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It's an interesting article, but I think many Americans forget the nature of piracy, drug running, and the adverse work environment that our US Coast Guard has to deal with.

I know of a Coastie who was shot by a kid when he inspected a boat. Apparently the father of the kid ramped up the little fellow with "defend thy honor" type of rhetoric. Luckily for the Coastie, the flak jacket stopped the bullet and he didn't return fire.

I also know of another law enforcement officer who was blown to bits from a drug runner's RPG.

I've met Coasties that had the displeasure of searching homosexual cruises and told me what they witnessed.

If Coasties board your boat, and depending on where you are, chances are they're more ready to take a hit than we ever would (considering that Freepers reading this are definately law abiding and lovers of our nation's defenders). The Coasties I know are ready for a fight and they plan on winning. If they act like a cop who's just been shot at, then maybe it's because they've had the unpleasant experience. The War on Drugs hasn't ended and it's a very real war with real causalities.

So, if Coasties board your boat, be nice and offer them a cup a coffee. I don't know too many salty seafarers that don't like coffee. They aren't after law abiding citizens, so establish that relationship of trust and confidence and try to understand their job and all its associated hardships.