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Testing the Waters
Author: BobR
Date: 12/05/2008 13:18:42
Listening to the news recently, you'd think the whole world had jumped into the WayBack machine and ended up on the high seas 300 years ago. Over the past 11 months, there have been 120 pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia. As of this moment, there are 14 ships currently being held hostage (Source).
Why the resurgence in piracy? The main cause is the lack of a real government in Somalia. Perhaps the U.S. is partially to blame:
It certainly seems that shipping companies need to protect their vessels. The various Navies can patrol the waters, but can't escort every ship. It seems like a private security firm with access to military-grade weapons and training would be in a great position to sell their services to the shipping companies. Blackwater certainly thinks so:
This actually seems like a case where Blackwater IS on the right track. It's the sort of situation where private security can make up for a shortcoming in the military's ability to do it all.
One has to wonder, though - given Blackwater's track record of unprovoked killing - whether this will just turn into pirate hunting season. A new legal tact may put some of Blackwater's personnel in jail for 30 years for their shooting massacre in Iraq:
It's rather interesting that a business with a violent record for wanton murder is pimping itself out to protect property from violent attacks. It makes one think about the old mafia protection rackets. It's also interesting that - once again - U.S. government action is benefiting Blackwater.
This water seems very murky indeed...
Why the resurgence in piracy? The main cause is the lack of a real government in Somalia. Perhaps the U.S. is partially to blame:
In 2006, militant supporters of the Islamic Courts Union, an alliance of Sharia tribunals, won control of Somalia and imposed religious law.
“Under the Courts, there was literally no piracy,” says Hans Tino Hansen, chief executive of Risk Intelligence, a maritime security consultant in Denmark.
Then the U.S. helped drive out the Muslim rulers to prevent the East African country from becoming a terrorist haven, leaving behind a lawless chaos in which piracy has flourished.
“It’s a bad mistake to look at Somali events through the prism of international politics,” says Richard Cornwell, an Institute for Security Studies researcher in Pretoria. “The U.S. turned an internal Somali conflict into part of the global war on terror.”
Now, Cornwell says, the West is making the same mistake with piracy by focusing more on battling it at sea than on pushing feuding Somali factions toward a settlement. And with Islamist militiamen again poised to seize the capital, Mogadishu, there’s little chance they will be able to control the outlaws this time.
It certainly seems that shipping companies need to protect their vessels. The various Navies can patrol the waters, but can't escort every ship. It seems like a private security firm with access to military-grade weapons and training would be in a great position to sell their services to the shipping companies. Blackwater certainly thinks so:
Private security firm Blackwater Worldwide began holding meetings in London on Tuesday with potential clients for a new business venture -- protection from pirates.
The Moyock, N.C., firm, which has grown rapidly through State Department security work in Iraq, has been courting shippers and insurance firms about protecting ships in pirate-infested waters. It's meeting with more than a dozen firms this week and hopes to drum up its first contract.
This actually seems like a case where Blackwater IS on the right track. It's the sort of situation where private security can make up for a shortcoming in the military's ability to do it all.
One has to wonder, though - given Blackwater's track record of unprovoked killing - whether this will just turn into pirate hunting season. A new legal tact may put some of Blackwater's personnel in jail for 30 years for their shooting massacre in Iraq:
Blackwater Worldwide guards who fired on Iraqi civilians in a 2007 massacre that left 17 dead, including young children, may actually meet the business-end of justice.
According to a recent report, the Department of Justice may use an anti-drug law intended to fight the 80's crack epidemic to put the gunmen away for up to three decades, minimum.
While no drugs were involved in the killings, the government's attorneys may attempt to apply a clause in the 1988 Anti-Drug Abuse Act that requires a 30-year sentence for any violent crime committed with a machine gun.
It's rather interesting that a business with a violent record for wanton murder is pimping itself out to protect property from violent attacks. It makes one think about the old mafia protection rackets. It's also interesting that - once again - U.S. government action is benefiting Blackwater.
