Allen,

Firstly, thank you for the reply. In regards to establishing maritime law and making it an international effort, I do agree. From watching something on the news just now, something disturbs me. According to this alleged expert, in regards to maritime law and the different laws of the sending and receiving companies of the vessels, guns are not permitted to be stored on these ships with traditional sailors that work on the ship. Sounds like a gun control debate here in the U.S.

I agree that it should bother us and it is a problem even at times where a U.S. hostage is not involved. In times of today's U.N., we could be talking about it for the next year without any action. You must admit, though I am not sure of the reaction of foreign hostages and their home countries, citizens of the U.S. band together in such a remarkable way for people they do not know in times like these. Many are glued to their TV's, praying or involved by adding their 2 cents on the matter in hopes of creating a spark for others or promoting change on issues, such as ourselves.
By being shot, I meant by the U.S. Military patrolling the waters.
After reading a bit more after I posted previous, there is a democratic government of some sort in the northern part of the country. Investment in Somalia, as you said, is vital to the stop of piracy. I just don't think we can afford to be "that" involved yet. Regardless, a true plan needs to be developed to end it once and for all but for now we need to get tough on the subject to temporarily try to defuse or deter the current piracy that is going on. Just hope that more people watch his rescue other than watching Dancing With The Stars. Those eating dinner tomorrow for Easter should be reminded of the conditions that he has endured the past four days and the family that does not have him sitting at the table, especially for a selfless act that saved many.

Allen,

"by helping to support the establishment of a democratic government". Were you aware of the UN humanitarian effort puling out in 1995 due to the UN losing too many lives? Did you read of the actual accounts of the Blackhawk Down movie? We can not afford to establish a working government at this time. Nor do I want my tax dollars in doing so. Harsh? Yes but it is a reality that I am sure many fellow fed-up citizens agree with.
It appears that if we catch them so to speak, our government is unsure of how to handle them as they do not fall into our law.
We need to show why we are the superpower. We need to spread the word to Somalia. Let it be known that all pirates will be shot on site, no questions asked, no diplomacy.
"From the Halls of Montezuma to the Shores of Tripoli."