Did you know that Terrorism is a legacy word?
You didn't?
Apparently it is a legacy of the "politics of fear" rather than descriptive of unconscionable acts of murder and mayhem. The correct formulation, according to Obama's Director of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, is "man-caused disaster". That seems overly sexist to me. Surely it should be "man and/or woman-caused disaster" or more succinctly perhaps "person-caused disaster".
And the perpetrators of dastardly deeds who have wrought chaos, misery and death should surely now be "person-caused disaster-makers".
All very helpful I'm sure.
What made me think of this today is this wonderful essay on Piracy from the US Naval Institute.
You see Piracy is an overblown problem.
Got that "high-seas criminal activity" could replace piracy in our vocabulary. Then pirates could become "high-seas criminal activists".
And whereas historically one of the primary functions of Navies was to suppress piracy, when they weren't indulging in it themselves that is, high-seas criminal activism demands a totally different response. Case made.
The only part of this analysis is I am not quite sure about is which law enforcement agency is equipped to deal with high-seas criminal activity in international waters off the coast of a Nation with no viable law enforcement agencies at all.
And although the author of this essay may believe
At some point the pirates will have to be dealt with or not as the case may be. And naval guns are probably going to be more effective in the long term than the FBI hostage negotiators who are currently trying to deal with the latest incident.
Related: Pirate standoff a headache for Obama
You didn't?
Apparently it is a legacy of the "politics of fear" rather than descriptive of unconscionable acts of murder and mayhem. The correct formulation, according to Obama's Director of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, is "man-caused disaster". That seems overly sexist to me. Surely it should be "man and/or woman-caused disaster" or more succinctly perhaps "person-caused disaster".
And the perpetrators of dastardly deeds who have wrought chaos, misery and death should surely now be "person-caused disaster-makers".
All very helpful I'm sure.
What made me think of this today is this wonderful essay on Piracy from the US Naval Institute.
You see Piracy is an overblown problem.
Indeed, common misperceptions abound. While maritime piracy incidents capture media attention and generate international calls for action, the piracy threat is in fact overstated. It is nothing more than high-seas criminal activity, better addressed by law enforcement agencies than warships. As a localized nuisance, it should not serve to shape maritime force structure or strategy.
Got that "high-seas criminal activity" could replace piracy in our vocabulary. Then pirates could become "high-seas criminal activists".
And whereas historically one of the primary functions of Navies was to suppress piracy, when they weren't indulging in it themselves that is, high-seas criminal activism demands a totally different response. Case made.
The only part of this analysis is I am not quite sure about is which law enforcement agency is equipped to deal with high-seas criminal activity in international waters off the coast of a Nation with no viable law enforcement agencies at all.
And although the author of this essay may believe
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) remains the recognized international body with the mandate to establish a global anti-piracy plan. The organization provides an accepted, common framework for action and represents the best hope for establishing and sustaining an international regime to eliminate piracy.I personally don't think that high-seas criminal activists armed with AK-47s will give a fig for any global anti-piracy plan devised by the IMO.
At some point the pirates will have to be dealt with or not as the case may be. And naval guns are probably going to be more effective in the long term than the FBI hostage negotiators who are currently trying to deal with the latest incident.
Related: Pirate standoff a headache for Obama
She's right. Pres. Obama is on the case..
ReplyDelete"After maintaining his silence for two days, President Obama will soon make his first public statement about the pirate attack upon an U.S.-flagged vessel off the Horn of Africa. After several inquiries and a few well-placed bribes, Exurban League has received an early transcript of the President's remarks:
Image source.
Good evening. As you know, early yesterday, Somali-based pirates attacked the Maersk Alabama, a freighter carrying relief supplies to Kenya. While we do not yet know all the details, the Alabama's crew re-took control of the vessel and forced the pirates off the ship.
Since the pirates are still holding the captain, I have sent FBI negotiators to facilitate his safe and speedy release. I assure his friends and family that I will not stop until this man-made disaster is resolved in a peaceful, tolerant and ecologically-sound manner.
Obviously, this incident has raised many concerns among Americans. There have been calls for justice and even violence against the misguided perpetrators. But such an emotional reaction has led to the disparagement of entire groups with which we are unfamiliar. We have seen this throughout history.
For too long, America has been too dismissive of the proud culture and invaluable contributions of the Pirate Community. Whether it is their pioneering work with prosthetics, husbandry of tropical birds or fanciful fashion sense, America owes a deep debt to Pirates.
The past eight years have shown a failure to appreciate the historic role of these noble seafarers. Instead of celebrating their entreprenuerial spirit and seeking to partner with them to meet common challenges, there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.
Some of us wonder if our current Overseas Contingency Operation would even be needed had the last administration not been so quick to label Pirates as "thieves," "terrorists" and worse. Such swashbucklaphobia can lead to tragic results, as we have seen this week.
To address this issue, I have instructed Vice President Joe Biden to create a cabinet-level Czar of Pirate Outreach and Buccaneer Interrelation. In addition, June 1-7 has been designated as Pirate Awareness Week, during which all federal buildings will fly the Jolly Roger and sponsor sensitivity training. Thankfully, my American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will fund free grog and hard tack for all attendees.
Finally, to all pirates listening to international broadcasts, shortwave services and ship-to-shore radio, let me say this:
Ahoy, me regret arr relationship has set sail in a scurvy manner. Arr people share many mutual 'alues and concerns on t' raging main. Perchance, could ye handsomely release the cap'n o' the ship and I assure that no harm will come t' ye or ye hearties. Let us smite t' reset button and launch our seabond on a new pegleg. Savvy? Godspeed t' ye and t' ye beauties. Aye, me parrot concurs.
A bloody joke isn't it. But then most in the western world actually believe this crap.
ReplyDelete