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Across the Fence:  Maybe I'm naive...but...rant about pirates...  |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
 Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 08:29:48 AM
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More ships seized by Somali pirates today...now, I don't know if any of you have seen the footage of just how these "pirates" approach these ginormous vessels, but basically, these goofballs approach in a large, inflatable raft and they have guns and machetes. And they power up to the side of the ship. So. Um, WHY can't you just pick them off while they're in their approach? I don't typically advocate violence, but I find all this absurd, really--most of these "pirates" range in age from 16-19 years old.
I'd like to understand why these ships can't have at least, like a harpoon gun or something on them? I realize these are peacetime vessels, but can anyone give me an idea about maritime rules and regulations?
Merchant seaman can be a rough lot--wouldn't it seem logical to have at least on authorized person on a ship who could maintain order if something went off kilter?
Seems like you could "fix their wagon" (as my gran used to say) rather quickly with a little "pre-empting".... |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 08:39:51 AM
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| Ah ha! Well, that's a welcome change, I'd say. It's like they're sitting ducks, really. The ship they recently pirated (wherein the captain was taken) had relief supplies for devastated areas and peoples. Ridiculous. |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 08:40:18 AM
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I hope that they put these nasty pirates out of business! This is all getting absurd with "pirates" going around and hijacking ships that seem to have no way to protect themselves from these attacks. I'm glad they are getting smart and arming them selves, at least the American ships can do this I think. Thanks for the info Alee.
Annika
Farmgirl & sister #13
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 08:42:02 AM
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Yeah, it seems like a no-brainer to little old layperson me. It might have something to do with international law, though. The crew of a merchant ship (or a private sailboat) being civilians, in a foreign country, shooting at civilians of that country. Could get sticky. I'd hate to spend my life in prison, or be executed, under a foreign government because I defended myself against some suspected pirates.
But why not have a military ship provide escort for merchant ships? Like back in the good (or bad) old days of Blackbeard-style piracy?
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 08:56:02 AM
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Yeah, I hate to keep snickering when I hear about the pirates.....it's not funny but I still picture capt jack sparrow and other idiots that are trying to act like big guys with their weapons. SURELY we can make sure this doesn't happen again and send a message to quit attacking...
**~~Farmgirl Sister #60~~**
"... to thine ownself be true."
http://liggybitsandpieces.blogspot.com/
http://ligonierliving.blogspot.com/
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Diane B Carter
True Blue Farmgirl
1270 Posts
Diane
Blasdell
N.Y.
USA
1270 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 09:00:04 AM
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Its a sad world when we have kids hijacking ships. I was amazed at how well the 3 sharp shooters got their person with waves and wind it was amazing. i just think, 3 son's of three mom's were killed. It was the life they were born into or raised to feel like it was just a way of life. How we think at 5 is different from how we think at 15 and 15 to 30 is totally different from 50. They need to be stopped for sure, it's just sad.
Hope all your days are Sunnydays.
dianebcarterhotmailcom.blogspot.com |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 09:00:24 AM
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You must remember these are mostly cargo carrying vessels, not the US Navy. I am sure someone might carry a side arm or 2. I am sure doctrine will change after this.
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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nubidane
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Lisa
Georgetown
OH
2900 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 09:07:37 AM
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How bout those Navy Seals??
Talk about accuracy!  |
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catscharm74
True Blue Farmgirl
4687 Posts
Heather
Texas
USA
4687 Posts |
Posted - Apr 14 2009 : 09:18:04 AM
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Yes. I love them Navy Seals!! I got to "work" with them and it was so cool. They are very stealth to say the least!! : )
Heather
Yee-Haw, I am a cowgirl!!!
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bohemiangel
True Blue Farmgirl
2087 Posts
Bridget
Ligonier
pa
USA
2087 Posts |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 06:33:06 AM
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From what I understand, being a pirate in that part of the world is a pretty lackadaisical way of making a living. Compared to the rest of the country, the pirates are pretty high on the hog. The shipping companies pay the 'ransom' and the pirates take it away! They don't share it with the rest of the country.
Also, as for arming the crew, you don't want someone who isn't stable to roam around with live ammo but I saw somewhere that there may be something like mercenaries aboard now that will defend the ship. That way liability is averted from the ship.
