I Vote we Sink the Bastards

[neonlyte]

Pirates hijacked a ship full of weapons bound for Kenya or Somalia rebels, depending upon whom you believe. The cargo includes 35 tanks, hardly a defensive weapon for the Horn of Africa.

Two American and one Russian warship are within 5 miles of the hijacked vessel. The hijackers want between $20m - $35m to release the vessel.

I vote for blowing the bastards out of the water - 16 crew members on the hijacked ship might die, but they shouldn't have signed on for transporting arms.

Huge test for the US - do they have the balls to blow the bastards, or do they want to risk casualty by sponsoring a 'rescue mission'.

To me, the decision is obvious... I lack a complete sense of morality in determining a reasonable balanced position. If you have warships in the area - if you have warships - their purpose is control. Allowing a small band of individuals to dominate a region through piracy will only lead to further loss of life.

Make the sacrifice, cross yourselves, aim and fire. I've had enough of punks fucking up the world.

 

[impressive]

Make the sacrifice, cross yourselves, aim and fire. I've had enough of punks fucking up the world.

I feel the same about the current US administration. *sigh*

 

[trysail]

A Russian warship, the Neustrashimy, or "Intrepid", is also en route to the area.

Maybe it's time to let Ivan loose as the world's policeman. The hijacked ship, the Faina, is full of T-72 tanks being sold by Ukraine to Kenya.
___________________

(Fair Use Excerpt)
Sept. 29 (Bloomberg) -- The captain of a ship carrying a cargo of battle tanks seized off the coast of Somalia died of a heart attack as the pirates demanded a $20 million ransom.

The death of the Russian captain, Vladimir Kolobkov, was announced by his second in command, Russian state broadcaster Vesti-24 reported on its Web Site today. It gave no further details. A spokesman for the pirates, Sugale Ali Omar, said one crew member had died from hypertension.

Somali pirates seized the Faina, a Belize-flagged vessel with a crew of 17 Ukrainians, three Russians and one Latvian, on Sept. 25, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said. It was carrying at least 30 Soviet-designed T-72 tanks to Kenya. Russia sent a warship to Somalia to defend its citizens.

``We are demanding $20 million for this ship because it has many assets on board,'' Omar said by satellite telephone late yesterday. ``We are not going to offload the weapons, but our objective is to find the ransom.''

``Two big warships are patrolling around us and several planes flew at low altitude overhead, but they didn't hurt us,'' Omar said. ``In case they try to take any military action, we will fight against them until the last one dies.''

The U.S. has several ships in the area shadowing the Faina, which is anchored off the Somali coast near the port city of Hobyo, near two other pirated ships, Lieutenant Nate Christensen said by telephone from Bahrain.

In a statement yesterday, the U.S. navy said the destroyer USS Howard was within visual range of the ships. Christensen wouldn't say how many naval ships are now in the vicinity or say if any special forces are on board. French naval commandos two weeks ago freed a French yacht that had been taken by Somali pirates.

``We are deeply concerned about making sure the cargo doesn't fall into the wrong hands,'' Christensen said. ``The safety of the crew is also of paramount concern.''

A Russian warship, the Neustrashimy, or Intrepid, is also en route to the area...

 

[oggbashan]

I would be a good idea to shadow the hijacked ship until the Russians arrive.

The Russians can decide what to do.

If anyone else sinks the ship and kills the crew the Russians will be annoyed. If they do it themselves they can explain their actions to the relations.

Og

 

[neonlyte]

I'm not sure I'd trust the Russians to deal with this.

I'm not sure I trust a nation that has created 56 billionaires since the collapse of communism.

This is a case of "Breast is Best" - the USA should sink the Bastards.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

I dont trust an American navy commanded by petite metrosexuals.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

Make the sacrifice, cross yourselves, aim and fire. I've had enough of punks fucking up the world.

You're a big grouchy-puss lately... I think you need an all-day all-over body massage or... something...

 

[jomar]

I agree with Ogg. Let the Russians handle it. They're in a testy mood.

 

[colddiesel]

A Russian warship, the Neustrashimy, or "Intrepid", is also en route to the area.

Maybe it's time to let Ivan loose as the world's policeman. The hijacked ship, the Faina, is full of T-72 tanks being sold by Ukraine to Kenya.
___________________

(Fair Use Excerpt)
Sept. 29 (Bloomberg) --



Somali pirates seized the Faina, a Belize-flagged vessel with a crew of 17 Ukrainians, three Russians and one Latvian, on Sept. 25, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said.

..

Neo may get his wish granted. One Russian is dead that leaves 2. The Russians will not be overworried about a Latvian and a dozen or so Ukranians. In fact the Putin school of diplomacy might see some vicarious advantage in making sure they as well as the pirates are killed. Careful what you wish for?

 

[neonlyte]

You're a big grouchy-puss lately... I think you need an all-day all-over body massage or... something...

Both the massage and the something.

I'm supposed to have gone home (UK) a few days ago, stuck here renegotiating development funding... and I've run short of medication till Ines arrives on Thursday.
That's my excuse... not sure what everyone else's is Fab AV by the way.

