Barrel Strength

The President’s recent approval of the rescue mission for an American merchant captain is a laudable start but it must lead to a genuine campaign to end the scourge of Somali piracy. Teddy Roosevelt, Thomas Jefferson and James Madison had the fortitude to take real action. So here’s my three-point plan in their tradition:

1. Treat pirates as pirates
   No more nonsense about “irregular combatants” or poster children for the Geneva Conventions. These people are brigands and there is long precedent in admiralty law for dealing with them. Uncooperative vessels in designated waters are fair game for lethal force. Rope, yardarm, pirate: some assembly required.
    
2. Letters of Marque
   Queen Bess’ Sea Hawks did admirable service against the perfidious Spanish and bounty hunting is a storied American tradition. Give Blackwater a chance to redeem itself after its failings in Iraq. Share the wealth, America.
    
3. Shock and Awe Mk 2
   So these pirate chaps have a lair? Time to liven it up with Operation Quarterback 3, hosted by the B2 Spirit bomber. Really, who doesn’t love an airshow?

[youtube olGwSyouBms]