Somali Pirates just killed 4 hostages.
The entire world’s navies cannot win against a rag-tag "navy" of 3rd world bandits? At sea, where without the typical guerrilla war problems. The bandits cannot hide among the masses. Still they are almost safe. Human rights sensitivities protect them.
As human-stupidity has noted before, Somali pirates rewarded with asylum in Europe. Often, Somali Pirates are just released. If they drowned their weapons, and no positive proof can be found, then obvious pirates are just sent home to come back and try again next week We don’t have enough proof to convict in a far away court.
Our human rights laws were not made for Somali pirates. Our human rights laws are well intended, but often ineffective. They often cost us not only money, but cost victimization of innocent upstanding citizens. Of course the cost is exorbitant. Entire navies are there to arrest them. Free flights to Europe. free defense lawyers, and free housing for 5 years in jail. Asylum, welfare, and family immigration to Europe later on. And we all pay in higher merchandise cost for the vastly increased shipping insurance rates.
No wonder many people think that old fashioned methods like summary execution would be much more appropriate methods to nip piracy in the bud. The same way as Guantanamo’s human rights violations probably are saving lives and stemming the terrorist tide.
Late action is another problem. The problem has grown, it is very late. The enemy has become rich and powerful. Now the pirates have good weapons, equipment, good logistics. Similar things have happened in the drug war and with the spam problem. We created the monsters ourselves. Had we acted forcefully beginning, there would be no spam problem. Now the top spammers make millions a month, and enlist the worlds best hackers to aid them.
Admiral MARK FOX (Commander, U.S. 5th Fleet): At 8 o’clock this morning local time, a rocket-propelled grenade was fired from the Quest, by the pirates, towards the Starrett. Immediately thereafter, gunfire also erupted inside the cabin of the Quest.
Several pirates appeared on deck and moved up to the bow with their hands in the air in surrender.
LANGFITT: When U.S. Special Forces boarded the yacht, they said they found the Adams and two fellow American sailors dead or dying. The other sailors were identified as Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle, both of Seattle, Washington.
Admiral Fox also said they found two pirates who had already been killed. He emphasized that U.S. Special Forces did not shoot those pirates, and had not tried to launch a rescue.
Officials: Somali Pirates Kill 4 American Hostages|NPR
Somalische Piraten immer brutaler|Der Spiegel (in German, with very intelligent comments)
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