It bothered me just a 'tiny' bit when I heard of the ages but when you play with the big boys, you got take the 'hit' (no pun intended).
Winona :-)
To read funny stories about my cooking 'skills', please visit http://lostadventuresincooking.blogspot.com/
For uber-opinionated, pleasurable horse related reading, please visit http://horseinfoperson.blogspot.com/
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ruralfarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
4309 Posts
Rene'
Prosser
WA
USA
4309 Posts |
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Bellepepper
True Blue Farmgirl
1207 Posts
Belle
Coffeyville
KS
USA
1207 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 07:27:49 AM
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| I think all the merchant ships and its crew are unarmed. maritime law forbids firearms on board. If someone on that ship had been armed, they surley would not have stood by and let their captian be taken hostage. This is what happens when only the bad guys have guns. It will happen right here at home if we ever loose our right to bare arms. |
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Amie C.
True Blue Farmgirl
2099 Posts
Finger Lakes Region
NY
2099 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 08:07:26 AM
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| Yes, Belle, I thought there must be a restriction like that. Obviously, something's going to have to change, whether it's allowing armed guards on merchant ships or providing military escort to forestall the need for dangerous rescue operations. |
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KayB
True Blue Farmgirl
540 Posts
Kay
Del City
Oklahoma
USA
540 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 1:17:31 PM
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I was reading an article about how some of the ships from poorer nations have been held for up to 3 years and nobody has done anything. We only got involved when they took one of our ships, and our guys fought back. YAY!!!! I think it should be outlawed no matter what flat is flying on the ship. The French took back a private yacht and had been seized by the pirates and there were only 5 people on board, including a 3-year-old child. Unfortunately, the owner of the yacht died, but the French has said they will not negotiate. I don't think we should either, but the companies seem to be willing to. To me, that's just crap. We need to put those kids out of business.
Life's a dance you learn as you go |
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queenofdreamsz4u
True Blue Farmgirl
3845 Posts
Stephanie Suzanne
Smoky Mountains Tennessee
USA
3845 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 1:37:56 PM
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These people have no respect for their own lives much less anyone else. Their government has been totally taken over by pirates..would be like saying that the mafia is running your city...very sad and very very dangerous. They are traveling out as far as 1000 miles to find vessels to hijack.
It is insanity to think that WE are not allowed to bear arms and defend ourselves in these situations..I do believe the security personnel will be on the increase..they have to be met out in international waters to even board the vessel that will be protected...more UN crap...I truly believe that the UN sponsors these terrorists since they "write them up" or slap their hand when they misbehave instead of blasting them off this planet. North Korea is included in this bad behavior as well. They extort money from the USA by threatening us....
WE feed the world for crying out loud and they all crap on us without thinking. I guess it will never change in my lifetime but the future generations are gonna see or hear about some very big explosions.
I'm not politically correct and do not tolerate everything that happens in this universe..tolerance is ok til it means we are hurting ourselves and our country by being so.
 Queen of Dreamsz ~ keeper of dream kingdom
www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ My Creative Journey
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass…it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
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CountryBorn
True Blue Farmgirl
1545 Posts
Mary Jane
New York
USA
1545 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 1:49:13 PM
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I guess to some it may sound hard hearted, but, to me, any "kid" who decides to play pirates for real is gonna get hurt or killed. Especially threatening American ships. I can't say I feel sorry for them. Hijacking is no joke or game. What's that saying that was so popular for awhile, "You play with the big boys, your gonna get hurt". They did.Maybe it will wake up some of the other would be pirates.
MJ
There can be no happiness if the things we believe in are different from the things we do. Freya Stark |
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goneriding
True Blue Farmgirl
1599 Posts
Winona
Central Oregon
USA
1599 Posts |
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Annab
True Blue Farmgirl
2900 Posts
Anna
Seagrove
NC
USA
2900 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 5:06:20 PM
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This whole story was interesting and frustrating to follow at the same time.
On my talk radio station i got pretty tired of all the pro/anti Obama banter that came in from various listeners.
We are so fortunate to be living where we do no matter political affiliation.
I'm just relieved everyone on the U S side made it ok. Pity for the other countries who have gone by the same fate. It's bad all the way around.
