Obama's Piracy Challenge

[slim 1,525]

I think it would be hard to find a private securtiy guard with extensive sniper training, let alone access to the same equipment.

So making a head shot with a scoped M-24 at less than 50 meters is hard?

Extensive sniper training isn't necessary. A trip to Wal-Mart followed by a 1/2 hour on the range and you're all set! They hyped up this incident as some huge tactical operation when in fact, your average deer hunter could've made the shots.

Hats off to the military guys who did their job and did it well. But, this was a cakewalk for the Seals.

Not everything is about money.

Something you have to teach the bad guys a lesson, even if it costs a billion dollars.

A .50 caliber round fired by a US military member teaches the same lesson as if it were fired by a private security guard. The only difference is who funds that .50 caliber round.

The Seals are better shots.

The Seals are supposed to protect America, not commercial shipping lanes.

So if American citizens are kidnapped abroad, they shouldn't get involved?

The point of the OP was if commercial interests were required to be protected by private security.... then there'd be no hostages!

[mawilson 2,133]

So if American citizens are kidnapped abroad, they shouldn't get involved?

The American Constitution extends no further than our borders.

The United States Constitution applies to actions between the United States and its citizens and applies anywhere those two are present together. The role of the military is to protect its citizens and its land regardless of where they are at.

Also, A ship sailing under the American Flag is within the borders of the United States. It is the same as any US embassy or consulate. No US consulate or embassy is actually within the borders of the US but they are all considered soveriegn US territory and the same is extended to the consulates, embassies, and ships of other nations.

[46]

Dane-Geld

It is always a temptation to an armed and agile nation

To call upon a neighbour and to say: --

"We invaded you last night--we are quite prepared to fight,

Unless you pay us cash to go away."

And that is called asking for Dane-geld,

And the people who ask it explain

That you've only to pay 'em the Dane-geld

And then you'll get rid of the Dane!

It is always a temptation for a rich and lazy nation,

To puff and look important and to say: --

"Though we know we should defeat you, we have not the time to meet you.

We will therefore pay you cash to go away."

And that is called paying the Dane-geld;

But we've proved it again and again,

That if once you have paid him the Dane-geld

You never get rid of the Dane.

It is wrong to put temptation in the path of any nation,

For fear they should succumb and go astray;

So when you are requested to pay up or be molested,

You will find it better policy to say: --

"We never pay any-one Dane-geld,

No matter how trifling the cost;

For the end of that game is oppression and shame,

And the nation that pays it is lost!"

-Rudyard Kipling

Source

As always, my apologies to any Danes who might be offended. It's about the principles, not the people. Though we disagree on ownership of Hans Island, I'm beside you on your rights to free speech.

Edited April 22, 2009 by Gerard

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Obama's Piracy Challenge...

Is it a videogame?

[46]

The Seals are supposed to protect America, not commercial shipping lanes.

No, they are supposed to protect American interests, which include open navigation of the seas.

Hell, the Marines were fighting pirates in 1801 along the Barbary Coast!

Hence, "From the Halls of Montezuma

To the shores of Tripoli;"

[mRx 16]

The Seals are supposed to protect America, not commercial shipping lanes.

No, they are supposed to protect American interests, which include open navigation of the seas.

As stated in the OP, this is economically wasteful. The private sector has a comparative advantage in providing protection to commercial shipping businesses, meaning, they can do it at a cost that is less than what the government can provide .

Maersk, for example will need to determine if the cost of employing pirate prevention is less than the benefit obtained from ensuring security of multi-million dollar shipments.

It's BS that such security need be subsidized by the American taxpayer.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Obama's Piracy Challenge...

Is it a videogame?

The Seals are supposed to protect America, not commercial shipping lanes.

No, they are supposed to protect American interests, which include open navigation of the seas.

As stated in the OP, this is economically wasteful. The private sector has a comparative advantage in providing protection to commercial shipping businesses, meaning, they can do it at a cost that is less than what the government can provide .

Maersk, for example will need to determine if the cost of employing pirate prevention is less than the benefit obtained from ensuring security of multi-million dollar shipments.

It's BS that such security need be subsidized by the American taxpayer.

word

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Personally I think the solution to the piracy problem is not on the seas, but on the land and trying to support efforts to build a stable government in that country.

If any country deserved unilateral military intervention - it would be Somalia.

[mRx 16]

Where would you be if we didnt take out hitler?

If brave heroes like you didn't take out Hitler, I would probably be a scared little pussie beggin' for my Mama or maybe a lazy punk b!tch, sittin' at the trough, beggin' for a handout like all the other Socialist Liberals. Not sure which...

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Matt = 1, Marc = 0

[almaty 19]

touche..and the Soviet Union took out Hitler ..see Berlin Invasion

[mRx 16]

the Soviet Union took out Hitler

You're wrong Dean.

Marc killed Hitler and the Nazis; with nothing more than a pistol and a bottle o' sour mash.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

the Soviet Union took out Hitler

You're wrong Dean.

Marc killed Hitler and the Nazis; with nothing more than a pistol and a bottle o' sour mash.

This is the internet, Marc can be anything he wants. What comes across loud and clear is his ignorance.

So making a head shot with a scoped M-24 at less than 50 meters is hard?

Extensive sniper training isn't necessary. A trip to Wal-Mart followed by a 1/2 hour on the range and you're all set! They hyped up this incident as some huge tactical operation when in fact, your average deer hunter could've made the shots.

Right, the average deer hunter or any idiot with a 1/2 hour of practice could have done this. Please, try again.

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Personally I think the solution to the piracy problem is not on the seas, but on the land and trying to support efforts to build a stable government in that country.

If any country deserved unilateral military intervention - it would be Somalia.

Yeah, Clinton pretty much blew that one.