Somali "Pirate" wanted US Protection: He's 16 years old.

[woo me with science]

Interesting that this is posted at FR right now. When have they EVER considered the age of a perpetrator?

http://themoderatevoice.com/28756/somali-pirate-wanted-us-protection-hes-16-years-old/


Somali “Pirate” Wanted US Protection: He’s 16 Years Old
April 12th, 2009
By DR. CLARISSA PINKOLA ESTÉS, Assistant Editor, TMV Columnist


Of the four Somali terrorists in a life boat holding US Captain Phillips hostage, three are dead. Captain Phillips is alive and free and well. As is a fourth ‘pirate.’

Prior to the US action to free the Captain with firepower, the fourth “pirate” who for reasons yet unclear, appears to have been aboard the US Navy ship Bainbridge. He reportedly was stabbed by a US sailor in the hand. And he reportedly did not want to be returned to the boat where Captain was still being held. He is said to be 16 years old.

....

Some background of child “soldiers” in Somalia, another foolish name for what is really: kidnapped children pressed into slavery by the military....(more)

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

1. don't know why you use pirate in quotes

people who take unarmed merchant ships and their captains hostage are Pirates, no matter their age. glad he is alive, seems like he was the only one who had sense to get the hell out of an obviously deadly situation.

hope he can make something of his life now.

[woo me with science]

2. That wasn't me. That was the article. nt

[gratuitous]

6. Yes, make something of his life

Go to a trade school, or look into colleges. Starving to death in his dirt-poor country is a real popular option, I understand. Or getting killed by a roving death squad. Just so many prospects!

[WannaJumpMyScooter]

7. well a few more than his mates have

right?

[gratuitous]

8. Bwahahahahahaha!

It's funny 'cause they're dead!

:rofl:

Day-um, will you be here all week? Should I try the veal?

Sweet Nefertiti, what makes anyone here think that we have some kind of moral superiority to the worst of the lot at that other website?

[TK421]

11. I believe that is what he meant by that comment?

;)

[stray cat]

3. My understanding is he was stabbed in the scuffle to take over the first boat

Supplies were being ferried to the pirates from one of the US ships and because of his injury the boy wanted to go back with the Americans. ( according to late edition of NY Times). I guess a tow rope had even been attached to the lifeboat to prevent it from getting to shore. Alot of stuff going on that wasn't broadcast - which is encouraging.

[robinlynne]

4. I heard on the news (npr) that he was on the ship negotiating.

[aquart]

5. Hmm. If we give him protection, what will that do to pirate loyalty?

They are pirates because their choices are all bad. If they were even given a choice.

Might give us a whole new immigration problem. And gut the piracy one.

[AndyTiedye]

10. If We Start Arresting Pirates Over There

It could turn into something like a Monty Python skit with all manner of leaking "boats" making their way out to surrender to us.

"We're pirates! Arrest us!"

"But you can't be pirates, you don't even have any weapons!"

"Yes we do! Take that!" <swings a piece of driftwood in their general direction>…

[HooptieWagon]

15. "The Mouse That Roared"

It was a great comedy. Some tiny Euro country was in economic difficulties. The monarch decided the remedy was to declare war on the US, surrender, and collect aid. A small band of medieval-looking "soldiers" travels to the US and tries to find someone to surrender to. No-one takes then seriously. IIRC the cops pick them up and Baker Act them.

[dysfunctional press]

16. maybe a wet foot-dry foot policy for any somali pirates that make it to u.s. shores...?

but no haitians.

[UTUSN]

9. Something smells. n/t

[slackmaster]

12. Poor baby

:eyes:

[kiranon]

13. An Obama scholarship to ASU in his future? Perhaps.

[BeFree]

14. Can you imagine?

A 16 year old kid fresh from Somalian slavery hell, taken aboard an American Battleship and being treated with some dignity, a hot meal and a dry bed?

He probably feels like a king at this point.

There are a lot of good things that America can do. It just needs leaders to do the right thing.