Xavier Cromartie

As a Christmas special, today I present a... SOMALI PRIVATEER DRAFT!! Eight teams, two rounds. The people who are eligible to be drafted are all Somalis who have any sort of involvement with the privateering. They must have a name and a sourced quote. 1.1 Nasr Ibn Othman (Somali writer) Memorable quote: 1.2 Shamun Indhabur (MV Faina privateer leader) Memorable quote: 1.3 Sugule Ali (MV Faina privateer spokesman, Commander of Voluntary Marines for Somalia) Memorable quote: 1.4 Mohammed Said (MV Sirius Star privateer leader) Memorable quote: 1.5 Jama of Eyl (MV Centauri privateer) Memorable quote: 1.6 Januna Ali Jama (MV Faina privateer spokesman) Memorable quote: 1.7 Boyah of Eyl (privateer leader) Memorable quote: 1.8 Mohamed Dashishle (MV Sirius Star privateer) Memorable quote: 2.1 Kahiye of Hobyo (Hobyo privateer) Memorable quote: 2.2 Salah Ali Samatar (Eyl privateer) Memorable quote: 2.3 Mohamed Aabi (Eyl privateer) Memorable quote: 2.4 Aden Yusuf (Eyl privateer) Memorable quote: 2.5 Omar Jamal (Somali Justice Advocacy Center director) Memorable quote: 2.6 Jeylani Shaykh Abdi (Somali fisherman) Memorable quote: 2.7 Muhammed Hussein (Somali fisherman) Memorable quote: 2.8 Ahmed of Hobyo (privateer spokesman) Memorable quote:

'Somali pirates hijack 13 Yemeni boats' Thus... 'Yemen to set up anti-piracy centre' (Source: AFP.)

Today's privateer news: 1. Ok, we have the following headline: 'In support of the Somali pirates.' Before reading, ask yourself where you would expect to find an article such as this one. Provo, Utah? Lubbock, Texas? Take a CrAZy guess. Answer: Key quotes from the article: The privateers do help "impoverished Somali communities" by purchasing items from the markets, as outlined in the article entitled 'Pirates live the high life, transform villages into boomtowns.' Are they "feeding malnourished children"? Certainly their own children, and I suppose that they are indirectly by buying items from the markets. The shops' owners have money to purchase food for their families because of the privateers. But, I know a former constitutional-law lecturer who has a good understanding of the legal meaning of 'redistributing wealth.' I do not think that we are talking about redistribution of wealth at all. This point resembles what I've been saying, although the author's next point makes the usage of the term pirates odd. Yeah, I've been thinking about the term ransom as well. I agree with the author's point. Yet, the author freely uses the term pirates instead of privateers. I believe that there are three possible replacements for ransom: compensation, prize money, and tribute. I would say that compensation is the most appropriate, considering what I said earlier about the xeer. 2. 'Germany wants international court for Somali pirates.' (Source: Reuters.) Key quote: Nice dig at President Bush. Boo to the idea. Coincidentally, my favorite Somali author, Nasr Ibn Othman, has a new article today about Somali national self-determination. Key quotes:

Today's privateer news: Somalia's in a time warp? This news sounds straight out of 2006: 'Somali Islamists take pirates base' (Source: defpro.com.) Uh oh. I remember the following quote (via RIA Novosti) a few days ago from a privateer on the Faina: A similar news article from Press TV (Iran) has this quote: And so, Al-Shabaab/the Islamic Courts Union was really angry about the capture of the Sirius Star, but they also consider it a crime (under sharia law, not the xeer, I presume) to capture other ships like the Faina. I wonder if we will hear about their arresting the privateers on the Faina soon.

