Comments on: March 2009 in Review: Academic Freedom, Militarization, Economic Crisis, and Jokes

By: Maximilian Forte

Maximilian Forte — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 18:00:16 +0000

Yes, by the way, I like this design too: it has been available since September of 2008, and it took me months to notice it.

By: Maximilian Forte

Maximilian Forte — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:03:47 +0000

Thanks very much to you both Ryan and Lorenz.

Lorenz, it was the Al Jazeera article that I was thinking about…note that I said it came from the “European” press. There is something a little troubling about that slip.

Ryan, I think “pirate” is becoming “the new terrorist” — the story line is similar: evil doing, AK47-toting barbarians without legitimate grievances, versus small-town, white American hero dads (and the proud Navy SEAL snipers backing them up). I am speaking here of course about the mainstream North American media, where everything becomes a cartoon. The deliberate misunderstandings they generate will lead to very costly and completely preventable conflict and loss of life.

By: ryan anderson

ryan anderson — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:50:01 +0000

that’s because the mainstream media is too busy taking the “african pirates attack american vessel for the first time since the days of jefferson” angle.

By: ryan anderson

ryan anderson — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:47:48 +0000

you have had a super busy month. i like the new site design changes. the pirates issue is one what i was wondering if you were going to cover as well. check out this article by a professor at the US Naval War College. The toxic waste dumping and uncontrolled fishing in Somali waters are certainly HUGE factors, but many people just want to pretend that shooting pirates is the end all solution. why are so many people unwilling to look at issues within larger socio-political contexts? it drives me crazy...i have had some recent debates (more like arguments) with people about the whole pirate thing, and whenever i bring up the OTHER factors involved they just don't want to hear it. certain people only want to believe that somalia is filled to the brim with evil pirates, and that sending in a few destroyers will solve everything. where have we heard that logic before? hmmm...

By: lorenz

lorenz — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:47:10 +0000

Al Jazeera wrote already last october 'Toxic waste' behind Somali piracy . But this perspective is absent in mainstream news - at least here in Norway

By: Maximilian Forte

Maximilian Forte — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Excellent, thanks very much Lorenz — I only happened to see the title in passing in Twitter. There are some articles from the European press as well, but finding them again is a bit of a problem. In the meantime I will read that K’naan piece, many thanks again.

By: lorenz

lorenz — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 09:31:42 +0000

Have you read Why We Don't Condemn Our Pirates by K'naan?

By: Maximilian Forte

Maximilian Forte — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 01:48:05 +0000

I am still reading and digesting all of the varied news pieces and commentaries on the pirates. What I found interesting, and from a different perspective, are the accounts of toxic waste being dumped illegally on Somali shores by ships from developed nations, taking advantage of the lack of any central authority in Somalia. In addition, some fishermen who turned to piracy did so after losing their livelihoods to foreign ships that illegally trawl in Somali waters. So it seems there may be piracy in two different directions here.

Obama approving the order to fire on and kill the hostage takers a few days ago will definitely exacerbate matters, and I wonder how well prepared he is for another war front. On the other hand, this kind of escalation will be used to reinforce the promotion of AFRICOM, I imagine.

By: Bob Bateman

Bob Bateman — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:10:09 +0000

Max,

No posts about the Somalia/Pirates situation? Interested in your take on that. How should the piracy be approached? I strongly suspect we have differing opinions, so I’m curious about the solution you would advocate.

Bob Bateman