OT - Piracy

[HorseSoldier]

Capital punishment doesn't work. The only thing that can be done to improve the situation is an improvement in Somalia.

I think yes and no.

Very publicly hanging someone from a yard arm would tend to have a chilling psychological effect on would be pirates, pour encourager les autres and all that. Would not end Somali piracy, but being killed for your trouble ups the ante a lot versus catch and release.

On the other hand, I agree -- as long as Somalia is a poster child for "failed state" status, desperate people will do desperate things. Clearing the sea lanes of Somali pirates would just pass on that mess to some other venue, be it Somali civilians, neighboring states, etc. Which might be acceptable to the world, which honestly doesn't seem to care except when Somalia's situation inconveniences merchant shipping.

On the other hand, the "home front" whinging and generalized distress that would arise from summarily executing pirates -- or even executing pirates after lengthy international trials (can you even get an international court to do death penalties these days?) -- would undermine the piracy suppression effort more than it would help.

[pmulcahy11b]

I've always felt that a combination of air strikes against the pirates' lair and special operations raids might do the trick. The only thing that's going to work at this point is to kill the pirates and destroy their support infrastructure -- ruthlessly.

[Abbott Shaull]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

I've always felt that a combination of air strikes against the pirates' lair and special operations raids might do the trick. The only thing that's going to work at this point is to kill the pirates and destroy their support infrastructure -- ruthlessly.

Paul there so much a part of me that wants to scream, 'Right on!'

The main thing one has to remember is Somali is failed State. With that said, doing air strike and special operation raids will only give them a wild card, and really they have shown they will used it in the past.

Ironically it has taken away of the piracy that still continues in some of the Pacific Sea lanes and they are much more vicious. Just amazing the stories the Insurance Companies want to make public. At least with this option the cargo and for the most part the people are making it to there final destination. Where as out in the Pacific the stuff usually ends up on the black market.

Just some thoughts.

[Legbreaker]

And you can bet the insurance companies aren't just bending over and taking it. Those payouts get repaid to them with interest through higher premiums to all. The transport companies pass on the higher costs to the consumer - that's you and me people!

No wonder the price of living continues to climb....