Somali Pirates Take American Ship: Crew Takes it Back

Short version: The American container ship container ship Maersk Alabama was hijacked by Somali pirates. Then the Maersk Alabama's crew took the ship back. At least one of the crew is missing, taken by retreating pirates.

Someone from the Defense Department said that the Captain of the Maersk Alabama seems to be on a lifeboat, with four pirates.

I sincerely hope that the captain gets back to civilization safely.

Civilized Places, Not-So-Civilized Places, and Somalia

Using the word "civilization" in that context sounds terribly intolerant, biased, judgmental, and all that: But I'm not in college any more, and don't have to use newspeak any more. I can acknowledge that there are civilized places in the world, where there are laws that conform, to some extent, to international standards: and that Somalia isn't one of those places.

I'm not criticizing Somalis, or their culture: but let's be realistic. In practical terms, although they've got a president there isn't a Somali government, and the territory's a mess. Also a home to pirates.

Let's be Open Minded, Not Empty Headed

"Don't be so open-minded that your brain falls out" is a phrase I ran across decades ago: and it's as apropos now as it was then. 'Knee jerk' anything is a problem: whether it's 'real Americans' who think those foreigners should go back where they came from; or people who think that some foreigners are right because they're not westerners.

American isn't always right: but it isn't always wrong, either.

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Update:
"American Authorities to Somali Pirates: 'We Want to Talk - "
(April 9, 2009)

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Related posts:

• "Sounds of Silence: 2009"
  (March 31, 2009)
• "The West and Today's Somali President: The Enemy of Your Enemy is Your Friend?"
  (March 19, 2009)
• "Al Shabaab May Be Running Somalia Now: Just What We Need"
  (January 26, 2009)
• "America to Unilaterally Attack Somalia!"
  (January 8, 2009)
• "Guinea, Military Rule, and Terrorism: Beware Hasty Judgment"
  (December 29, 2008)

In the news:

• "For young Somalis, piracy offers power, prosperity"
  The Associated Press (April 8, 2009)
• "US captain held hostage by pirates as crew regain ship "
  telegraph.co.uk (April 8, 2009)
• "Drama as US crew recapture vessel"
  BBC (April 8, 2009)
• "U.S. Crew Regain Control of Hijacked Ship as Pirates Hold Captain"
  FOXNews (April 8, 2009)