Piracy: a $50 Million Business and Counting

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Again we find ourselves spending and defending the world by having the majority of the naval ships cruising the Somali waters despite the fact that we seldom have US ships using these sea lanes. When are the countries who regularly use these shipping lanes goinng to step up and contribute to their own protection. Countries like Saudi Arabia who has a navy contribute little to their own defense!

Curtis Gwin Jr of WA 11:19PM May 03, 2009

$50 million in piracy this year seems like nothing in today's terms compared to $3 trillion in corporate bailouts. In fact, $50 million isn't even the cost of the left wing assembly to a stealth fighter... and I saw a video on YouTube of a left wing falling off a F117 during an air show and lost of the $350 million aircraft - more than Somali pirates will earn in 7 years. Large drug shipments by cartels typically exceed $50 million a pop. If shippers are willing to chance piracy by cruising slower than 15 knots and outside of "safe lanes" - then they should be willing to suffer the potential consequences of "skiing out of bounds" But now the UN has given permission for nations to invade Somalia. I'm just guessing there must be some value to Somalia related to oil... unexplored, overland pipeland real estate... strategic location? What's really behind the scene?

Tony Lee of CA 7:58PM March 02, 2009

JP, once you grow up and are a big boy you will learn 2 things.
1. Impunity is the new black.
2. Yes, our government can afford more derision.

Dr. Wilcox, PhD of CT 3:36PM January 16, 2009

No, my good doctor, I have no invested interests in any security companies. I’m not sure what you smell. It maybe a tax payer that is tired of watching this country start things that later they find they don’t have the stomach to finish. Can our great country afford anymore derision? Especially when you have governments like the French, that have captured these criminals and later released them with impunity.

JP of NJ 7:34PM January 15, 2009

Jp, you smell like a private security company!!!

Dr. Wilcox, Yale of CT 3:59PM January 15, 2009

The people of the United States do not have the commitment needed to undertake such an endeavor. We will be fighting people willing to fight automatic weapons with rocks , sticks and children armed with weapons if needed . History has shown, that type of commitment is not defeated in a week long battle. The war lords are better armed and have a lucrative enterprise, 50 million dollars a year. They have shown a total disregard for human life and humanity is not in their vocabulary. 1993 Bill Clinton’s blunder and lack of commitment “ Black Hawk Down” should be a lesson learned.
Instead, these shipping companies should hire private security companies equipt to handle these pirates in an engage and destroy manner. No innocent lives lost, no collateral damages.

JP of NJ 6:37PM January 14, 2009

Dr. Shade is right. The best way to fix the Somali pirates AND the Somali land and government is to attack all three after the ultimatum is disregarded. These failed Islamic states need to grow up or face final ruin.
Having the major navies standing by the captured ships until the ransoms are delivered is really pretty ridiculous.

of 5:29PM January 14, 2009

This isn't hard, just give the Somalis a "deal they can't refuse." That if the pirates are not handed over to US forces in 24 hours, then cities will start to dissappear for every ship attacked by these terrorists. If Somalia needs some financial advice, they can be grown up about it and ask nicely. If they need help for those who are sick and in poverty, they can call the UN or maybe the Red Cross and other humanitarian aides. But piracy is not acceptable. An ultimatum like the one I mentioned would help get people's attention and make the Somalis think if they really want to help harbor these pirates. Also, it may give the Somali people a reason to bring forward a stronger and better government.

Dr. Shade of NC 5:06PM January 14, 2009