer game!

at the risk of being misunderstood, 'welcome to the internet generation'! here, we have to make sure that our 'game ports' are at the ready. In a previous day, we'd have had arms at the ready! Thanks for the article and your service!

64 posted on 04/11/2009 11:17:48 AM PDT by CRBDeuce (here, while the internet is still free of the Fairness Doctrine)
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To: Mr Rogers

no need for an American to die, as long as Jimmuh Carter Rules of Engagement are NOT implemented!


65 posted on 04/11/2009 11:21:12 AM PDT by CRBDeuce (here, while the internet is still free of the Fairness Doctrine)
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To: Lucretia Borgia

Pretty much explains the Chicago Machine now occupying DC!


66 posted on 04/11/2009 11:24:38 AM PDT by CRBDeuce (here, while the internet is still free of the Fairness Doctrine)
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To: 70th Division
How many times have we read about a robbery where the gun owner fires several times and does not hit anything?

How many times has the act of attempting to defend, and at least having the means to attempt to do so, stopped bad things from happening?

Also, what is the "hit" rate of fire in military operations? WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam...

Would guess many rounds did not hit anything. That isn't to say they didn't serve a purpose.

Honestly, not trying to be argumentative, or make a point that training isn't important. Just trying to make the point that sometimes you don't get to pick the situation you end up in and at least having the tools to help you survive is a first step.

How a person reacts to such a situation - that's a wild card. As another pointed out - they had seen well trained Marines freeze in such situations. Guess it depends on the situation and the person.

67 posted on 04/11/2009 11:25:04 AM PDT by !1776!
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To: 70th Division
I will go into a firefight with a guy who HAS practiced or has been there before.

Looking for a fight - I see your point. If the fight comes to you,wouldn't it be best to be as prepared as you can?

68 posted on 04/11/2009 11:31:20 AM PDT by !1776!
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To: !1776!

You seem to have a problem connecting the dots, unless you and your family are merchant marines. Happy sailing cowboy!


69 posted on 04/11/2009 12:34:51 PM PDT by mefistofelerevised
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To: Tarpon

Obama is a socialist pacifist , what would we expect?! Still, he could redeem himself if he told the Court to stuff it and arm all merchant marine ships from America. He then should order the Navy to sink every ship coming out of Somalia without warning. Just kill every one of them. He will never do it because he is not pro-American life only our enemies will do for life as Chavez, Castro, these demonic pirates, the Iranian thug and the Korean with a bad haircut. This guy is actually making me ill.


70 posted on 04/11/2009 1:04:45 PM PDT by phillyfanatic ( iT)
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To: Lucretia Borgia
I read this book recently. If you haven't read it, you'd probably appreciate it.

Yes, I read it a couple of years ago and agree it is an excellent book!

Your additional two points are correct. I was operating from memory and missed them.

The real pirates of this world are the lawyers, politicians, and environmentalists running wild these days. These Somalis are chump change.

However, roguish Somalis do make dashing, swaggering pictures with their RPGs and AK47s. Pasty Bawney Frank, fatso Chris Dodd, slimey Franklin Raines, oleaginous Barak Hussein Obama and the legions of "legal" brigands do not make nearly as sexy pictures even though they have stolen thousands of times as much.

I wish we could get our Navy to take them out as well...

71 posted on 04/11/2009 1:23:42 PM PDT by Gritty (Terrorists are better known for their human rights than for their inhuman wrongs-Andrew McCarthy)
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To: webschooner
re: Hildebeast, aka Secretary of State of the United States, cackled like a stoned witch.)))

She does act as if she's high or stoned...

72 posted on 04/11/2009 1:34:36 PM PDT by Mamzelle (BRING CAMERA EQUIP TO TEA PARTIES--TAPE THE DISRUPTORS)
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To: mefistofelerevised
You seem to have a problem connecting the dots, unless you and your family are merchant marines. Happy sailing cowboy!

Avoid the question, fine by me...

73 posted on 04/11/2009 1:58:51 PM PDT by !1776!
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To: All
ARTICLE SNIPPET from the link in post no. 1:

"There is nothing less civilized than rewarding evil and thus guaranteeing more of it. High-minded as it is commonly made to sound, it is not civilized to appease evil, to treat it with “dignity and respect,” to rationalize its root causes, to equivocate about whether evil really is evil, and, when all else fails, to ignore it — to purge the very mention of its name — in the vain hope that it will just go away. Evil doesn’t do nuance. It finds you, it tests you, and you either fight it or you’re part of the problem."

