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Bring back private pirate hunters: U.S. lawmaker

by Barry Artiste | April 16, 2009 at 06:06 am

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Barry Artiste Op/Ed

Ohh an "Arms Race" between Privateers and Pirates. Imagine if you will a cargo ship with Carte "Marque" Blanche and armed with surface to surface missiles and indiscriminately blowing up any boat within 5 miles of it reach.

Though a great idea in concept, cargo carriers are not Military and the Military are not Babysitters and Security Guards. One solution is the charge shippers a fee for a military escort into dangerous waters. Designate certain days and shipping lanes like a convoy of cargo containers through the straits under military escort, and the Military charge all ships a fee for safe passage.

Course we could just go a huntin in the high seas of Somalia and blow up any fishing vessels with are armed, cause last time I checked, you don't use Rocket Propelled Grenades to go fishin! Unless your a Good Old Boy from Alabama!

Now there is an idea!

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. lawmaker says Somali piracy has an age-old solution: "Letters of marque" empowering private citizens to chase the seaborne scoundrels from the oceans.

Republican Representative Ron Paul and a handful of conservative theorists say it's time that the U.S. Congress used the technique, pioneered by European powers in the 18th century as a way to wage naval warfare on the cheap.

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jazzyzazzy

at 06:20 on April 16th, 2009

Anyone seen captain Hook aboot.

Amy Judd

at 09:37 on April 16th, 2009

I think designated military escorts is a good idea, providing the shipping companies can afford it and it becomes worth their while.

Roy C

at 10:21 on April 16th, 2009

Yes, take out their "mother ships" and mine their harbors and strafe their docks. Then whey they rebuild, do it again.

I think that they just might learn.

Barry Artiste

at 16:38 on April 17th, 2009

Granted Moon, but dont forget these sailors were not fishing or dumping pollutants, they were on a mercy mission bringing food and aid to starving children in african countries, and these pirates had intentions of holding these ships for ransom, while others in dire need of food and medicine are dying daily, every day these pirates hijack a ship and keep it from its intended destination. Many men, women and children die, because of these pirates, so taking out a pirate saves lives of those in need elsewhere, ya gots ta look at the big picture.

thanks for the comments, though always welcomed.