This water seems very murky indeed...
Comments:
Order comments Newest to Oldest Refresh Comments
Comment by 
wickedpam on 12/05/2008 13:32:39
wickedpam on 12/05/2008 13:32:39
Nice work!
Comment by 
BobR on 12/05/2008 13:56:04
BobR on 12/05/2008 13:56:04
Thanks! :)
Comment by 
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:00:50
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:00:50
Morning guys... wooo it's Fridee! 
LOVE the new look here Bobber!
Oh wait.. I have to be at work tomorrow.
LOVE the new look here Bobber!Oh wait.. I have to be at work tomorrow.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:08:22
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:08:22
Comment by wickedpam on 12/05/2008 14:09:39
wickedpam on 12/05/2008 14:09:39
From DCRTV
O'Reilly To End Radio Show - 12/4 - Fox News personality Bill O'Reilly makes it official - he'll be ending his low-rated radio show, heard locally on DC's 1580 AM. "The Radio Factor" will sign-off for good in the first quarter of 2009. O'Reilly's cable TV show and weekly newspaper column will continue.....
O'Reilly To End Radio Show - 12/4 - Fox News personality Bill O'Reilly makes it official - he'll be ending his low-rated radio show, heard locally on DC's 1580 AM. "The Radio Factor" will sign-off for good in the first quarter of 2009. O'Reilly's cable TV show and weekly newspaper column will continue.....
Comment by Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:12:33
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:12:33
Comment by 
velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 14:14:59
velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 14:14:59
Morning! Hey.........my blog looks different! Or, have I been drinking? :wacko:
Comment by 
Raine on 12/05/2008 14:18:31
Raine on 12/05/2008 14:18:31
Good morning!
Comment by Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:19:10
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:19:10
Link to Bill-O Quits story
It's too bad there will be 25 assholes as big as O'Reilly vying to fill his slot.
It's too bad there will be 25 assholes as big as O'Reilly vying to fill his slot.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:21:04
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:21:04
Morning VJ & Raine! 
No it's not your eyes.. but if you do have some Baileys there I could use some in my coffee.
No it's not your eyes.. but if you do have some Baileys there I could use some in my coffee.
Comment by velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 14:21:35
velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 14:21:35
Is anyone having issues with Firefox? I uploaded the new version for PC and found it sucked. So I went back to the old version and now my PC (such that it is.....) cannot perform the most menial tasks in Firefox...... you know, like opening PM's and such.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:30:09
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:30:09
Only thing that gives me trouble w/ Firefox is that it doesn't work too well with the AVG Antivirus plugin.. I'm not sure what could be causing the trouble.
Actually I have an idea.. When you uninstalled/reinstalled, did you do a registry sweep?
Actually I have an idea.. When you uninstalled/reinstalled, did you do a registry sweep?
Comment by 
TriSec on 12/05/2008 14:31:44
TriSec on 12/05/2008 14:31:44
Oh, dear....
10:30 am...."Team announcement and discussion"
:nervous:
10:30 am...."Team announcement and discussion"
:nervous:
Comment by TriSec on 12/05/2008 14:32:35
TriSec on 12/05/2008 14:32:35
Aside to Bob:
Clicking on an emoticon doesn't seem to be working for me right now, it won't auto-populate in the "add a comment" window. (I'm on firefox, not sure what version.)
Clicking on an emoticon doesn't seem to be working for me right now, it won't auto-populate in the "add a comment" window. (I'm on firefox, not sure what version.)
Comment by Raine on 12/05/2008 14:33:12
It's sorta sad they let go of Miles O'Brian, I really liked his reporting.
Raine on 12/05/2008 14:33:12
It's sorta sad they let go of Miles O'Brian, I really liked his reporting.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:34:01
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:34:01
Quote by TriSec:
Oh, dear....
