“By the terms of resolution 1816 (2008), which was unanimously adopted today, the Council decided that the States cooperating with the country’s transitional Government would be allowed, for a period of six months, to enter the territorial waters of Somalia and use “all necessary means” to repress acts of piracy and armed robbery at sea, in a manner consistent with relevant provisions of international law.

The text was adopted with consent of Somalia, which lacks the capacity to interdict pirates or patrol and secure its territorial waters, following a surge in attacks on ships in the waters off the country’s coast, including hijackings of vessels operated by the World Food Programme and numerous commercial vessels — all of which posed a threat “to the prompt, safe and effective delivery of food aid and other humanitarian assistance to the people of Somalia”, and a grave danger to vessels, crews, passengers and cargo.”

Why? Pirates take on all boats

What does this mean? - I guess that first paragraph is open to interpretation…

How is the US different from any other empire in history, besides the fact it has the greatest ability to destroy?

US leaders talk endlessly about freedom and justice in the world, but what they really mean is they want the freedom to do pretty much what they want and any justice will be on their terms.[/quote]

Every empire was great at its ability to destroy, divide and conquer. Not going too far back, France and England, Prussia, Spain… But, I think your last paragraph is the one that distinguishes US from those before it - all the former empires openly sought out new territories and resources and did not claim to stand for freedom and justice for all. At most they were going to bring education and culture to the savages - but that spoke for itself.

Somalia… K’naan performed in Victoria on July 1. I still don’t know what Soobax is, but when I was trying to Google it, I stumbled on his article for Now magazine. It is from 2007, but a nice piece of writing of how Africa as it is now came about (with a little help from outsiders). Talking back to the Empire. http://www.nowtoronto.com/news/story.cfm?content=156808&archive=26,22,2007

How is the US different from any other empire in history, besides the fact it has the greatest ability to destroy?

US leaders talk endlessly about freedom and justice in the world, but what they really mean is they want the freedom to do pretty much what they want and any justice will be on their terms.

John McCain misspoke and confused his African countries while talking to reporters on the Straight Talk Express today. “How can we bring pressure on the government of Somalia?” McCain asked, which prompted close aide Mark Salter to correct him. “Sudan,” Salter said. “Sudan,” McCain repeated.