Maersk has praised and thanked the US Navy, but have they either in Va. or Denmark offered

[RB TexLa]

to reimburse the US taxpayers for this mission?

[ddeclue]

1. NOT. SUPPOSED. TO.

The US Navy exists specifically for the purpose of protecting against pirates - read Article I Section
8 of the Constitution:

Among the powers of the Congress:

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas, and Offenses against the Law of Nations;

[alsame]

2. I am perfectly okay with my tax dollars being used

to save lives. It's the killing with my money that bothers me.

[StreetKnowledge]

21. That's my opinion, too.

The Navy did its job here, and did it well.

[Historic NY]

3. The ship was on a relief mission, so we had an investment in it.

Its under the control U.S. Maritime Administration & our Transportation Command. The company might be in Denmark but its US division is entirely run by a US Board of Directors.

[Renew Deal]

4. Where the hell do some people on this site come from?

:wtf:

[Stephanie]

11. I can guess

[Cessna Invesco Palin]

19. Unfortunately, some of them come from the internet. n/t

[Statistical]

5. Would you expect reimbursement when

Police catch guy who broke into your house?
When LEO prevents a rape should the would be rape victim provide recourse?

If Fire department puts out a fire should homeowner pay?
Does it matter if fire is put out before or after it burns house down?

One of the reasons for US Navy existence is to defend commerical shipping from pirates.

Yeah we rarely use that aspect but it is a defined role for US Navy.

[RB TexLa]

7. I'm not the best example for those questions, I would not expect the police to care if

someone broke into my house.

[ddeclue]

14. Like Gov. Palin wanting to make rape victims pay for rape evidence kits?

:crazy:

[dem629]

6. No, and they shouldn't.

[PopSixSquish]

8. Let's Just Give the Good Captain Back to the Pirates

until they cough up the bucks. I'm sure the Navy takes credit cards in case the company doesn't have any cash on hand...

[RB TexLa]

9. I didn't say anything about requiring payment.

But just make up whatever lie you want.

[PopSixSquish]

12. Ever Hear of a Synonym?

[Bluebear]

10. Gee, what price is a merchant marine going for these days?

:crazy:

[bertman]

13. Are we now to assume that shipping companies are penniless paupers who cannot afford

to hire seriously professional security teams to protect their vessels when they are in known pirate-infested waters?

I would think that would fall under the "cost of doing business" category in the expenses column. I would rather see Xe, aka BlackWater, doing this kind of protection stuff than have them guarding our embassies.

[slackmaster]

17. There are severe legal problems with that

I think the idea has merit, but most countries have strict laws against people other than the military carrying weapons. Shipping does not just occur in international waters.

[bertman]

18. You may be right about that; however, when it's known that these types of incidents are

occurring on a regular basis, and there is danger of loss of life, I would think there could be some accomodation. If there isn't already one.

For some reason, I am thinking that defending oneself from unlawful boarding on the high seas is considered legitimate grounds for self defense. Maybe I'm wrong.

[slackmaster]

20. Use of deadly force to stop an unlawful boarding is legal on the high seas

Because anyone who is boarding a vessel unlawfully is a threat to life and limb.

The problem is in territorial waters of countries that do not allow civilians to carry weapons.

[slackmaster]

15. Having the Navy protect US citizens against international criminals at sea is free

Or to be more precise, a benefit of being a US citizen that is paid for by the taxpayers.

It's a single-payer system.

[flvegan]

16. You don't really "get" the military, police, etc do you?