Crime Stories

What is the difference between a crime and an act of war?

So many people are calling for Obama to send in the Navy to rescue the captured American captain which pirates are holding hostage in a foreign country's (Somalia) territorial waters. The Navy is part of the military charged with protecting our National Defense. Is the capturing of this captain the crime of kidnapping, or an act of war against the United States? If it's a crime, should the military be involved in law enforcement, particularly if the crime is committed in a foreign country? If it's an act of war, should the military get involved *every* time an American citizen is kidnapped/taken hostage in a foreign country? hepcat: It would help if you paid attention. The Maersk Alabama is a Dutch ship. Part of the crew was American. Big difference. And what's the difference between this situation where an American is taken hostage, and the Daniel Pearl incident; an American in a foreign country, taken hostage. Bush didn't send the military to save him. Why would you expect Obama to do that now?

Public Comments

1. Nothing as long as the US Marines are allowed to "investigate".
2. Since, these pirates don't seem very selective when choosing targets.. I doubt it qualifies as an act of war.....
3. the navy is the only people who can help... it is in international waters
4. In this situation, the Marine Snipers should be able to take out the pirates after their ship arrives there, an act of war is when our soil is attacked or a vessel as an example, like the USS Cole, that Clinton did NOTHING about, which brings up Mogadishu, in Somalia, where the pirates are from, another Clinton FAILURE, Obama will do NOTHING about this, and hope it fades away, like N.Korea firing the missile. Democrats view most everything as a "criminal case" that way they evade doing justice to those who caused our great country harm in any form.
5. Individuals & groups commit crimes. Nations commit acts of war. they are 30 miles out, that is international waters It is called "piracy on the high seas" and is regulated by international treaties. ex Navy
6. it is only a crime if you loose the war
7. more importantly: What is the difference between this thread and the identical one you started a couple hours ago? but anyway: Somalia has no functioning government, so the kidnapping cannot be considered an "act of war". You'd be better off viewing the act as an instance of terrorism. It is in the communal (in this case, global) interest to pursue the freedom of the seas. We are perfectly justified in acting against the Somali pirates. and maybe if they weren't living in abject poverty, the Somali people wouldn't resort to this type of shenanigans. A little peacetime investment couldn't hurt...you know what they say about an ounce of prevention.
8. Actually, the FBI is involved in this kidnapping incident. They are sending hostage negotiators to try to reason with persons who are not really reasonable. We'll see if that works out. Generally, the military is not involved in enforcing law, especially not within the borders of the United States. However, in times of war, and when martial law is declared, and on the high seas, the military can and does become involved. This piracy we see taking place now is not an act of war. It is an act of desperation committed by desperate people feel they have no legitimate options for sustaining themselves in their homelands.
9. It doesn't have to be an act of war. U.S. special forces are ion place for just such a time as this. Obama doesn't want to go against the terrorists because he is one. They are on the high seas. The Navy is supposed to strike against pirates.
10. Obama's lack of action IS a Crime. An American Vessel was fired upon & an American was taken hostage by Pirates who threaten to kill him and our fearless President is more concerned about what type of dog to get his kids ?