Don't worry, Miss Cromartie Tournament II will be early in 2009. Now, the first annual Cromarties: Best Posters of 2008: 10. Draft thread participants 9. Well-dressed posters (must wear a tie) 8. Posters who are above everything 7. Misandrists 6. Sexual incompetents 5. Barack Obama supporters 4. Funny posters 3. Elitists 2. Intellectuals 1. Posters who cite sources Best of Love, Sex, and Dating for 2008: 10. Still being friends 9. Pornography actresses 8. Going to "da club" or a party 7. Meeting a potential mate online 6. Flirting (preferably shameful flirting) 5. Dating 4. Miley Cyrus 3. Making out (necking) 2. Love 1. Sex Best of Graphics & Testing Grounds for 2008: 10. PSD 9. PGF 8. JIF 7. BMP 6. PCX 5. TIFF 4. TGA 3. JPEG 2. GIF 1. PNG Best of Food for 2008: 10. Pure fat 9. Vegetables 8. Vegetables that are actually fruits 7. Pure sugar 6. Whatever I can find on this God-damned island 5. Oils 4. Bird eggs 3. Fruits 2. Raw animals, live 1. Raw animals, dead

If the UK can kill two Somalis and detain eight of them, then I'd like to know why they couldn't have detained all ten of them. Somalia vs. The World. "Bring 'em on!" Today's privateer news: Russia is one of those countries that is sending ships, and they intend to kill many Somalis. 'A Russian solution to the Somali pirates'

Today's privateer news: 1. Indonesia sounds serious about not negotiating with the Somali privateers. Xinhua: I wonder what they're planning. The ship is probably in Eyl by now. Are the Indonesians going to go in with guns blazing? 2. Somali pirates [were] killed 'legally.' BBC News: Since I lack further details, my view is that this case is an instance of imperfect self-defense. They had the right to self-defense, but they unreasonably believed that deadly force was necessary. The Somali privateers have demonstrated in the past that they're "not into getting you between the cross hairs and trying to take you out."[1] 3. I'll add these quotes about privateers' getting girls from an article in The Christian Science Monitor (one of my favorite news sources, along with Al Jazeera English).

Yesterday's privateer news: 1. China has joined all those other countries in sending ships to the Gulf of Aden. They explicitly called the Somalis "a great threat to international navigation, trade and security." (Source: AP.) 2. I want to highlight further the way that the Somali privateers treat the ships' crews. RIA Novosti (Russia): Let's not forget that Somalis are Sunni Muslims[1] whose country suffered a "brutal military invasion"[2] from mostly-Christian Ethiopia[3] in 2006 (and the war is ongoing[4]). Antigua Sun:

Basically yes. But pirates are considered criminals whereas privateers are considered patriots. The issue is whether these Somalis are criminals or patriots. I wrote in the "My Final Exam" thread that "I would say that Somalis, who are "desperate to survive,"[1] are authorized by the Xeer and the Puntland regional government[1] to act as privateers in response to the illegal toxic dumping and trawling off of their coastline."[2] Note these aspects of the Xeer: And so, I believe the Somali argument goes something like the following. The toxic dumping and trawling of the Somali coastline by foreign vessels is deliberate and premeditated, and so the Somali people are entitled to compensation. Since they cannot receive compensation from the specific foreign vessels that commit the crimes, the Somalis go after 'their kin,' the other foreign vessels that pass through the area. And all Somalis who aren't religious or political dignitaries are authorized to carry out this service of justice. Today's privateer news: Evidently, yesterday the Somalis captured not two but four ships, although the Chinese ship (Zhenhua 4) was quickly freed.

