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Piracy on the High Seas
Apr. 10th, 2009 12:56 pmFrench free four hostages - one dies
VIVE la France. They get it. Just like the Dutch got it in 1977 when they freed hostages from the South Moluccans. There is no language that terrorists and pirates understand like force.
In both instances, some hostages died. In both instances, most were freed. The pirates and terrorists were dead or in captivity for their trouble.
How much is a human life worth? If, starting tomorrow, every single pirate attack in Somalia were met with immediate response from armed commandos? Yes, some innocent people would die. And, pirates would quickly understand that taking hostages for ransom would invariably equate to zero profit, imprisonment or death. And the attacks would stop.
Would I feel the same way if it were my family aboard that yacht? Myself along with them? Obviously there's no way to know until the moment - but I feel so strongly about this that I believe I would stick to my convictions. If someone offered me a contract that said "Your life in exchange for no more piracy, ever", I'd sign on the dotted line in a heartbeat. It would be a good trade.
[Edit:]
Latest headline: "Pirates: Give Us $2 Million, Or We'll Kill the Captain".
What the US Response Should Be: "Hello. We are the United States of America. You kidnapped one of our citiens. Prepare to die."
VIVE la France. They get it. Just like the Dutch got it in 1977 when they freed hostages from the South Moluccans. There is no language that terrorists and pirates understand like force.
In both instances, some hostages died. In both instances, most were freed. The pirates and terrorists were dead or in captivity for their trouble.
How much is a human life worth? If, starting tomorrow, every single pirate attack in Somalia were met with immediate response from armed commandos? Yes, some innocent people would die. And, pirates would quickly understand that taking hostages for ransom would invariably equate to zero profit, imprisonment or death. And the attacks would stop.
Would I feel the same way if it were my family aboard that yacht? Myself along with them? Obviously there's no way to know until the moment - but I feel so strongly about this that I believe I would stick to my convictions. If someone offered me a contract that said "Your life in exchange for no more piracy, ever", I'd sign on the dotted line in a heartbeat. It would be a good trade.
[Edit:]
Latest headline: "Pirates: Give Us $2 Million, Or We'll Kill the Captain".
What the US Response Should Be: "Hello. We are the United States of America. You kidnapped one of our citiens. Prepare to die."
