4/16/2009

19 Comments

1. They’re not “pirates,” they’re Somalia’s “civilian national security force.”

   Comment by Daryl Herbert — 4/16/2009 @ 11:38 pm

2. Just another example of true-life being more incredible than fiction.
   A true scientific miracle: how do they stack $hit that high without it falling over?

   Comment by AD — 4/17/2009 @ 12:02 am

3. OOOOOKKKKKKKaaaaaaayyyyyy.

   I did not know that our Coast Guard was tasked with capturing container ships and holding the crews and cargo for ransom.

   COOL! Where do I sign up and what’s my share?

   Comment by Dr. K — 4/17/2009 @ 4:27 am

4. From one shakedown artist to another.

   Comment by daleyrocks — 4/17/2009 @ 4:44 am

5. I thought they were “man-caused event facilitators”.

   Comment by JD — 4/17/2009 @ 5:28 am

6. He never ceases to amaze

   Comment by voiceofreason2 — 4/17/2009 @ 5:39 am

7. Al treats pirates with more respect than he affords the Joooooooooos.

   Comment by JD — 4/17/2009 @ 5:43 am

8. And hopefully the won’t mind being called “chum” when we blow their silly butts out of international waters.

   Comment by PatriotRider — 4/17/2009 @ 6:27 am

9. Any chance this latest outrageous claim coming out of the mouth of Al not-so-Sharpton will get liberals to finally cut him off?

   Didn’t think so.

   Comment by John Hitchcock — 4/17/2009 @ 6:40 am

10. I prefer “maritime redistributionists” or “sharers of maritime wealth.”

    Comment by Diffus — 4/17/2009 @ 6:58 am

11. Like any other country with a shoreline, Somalia’s territorial waters extend out twelve miles from shore, and they have an “Economic Exclusion Zone” out to the 200 mile mark. As shipping changed routes to avoid piracy, the pirates have extended their operation further out to sea.

    The Maersk Alabama was well outside of Somalia’s EEZ when it was attacked. I call BS.

    If the pirates had stayed inside Somalia’s EEZ, then this claim would have retained some credibility. As it is, it is a transparent attempt to justify their robberies, and Sharpton et al have fallen for it. How gullible.

    Comment by LarryD — 4/17/2009 @ 7:02 am

12. [...] Posted by John Hichcock on 2009/04/17 H/T Patterico [...]

    Pingback by Al Sharpton Steps In It Again « Truth Before Dishonor — 4/17/2009 @ 7:16 am

13. They’re not pirates! They’re merchant marine organizers!

    Comment by Brother Bradley J. Fikes, C.O.R. — 4/17/2009 @ 8:00 am

14. It’s not Freddie’s Fashion Mart! It’s Jew Interlopers!
    It’s not a rape victim! It’s Tawana Brawley – telling the larger truth about police brutality!

    Comment by carlitos — 4/17/2009 @ 12:56 pm

15. What else would you expect?

    Comment by Dreadnaught — 4/17/2009 @ 7:13 pm

16. As the conservative mind set rails at massive government spending while cheering the US Navy Seals shooting pirates, one has to wonder why they blindly support government/military intervention in rescuing merchant ships. The costs are astronomical.

    Chasing down pirates with the USS Bainbridge and subsequent naval operations cost tens of millions of dollars. Protecting the ships from thieves is the responsibility of the shipping firms. Hire security firms or if necessary, train the crew to repel boarders. It is not a job for the U.S. government. Unless, of course, the private sector wants to pay for it. In the past, paying off the pirates was a lot cheaper, and all knew it. A more cost effective course for the conservative minded for a cash strapped country like the United States given who ultimately has to pay for this operation. The US Navy really should send a bill to the shipping firm for services rendered.

    In another international hostage situation some years back conservative commentator George Will coldly quipped that losing a few people in situations like this may be the cost of doing business. But most perplexing is the silence from the right about the free enterprise opportunity here for Blackwater-styled security firms to be contracted by private shipping companies to police themselves without burdening the taxpayers with the cost of doing it for them. As conservative critics love to crow, America isnt the world’s policeman. But we have plenty of guns to sell… and lots of ‘guns for hire.’

    Comment by DCSCA — 4/18/2009 @ 12:35 pm

17. [...] Sharpton: ““Pirates Are the “Voluntary Coast Guard” . . .from [...]

    Pingback by Change, or Else! Part II: Re-education is good for you… « Chockblock’s blog — 4/18/2009 @ 1:42 pm

18. one has to wonder why they blindly support government/military intervention in rescuing merchant ships.

    Because it is the primary reason for having a Navy.

    I would normally ask if there are any more dumb questions at this point…but I’ll defer.

    Comment by EW1(SG) — 4/18/2009 @ 4:09 pm

19. If SCDCA found a brain, it would be in his soup.

    Comment by carlitos — 4/18/2009 @ 8:15 pm

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