Yeah, there is no reason... Somali pirates are a nuisance problem. And escalating a military response for them would be like pulling a gun on a mosquito.

I'm with you, subby.

They should reinstate the draft.

I'm not to clear on the complexities of the issue, but are governments responsible for defending commercial shipping? Shouldn't the companies pay to have Steven Segal as a cook on every ship? I don't know what his price would be, but it would be worth it.

Code_Archeologist: Yeah, there is no reason... Somali pirates are a nuisance problem. And escalating a military response for them would be like pulling a gun on a mosquito.

9/11.

Code_Archeologist: Yeah, there is no reason... Somali pirates are a nuisance problem. And escalating a military response for them would be like pulling a gun on a mosquito.

THIS.

The pirate situation is nothing new, this has been going on for several years, they just finally took an American ship.

doublesecretprobation: "Code_Archeologist: Yeah, there is no reason... Somali pirates are a nuisance problem. And escalating a military response for them would be like pulling a gun on a mosquito.

9/11."

Ummm, yeah. Sure thing there Giuliani.

Something of that scale would only occur if Obama chooses to ignore briefings labeled "Somali Pirates intend to hijack Florida".

40yoVirgin: doublesecretprobation: "Code_Archeologist: Yeah, there is no reason... Somali pirates are a nuisance problem. And escalating a military response for them would be like pulling a gun on a mosquito.

9/11."

Ummm, yeah. Sure thing there Giuliani.

Something of that scale would only occur if Obama chooses to ignore briefings labeled "Somali Pirates intend to hijack Florida".

Giuliani? I was thinking more like Lois Griffin.

40yoVirgin: Ummm, yeah. Sure thing there Giuliani.

Something of that scale would only occur if Obama chooses to ignore briefings labeled "Somali Pirates intend to hijack Florida".

I bet you won't sound so glib when a Somalian pirate vessel brings down the Freedom Tower.

Slaxl: I'm not to clear on the complexities of the issue, but are governments responsible for defending commercial shipping? Shouldn't the companies pay to have Steven Segal as a cook on every ship? I don't know what his price would be, but it would be worth it.

The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. (pops)

This falls under "maintaining freedom of the seas."

We don't need to beef up the military. Someone like Blackwater needs to start selling armed detachment services to the shipping lines.

dillenger69: We don't need to beef up the military. Someone like Blackwater needs to start selling armed detachment services to the shipping lines.

Xe would be more than happy to oblige.

dillenger69: Someone like Blackwater needs to start selling armed detachment services to the shipping lines.

A company already does... There was story a few months back about them abandoning ship after it was taken over by pirates.

pizen: Slaxl: I'm not to clear on the complexities of the issue, but are governments responsible for defending commercial shipping? Shouldn't the companies pay to have Steven Segal as a cook on every ship? I don't know what his price would be, but it would be worth it.

The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. (pops)

This falls under "maintaining freedom of the seas."

Sure, by restricting the pirates' freedom!

/I keed
//maybe we'll finally get to use our dolphin assassins


Relax, it's only a camera...THIS time...

Code_Archeologist: Yeah, there is no reason... Somali pirates are a nuisance problem. And escalating a military response for them would be like pulling a gun on a mosquito.

Don't you know the military can solve anything? Why do you hate the troops?

Bush would never have appointed an appeaser like this to be Secretary of Defense.

Renart: Bush would never have appointed an appeaser like this to be Secretary of Defense.

Good one.

This has been going on for years but now that the press has gotten around to putting a face to it, it's suddenly a crisis.

Don't the pirates operate using inflatable boats and hand me down rifles?

Would you just need a .50 call mounted on your ship or a couple of 12 gauges?

Spanky_McFarksalot: This has been going on for years but now that the press has gotten around to putting a face to it, it's suddenly a crisis.

It has more to do with them hijacking a vessel under the US flag.

I knew it was trouble the second they signed Rinku and Dinesh, I just KNEW it!

Schadenfreude ist die schoenste Freude: Don't the pirates operate using inflatable boats and hand me down rifles?

Would you just need a .50 call mounted on your ship or a couple of 12 gauges?