10:30 am...."Team announcement and discussion"
:nervous:
Comment by Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:35:16
I sense a theme developing... maybe there's gremlins in the bloggie?
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:35:16
Quote by velveeta jones:
Is anyone having issues with Firefox? I uploaded the new version for PC and found it sucked. So I went back to the old version and now my PC (such that it is.....) cannot perform the most menial tasks in Firefox...... you know, like opening PM's and such.
Quote by TriSec:
Aside to Bob:
Clicking on an emoticon doesn't seem to be working for me right now, it won't auto-populate in the "add a comment" window. (I'm on firefox, not sure what version.)
I sense a theme developing... maybe there's gremlins in the bloggie?
Comment by Raine on 12/05/2008 14:35:22
Oh... I won't do that in Safari either. However when I click on "Display All in Pop up" it does work.
see? ---->
Raine on 12/05/2008 14:35:22
Quote by TriSec:
Aside to Bob:
Clicking on an emoticon doesn't seem to be working for me right now, it won't auto-populate in the "add a comment" window. (I'm on firefox, not sure what version.)
see? ---->
Comment by Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:36:12
Agreed. Maybe MSNBC or NewsHour will pick him up for something..
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:36:12
Quote by Raine:
It's sorta sad they let go of Miles O'Brian, I really liked his reporting.
Agreed. Maybe MSNBC or NewsHour will pick him up for something..
Comment by wickedpam on 12/05/2008 14:36:15
:hug:
wickedpam on 12/05/2008 14:36:15
Quote by TriSec:
Oh, dear....
10:30 am...."Team announcement and discussion"
:nervous:
:hug:
Comment by Raine on 12/05/2008 14:37:46
Raine on 12/05/2008 14:37:46
Audicons work...
Looks like this is a small kink to work out. The stuff with the blog has to do with the new blog --
Firefox 3 just sucks ass in general. I downloaded it and rarely use it. It blows.
Looks like this is a small kink to work out. The stuff with the blog has to do with the new blog --
Firefox 3 just sucks ass in general. I downloaded it and rarely use it. It blows.
Comment by Raine on 12/05/2008 14:40:06
Slides a little over to Scoop...
So y'all like the look? We figured a new administration, a new dawn, a new fresher 4F blog!
Raine on 12/05/2008 14:40:06
Quote by Scoopster:
Morning VJ & Raine!
So y'all like the look? We figured a new administration, a new dawn, a new fresher 4F blog!
Comment by velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 14:40:57
No! Good point. I will try that. Thanks
velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 14:40:57
Quote by Scoopster:
Only thing that gives me trouble w/ Firefox is that it doesn't work too well with the AVG Antivirus plugin.. I'm not sure what could be causing the trouble.
Actually I have an idea.. When you uninstalled/reinstalled, did you do a registry sweep?
No! Good point. I will try that. Thanks
Comment by Raine on 12/05/2008 14:42:50
Raine on 12/05/2008 14:42:50
Rep Sanford Bishop for Sec of Ag?
According to this article Sebelius says she does not want the job.
According to this article Sebelius says she does not want the job.
Comment by velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 14:43:29
Its more serious and business looking! Well, except for the boobs and fart noises and such........ :rofl:
velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 14:43:29
Quote by Raine:Slides a little over to Scoop...Quote by Scoopster:
Morning VJ & Raine!
So y'all like the look? We figured a new administration, a new dawn, a new fresher 4F blog!
Its more serious and business looking! Well, except for the boobs and fart noises and such........ :rofl:
Comment by Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:43:35
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 14:43:35
OK I've been pretty calm about this whole auto industry bailout thing for a while, but no longer.
After reading this bullshit, GM can go to hell.
After reading this bullshit, GM can go to hell.
Comment by velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 14:51:42
I say, let the unions run the companies for awhile.
velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 14:51:42
Quote by Scoopster:
OK I've been pretty calm about this whole auto industry bailout thing for a while, but no longer.