Seriously... it is time to do the unpalatable. The world is as it is due to unpalatable acts of history. No one would contenance aggression, least of me, but politically we seem to be backing ourselves into a corner because we continually fail to act from a position of strength. Cultural apiration has given way to economic well being, it's not working, and I foresee danger in continually taking the least offensive course of action on every point of contention.

Piracy happens to be an International Crime - it is regarded legally as a crime against all. Deal with it because the soft options don't seem to be having effect. Liken it to the Air Piracy of the 70's and 80's. Dissenters thought they could keep negotiating their way out until overwhelming force brought them to their knees. It is time to deal harshly with people who believe they can act against the moral majority, that goes for Pirates, Bankers and idiot unelected politicians who believe nuclear arsenals grant them the right to hold the rest of us hostage to fortune.

Growing up is painful. The world we've enjoyed will not be the one our children and grandchildren enjoy. Theirs will be a very different world once the balance of power shifts from West to East, pussy-footing brings the shift closer. Like it or not, the West is engaged in a struggle on many, many fronts, most of their own making. Just as Communism crumbled, Capitalism is struggling to hold its head above water. It is being replaced by a new brand of Capitalism, more ruthless, more demanding and with less moral responsibilty. Its momentum is unstopable since its growth is assured by servicing its own people. Now isn't the time to flinch in the face of adversity.

PS: I did take my medication this morning - but its effect won't be felt until tomorrow - by which time, no doubt, I will have assumed a 'dove like' Alt

 

[Selena_Kitt]

That's my excuse... not sure what everyone else's is Fab AV by the way.

Mine's pregnancy. I've apparently turned into a harpie...

The world we've enjoyed will not be the one our children and grandchildren enjoy. Theirs will be a very different world once the balance of power shifts from West to East, pussy-footing brings the shift closer. Like it or not, the West is engaged in a struggle on many, many fronts, most of their own making. Just as Communism crumbled, Capitalism is struggling to hold its head above water. It is being replaced by a new brand of Capitalism, more ruthless, more demanding and with less moral responsibilty. Its momentum is unstopable since its growth is assured by servicing its own people. Now isn't the time to flinch in the face of adversity.

I know I know... quit scaring the pregnant woman, wouldja?

I'm afraid of what the world is gonna look like when this little one is my age. I'm really, truly afraid.

 

[rgraham666]

I'm afraid of what the world is gonna look like when this little one is my age. I'm really, truly afraid.

So am I.

Shrugs. A lot of us wanted the 19th Century back. Now we've got it and will have to learn to live with it.

 

[neonlyte]

Mine's pregnancy. I've apparently turned into a harpie... :

I know I know... quit scaring the pregnant woman, wouldja?

I'm afraid of what the world is gonna look like when this little one is my age. I'm really, truly afraid.

Didn't mean to scare Plus the little one is going to get the best ever start in life, he'll be a natural surviver... just like his family.

 

[xssve]

I dont trust an American navy commanded by petite metrosexuals.

C'mon, they're called officers.

 

[rgraham666]

Jesus Jimmy Bob. You're in an exceptionally crotchety mood today.

The prunes not take effect yet?

 

[oggbashan]

I'm afraid of what the world is gonna look like when this little one is my age. I'm really, truly afraid.

That has been a common feeling for parents and parents-to-be ever since Adam and Eve. It's normal.

All parents can do is help their offspring to develop skills and abilities so that they can stand on their own feet, to eventually become parents themselves and then worry about what the world is like when their children, your grandchildren, grow into adults to worry about...

Og

 

[redpaint]

Sink it. The fish need a new reef to live in anyway.

 

[voluptuary_manque]

As a spearfisherman and angler, I second Redpaint's motion.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

That has been a common feeling for parents and parents-to-be ever since Adam and Eve. It's normal.

All parents can do is help their offspring to develop skills and abilities so that they can stand on their own feet, to eventually become parents themselves and then worry about what the world is like when their children, your grandchildren, grow into adults to worry about...

Og

But I've had four before this, and never felt THIS concerned. Maybe it's just the current state of unease. I don't know. But I feel like... something bad is coming. Something really bad... and...big.

 

[DesertPirate]

As a former Sub sailor, I volunteer my brothers for the task
After all, there are only 2 kinds of ships:
Submarines,



and targets!

 

[dr_mabeuse]

http://gaygamer.net/images/gaypirates.jpg

 

[Zeb_Carter]

http://gaygamer.net/images/gaypirates.jpg

Ah...the image didn't show up Doc.

The ship is anchored. The pirates say they are not going to off load the tanks. They just want some money. $20 million to be precise.

I say make a counter offer. A buck ninety-five and they get to live.

If they don't take it, stand off and put a couple of shells in the superstructure.

 

[sr71plt]

PI vote for blowing the bastards out of the water - 16 crew members on the hijacked ship might die, but they shouldn't have signed on for transporting arms.

I don't know. Have we ascertained whether they are Muslims or not? Aren't we concentrating on Muslims this year?

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I don't know. Have we ascertained whether they are Muslims or not? Aren't we concentrating on Muslims this year?

With a name like "Sugale Ali Omar" they certainly aren't Irish Catholic!

 

[Just-Legal]

With a name like "Sugale Ali Omar" they certainly aren't Irish Catholic!

You'd be surprised, the Church of England has an (Indian? Pakistani? I can't remmeber) Bishop with a rather Muslim sounding name.