Somali Pirates Seize Two More Ships, U.S. Vessel, Others Attacked

By Alison Bevege | April 15, 2009

  • April 15, 2009 at 7:03 am
    TC says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    That statement you made (Obama Guy)…. made me stupider for reading it.

  • April 15, 2009 at 12:41 pm
    bubba says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    This may be a complex issue, and it may be difficult to stop the ongoing desire of some on land to continue piracy. That doesn’t mean they should have continued success at sea. These guys should look like the keystone cops. The pirates should be the feature segment on programs that show videos of stupid criminals.
    Seriously, it should be like a cartoon where the pirates are trying to climb up the side of the boat, but the boat is covered with grease.
    The chairman of the Joint Chiefs asks what to do with captured pirates. That’s the wrong question to ask. There shouldn’t be any captured pirates. You blow a hole in their boat and let them drown.

  • April 15, 2009 at 1:12 am
    Pirate Watcher says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    I’m repeating myself but with the vast expanse of water to be patrolled, the only real solution is for the Merchant Ships to be able to defend themselves. 1. The crew needs to be armed and trained in the use of their weapons. 2. Protection against boarding such as barbed wire needs to be installed. 3. A perimeter such as 300 yards or so must be set and publicized. Anyone unauthorized and entering that area is blown out of the water without further discussion. Let’s hope that our geniuses either accept this or come up with something better and not engage in pattycake nonsense about respecting the pirates rights.

  • April 15, 2009 at 1:22 am
    Just a guy says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    Reminds me of a few verse of a song… “If I had a rocket launcher I’d blow them away”

  • April 15, 2009 at 1:23 am
    gooney bird says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    Not difficult at all actually. Do what the previous sensible commentators suggest. In addition, we patrol the shore with C47 gunships, C130 gunships, unmanned airborne vehicles and we kill anyone leaving shore. We make it deadly for these bottom feeders to leave their mud huts.

  • April 15, 2009 at 1:46 am
    Old Pro says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    And what about the hostages that the pirates carry on board with them. Do we blow them away and kill them, too? New international laws are needed to allow merchant mariners the legal rights to bear arms and to defend themselves. It’s my understanding they are not currently allowed to legally do so — and that is why the various governmental “navies” are involved.

  • April 15, 2009 at 2:25 am
    Texan says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    It seems like there is a lot of traffic through there. Why can’t the ships convoy up before they enter, and go through together, maybe with an escort for like fifty ships at a time?

  • April 15, 2009 at 2:29 am
    gooney bird says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    Old pro clearly is not aware of what we can “see” in the boats leaving shore. We blow boats up posing a threat.

  • April 15, 2009 at 2:47 am
    Dave says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    I’m guessing living in Somalia is akin to a lifelong prison sentence. These jerk-off pirates have very little to lose with the risks they are taking. Unless the pirates think/know the vessels are armed they are going to continue with these activities.

  • April 15, 2009 at 2:49 am
    Old Pro says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    Mr. Gooney. Regarding what one can see: I suppose you would see heavily armed pirates with formerly captured hostages also on board. At least, that is what I see. This is how the “rescuer pirates” were handling their planned assistance to the pirates in the lifeboat with Capt. Lewis.
    Do you propose blowing up the pirate boat, innocent hostages and all?
    There is no simple solution here, but I do like Texan’s idea.
    Further, if pirates are caught at sea, I’d propose “court” and subsequent punishment be dealth with immediately — while at sea!

  • April 15, 2009 at 2:55 am
    gooney bird says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    Old Pro…you would have been perfect in the Carter and Johnson adminstration. Just get out of the way. Give the order and let the “experts” handle it. Equivication is failure.

  • April 15, 2009 at 3:03 am
    Old Pro says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    Mr. Gooney: I’m a “Goldwater” conservative! Equivocation is NOT the answer, but common sense is helpful. I’m not disagreeing with you entire idea, just the proper execution. Unfortunately, I think you miss the point — not sure why, but I’m not going to debate you in this forum.

  • April 15, 2009 at 3:46 am
    Sailor Man says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    IF we can launch a convoy of 50 ships like a WWII convoy, WITH armed military escorts..-there’d have to be some departure point when each ship headed for it’s own destination and “broke”convoy.
    I like this idea and a 300 ft (ok 300 yard)np cruise zone. Any craft in that zone will be subject to immediate fire.
    Will the pirates use hostages as “bait” to prevent incoming fire ?
    Don’t know.
    ..-at the end of the day, ladies and gentlemen..I think the Navy of EACH country in these waters needs to get involved, and it would be smart for all of the countries sailing ships into this area to get a plan.
    And soon.

  • April 15, 2009 at 4:20 am
    Don't blame Obama for pirates says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    There was no pirate problem for hundreds of years until George Bush failed to support the welfare of Somali pirate families. It would of certainly been cheaper just to have some sort of controlled bail out to make these people happy just to live at home without playing this high seas pirate game.

  • April 15, 2009 at 4:28 am
    Task Force Navy says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    Stiletto

  • April 16, 2009 at 9:57 am
    plymn says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    Wrong again. The pirates are a result of failed Clinton policy. The government of Somalia collapsed in the early 90’s. With no effective government and no assistance from other countries, the people turned to piracy to survive.

    When Bush took over, he had other issues he had to deal with first, remember 9/11?

  • April 16, 2009 at 12:55 pm
    bubba says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    What about the hostages? That is why it has been said that the ships needed to be armed. There shouldn’t be any hostages or captured pirates. The pirate boats should be blown out of the water before they have a chance to seize any ship.

  • April 20, 2009 at 10:36 am
    Frank says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    Piracy is a global issue that needs to be dealt with quickly and severely. This has been allowed to go on now for years with ship owners paying ransoms to get their property back from a bunch of thugs from a 3rd world country. Every ship has the right to protect itself. Pirates have no rights. Until they perceive a consequence (like death)they won’t stop. Here’s my suggestion:

    Issue a demand that all ships and hostages currently being held be released within 24 hours. Failure to comply will result in the delivery of several cruise missles into the Somali port.

  • April 20, 2009 at 12:55 pm
    az agent says:
    Like or Dislike:
    Thumb up 0
    Thumb down 0

    Maybe the answer lies in a naval blockade. There are onl a few ports where the pirates and the captured crews and ships are. Park a carrier group outside and see just how quick the pirates stop and go back to doing whatever they did before they took up the pirating business.



Add a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*