I think the Somalis are about to find out that the US, Britain and France have the capability to quietly terminate what are determined to be lethal threats to its citizens - or business interests. A lot of it won't make the papers, but will definitely make the point. My guess is there is about to be a very large reduction in the Somali pirate population. Being a pirate is a much different proposition than being a jihadi. Getting killed isn't a win.
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http://www.alternet.org/audits/136288/we%2527re_being_lied_to_about_pirates/>
>I think the author has a valid point and the issues need to be discussed in a global atmosphere; however, they cannot be grouped into the same basket.
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>And now, the backlash from standing up to pirates:
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>Somali pirates were quick to vow revenge over the shooting of their comrades, as well as a French military assault to rescue a yacht on Friday.
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>"The French and the Americans will regret starting this killing. We do not kill, but take only ransom. We shall do something to anyone we see as French or American from now," Hussein, a pirate, told Reuters by satellite phone.
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http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE53A1LP20090412?sp=true
Charles Hankey
Though a good deal is too strange to be believed, nothing is too strange to have happened.
- Thomas Hardy
Half the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don't mean to do harm-- but the harm does not interest them. Or they do not see it, or they justify it because they are absorbed in the endless struggle to think well of themselves.
-- T. S. Eliot
Democracy is two wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for lunch.
Liberty is a well-armed sheep contesting the vote.
- Ben Franklin
Pardon him, Theodotus. He is a barbarian, and thinks that the customs of his tribe and island are the laws of nature.