74 posted on 04/12/2009 12:12:09 AM PDT by Cindy
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To: kellynla; pnh102
“Why don’t the crews of these ships pack heat?” “pack heat?” You’ve been watching too much television. LOL Have you ever killed a man? Well, I have. Ya know you FR “keyboard cowboys” talk a lot of BS... It is one thing to go to a range and shoot at targets that don’t shoot back and quite another to actually be involved in a “firefight”... I’ve seen trained combat Marines “freeze” when faced with the possiblity of being killed in combat. So stow the “cowboy” posts; it just makes you look STUPID! shezzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

What? You think you are the only one on FR who has been in a firefight? You are terribly rude to pnh102, knowing absolutely nothing about them. For all you know he/she may be a soldier on duty in Iraq or Afghanistan. Packing heat is used by many people in real life not just on TV. I am 67 years old, have served my country and been in several firefights. Most people do ok, some don't.

The 20 Americans who took back their ship certainly did well, especially when you consider they are not armed but the pirates were "packing heat" in the form of AK47s.

You want someone to stow their talk I would suggest that you take your own advice.

75 posted on 04/12/2009 12:46:13 AM PDT by calex59
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To: calex59
“I would suggest that you take your own advice?”

Your suggestion went into the “round file” LOL

The HUGE difference in my posts on firearms and 99% of the “keyboard cowboys” on FR; is that I have had years of combat experience.

Happy Easter

76 posted on 04/12/2009 7:00:03 AM PDT by kellynla (Freedom of speech makes it easier to spot the idiots! Semper Fi!)
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To: !1776!

I changed my mind about that conversation you had with mr. “I’ve killed before”. Those scumbag pirates from somalia are now saying they will kill Americans. Ships sailing in that area should have weapons. Big Weapons.


77 posted on 04/12/2009 7:41:51 PM PDT by mefistofelerevised
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To: mefistofelerevised
Ships sailing in that area should have weapons. Big Weapons.

And the events of this weekend prove this to be true. Armed people saved the day.

78 posted on 04/13/2009 12:07:40 PM PDT by pnh102 (Save America - Ban Ethanol Now!)
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To: mefistofelerevised
I changed my mind about that conversation you had with mr. “I’ve killed before”. Those scumbag pirates from somalia are now saying they will kill Americans. Ships sailing in that area should have weapons. Big Weapons.

I would never have the reason to argue with the knowledge of one of our nations service men or women. They certainly know more than I do on that front, and they know more about the training, and unfortunately the realities that go along with combat situations.

Reading the posts I just felt, that there was some kind of bias or neglect regarding the need and importance of people understanding that they ultimately have the responsiblity to protect themselves and should take the steps necessary to have the tools to do so if at all possible.

I also felt that the exact same arguments being posted were earily familiar to those of anti-2nd Amendment groups. Hit a nerve I suppose.

If the untrained and ill equipped go looking for a fight - well that's a different issue. Being prepared in case trouble comes looking for you - well, that is what I hope to accomplish. Not saying I want to storm the beaches at Normanday - just that if the beach comes to me, I at least want to have the tools (literally and figuratively) to help me get to higher ground.

I never want to test that, but hope that if I am tested, I will make a good showing at least.

Take care.

79 posted on 04/13/2009 5:27:06 PM PDT by !1776!
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To: kellynla
The HUGE difference in my posts on firearms and 99% of the “keyboard cowboys” on FR; is that I have had years of combat experience.

With all due respect...

I don't want your experience. I hope to never have that experience. I'd prefer it if nobody did.

That said, I will call you a fool or even dangerous if you intend to direct people not to be prepared to a reasonable extent to take on the responsibility of ensuring their own safety.

If some idiot comes on here and asks where they can jump the next ship to pirateland so they can live out some deranged fantasy associated with shooting up the bad guys - have at them, please. Make them hear that unique metallic ripping sound of a round flying too near by. Let them know the hell that such situations entail, the reality of the losses and I am sure pain.

But for those that post asking why not be prepared for trouble if trouble comes to find you...

I see a world of difference between what you consider a keyboard cowboy, and what another might see as a keyboard boyscout - just trying to look into the options for always being prepared.

Take care and thanks for your service.

80 posted on 04/13/2009 6:12:32 PM PDT by !1776!
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