Off The Coast Of Somalia

By Semperpapa

I am not sure what was the thought process that deemed safe for a 58-foot private yacht to be sailing off the coast of Somalia, considering the piracy that has been known to occur, but the result was tragic.

The owners of the vessel, Jean and Scott Adam of California, and two guests, Phyllis Macay and Bob Riggle of Seattle, were brutally murdered by the pirates that had seized their craft, while negotiations for their release was taking place on a nearby US Navy ship.

As the talks were ongoing, suddenly the pirates fired upon the Navy vessel and gun fire could be heard coming from the seized yacht. The result was that the four hostages were executed by their captors.
Subsequently, a self appointed pirate leader stated that the execution of hostage will be the new policy if any authority interferes with their activities.

So what is the civilized world to do?
The politically correct thing to do is what the French, Italians and others do, which is to pay the ransom and hope to get their people back. My approach is different.
If I was in charge, and thankfully I am not, there would be no crevice on this Earth where these murderous thugs could hide.
If I was in charge, every commercial ship sailing those waters would have a small army on board, ready to defend themselves and their ship with full authorization to use deadly force.

On the other hand, I would expect for people to actually use their common sense and avoid putting themselves into the situation these boaters did.

Practical inaction on the part of international governments, including our own, does nothing but embolden the pirates. The idea that restrain and appeasement of violent behavior is in the interest of the civilized world is a fallacy that innocent people have paid dearly in blood.

Just my thoughts!