Somali pirates undeterred by our escalation of violence

Without showing sympathy for this band of criminals, it's high time we consider the fact that, when you're dealing with people with no regard for human life, including their own, the use of force is absolutely futile as a deterrent. The fact is, prior to the killing of 3 Somali pirates in last week's rescue op, the pirates had not killed anyone. Now they are promising revenge and the mob is clamoring for a more aggressive posture by the United States.

But a debate is also taking place over whether it would be better to simply allow these merchants to arm and defend themselves - they are currently prohibited from doing so. Maybe someday before our entire economic and social fabric is ripped to shreds we'll figure out that not only can we not afford to police the world, but we are simply incapable of it.

Undeterred Somali pirates hijack 3 more ships

MOMBASA, Kenya (AP) - Undeterred by U.S. and French hostage rescues that killed seven bandits, Somali pirates brazenly hijacked three more ships in the Gulf of Aden, the waterway that's become the focal point of the world's fight against piracy.

The latest trophy for the pirates was the M.V. Irene E.M., a Greek-managed bulk carrier sailing from the Middle East to South Asia, said Noel Choong, who heads the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reporting center in Kuala Lumpur.

The Irene was attacked and seized in the middle of the night Tuesday - a rare tactic for the pirates.

Full story...