French Kick Pirate Arse!

[Vladimir]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...f022ox5IU0KK9Q

Arrrrr, hat tip to the French matey.

BRUSSELS — European Union warships have captured seven suspected pirates off the coast of Somalia after two fast boats attacked a French fishing vessel, the EU's naval force said Wednesday. A German warship was despatched to the scene, while a helicopter from a nearby Spanish naval vessel -- the ESPS Canarias -- was launched and located the two skiffs trying to flee the area.

It looks like the EU is expanding it's influence. Either that or that France is feeling nostalgic about Africa again. This reminds me a bit of the "EU is Eval" thread. It looks like it's still a Franco-German force with those hot-blooded Hispanics in tow. I guess it would be appropriate if a Spaniard becomes president of the EU as it would mimic the role of the helicopter.

The thing I'm ashamed about is how this diminishes U.S. influence in the horn. Are we suffering from a Vietnam complex in Somalia? It's bothered me for so long that we've allowed this situation to persist for this long. I hope we're not back-sliding to the 90's. The "peace dividend" was a sub-prime loan.

[Furunculus]

congrats to the MN on a job well done.

[tibilicus]

All hail the European Empire, we will soon re-establish an empire, this time under a untied Europe. Soon all you non Europeans will be speaking a horrendous mix of English, French,Spanish, Portuguese, German, Italian and Polish.

In regard to the Americans, I don't think there loosing influence, I just think that European countries have more at stake trade wise and therefore need to protect shipping lanes.

[al Roumi]

The chinese are involved in the msision too, can't remeber to what degree or on what terms, but i think i remember reading they have at least 1 ship on patrol off the horn.

And I'm afraid I did scoff at "US losing influence in the Horn", this is just about the only thing the EU could legitimately do as body -protect direct economic interests. The US is very much present in the horn and has enough strong local proxies not to have to worry about having boots on the ground, or so to speak.

...Unless of course you mean actually doing something about Somalia, but that's a whole different kettle of fish (while we're on the nautical theme) which "Black-Hawk down" explains in graphic manner.

[Vladimir]

Yea, I was thinking of Black Hawk. We had Ethiopian proxies go into Somalia and our navy's been far to uninvolved for my taste.

[al Roumi]

We had Ethiopian proxies go into Somalia...

Off topic but personaly, I'm not sure this was the brightest idea. If anything it only fueled the antagonism between Ethiopia and Somalia and ultimately the Somalian's resentment of the supporters of the Ethiopians...

[HoreTore]

That the Spanish, who are illegally fishing in those waters, are also sending warships there is truly laughable.

All hail the pirates, I say.

[Louis VI the Fat]

:europeanunion:

That the Spanish, who are illegally fishing in those waters, are also sending warships there is truly laughable.

All hail the pirates, I say.

The Spanish are fishing in Norwegian waters too. Go get 'em, tiger!

[Weebeast]

Wow. I can't believe what I'm seeing here. The French helped Spanish ships against pirates. Low blow. Parley!

Of course the poor fishing villagers have to suffer again and conduct in piracy even more. Good job. I'm proud to be homo sapiens even more.

[HoreTore]

The Spanish are fishing in Norwegian waters too. Go get 'em, tiger!

I would, if not for the fact that you can drown in water...

[Beskar]

I would, if not for the fact that you can drown in water...

That's why you use a Boat, or a Submarine and not swim after the Spanish ships.

[HoreTore]

That's why you use a Boat, or a Submarine and not swim after the Spanish ships.

But if you fall out of the boat, you drown.

So I'm going to stay on land, thankyouverymuch.

[Beskar]

But if you fall out of the boat, you drown.

Only if you can't swim.

[HoreTore]

Only if you can't swim.

Are you saying everyone who dies at sea can't swim?

Anyway, my swimming skills are quite bad. I'm not on friendly terms with large amounts of water. Don't like it, never will.

[Beskar]

Are you saying everyone who dies at sea can't swim?

Well, if you rule out "Death by Proxy", the only way you can die is either:

Can't Swim.
Too exhausted to Swim or too cold.


Since you lets say, fell off a boat. You will usually be able to get back on it with a while or have a small raft pick you up.

If the boat was destroyed in some way, you usually have rafts, lifejackets, etc. Also the coastguard will come and pick you up.

If you was pushed off a boat in the middle of Atlantic, then you are dead unless you find something to keep you alive in some fashion. Then again, this is classed as "Death by Proxy".

[Louis VI the Fat]

Hjaelp! Water! Cold! I can't swim!

Pft.

I assume you have heard of Sven den Store? A Viking from Vålerenga. He swam all the way to Svalbard, killed a musk ox with his bare hands, and wrestled down a walrus and used his blubber to fry the ox in. This was for breakfast. Then he swam back and laid York in ruin singlehandedly, making it back home in time for dinner, four kegs of beer, and five blond godesses.

[HoreTore]

A Viking from Vålerenga.

Well... I'm not from there. I'm from Mjøndalen, and my heart is brown. You know what else is brown? Earth and beer. So you go drown yourselves all you want, I'm going to stay right here and drink my beer, and after that I'm going to poop. On a real toilet.

Well, if you rule out "Death by Proxy", the only way you can die is either:

Can't Swim.
Too exhausted to Swim or too cold.


Since you lets say, fell off a boat. You will usually be able to get back on it with a while or have a small raft pick you up.

If the boat was destroyed in some way, you usually have rafts, lifejackets, etc. Also the coastguard will come and pick you up.

If you was pushed off a boat in the middle of Atlantic, then you are dead unless you find something to keep you alive in some fashion. Then again, this is classed as "Death by Proxy".

That sounds an awful lot like "drowning". And since I'm not too hot on drowning, I'll stay right here.

[Gregoshi]

So you go drown yourselves all you want, I'm going to stay right here and drink my beer, and after that I'm going to poop. On a real toilet.

I was going to make a really lame pun about a poop deck but decided not to go there.

[Husar]

The thing I'm ashamed about is how this diminishes U.S. influence in the horn. Are we suffering from a Vietnam complex in Somalia? It's bothered me for so long that we've allowed this situation to persist for this long. I hope we're not back-sliding to the 90's. The "peace dividend" was a sub-prime loan.

Awwwwwwwwwww, one time it's the lazy Yuropeens letting America do all the work and then when they do their work themselves, America is missing out and losing prestige points.
Wasn't that incident where you freed a captain by sniping the pirates after he jumped ship enough?
Try sending Steven Seagal if you're worried that Europe will steal the show.

Well, if you rule out "Death by Proxy", the only way you can die is either:

Can't Swim.
Too exhausted to Swim or too cold.

I doubt the water in Norway has carribean temperatures...

[KukriKhan]

That the Spanish, who are illegally fishing in those waters, are also sending warships there is truly laughable.

All hail the pirates, I say.

vote: HoreTore

Obvious mafia. Arrgh.

Are we suffering from a Vietnam complex in Somalia?

I get your reference, but point to Iraq and A-stan. Post-VN US = totally different scenario, I think.

The "peace dividend" was a sub-prime loan.

rofl

[Centurion1]

Awwwwwwwwwww, one time it's the lazy Yuropeens letting America do all the work and then when they do their work themselves, America is missing out and losing prestige points.
Wasn't that incident where you freed a captain by sniping the pirates after he jumped ship enough?
Try sending Steven Seagal if you're worried that Europe will steal the show.

lol ima let the europeans do my talking for me here