Letters of Marque and Reprisal

The Progress Report ^ | 2002 | Fred E. Foldvary

[John Beresford Tipton]

Yes, a signatory nation is bound to honor its treaty obligations. A nation can withdraw from a treaty, but I doubt not issuing letters of marque and reprisal is a "suicide pact", but hell, I'm just a lobbyist for Blackbeard the Pirate.

[Capitalist Eric]

I doubt not issuing letters of marque and reprisal is a "suicide pact",

I know. But the point remains... IF it is a viable means of eradicating terrorist elements throughout the world, then it stands to reason that such much should be used- treaty or not.

JMHO.

[optimistically_conservative]

The Hague 1907 "refined" the laws of of privateering, but is not, as I read it, a signatory to any treaty that outlaws privateering.

We are not, what JBT stated is not correct.

But it is worth knowing why the restraints and restrictions on privateering and reprisals were put in place. A quick review of the rise of pirating and bucaneers in the 19th century might be in order.

[July 4th]

I think it's a good idea in addition to the current armed forces. Just think about all the Americans out there (including Freepers) who have battle-tested ability at this sort of thing, and the arsenal or cash to back it up. If "John Smith" from Idaho wants to go Osama hunting instead of deer hunting this year, more power to him.

Keep in mind one of the psychological ideas that the US used in the Cold War. The Soviet Union was highly centralized. They thought we were absolutely NUTS with our military structure, which provided for no controls to prevent commanders from firing nuclear weapons on their own. It was a significant part of the deterrent effect.

Apply the same "crazy man" idea to the war on terror. In addition to having to worry about the military, the jihadi would know that there's some crazy band of Idahoans running around Iran looking for Al Qaeda.

[Capitalist Eric]

Apply the same "crazy man" idea to the war on terror. In addition to having to worry about the military, the jihadi would know that there's some crazy band of Idahoans running around Iran looking for Al Qaeda.

LOL! I grew up in Idaho! (and yes, not far from that "Neo-nazi" airforce consisting of two Cessna 150s... ;)))

A week after the 9/11 attacks, I went down to the US Navy recruiters; I wanted back in, to help kick some ass on the fanatics that did this, or assisted in it.

Their response was "you're too old" by three months!

GRRRRR!!!!

While a nuke electrician isn't in that great of a demand (especially for this topic), I'm known to be a fair shot with an M-14, M-16 and the 1911A1... Old-school, I know... But I'd like the chance to do my part...

Such an idea would give a lot of us such an opportunity...

[Dan(9698)]

>>>...for no controls to prevent commanders from firing nuclear weapons on their own

I was in an Army unit that had nuclear warheads.

I assure you there were a lot of controls that prevented an Army commander from using them on his own.

I am sure the method of control is still classified, but let me assure you that it worked.