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February 23, 2011
"The pirates appear to have been dispatched from a mother ship"
That from this Washington Post piece raises a question. Why in hell is that mother ship still afloat? -- (Wizbang)Posted by Vanderleun at February 23, 2011 7:28 AM. This is an entry on the sideblog of American Digest: Check it out.
Your Say
A very good question. Were I the Commander in CHief of the armed forces of the United States (it would be nice to have one again for a change, wouldn't it?) I would issue standing orders as follows:
1. Any US warship or aircraft that encounters piracy being committed will engage the pirates with lethal force without warning and sink pirate vessels on the scene, again without warning, subject to the on-scene commander's assessment of risk to the pirates' victims. Pirates who surrender will be captured. Pirates who do not surrender will continue to be shot until they either surrender or die.
2. If a US warship encounters a known or suspected pirate vessel, not engaged in the actual act of piracy, the vessel will be ordered to heave to to be boarded by US naval personnel. This order will be given no more than three times, each time also stating that lethal force will be used for non-compliance. After the third command is unheeded, a single burst of warning shots across the bow will be fired following explanation to the vessel that that it is the final warning before the vessel will be engaged. If the warning shots are not heeded, the vessel shall be sunk and survivors rescued.
But that's just me. And I will add that I have not examined the Law of the Sea or US law regarding anti-piracy use of force, so it might have to be modified. But I think it makes sense.
Posted by: Donald Sensing at February 23, 2011 9:35 AM
Have you seen how the Russians handle these pirates?
There is an internet video...
Posted by: Uncle Jefe at February 23, 2011 10:35 AM
10 to 1 that BO ignores it and hopes it will go away.
Posted by: Fat Man at February 23, 2011 10:35 AM
The Blogfather has been saying that hoping BO turns out to be another Carter is the optimistic scenario. You will long for Jimmy Carter before this reign of error is over.
Posted by: Fat Man at February 23, 2011 10:37 AM
Terminate with extreme prejudice.
Posted by: Roger Drew Williams at February 23, 2011 11:10 AM
Jefe, As I said.,.. I was posting that video as the comments and email happened to be coming in.
Posted by: Anonymous at February 23, 2011 11:20 AM