Some of the pirates have more sophisticated weaponry from working with the warlords as well as experience on how to use them. The average cargo crew does not.

I'll go with what RON PAUL says. Link (new window)

Expand the Coast Guard significantly to deal with pirates on a day-to-day basis. Teh CG is alreayd deployed worldwide and is appropriately armed. Plus their job is to deal with civilian shipping and such. USe the Navy and Marines when needed, esp to burn out pirate bases.

The Somalian pirates are an itch on the bottom of the civilized world's foot. It's finally gotten annoying enough that we're taking our shoe off and scratching.

I've read that despite the small international armada in the area, the military commanders are immensely frustrated because none of the commercial ships appear to understand the concept of a convoy, which makes it essentially impossible to actually protect anyone.

My personal idea is simple: "Dear Somalia: The piracy stops right now or we start shipping explosives to you. Sender agrees to pay for Overnight Early-AM delivery via USAF. Sincerely, US Govt"

Robert Gates is a lib that hates America's safties.

Schadenfreude ist die schoenste Freude: Don't the pirates operate using inflatable boats and hand me down rifles?

Would you just need a .50 call mounted on your ship or a couple of 12 gauges?

What about a BFG 9000? It will protect ships from Somali and Cyberdemon pirates. Problem solved.

We're HERE! We're QUEER! We don't want any more BEARS!

This guy's a Mancharrrrrian candidate.

Fart_Machine: Schadenfreude ist die schoenste Freude: Don't the pirates operate using inflatable boats and hand me down rifles?

Would you just need a .50 call mounted on your ship or a couple of 12 gauges?

Some of the pirates have more sophisticated weaponry from working with the warlords as well as experience on how to use them. The average cargo crew does not.

From the news reports I read they regularly are carrying russian made RPG's and AK-47's, along with some of the heavier belt fed machine guns, sometimes mounted on the boat. This isn't just some african version of rednecks with hunting rifles but former somali militia and child soldiers who have experience fighting and using these weapons. Mix that with some cocaine like drugs and you have the Yaaaaaaahr experience.

As much as I what I think about Obama would be unpopular among the small contingent of lefties at Fark, he did good with letting the U.S. military handle the situation. Unfortunately, it's going to take many iterations of lather, rinse, repeat before they truly comprehend reality.

ManhattanRedneck: Schadenfreude ist die schoenste Freude: Don't the pirates operate using inflatable boats and hand me down rifles?

Would you just need a .50 call mounted on your ship or a couple of 12 gauges?

What about a BFG 9000? It will protect ships from Somali and Cyberdemon pirates. Problem solved.



Please.

A ZORG ZF-1 at least exists. That would be the choice.

Funny, really...

When it comes to finding new and better ways to kill foreign people, there's no amount of taxes conservatives aren't willing to pay through the nose for...

But when it comes to fixing bridges, building railways and offering health-care to the working class...

Pocket Ninja: 40yoVirgin: Ummm, yeah. Sure thing there Giuliani.

Something of that scale would only occur if Obama chooses to ignore briefings labeled "Somali Pirates intend to hijack Florida".

I bet you won't sound so glib when a Somalian pirate vessel brings down the Freedom Tower.

Set the sky boat to ramming speed, matey!

jboy: From the news reports I read they regularly are carrying russian made RPG's and AK-47's, along with some of the heavier belt fed machine guns, sometimes mounted on the boat. This isn't just some african version of rednecks with hunting rifles but former somali militia and child soldiers who have experience fighting and using these weapons. Mix that with some cocaine like drugs and you have the Yaaaaaaahr experience.

Interesting. Might be cost effective for shipping companies to put a couple security types on their large vessels with a couple large caliber machine guns.

Or what about those sonic weapons the cruise ships use? I remember reading about one that successfully used it to repel an attack.

Personally, I'd love to see them take on an American warship with the phalanx cannon equipped. Just to see the ensuing video of that thing ripping through a boat full of coked up morons.

