Posted on 04/11/2009 2:57:30 PM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
A second US-owned vessel with 16 on board is hijacked, reports say, as a standoff continues over a US captain taken hostage. How can the pirates be defeated?
The Somali pirates holding US Captain Richard Phillips hostage have warned that the use of force to rescue him could result in "disaster".
The US seaman was taken hostage on Wednesday after pirates hijacked his ship, the Maersk Alabama, as it sailed towards the Kenyan port of Mombasa carrying food aid.
Pirate attacks have been increasing rapidly in recent years - more than 130 incidents were reported in 2008, which has cost the world an estimated $60 - 70m.
How can one of the world's most important shipping lanes be protected? What's the long-term solution to the problem?
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“The majority opinion on the site is that military force should be used against the pirates. I think the Western world is stating to get fed up.”
Not a chance.
The world is all for action until you take it. Then there will be the cries that it was disproportionate, ill advised, that enough negotiation didn’t take place first... etc.
The majority of the Western world is weak, and deserves what is coming their way. Unfortunately for you and me, we’re going to get caught in the storm.
Kill them.
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Absolutely right.
Geez, what is this issue....? Is everyone dumb and Dumber ?
Its like the 911 hijacking...rules of engagement in effect during the hijacking, were co-operate with the Hijackers.
Rules of engagement for the Military in the Pirate Hijacking/kidnapping....ARE.....do nothing if someones life is in Danger.
We need change....or at least hope of change in the Rules of engagement. When the Captain jumped in the Water, and tried to Swim away, how come the Boat people were not plastered with ammo ? The captain is not in the Boat, blast the Boat.
I know why, the rules of engagement and the current commander in chief doesn’t want Dead Somailis floating in the Ocean.
ARRRRRRRugula
The only good pirate is a dead pirate.
That all changed when Ronald Reagan was inaugurated. He issued new rules of engagement: if threatened and fired upon, blow the enemy aircraft out of the sky. The next time the Libyans came up to challenge Sixth Fleet aircraft they lost about half a dozen aircraft, and their harassment suddenly stopped.
Fine. Put enough lead in them and they'll sink.
Nuke the site from orbit (It’s the only way to be sure)
Sheesh. You would think that the civilized world has forgotten EVERYTHING!
You do not stop pirates by looking for them on the high seas. That is a fools errand akin to searching for individual ants in the Amazon jungle.
You attack and wipe out their pirate ports, their sanctuaries. Pirates can only flourish when they have safe havens to sell goods, purchase fuel, arm up, buy and refit ships etc.
Destroy the pirate harbors, the pirates disappear. The West knew this 300 years ago. It is the only solution.
The rest is a joke, like attacking an ant nest in a neighbor’s yard by attacking individual ants in your yard with an ice pick.
Exchange the Ship Captain for three Domestic Enemies: (1)Commissar B.O., (2) Senator DUD (D-CT) and (3) Barney Fwank!
Ask Jimmy Carter.
Call in the UN security council.
Denounce the US for Somali poverty.
Raise taxes on US churches.
Have a die in against Global Warming.
Yes - there are thousands of solutions in Obama’s America. :)
First, get the Navy up close & personal with the pirates - close enough - a few yards - to take them out instantly if the hostage is hurt or killed. The Navy accomplishes nothing by staying too far away for effective action, and with only one hostage the pirates actually have very little bargaining power.
Then tell them that the game is over - they can surrender or be shot where they stand, one by one, and at this range the Navy will NOT miss. The pirates seem to have AK-47’s, and might have RPG’s and pistols, but they do NOT outgun the Navy.
That's what I've been saying for days, show them satellite video of their homes and give them 15 minutes to turn over the captain.
Hell, GIVE THEM the $2 million and then blow them and the money up before then can do anything; then the Treasury can just print some more money, that seems to be their forte these days.
Napalm.
Actually not a bad idea, it would be legitimate to get currency replaced if it is known to be destroyed, zero economic effect (same as the way worn out currency is destroyed and replaced).
Ya know, why wasn’t something cloak and dagger done with those radios that were passed to the pirates. Upon signal (so, if it can be avoided, we don’t do it to the captain) they spritz a shot of some slow acting immobilization agent into the holder’s hand.
I’m sure a James Bond could come up with other stuff. Why the heck is the FBI involved anyhow, why not the CIA?
Exactly, I can’t see why it would be a problem. Even if we don’t actually destroy the money, we just need to SAY we did (an extra $2 million in circulation is a non-issue) and nobody will give it another thought as long as the pirates are dead.
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