Somalia says: Let us handle the pirates
Apr 15th, 2009 by Rick Arms
The idea that what passes for a government in Somalia could ask for international funding to solve the problem of Somali piracy is comic. That Rep. Donald M. Payne (D-N.J.) actually intends to seek funding for the ridiculous proposal in Congress is tragic. That Payne’s party claims the legacy of Thomas Jefferson is absurd.
Typically when faced with a foreign policy problem we’re lucky if we have one good historical precedent to guide our actions or, more often, a few close parallels. In this case we’re guided by two solid and completely on point historical lessons that cry out «Don’t do it!»
One of these is so recent and should be so firmly entrenched in the public mind that having to even mention it is absurd. One would think that a popular movie only 8 years out of the theaters would be enough for even the dullest of dullards to remember that 18 American soldiers died and 73 were wounded in our last attempt to help the Somalis. The reason those deaths eventually grew out of what started as a purely humanitarian mission was that in the anarchy of Somalia at the time, which persists to this day, money, food or other aid never reached those it was intended to help without US military escorts to help it on its way. Unless we’re prepared to provide an overwhelming show of force, the rule «no land war in Asia» is doubly true in Africa.
The second object lesson is the payment of an estimated 20% of federal revenues to the Barbary pirates from 1786 to 1801. That huge expense didn’t win a war or disband the pirates, it only delayed by 15 years the Marine landing on the shores of Tripoli. The delay was perhaps necessary as the new nation recovered from the cost of the Revolutionary War and built up its naval forces. Today, we do not have that problem. The surest, the quickest, and the most honorable way to deal with these pirates is to do simply that - deal with the pirates and those sheltering them. That buying them off may be cheaper in the short run is irrelevant. To paraphrase Thomas Jefferson, «Trillions for defense; not one cent for tribute.»
They say they know who they are and where they are yet they do nothing. And we have a member of congress that is going to bring up giving them money to handle it. JOKE! They’re taking the food and supplies that are going to their own people, what’s that tell you about them? I say stop the food shipments from going over there and over time the situation will solve itself.
Somali politicians are playing the same game as Arafat played, Hamas played, and Hezbollah plays. They are going to use terrorists to get rich by extorting money from the other governments of the world.
When a Somali Government that could control criminality started operating, they got bombed and replaced by warlords. Give them a chance now. Also give a chance to Somaliland, an ex-British colony with a working democratic government and no piracy, but not recognized by anyone.
Should we expect a “pirate” tax in the future from the Pelosi/Obama administration?
The Somali barely has any kind of control of the country much less being able st stop piracy.
If you think that the Somali government can control piracy I have some land in Florida that I can sell you; however, you will have to drain it in order to use it though.
Somalia even has a government?
“RUT ROH wrote:
Should we expect a “pirate” tax in the future from the Pelosi/Obama administration?
About the same time we can expect a useful, intelligent comment from you.
The world is rampant with stupidity. Just mount some 25mm deck guns on these ships and hire a couple of guards who know how to use them. No more piracy
“Joe wrote:
About the same time we can expect a useful, intelligent comment from you.
Did they hurt your feelings Joe. How could he/she talk about the “ONE” like that huh?****!
Somalia is nothing but a poverty baby factory. Instead of bringing food there they should sterilize the entire population until they learn how to rise above monkey levels of existence.
“chitown wrote:
Did they hurt your feelings Joe. How could he/she talk about the “ONE” like that huh?****!
If ignorance is bliss, you must be ecstatic. By the way, is it “shy-town”,
“chitown wrote:
Did they hurt your feelings Joe. How could he/she talk about the “ONE” like that huh?****!
No hurt feelings, thanks for caring. I just like a glimmer of intelligence or knowledge in commentary. To each his own.
OK let’s stop the Abuse Or I will end the comments.
“David wrote:
The world is rampant with stupidity. Just mount some 25mm deck guns on these ships and hire a couple of guards who know how to use them. No more piracy
Right on brother. I am mystified why no one in the media has asked this question or has even brought this up. Mount machine guns on the ships, pay the extra insurance premiums (this is all about insurance and shipping costs) but in the long run, piracy ended, immediately.
Yep, they attempted another attack on an American ship again early this morning. The Pirates are wanting revenge for the three that was shot by Americans over the weekend. Just as one would expect, AlQuita is now incouraging attacks on American Ships. I just bet Obama is so “FURIOUS” now that he will probably set up a meeting with the Pirates in order to use his “fearful” deplomicy….BY GOLLY!!! that will get them shaking in their boots!!
I’ve heard and read all types of suggestions about how to end the piracy attacks, from arming the ship crews to declaring war, and everything in between.
First of all, who would you declare war against? The Pirates have no government to declare war against. I suppose that we could use a generic title like Pres. Bush did when he declared “War Against Terror”. We could call it “War Against Piracy”. I am very sure it would not take Obama long to outlaw that, as he did the “war Against Terror”.
Many have suggested arming the crews, while others have stated there being some type of international law or agreement against arming nonmilitary ships. Well, I don’t know how it would hold up nowadays, but there might be a way…it is called “Letter of Marque”. This is a old deal that was used in the 1800’s.
A letter of marque is an official warrant or commission from a government authorizing the designated agent to search, seize, or destroy specified assets or personnel belonging to a foreign party which has committed some offense under the laws of nations against the assets or citizens of the issuing nation, and has usually been used to authorize private parties to raid and capture merchant shipping of an enemy nation.
The formal statement of the warrant is to authorize the agent to pass beyond the borders of the nation (”marque” or frontier), and there to search, seize, or destroy an enemy’s vessel or fleet. It is considered a retaliatory measure short of a full declaration of war, and, by maintaining a rough proportionality, has been intended to justify the action to other nations, who might otherwise consider it an act of war or piracy. As with a domestic search, arrest, seizure, or death warrant, to be considered lawful it needs to have a certain degree of specificity to ensure that the agent does not exceed one’s authority and the intent of the issuing authority.