Hideously Gigantic Smurf: But when it comes to fixing bridges,

Now you got me started. I've got three farking bridges around me that are now suddenly out of commission. They were perfectly fine three months ago. Now they've got signs all over them but not one farking sign of activity/repair. Meanwhile, I'm burning four bucks an hour or more of gasoline sitting in traffic detouring my ass all around the area. Do you really think I'm feeling good about the new administration while they engage in this Potemkin village scam? Do I have more money to spend at the mall when I'm wasting money sitting in traffic?

You would think Blackwaters and other private militaries would see this as a huge business opportunity. Or even less prosperous nations could make some money off this. It doesn't take a battleship to take out these pirates.

Schadenfreude ist die schoenste Freude: jboy: From the news reports I read they regularly are carrying russian made RPG's and AK-47's, along with some of the heavier belt fed machine guns, sometimes mounted on the boat. This isn't just some african version of rednecks with hunting rifles but former somali militia and child soldiers who have experience fighting and using these weapons. Mix that with some cocaine like drugs and you have the Yaaaaaaahr experience.

Interesting. Might be cost effective for shipping companies to put a couple security types on their large vessels with a couple large caliber machine guns.

Or what about those sonic weapons the cruise ships use? I remember reading about one that successfully used it to repel an attack.

Not exactly sure of the exact law/treaty but I'm pretty sure that when you put armed personnel on a ship with military grade weaponry then you lose any legal protections and are considered a military vessel, which is why they haven't done it so far.

The sonic weaponry thing is probably being invested in by some companies but the LRAD (new window) which the cruise ship used to ward people off is probably pretty freaking pricey. Less pricey than a new ship, but I'd guess fairly expensive to just invest in.

Frankly I think they should just start hiring small anti-pirate fast boats. Think Blackwater + A-Team + Thunder in Paradise (new window)

Schadenfreude ist die schoenste Freude: phalanx



badness


Overkill (new window)


probably a little more than necessary, but it would certainly send a message.

moralpanic: You would think Blackwaters and other private militaries would see this as a huge business opportunity. Or even less prosperous nations could make some money off this. It doesn't take a battleship to take out these pirates.

Indeed.

So instead of the navy bobbing around picking rust off their hulls they have to do a little work? OH JESUS, get the cheque book!!

Piracy 2008 (Google map @ ICC Crime Services)

Piracy 2009 (Google map @ ICC Crime Services)

The new ninja squads in the Straits of Malacca have really made a difference.

And then they were shot in the farking head, submitard.



/a small contingent of support-style vessels with a helicopter and a few hundred marines along with a combat drone will do the trick juuuuust fine

Didn't the right wing crap on Kerry for saying terrorism should just be a nuisance? It's like they WANT to be annoyed or frightened.

Jesus, now cons are afraid of pirates? It must suck to wet yourself every time you see your own shadow.

Code_Archeologist: Yeah, there is no reason... Somali pirates are a nuisance problem. And escalating a military response for them would be like pulling a gun on a mosquito.

it would also be treating the symptom, not the disease. and no one wants to go back to Somalia after Gothic Serpent.

EL_FABREZ: I'll go with what RON PAU-NOBODY GIVES A FLYING F*CK WHAT HALF-BAKED 18TH CENTURY IDEA RON PAUL HAS!



//rage off

Man On Fire: Code_Archeologist: Yeah, there is no reason... Somali pirates are a nuisance problem. And escalating a military response for them would be like pulling a gun on a mosquito.

it would also be treating the symptom, not the disease. and no one wants to go back to Somalia after Gothic Serpent.

"I don't support antibiotic regimens after neurosurgery because they don't cure brain cancer."

I'm pretty sure that the Obama administration isn't going to go with the false dichotomy option. I'm pretty sure they're going to both find ways to undermine the conditions that encourage piracy, as well as deal with the immediate danger of pirates attacking ships until such a time as they figure out and implement to effect a plan to get rid of the motivating factors for piracy.

And this "gun-mosquito" business is a dumb concept as well. Application of military force isn't simplistic and binary. It's not a dichotomy between peacetime and WWIII. We have many military options at our disposal specifically designed for fighting little backwoods shiatheads like this. They're called Special Operations Forces, and the SEALS are bored as f*ck in Southern Iraq right now.

so our lib prez is a pussy like jimmy carter who would have guesed?