Following up on Jack’s post I wanted to spout a little of my own pride regarding the incident with the Maersk Alabama.  As a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and a fomrer 3rd Mate I am very pleased, thus far, with what appears to have been the high grade of conduct amongst our own Merchant Mariners in this incident.  Accounts on Fox News and other sources indicate that Capt. Richard Phillips has put himself in jeopardy in favor of his crew’s safety.  I pray actively for Capt. Phillips and commend his decision to act with the courage of his convictions.

For many of you unfamiliar with what a “Merchant Marine” actually is you will know shortly.  The motto at my academy is “Acta Non Verba” or “Deeds Not Words”.  Though Capt. Phillips is a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy he is no less an example of that phrase or any of the other great traditions from which the hardy line of mariners around the world hail. 

In light of the fact that these men and women of the merchant marine haul the worlds cargo and supply every country in one way or another with food and goods I think it is time for the nations of the world to band together and rid our world of the scourge that is the somali pirates.  I’m not the least bit interested in their hardships, their problems(largely self-induced) or their needs.  The despicable behavior and their continued willingness to traffic in threats, kidnapping and extortion must not go unanswered.  For the sake of our mariners and the integrity of international trade we need to end this now.  Perhaps it is time once again for our Marines to visit the “shores of Tripoli” and remind our friends in Somalia that they do not have free reign to behave as they wish and visit damage and chaos on the world at their own pleasure.  What they do within their own borders is up to them.  Perhaps we could exact a bit of payback for that little incident we recall as “Blackhawk Down” while we’re at it.  Somalia is one pit of vipers we can definitely do without.

And no.  I don’t care whether the Muslims of the world like it or not.  Obama has done quite enough bowing and butt kissing this past week.  It’s time we turn things around and start getting a few bows from our trouble making friends and do a little butt kicking in the process.