(no subject)

[rhienelleth]

When I got off work Friday and went home, it was all over the news about the Captain taken hostage by Somali pirates (among some 200 other hostages) who demanded money (of course - why do people continue to believe the US will negotiate or give money for hostages? Really? Have we not proven that's not going to happen?)

First off, this guy jumped into the ocean and tried to swim to a nearby US Navy ship. He didn't make it, but that act of bravery/desperation helped catapult him into the limelight. Sure, he's a US Captain (some people seem to think that's the only reason he's been so prominent in the news), but the guy's pretty damn brave, too, first giving himself as a hostage to save his crew, and then attempting his own escape through what is shark infested waters chased by gun wielding pirates.

Before we shut off the TV and went to dinner, Rhien Hubby said "Navy SEALS are probably already en route."

And then, we have today's headline. That's right, baby, Navy SEALs!

I've wondered how our new President would react to this. This made me smile. Also? The pirates are pissed off - um, did they seriously think we were going to sit back and do nothing? When has the US ever NOT RESPONDED when an attack has been made against us, or our people? We might be divided politically, but we stand strong and united when it comes to outside threats. And we tend to respond decisively.

Like with Navy SEAL snipers.

Comments

[quiet-rebel.livejournal.com]

I was pretty captivated with the story myself. *sits patiently for the first interview with the captain*

Does this make you think any less of your space pirates? ;)

[rhienelleth.livejournal.com]

Nope. :D

Oh, and hey - I did get your comment on the earrings, and yes, consider them reserved for you. :D

[quiet-rebel.livejournal.com]

Great, I'll send you an e-mail soon to confirm things!

[purple-shoes.livejournal.com]

WOW.

I've been worried about pirates for ages (one of the dangers of my brother's career choice) so it's nice that this getting some kind of response.

And yeah, captain or not, that guy is really brave!

[wisteria.livejournal.com]

My bro-in-law was in the Navy and was telling us what would likely go down.....and sure enough!

Go Seals!

[frenchroast.livejournal.com]

Well, the pirates probably thought they were going to get a ransom because that's what happens most of the time. Except they're usually not dealing directly with the government the crew/ship is from, they call up the companies, and the companies quietly cave; the pirates get their ransom, the companies get their crew/cargo/ship back, and then everything on the boat gets a little more expensive once it gets safely unloaded and sold in stores.

Seriously, this has been going on for years--it started after the US and Russia severely cut their naval presences after the end of the Cold War. Suddenly there weren't as many people policing the waters, and pirates got more and more daring. Asking for ransom has actually been a step in a less-bloody direction, since before they used that tactic, they would just steal cargo. The History Channel had a special about modern day piracy they aired two or three years ago with the other pirate specials they timed to come out when Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End hit theatres. They reshow it every six months or so, and I watch it pretty much every time. I bet anything they'll put it in their programming again soon. My NaNo novel actually starts with some crazy modern pirate antics.

...I am only slightly obsessed. Really. But as much as it drove me crazy before that no one seemed to know about this stuff going on, it's driving me crazier that people who are now learning about it because of this recent incident are assuming it's some new thing.

...eek, sorry about the rant.

As for the jewelry (that I saw you mention in an earlier post), copper is cool, and there's not a ton of pretty copper jewelry out there. Your stuff is always gorgeous, which means the copper jewelry you've got on offer is better than a lot of the other stuff (at least that I've seen), so that's probably why you're getting more traffic.

[frenchroast.livejournal.com]

I should add that "just stealing cargo" tended to equal "kill the crew and then take the cargo, and possibly even the boat."