Interesting Article on Piracy

Johann Hari has written a very interesting article on the recent piracy in Somalia. Writing for The Independent, the articles is titled You Are Being Lied To About Pirates. I don't know enough about the issues to comment, but I do recognize a persuasive, provocative argument when I see one. That makes it worth considering.

The Wall Street Journal tends to take the other side of this issue, arguing for harsh international penalties on piracy. Here's a piece arguing for convoys to protect ships, for example. Another piece refers to this as a struggle of civilization vs. barbarism.

It certainly seems like some kind of desperate situation has arisen to make people take the kind of risks involved in piracy. While we deplore violence and lawlessness, we'd be wise to consider why it arises.