Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Maritime Security: Dr. Ron Paul On Piracy And The Letter Of Marque And Reprisal
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Maritime Security: Congressman’s Plan to Fend Off Pirates
“a free-market solution to make the high seas safer for cargo ships.”
This should be the theme of Feral Jundi, although I would rework it to apply to the big three–piracy, drugs, and terrorism. I really like this idea, and it is an ‘out of the box/building snowmobiles’ solution that has actually been implemented in the past with great success. Applying a free market solution to not just make the seas safer, but the world safer, is the kind of concept that could be a game changer in these endless wars we are fighting.
The other point I wanted to make, is nothing else seems to be working that great in the war on drugs, terror, or piracy. Why not try it out, and really give it a go? Wars are extremely expensive, and the Letter of Marque might be the solution to actually save some money. Things to think about, as these wars drag on. –Matt
Edit: Watch Ron Paul’s Youtube Talk about the Subject Here
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Ron Paul’s plan to fend off pirates
By: Erika Lovley
April 15, 2009 04:16 AM EST
A little-known congressional power could help the federal government keep the Somali pirates in check — and possibly do it for a discount price.
Rep. Ron Paul (R-Texas) and a growing number of national security experts are calling on Congress to consider using letters of marque and reprisal, a power written into the Constitution that allows the United States to hire private citizens to keep international waters safe.
Used heavily during the Revolution and the War of 1812, letters of marque serve as official warrants from the government, allowing privateers to seize or destroy enemies, their loot and their vessels in exchange for bounty money.
The letters also require would-be thrill seekers to post a bond promising to abide by international rules of war.
In a YouTube video earlier this week, Paul suggested lawmakers consider issuing letters, which could relieve American naval ships from being the nation’s primary pirate responders — a free-market solution to make the high seas safer for cargo ships.