After reading this bullshit, GM can go to hell.
I say, let the unions run the companies for awhile.
Comment by Raine on 12/05/2008 14:55:51
Raine on 12/05/2008 14:55:51
So did Everyone send the info to Mala For Blogger Joe???
It's my fave time of year!!!
It's my fave time of year!!!
Comment by wickedpam on 12/05/2008 14:59:23
I've gotten quite a few but I don't want to miss anyone :)
I'll draw out names and email them on Monday or maybe late Sunday - I know time is short this year
wickedpam on 12/05/2008 14:59:23
Quote by Raine:
So did Everyone send the info to Mala For Blogger Joe???
It's my fave time of year!!!
I've gotten quite a few but I don't want to miss anyone :)
I'll draw out names and email them on Monday or maybe late Sunday - I know time is short this year
Comment by 
Random on 12/05/2008 14:59:45
Yup...of course.
On a side note...I'm pretty sure the blog didn't look like this yesterday.
Random on 12/05/2008 14:59:45
Quote by Raine:
So did Everyone send the info to Mala For Blogger Joe???
It's my fave time of year!!!
Yup...of course.
On a side note...I'm pretty sure the blog didn't look like this yesterday.
Comment by BobR on 12/05/2008 15:00:40
Fixed :peace:
BobR on 12/05/2008 15:00:40
Quote by TriSec:
Aside to Bob:
Clicking on an emoticon doesn't seem to be working for me right now, it won't auto-populate in the "add a comment" window. (I'm on firefox, not sure what version.)
Fixed :peace:
Comment by Random on 12/05/2008 15:02:24
Testing...1...2...3
Random on 12/05/2008 15:02:24
Testing...1...2...3
Comment by Random on 12/05/2008 15:03:09
Still can't see some audiocons...this sucks.
Random on 12/05/2008 15:03:09
Quote by Random:
Testing...1...2...3
Still can't see some audiocons...this sucks.
Comment by wickedpam on 12/05/2008 15:04:27
wickedpam on 12/05/2008 15:04:27
Quote by Random:
Testing...1...2...3
Comment by Raine on 12/05/2008 15:06:25
amazing.
Raine on 12/05/2008 15:06:25
Quote by Scoopster:
OK I've been pretty calm about this whole auto industry bailout thing for a while, but no longer.
After reading this bullshit, GM can go to hell.
Comment by Random on 12/05/2008 15:08:55
Random on 12/05/2008 15:08:55
Well, god damn it.
Explorer god damn sucks. piece of crap
Do It Live!
Explorer god damn sucks. piece of crap
Do It Live!
Comment by velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 15:11:51
velveeta jones on 12/05/2008 15:11:51
I can not wait to hear the excuse the Vicar had........... WOW!
Comment by wickedpam on 12/05/2008 15:12:04
wickedpam on 12/05/2008 15:12:04
Doh! I hate when they do that - I have to turn my sound way down 
Comment by Raine on 12/05/2008 15:13:52
Has it always been that way for you?
Raine on 12/05/2008 15:13:52
Quote by Random:
Well, god damn it.
Explorer god damn sucks. piece of crap
Do It Live!
Comment by Random on 12/05/2008 15:14:05
Random on 12/05/2008 15:14:05
Comment by Random on 12/05/2008 15:18:30
Random on 12/05/2008 15:18:30
I feel dirty...
*using Safari to post*
*using Safari to post*
Comment by Random on 12/05/2008 15:21:23
Hm...Only since the new update/version.
IT won't even load this page, so i've switched between Firefox and Safari to see it. (neither of them let me see audicon's still. says it's some unidentifed MIME type that i don't have the plugin to play)
Random on 12/05/2008 15:21:23
Quote by Raine:Has it always been that way for you?Quote by Random:
Well, god damn it.
Explorer god damn sucks. piece of crap
Do It Live!
Hm...Only since the new update/version.
