You Are Being Lied to About Pirates

[Lorizael]

Except that wouldn't be nearly as profitable as ransoming back the ships for millions of dollars.

[Patroklos]

Its not about the money!

[Lorizael]

Oh right. I forgot. It's about avenging your fallen countrymen for the terrible crimes committed by the vast barrels of waste. By buying drugs and cars and whores.

[Patroklos]

By buying drugs and cars and whores.

I can think of no better way to honor the fallen.

[Jon Miller]

What does the Ninja Coalition say?

JM

[Kuciwalker]

I can think of no better way to honor the fallen.

[Fake Boris]

somalis raping, killing and stealing is whiteys fault, yadda yadda yadda

Where did you read that?

[BeBMan]

Governments = gangs of armed thugs

Given that Somalia's problems seem to be related to the absence of a really functioning state and gov that strikes me as a bit absurd, even if there's some (historical) point to it. But equally there's the point that today people in well organized states with - generally - working institutions are better off than those living in the so-called failed states.

[chequita guevara]

but they also were a bunch of brutal, blood thirsty bastards.

Which makes them different from most people of the time how?

[chequita guevara]

Actually, Somalia has several functioning governments: Somaliland, Puntland, Maakhir, etc. Somaliland declared independence in 1991, but since no one recognizes the government, they have a hard time equipping a military and navy. Maakhir and Puntland consider themselves autonomous parts of Somalia, and that latter has received quite a few delegations from other countries. Again, however, can't build up a military. So they can neither protect themselves from fish poaching nor from European toxic waste dumping.

The initial article doesn't provide any sources, but it only takes a little bit of research to see that even the U.N. confirms both the poaching (apparently taking about $300 million in fish) and the dumping of toxic waste. The German Green Party has even uncovered evidence of a specific Italian company involved in dumping toxic waste in Somali waters.

[BeBMan]

Actually, Somalia has several functioning governments: Somaliland, Puntland, Maakhir, etc. Somaliland declared independence in 1991, but since no one recognizes the government, they have a hard time equipping a military and navy. Maakhir and Puntland consider themselves autonomous parts of Somalia, and that latter has received quite a few delegations from other countries. Again, however, can't build up a military. So they can neither protect themselves from fish poaching nor from European toxic waste dumping.

The initial article doesn't provide any sources, but it only takes a little bit of research to see that even the U.N. confirms both the poaching (apparently taking about $300 million in fish) and the dumping of toxic waste. The German Green Party has even uncovered evidence of a specific Italian company involved in dumping toxic waste in Somali waters.

Well, let's be clear hear about the waste thing: it's totally illegal, doing it is a crime. So marking it as "European" as if it was a general policy makes as much sense as telling "Americans engage in criminal behaviour" because of OJ Simpson.

As for govs the emphasis clearly is on "working" or "functioning". And - recognized or not (maybe there are good reasons not to recognize them) - not being able to get stuff seems pretty absurd in a country where obviously are enough well armed groups operating on land and at sea.

[chequita guevara]

In Africa, it's fairly easy to get your hands on AKs and shoulder rockets. Getting your hands on coast guard vessels, etc., is another matter.

[BeBMan]

Well, those pirates don't need CG vessels to take on supertankers etc....

Also there would be the question *why" nobody is recognizing those govs - obviously everyone does so with lots of other African govs - maybe these are just warlords? (dunno)

I'm just a bit sceptic because *some* of the so-called "freedom" or "resistance" fighters are pretty much only murderous gangs with pompous names, like for example the LRA in Uganda.

[chequita guevara]

Dunno, the whole region might have been more stable if they'd have recognized the breakup of Somalia, but I guess the imperialists only cared about breaking up countries when it's in their interests, like Yugoslavia.

And yes, I'll bet most of those pirates are just criminals in it for the money.

[Lorizael]

And yes, I'll bet most of those pirates are just criminals in it for the money.

Which makes the fish trawling and waste dumping relevant how?