14 of the Quest pirates indicted
Here is the article.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...n=main-twitter
According to the article, being convicted of piracy means life with no possibility of parole.
Yoiu and Carl are having fun, so, not to intrude but just for info:
Quote:
Originally Posted by
motorfirebox
We as a country have been stomping around in that middle ground for more than half a century. The only difference--the only difference at all--is that now it's on the news.
Er, that's not new. That it's on the news, I mean. It always has been in the news -- the difference is that today, the news repeats itself over and over and over to fill the 24 hour cycle. Thus, instead of being informed, we are being beaten over the head with factoids. :wry:
A number of which are somewhat specious...:rolleyes:
Quote:
I want to hear someone say, "Yes, I am okay with taking action that will result in the deaths of tens or hundreds of hostages who current trends indicate would probably not have otherwise died." At that point, at least we could agree to disagree. As it stands, I feel like I keep pointing that problem out and those in favor of direct action keep dancing away from it.
Sounds like all or nothing to me... :D
I'm unsure anyone can or will say that without amplification of circumstances, costs, benefits, etc. I'm equally unsure that anyone from A nation can say that with any validity as the hostages come from many nations and an agreement or consensus to make such an attack would likely be required. *
I am sure, however, that lacking such punitive action or another major change in shipping protection (with concomitant costs) the problem will not go away until such time as the other area nations elect to end the piracy for their own economic well being.
* Unless the Chinese, French or Russians get hacked -- or the British or Americans start losing too much money -- then all bets are off. :D
Another example of a lack of understanding...
It has been often said that a lack of understanding of Africa often leads to well intentioned actions lead to unintended consequences (I'm trying to be kind here).
Norway ‘wasting money’ on Somali pirates
Quote:
“It’s ironic, but Norway finances them with its foreign aid. The pirates are now also using fishing vessels donated by Norway and other Nordic countries to carry out their hijackings, I have seen it with my own eyes,” Dagens Næringsliv (DN) reports.
Idiots! (not trying to be kind any more).