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Beyond the Spin: Piracy is but a symptom - Philadelphia Inquirer

16.04.09

Like most Americans, I closely followed the capture and dramatic rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips, which culminated when three Navy SEAL marksmen killed pirates who had hijacked his freighter ship, the Maersk Alabama, off the coast of Somalia. When I learned that Phillips' life had been saved, I rejoiced - not because he is an American, but because he is a human.

The deceased pirates were also human, but they acted in an inhumane way and, in effect, wrote their own death certificates.

President Obama expressed relief and gratitude.

"I share our nation's admiration for Captain Phillips' courage and leadership and selfless concern for his crew," said Obama, who authorized the use of force. "And I want to be very clear that we are resolved to halt the rise of [piracy] in that region, and to achieve that goal, we're going to have to continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks."

Surprisingly, some have questioned Obama's decision to approve the use of force. According to Shabelle Media Network in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, Ahmed Bile, a member of Somalia's parliament, said: "They took their citizen and killed our citizens. Maybe there are some Somalis who see that the step is right, but I say it is not right, but totally wrong, because their people are not better than ours."

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer, PA