And pretty incredilbe on the part of the sharp shooters. THAT"S INCREDIBLE! Here at the zoo we need folks like this help our poor vets dart some of more illusive hooved critters. |
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jpbluesky
True Blue Farmgirl
6066 Posts
Jeannie
Florida
USA
6066 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 5:46:13 PM
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Look at the reality - little boat (pirate) comes up to a big boat (should be armed) and thinks it has the jump on it? Seems to me the pirates are sitting ducks to a ship that was armed and ready to defend itself. Blow a few of these pirates away, and the pirates would think twice.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13 |
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K-Falls Farmgirl
Chapter Leader
2096 Posts
Cheryl
Klamath Falls
Oregon
USA
2096 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 6:22:22 PM
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It does make you wonder Why? & How can it really be stopped. Why are these other countries allowing it to continue? Especially when the cargo ships have to travel this way..to get to the country they are delivering too.
Cheryl
Farmgirl #309
Klamath Falls "Charming Chicks Chapter" Mother Hen
Almost daily posts at:
http://www.k-fallsfarmgirl.blogspot.com/
Come visit the barn at http://barndoorcreations.blogspot.com/
Grandmas are mom's with more icing. |
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queenofdreamsz4u
True Blue Farmgirl
3845 Posts
Stephanie Suzanne
Smoky Mountains Tennessee
USA
3845 Posts |
Posted - Apr 15 2009 : 7:29:53 PM
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An answer to why these other countries are allowing this to continue??? As always....and the G20 meetings that just ended sent the strong message to Obama (as with all of our presidents) that they will extend their help in a very very very small fashion..nothing new here... The United States of America is the keeper of the world and everyone EXPECTS us to take care of all the dirty work and humanitarian effort. And of course we possess the superior military force of the whole world...so they think we should just take care of everything....AND we usually do because we are the super force of the world!
THEN there is the United Nations....a whole nother story and has become a mass of people that condone terrorists activity because of the way that the agreements are written..
The United States has made it clear that we do not tolerate terrorist activity against anyone of us no matter where we are..We are fortunate to have the elite military to protect us.
Sadly, these kids that are recruited as pirates are taught that it's the thing to do in life...and now that their government has been overthrown and taken over by the PIRATES these kids don't have a say so weather they go on these missions or not...The pirate that was taken aboard the Navy ship acted like he didn't want to go back to the life boat...He knew he was going to die if he did and he also knew that Americans are humane and would not kill him.
Of course, so many of these countries hate us with a passion and we continue to pass through dangerous waters to feed them even though they hate us....I guess this is why my head spins when I hear any of them talk about the US people being pigs and many other hateful things....hey, they need to take notice of who is feeding them...don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Here is the link to the United Nations Convention on The Law Of The Sea....if you will go down to Article 19, Meaning of Innocent Passage, you will get an idea of the NO WEAPONS
http://www.un.org/Depts/los/convention_agreements/texts/unclos/part2.htm
Anyhow, I haven't put my finger on the exact verbiage that I'm looking for but this will give you a start on understanding how our hands are tied...it's the United Nations and all the millions of pages of crap that can lead to us getting KILLED and also leads to entertaining terrorist.
It's complex to say the least but I do think every American should start studying just exactly how our nation runs itself and protects itself...many of us stay lost in all of it and understandably so but if you are so inclined now is a great time to start learning.
Queen of Dreamsz ~ keeper of dream kingdom
www.queenofdreamsz.blogspot.com ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ My Creative Journey
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass…it's about learning to dance in the rain." |
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FebruaryViolet
True Blue Farmgirl
4810 Posts
Jonni
Elsmere
Kentucky
USA
4810 Posts |
Posted - Apr 16 2009 : 05:42:32 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by jpbluesky
Look at the reality - little boat (pirate) comes up to a big boat (should be armed) and thinks it has the jump on it? Seems to me the pirates are sitting ducks to a ship that was armed and ready to defend itself. Blow a few of these pirates away, and the pirates would think twice.
Farmgirl Sister # 31
www.blueskyjeannie.blogspot.com
Psalm 51: 10-13
My point exactly, Jeannie, when I first posted this. EXACTLY what I was thinking. |
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lacisne88
True Blue Farmgirl
1181 Posts
Chelsey
Lake Stevens
Washington
USA
1181 Posts |
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Across the Fence: Maybe I'm naive...but...rant about pirates... |
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Maybe I'm naive...but...rant about pirates...
