Modern Day Pirates
I have been reading all about the pirates of Somalia. It is fascinating to to think that with today's technology and weapon such a thing could take place and yet it is because of today's technology and weapons that these pirates are living the high life and being protected. The ransom on most ships is about 2 million dollars and the hostages are eventually released unharmed.
Growing up on the outskirts of Tampa Florida I knew all about Jose Gaspar, known as the Last Buccaneer. We even got a day off of school each February to celebrate him, a pirate! It is said that he captured over 400 vessels but I bet the load of all didn't pay as well as one of these ships captured in Somalia.
Lest we think that we landlubbers of America are safe perhaps we need to rethink what a pirate is:
pirate
–noun
1. a person who robs or commits illegal violence at sea or on the shores of the sea.
2. a ship used by such persons.
3.any plunderer, predator, etc.: confidence men, slumlords, and other pirates.
4. a person who uses or reproduces the work or invention of another without authorization.
5. Also called pirate stream. Geology. a stream that diverts into its own flow the headwaters of another stream, river, etc. (I am wondering if this would qualify for the flow of money also?)
–verb (used with object)
6.to commit piracy upon; plunder; rob.
7.to take by piracy: to pirate gold.
8.to use or reproduce (a book, an invention, etc.) without authorization or legal right: to pirate hit records.
9.to take or entice away for one's own use: Our competitor is trying to pirate our best salesman.
–verb (used without object)
10.to commit or practice piracy.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME < L pīrāta < Gk peirāt
s, equiv. to peirā-, var. s. of peirân to attack + -tēs agent n. suffix
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
I am here to tell you that we have pirates among us. Just look at Fanny Mae and Freddie Mac, the US Government, all those companies who are now holding out their hooks looking for more of our gold, our wealth.
To arms I tell you and quick before the pirates take those away too. Sadly, what America is giving up to our modern day financial pirates will make what a Somalian pirate makes look like small. Whats left to say but Argh!
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