WI Crippler
DP Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 10, 2006
- Messages
- 15,427
- Reaction score
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- Gender
- Male
- Political Leaning
- Centrist
In the case of protecting merchant ships, how does "armed private security" get turned into "mercenary"?
Clearly, the pirates thrive because they know they can operate with impunity -- no one will shoot back.
Shooting back will change this.
I understand that. I'm just saying, that if the payment of the privateers comes from the US government, then they are essentially mercenaries. I have no problem, either way, although I'd prefer that ships be able to arm themselves. But people seem to be fine with hiring out private enterprise to protect American interests at sea, and had a huge problem with hiring out private enterprise to protect American interests on the ground.