I'll assume that the question is in regard to Somali "pirates," whom I regard as distinct from other pirates (Indonesian, Thai, and others). My answer is philosophical, not legal. Since ship owners have started hiring security when they pass through the Gulf of Aden,[1] obviously the pirates are some sort of security threat. But are they a threat to national security? I would say no. I believe that we should distinguish between national security, public security, and private security. I believe that in order to be a threat to (inter)national security, pirates would have to present a direct threat to the territory or an institution of a government. For example, robbing a bank is a matter of national security because it is a threat to a financial institution, whereas robbing an individual on the street is a matter of public security because it is a threat to the safety of an individual person, and robbing an empty home is a matter of private security because it is a threat to the property and assets of a person. Therefore, as long as pirates target ships that are not owned by any government, it is not an issue of national security. Is it an issue of public security and/or private security? One could argue that by "holding the ships' crews hostage," the pirates deprive them of freedom and therefore are a public security threat. But, I would use the analogy of a flight crew and passengers. When a flight crew refuses to let off a passenger mid-flight, are they depriving the passenger of freedom, or does the safety of everyone on the flight override the passenger's desire? Obviously, the latter is correct. I would argue that the pirates are looking out for the safety of the ships' crews. If they let off the crews in Eyl or Xarardheere, the crews would be left to survive on their own in Somalia. If they let off the crews at sea, they might never get rescued or they might get caught in a battle between the pirates and foreign vessels. Since the pirates are not violent toward crews and make sure that they are fed and safe, I believe that they are not a public security threat. The pirates are a threat to private security. Their purpose is to be a private security threat. They are a threat to private property (the ship itself and the crews' personal belongings, but not the contents of the vessels) and to private assets (the wealth of the ships' owners). But are these actions illegal? I believe in respecting the legal system of Somalia. In 2006, The Islamic Courts Union used their authority to stop pirate attacks.[2] I accept the ICU's actions. I don't consider the TFG to be legitimate. It was created by foreign nations for foreign nations.[3] During the American Revolution, American privateering "became an industry born of necessity that encouraged patriotic private citizens to harass British shipping while risking their lives and resources for financial gain."[4] I would say that Somalis, who are "desperate to survive,"[5] are authorized by the Xeer and the Puntland regional government[5] to act as privateers in response to the illegal toxic dumping and trawling off of their coastline.[6]

Today's privateer news: Today was the day that the UN voted on the Bush/Rice resolution to allow other nations to "take all necessary measures that are appropriate” against the privateers. The resolution passed unanimously, 15-0.[1][2] Instead of relying solely on the media articles, I wanted to take a direct look at the actual wording of the UN resolution. I didn't expect that the resolution would be the longest run-on sentence ever. The key part: The media deemphasized the parts about the TFG's involvement. Quotes about the TFG: The Mindanao Examiner (Philippines): Somali Musings: Somali Musings:

'Somali pirates seize 2 vessels in Gulf of Aden' AP:

Today's privateer news: 1. I was skeptical of the report from RIA Novosti two weeks ago that the Sirius Star would be released soon, because the Saudi Foreign Ministry spokesman denied that they would negotiate or pay a ransom. Today's headline in the Saudi Gazette: ‘Deal on ransom, Sirius to be freed’ 2. After some consideration, I've decided to award excellent article status to the following article from BlackState that responds to the 5 December 2008 opinion piece in The New York Times by Douglas R. Burgess, Jr. entitled 'Piracy is terrorism': Piracy is not terrorism: it's something else I completely dismiss calling the Somalis "terrorists." I'm interested in (1) whether they should be considered pirates or privateers and (2) if their actions are illegal, whether any government other than Somalia's should have the right to pursue, detain, and try them.

No, I would not say that the privateers' primary motive for capturing ships is 'the good of the Somali people.' They are trying to earn money for themselves in order to survive. But, they also sincerely and rightfully want the illegal dumping and trawling to cease. The foreign vessels' disgraceful actions make it not just difficult but dangerous for Somalis to attempt to earn money as fishermen. They do not desire to hurt the crews, and so they are not an international security threat. They depart honorably after they receive their ransoms. As for being a shipping threat, not many ships get captured. "Statistically from January to the end of November ... just in the area north of Somalia, your chances of getting pirated were 0.14 percent."[1] For the ships that do get captured, the privateers are a threat only to time-sensitive goods like cement and to the few dozen wealthy ship owners' wallets. They do not steal the ships' contents like Indonesian pirates frequently do.

Today's privateer news: 1. The Mindanao Examiner (Philippines) provides a bit more information about what happened on the Action. And so, the privateers did get their ransom, and I expect that they were not responsible for any deaths, if there were any others. As for the Georgian engineer, I guess we can call him a "basket case." 2. British minister: Somalia is a 'basket case' (Source: AP.) I find this way of thinking to be outrageous. If/when we start to see foreign countries' raiding Eyl and Harardhere, are Mr. Bush and Mr. Gates going to give us this excuse that "pirates could potentially fund terrorism"? Americans would readily accept it. A few days ago, I read the following snippets in an editorial from the Grand Rapids Press: Contrast those quotes with this quote from Nasr Ibn Othmann:[1] Isn't it, in fact, the foreign vessels that pose a serious and growing threat to (Somali) lives and (Somalia's ability to participate in) international trade?

