Many of my blog entries thus far have hit upon the issue of America’s reluctance to enter conflicts unless their own self interest is compromised. This is especially true in regards to the hostage situation along Somalia’scoast, where pirates are holding an American captain hostage and attempting to get to shore and negociate a ransom. The hope is that a blockade of warships, all carrying warheads and some with aircraft at their disposal, will be sufficient to scare off the pirates.
Of course this might be the first instance the American people are even hearing about modern-day pirates, and sadly they are not like Johnny Depp’s character in Pirates of the Caribbean.
For over a year now, pirates have been ravaging the African, South American, and even some Central American coast lines. The most prominent victims have been cargo ships, cruse lines, and even fishing boats. The pirates do seem to be working in consort with one another, organizing a fleet of ships and weapons. And while I, under no uncertain terms, advocate that the United States should act as a global policeman, this is one of the exceptions.
These pirates are terrorists, albeit a different kind that until now has left Americans alone. The same was once said about Al Queda. While recognizing the pirates’ earlier actions as being unacceptable, America refused to take action to help protect shipping lanes, despite having maintained a significant naval presence since 2001. These pirates should have been kept under check. Now the United States is faced with either allowing the pirates to reach shore then negotiate for the captain’s release (which they seem intent on not doing, as warships have currently cut off the pirate boat’s re-enforcements and escape route) or launching a military assault. Any military attack would be nothing short of declaring war on a sea-faring terrorist network…which would make the United States a champion, at least in terms of the number of wars one can fight at a single moment. That’s not a distinction I would be proud of.
The simple fact is that stopping these pirates at an earlier juncture would have been the humanitarian thing to do. Granted there would have been no public support for military action and American soldiers on the ground in Somalia would face greater dangers. Still, by standing by and doing nothing, and consequently allowing this new terrorist network to develop, the United States has made the world less safe…a concept not seen in the best interest of America until now.
Greetings. I have chosen to redesign this webpage in a concerted effort to broaden discussion and further promote bi-partisan discussion along all current issues that affect the American people.
