So I'm taking a controversial stance on a subject again. Do I hear eyelids snapping in surprise? Not likely, but hear me out.
So Somalia has pirates, those pirates are hijacking oil tankers and the like whenever they get a chance. They even take hostages (But treat them very well for the most part). We've all heard that story.
Here's one you haven't heard:
In Somalia, nuclear waste is being dumped off their cost by foreign ships (well documented) and their fish stocks are being decimated by other foreign ships. So now those coastal populations don't have a stable government (They did for 2006, till the US bombed the bejezus out of them), their water is becoming more and more toxic (Will stay so for decades), and their fish stocks are RAPIDLY declining (Think NFLD Cod, but without rules). Now our media will yammer on and on about a lawless nation, rogue, potential terrorists, outlaws, etc etc, however do you ever wonder WHY the pirate problem is so common there? Its because EVERYONE in that place supports them, because in their eyes foreign corporations raping a crippled nation and somebody has to defend it. While they don't have law, they do seem to have justice on their side.
Lawrence Summers, former Chief Economist at World Bank and current Chief Economic Adviser to Obama:
'I think the economic logic behind dumping a load of toxic waste in the lowest wage country is impeccable and we should face up to it. I've always thought that underpopulated countries in Africa are vastly underpolluted.'
He said he was being sarcastic. Cute. I say he's FOS because these actions have been occurring since 1992 and he as in a position to be aware of them. He condoned it, and he can do it lawfully.
These people are defending themselves and when they have no real government anything they do to defend themselves will be illegal. However dumping nuclear waste and fishing the area to death is ALSO illegal, more grievous because the repercussions will be felt for GENERATIONS and potentially doom thousands to starvation, early death, or a host og medical problems.
There are gangsters among the pirates, that's for certain. However there are also gangsters among our governments and corporations. Lets not turn a blind eye on one because they are 'official'. That's called Hypocrisy
Awesome song by K'Naan, Somali-Canadian Rapper:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lCPXEARpE8
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/johann-hari/you-are-being-lied-to-abo_b_155147.html http://www.chycho.com/?q=Somalia_Pirates_chycho2009 http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/87075