My BFF Leelee. Then, Edwin MacPhisto, Vitamin X, Bad4Good, DrVenkman PhD, Czecherbear, objet petit a, and At Home.

Today's privateer news: 1. The major story is that the Indian navy continues to be aggressive toward privateers. Indian navy detains 23 pirates in Gulf Of Aden, saving cargo vessel (Source: AHN.) In this case, the INS Mysore performed its duty of escorting and protecting merchant vessels. The privateers were stopped in the act of attacking but before they had taken control of the Gibe. But, when the privateers fled, India chose to "detain" them. I've seen other headlines use different terms, e.g., "capture"[1][2] and "arrest."[3] I wonder if it would be most accurately described as an "abduction."[4] I think that the real headline of this article is the fact that 12 Somalis and 11 Yemenis were working together. We've seen many hints of Yemeni involvement in the past. 2. Another Greek ship, the MV Action, has been released after two months. (Source: Xinhua.) We will need to follow up on this story, but this Andrew Mwangura fellow doesn't sound very reliable. "Limping" is so dramatic. He sounds like another anti-Somali propagandist. Edit: I retract the statement that he sounds like another anti-Somali propagandist. I believe he understands the situation.

Today's privateer news: 1. Fortunately, there are some rational Americans out there. AP: He's still using America-centric thinking, but it's better than "I regret to inform you that U.S. policy now dictates we bomb the fuck out of you." (MNFTIU.) We have a lot of Somali Americans here in Minnesota.[1] I'm pleased to see this bit in an AFP article: 2. Can we expect other Minnesotans to show such an understanding? Let's look at an opinion piece entitled "Yet another anchor dragging us down: Pirates" in today's Minneapolis Star Tribune by Ms. Yoshi Ludwig, "Gustavus Adolphus College B.A. (magna cum laude), major: Political Science, minor: Philosophy, 2003 — 2007."[2] (Why did she use an em dash instead of an en dash?) Please show me a source for this claim. Otherwise, it is libel. Also, the phrase in bold reminds me of Nasr Ibn Othmann's statement about "the blatant racism that underpins the usage of words like Somali Pirates, or Islamic Pirates."[3] Yes, fishermen have to protect themselves in an unsafe country. And from the foreign vessels that attack the fishermen if the fishermen interfere with the foreigners' looting of Somali waters.[4] Yeah, there hasn't been a major terrorist attack since, what, two weeks ago? Or was it one week? 75 percent of the world is covered in water, folks. Let's get some warships to the Arctic Ocean. Hmm, that phrase sounds familiar: You're soooo smart, Ms. Ludwig. And we have seen that those countries are not ready to start "acting honorably" about the illegal dumping. LOL at "the rest of us pay a high price for those toxins." As I quoted in a previous post, from that article that Ms. Ludwig didn't cite: But, Somalis don't pay a high price. "The rest of us" do. Because, you know, Islamic pirate-terrorism and such.

Thank you for the nomination and compliments, At Home. Sources matter to me.

Today's privateer news: 1. George W. Bush adds to his legacy of successes, valiantly defending Americans on cruise ships from evil pirates. (Source: USA Today.) This idea is not what Nasr Ibn Othmann had in mind when he suggested acting honorably for once. 2. ‘We are hungry. There is no government, no economy, so it is a good way to earn money’ (Source: The Times.) There's an interesting bit of news in this one: Mr. Bush also needs a lesson.