IT won't even load this page, so i've switched between Firefox and Safari to see it. (neither of them let me see audicon's still. says it's some unidentifed MIME type that i don't have the plugin to play)
Comment by Scoopster on 12/05/2008 15:23:28
Sounds like the problem I was having before I installed Quicktime..
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 15:23:28
Quote by Random:Quote by Raine:Has it always been that way for you?Quote by Random:
Well, god damn it.
Explorer god damn sucks. piece of crap
Do It Live!
Hm...Only since the new update/version.
IT won't even load this page, so i've switched between Firefox and Safari to see it. (neither of them let me see audicon's still. says it's some unidentifed MIME type that i don't have the plugin to play)
Sounds like the problem I was having before I installed Quicktime..
Comment by Random on 12/05/2008 15:24:51
I've installed quicktime, several times, on and off, and it hasn't worked.
Random on 12/05/2008 15:24:51
Quote by Scoopster:Quote by Random:Quote by Raine:Has it always been that way for you?Quote by Random:
Well, god damn it.
Explorer god damn sucks. piece of crap
Do It Live!
Hm...Only since the new update/version.
IT won't even load this page, so i've switched between Firefox and Safari to see it. (neither of them let me see audicon's still. says it's some unidentifed MIME type that i don't have the plugin to play)
Sounds like the problem I was having before I installed Quicktime..
I've installed quicktime, several times, on and off, and it hasn't worked.
Comment by 
clintster on 12/05/2008 15:25:08
My favorite part of the article:
Why indeed, Billo... why indeed?
clintster on 12/05/2008 15:25:08
Quote by Scoopster:
Link to Bill-O Quits story
It's too bad there will be 25 assholes as big as O'Reilly vying to fill his slot.
My favorite part of the article:
He said he also found that radio listeners don't just want a host who preaches their viewpoint.
"I knew my show couldn't be ideological," he said. "Going up against [Rush ] Limbaugh, that would be suicidal. Why would a listener who's already got Rush turn to someone else to hear the same things?
Why indeed, Billo... why indeed?
Comment by wickedpam on 12/05/2008 15:25:17
wickedpam on 12/05/2008 15:25:17
Comment by BobR on 12/05/2008 15:31:36
The part of the code that paints the embedded audio based on the tags in the comments has not changed. I can see the audicons fine. I think it's a problem on your end.
BobR on 12/05/2008 15:31:36
Quote by Random:
Hm...Only since the new update/version.
IT won't even load this page, so i've switched between Firefox and Safari to see it. (neither of them let me see audicon's still. says it's some unidentifed MIME type that i don't have the plugin to play)
The part of the code that paints the embedded audio based on the tags in the comments has not changed. I can see the audicons fine. I think it's a problem on your end.
Comment by Scoopster on 12/05/2008 15:32:00
Scoopster on 12/05/2008 15:32:00
Oooh.. there's some buzz that Caroline Kennedy may replace Hillary in the Senate.
Link: http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2008/12/the-note-120508.html
Hey wait a sec.. the text box controls on the edit comment screen are gone!
Link: http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2008/12/the-note-120508.html
Hey wait a sec.. the text box controls on the edit comment screen are gone!
Comment by Raine on 12/05/2008 15:33:57
:rofl: I know!!
:hug: heya clint!
I think my fave part was when he said "you can't talk down to the callers on Radio"
Raine on 12/05/2008 15:33:57
Quote by clintster:Quote by Scoopster:
Link to Bill-O Quits story
It's too bad there will be 25 assholes as big as O'Reilly vying to fill his slot.
My favorite part of the article:He said he also found that radio listeners don't just want a host who preaches their viewpoint.
"I knew my show couldn't be ideological," he said. "Going up against [Rush ] Limbaugh, that would be suicidal. Why would a listener who's already got Rush turn to someone else to hear the same things?
Why indeed, Billo... why indeed?
:hug: heya clint!
I think my fave part was when he said "you can't talk down to the callers on Radio"