The Cellar - Somali Pirates

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- - Somali Pirates (http://cellar.org/showthread.php?t=26760)

Quote:

I left that cake out in the rain.

but but but - what about the cupcakes?

My cupcakes bring all the boys to the yard

Quote:

Originally Posted by classicman (Post 791154)

but but but - what about the cupcakes?

It was a light drizzle, more of a mist, really.

About that cake...

And the rain is, too.

Some background on how/why the pirates came to be.

Quote:

In 1991, the government of Somalia – in the Horn of Africa – collapsed. Its 9 million people have been teetering on starvation ever since – and many of the ugliest forces in the Western world have seen this as a great opportunity to steal the country’s food supply and dump our nuclear waste in their seas.

Yes: nuclear waste. As soon as the government was gone, mysterious European ships started appearing off the coast of Somalia, dumping vast barrels into the ocean. The coastal population began to sicken. At first they suffered strange rashes, nausea and malformed babies. Then, after the 2005 tsunami, hundreds of the dumped and leaking barrels washed up on shore. People began to suffer from radiation sickness, and more than 300 died.

Ahmedou Ould-Abdallah, the U.N. envoy to Somalia, tells me: “Somebody is dumping nuclear material here. There is also lead and heavy metals such as cadmium and mercury – you name it.” Much of it can be traced back to European hospitals and factories, who seem to be passing it on to the Italian mafia to “dispose” of cheaply. When I asked Ould-Abdallah what European governments were doing about it, he said with a sigh: “Nothing. There has been no cleanup, no compensation and no prevention.”

At the same time, other European ships have been looting Somalia’s seas of their greatest resource: seafood. We have destroyed our own fish stocks by over-exploitation – and now we have moved on to theirs. More than $300 million worth of tuna, shrimp, lobster and other sea life is being stolen every year by vast trawlers illegally sailing into Somalia’s unprotected seas.

The local fishermen have suddenly lost their livelihoods, and they are starving. Mohammed Hussein, a fisherman in the town of Marka 100km south of Mogadishu, told Reuters: “If nothing is done, there soon won’t be much fish left in our coastal waters.”

This is the context in which the men we are calling “pirates” have emerged. Everyone agrees they were ordinary Somalian fishermen who at first took speedboats to try to dissuade the dumpers and trawlers, or at least wage a “tax” on them. They call themselves the Volunteer Coast Guard of Somalia – and it’s not hard to see why.

From here.

Of course that doesn't excuse what they are doing, but it does explain why 70% of Somalians, "strongly support" them.

Ahh, Somalia, the Libertarian paradise.

Maybe they can be transitioned to professional sports, it works in Pittsburgh!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum (Post 803520)

Ahh, Somalia, the Libertarian paradise.

Now you have cholera

No, no, I've died of dysentery.

In this country there are multiple issues with Somali immigrants, mostly because of the lawless regime they are escaping from.

GENERALISING HERE.

They are unlikely to vote, not having much understanding of the democratic process. They do not place value on education, not having experienced it themselves. They tend to be hard-line Muslims given that religion has been one of the most stable centres of their life. Young men are used to defending their families by force - issues of honour are highly important.

If you come from a country without an effective Govt where might is right and are offered housing and money, well. It's a culture shock to say the least.

I'm neither defending nor denigrating Somalis here.
Just saying what Bruce said. Brutual regimes and hard times affect people's lifestyles.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae (Post 803566)

They do not place value on education, not having experienced it themselves.

Wait, I thought Rick Santorum was from the U.S.....:right:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sundae (Post 803566)

If you come from a country without an effective Govt where might is right and are offered housing and money, well. It's a culture shock to say the least.

Depending on how the election goes, send them here in 3 years. They might feel right at home.

As far as the Somalis are concerned, this is where the ultra-Libertarian/Anarchist argument falls apart. You will need a government strong enough to protect your borders. Not to wage wars of choice, but to actually police the coast and airways.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum (Post 803526)

No, no, I've died of dysentery.

Can I have your stereo, then?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenGum (Post 803526)

No, no, I've died of dysentery.

Quote:

Originally Posted by footfootfoot (Post 803688)

Can I have your stereo, then?

Sorry turns out it wasn't dysentery, it was just datexit, so, no dice.