Ladies and gentlemen, we got 'em. Somali pirates hijack two Yemeni fishing ships, hold 22 fishermen Africa News Dec 10, 2008, 17:45 GMT Sana'a, Yemen - Somali pirates hijacked two Yemeni fishing ships and took 22 fishermen hostage in the Gulf of Aden on Wednesday, Yemen's Interior Ministry said. The pirates attacked the ships as they sailed off the Mait area near the southern port city of Aden, the ministry said in a statement posted on its website. Before the pirates took control of the ships, seven fishermen escaped on a small boat to report the attacks to the Yemeni Coast Guard Authority in Aden, the statement said. Twenty-two other fishermen, all Yemenis, were held hostage on the hijacked ships, it said. The reported hijacking took place late on Wednesday, hours after a German cruise ship evacuated 370 passengers and crew members in a Yemeni port before it headed to the pirate-infested Gulf of Aden on its way to Oman.

Today's privateer news: 1. The MV Captain Stephanos, a Greek coal ship, has finally been released. It was captured on 21 September. No word on the ransom amount. (Source: Xinhua.) 2. Mutiny on the Faina? AFP reported that two crew members on the MV Faina "jumped" the Somali privateers but failed to overpower them. Well, it turns out that the privateers made up the story after two of the privateers involved were captured by Americans. It looks like the ransom money is finally on its way, though. (Source: ITAR-TASS.) 3. Today we have not just an excellent article but a FIVE-STAR excellent article. Nasr Ibn Othmann, a Somali, writes an opinion piece for Garowe Online entitled The unlicensed and undocumented privateers of Somalia. Key quotes: I shall use the term 'Somali privateers' as a way of contrasting them with, say, 'Indonesian pirates.' If you search for "Islamic pirates," two of the earliest results are from Infidel Blogger's Alliance and Islam Must Be Stopped. Mark McDonald, Max Boot, Time magazine: take note. Sums up the problem nicely. Whether "self defence is enshrined in the laws of God" (or nature) would be an interesting philosophical discussion. Clearly, neocons like Max Boot don't see it as justified self-defense, but left-libertarians like Xavier Cromartie do. In the other articles I've read, (like this CNN one, written today) analysts state, "We need an effective government in Somalia ... and what we really need is a coordinated response. Somalia can't do it without its neighbors and the international community." But, in a separate excellent article (The physiology of a nation at war) by the same author, he writes that (1) "the concept of centralised political power is alien to Somali culture. The Somali people are unique because of the poly-centric nature of their national political space. The Somali people were early pioneers of the concept of social networking." and (2) "Somali people hate injustice, and foreign intervention in Somali national affairs is the epitome of injustice." Part of the real solution, as the author stated, is for "the vicious and greedy policy makers in Europe, Asia, and North America to act honourably for once."

Piracy does exist in other places. I recommend looking at the International Maritime Bureau's live piracy map. (It's also linked in the excellent articles in the first post.) The IMB says that Indonesia's waters are the most dangerous in the world—particularly in the Malacca Straits.[1] Journalist Kelly McEvers explains:[2] Earlier in the year, the IMB said that Nigeria had overtaken Indonesia as the number one hot spot for piracy.[3] Evidently the Nigerian navy can't handle the Nigerian pirates when they're violently attacking the oil and fishing industries.[3][4] Somali pirates are different, though. All credible news sources indicate that they have no desire to resell the contents of the vessels nor to harm anyone. It's a business that fishermen started because their fish are being stolen or killed by other countries, there aren't many ways to earn money in Somalia, and there is no effective government to stop them (since the Islamic Courts Union was removed by the US and Ethiopia). Also, the regional Puntland government not only to allows piracy but finances it and takes cuts of the ransoms. Somalis use piracy to survive and to improve the conditions in Somalia. (Sources: articles that I've posted in this thread.)

Today's pirate news: Today was the beginning of the anti-piracy effort that is known as Atalanta—the European Union's first maritime operation. AFP, quoting the International Maritime Bureau, says that yesterday's attack off of the coast of Tanzania indicates that "the pirates have already modified their tactics." We also have a "news" article in the IHT by Mark McDonald that opens in the following manner: He presents the second paragraph as if that scenario actually happened. Then he begins the third paragraph by admitting that he made it up. Nothing written thereafter indicates why that scenario is plausible. I'll remember your terribleness, Mark McDonald. He does, however, report some actual news later in the article:

Neoconservative Max Boot writes an opinion piece for The Wall Street Journal entitled Pirates, terrorism, and failed states. Key quotes: