Submitted by gjohnsit on Tue, 03/22/2022 - 11:15am
Centuries ago governments would grant Letters of Marque to people who wanted to be pirates, but didn't want to hang for it.
The United States depended on these privateers during the Revolution and the War of 1812.
We haven't used them since.
Introduced by a Republican Congressman from Texas called Gooden.
Just a reminder that both the Democrats and the Republicans have affected a practically identical pose as Psychotic Nincompoops -- a combination of lunacy and irrelevance previously unimaginable even on this crazy planet.
I honestly thought I was writing comedy recently when I observed that Biden was fighting the ultimate "liberal" war -- conflict by hot air and proxies. But it looks like We will fight to the last Ukrainian AND the last pirate.
Once again, if this Beyond the Pale craziness gets out of committee, we will all know that this iteration of "civilization" is just about done. I am trying to wrap my mind around the reality that everything I knew as daily life is gone forever.
Just like in Gone With the Wind. Our way of life was flawed in many ways and I suppose it deserves to die. But I was comfortable in my life and I have been missing it in a most profound and painful way.
Tough shit.
Maybe what comes next will be better -- but I don't think that is the idea at work behind politicians proposing a return to piracy as national policy.
up
17 users have voted.
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I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.
the US congress decides it is OK to plunder rooskies on the high seas
what is there to prevent another nation, say Barbados, to privatize an
American battleship? Rules apply to all equally on the open seas.
this is so much BS
some congress worm in a bunker in Texas is going to re-define
international laws? Sounds like last ditch attempts to prolong the *life*
of a failed empire.
This loopy bill has not gone anywhere, yet. It is a grandstand gesture, like our old friend the American Flag Amendment.
I am not at all convinced that this silly assed propaganda campaign is really working with the mass of Americans who do not spend time or energy on the Internet. I suspect that this grandstand play is not intended to impress the voters -- it is far more likely an effort to impress lobbyists and donors.
At any rate, this could bring new meaning to my favorite holiday, "Talk Like a Pirate Day."
Arrrrr.
up
8 users have voted.
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I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.
FWIW - Letters of Marque were issued in the Civil War as well, but by the Confederacy, not the North.
Lincoln then used that to justify blockading southern ports.
There was also, on the South's side a similar land element - Partisan Rangers:
faced with the reality of large numbers of Southerners in Union-occupied territory, a lack of sufficient conventional forces, and irregular warfare already raging across the country, the Confederate Congress passed the Partisan Ranger Act on April 21, 1862. This authorized President Davis to commission officers to raise bands of partisan rangers; they would receive the same pay and supplies as regular troops and be subject to the same regulations, but would act independently, and would be paid by the Quartermaster for any captured arms and munitions they delivered. The prospect of independent service seemed exciting and profitable to many young Southern men, and the Partisan Ranger Act would change the way the Civil War was fought.
@Battle of Blair Mountain
that brought and keep us here. The only thing better is if there were a Guillotine waiting at the end of the plank. And a band, and a firing squad. And electricity. Lots of electricity. And grease on the plank, and razor wire. And balloon animals for the kids.
Hmmm, I think we're going to need a bigger plank.
I wanna be a pirate and steal shit from oligarchs.
Who wouldn't want to steal a yacht from a 1%er?
#8 that brought and keep us here. The only thing better is if there were a Guillotine waiting at the end of the plank. And a band, and a firing squad. And electricity. Lots of electricity. And grease on the plank, and razor wire. And balloon animals for the kids.
Hmmm, I think we're going to need a bigger plank.
up
4 users have voted.
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Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
Just an FYI.
That famous scene from Captain Phillips, the one where the guy says "Look at me. Look at me! I'm the captain now."
That was total improvisation.
Even more impressive, that actor Barkhad Abdi, this was his first ever paid acting gig. Talk about making a splash.
Comments
This insane "bill" was referred to Committee
Introduced by a Republican Congressman from Texas called Gooden.
Just a reminder that both the Democrats and the Republicans have affected a practically identical pose as Psychotic Nincompoops -- a combination of lunacy and irrelevance previously unimaginable even on this crazy planet.
I honestly thought I was writing comedy recently when I observed that Biden was fighting the ultimate "liberal" war -- conflict by hot air and proxies. But it looks like We will fight to the last Ukrainian AND the last pirate.
Once again, if this Beyond the Pale craziness gets out of committee, we will all know that this iteration of "civilization" is just about done. I am trying to wrap my mind around the reality that everything I knew as daily life is gone forever.
Just like in Gone With the Wind. Our way of life was flawed in many ways and I suppose it deserves to die. But I was comfortable in my life and I have been missing it in a most profound and painful way.
Tough shit.
Maybe what comes next will be better -- but I don't think that is the idea at work behind politicians proposing a return to piracy as national policy.
I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.
this is so much stupid
the US congress decides it is OK to plunder rooskies on the high seas
what is there to prevent another nation, say Barbados, to privatize an
American battleship? Rules apply to all equally on the open seas.
this is so much BS
some congress worm in a bunker in Texas is going to re-define
international laws? Sounds like last ditch attempts to prolong the *life*
of a failed empire.
JFC on a pogo stick
We are being run by a bunch of psychopaths. I am now seeing talk about a limited nuclear war. These people are both stupid and crazy.
Do I hear the sound of guillotines being constructed?
“Those who make peaceful revolution impossible will make violent revolution inevitable." ~ President John F. Kennedy
What could possibly go wrong?
"I’m a human being, first and foremost, and as such I’m for whoever and whatever benefits humanity as a whole.” —Malcolm X
PLENTY.
PLENTY.
[video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMV34CwNMY0]
"US govt/military = bad. Russian govt/military = bad. Any politician wanting power = bad. Anyone wielding power = bad." --Shahryar
"All power corrupts absolutely!" -- thanatokephaloides
I apologize, as a Texan, for Goofball Gooden.
Can't believe the goofball idea didn't come from another red state.
I guarantee, it will be bipartisan, at the end of the day.
"We'll know our disinformation program is complete when everything the American public believes is false." ---- William Casey, CIA Director, 1981
Just to be clear
This loopy bill has not gone anywhere, yet. It is a grandstand gesture, like our old friend the American Flag Amendment.
I am not at all convinced that this silly assed propaganda campaign is really working with the mass of Americans who do not spend time or energy on the Internet. I suspect that this grandstand play is not intended to impress the voters -- it is far more likely an effort to impress lobbyists and donors.
At any rate, this could bring new meaning to my favorite holiday, "Talk Like a Pirate Day."
Arrrrr.
I cried when I wrote this song. Sue me if I play too long.
Sounds like yet another
Bad Idea.
FWIW - Letters of Marque were issued in the Civil War as well, but by the Confederacy, not the North.
Lincoln then used that to justify blockading southern ports.
There was also, on the South's side a similar land element - Partisan Rangers:
Source
My first thought was
I wanna be a pirate and steal shit from oligarchs.
Who wouldn't want to steal a yacht from a 1%er?
And Plank Walking for the oligarchs and pols
that brought and keep us here. The only thing better is if there were a Guillotine waiting at the end of the plank. And a band, and a firing squad. And electricity. Lots of electricity. And grease on the plank, and razor wire. And balloon animals for the kids.
Hmmm, I think we're going to need a bigger plank.
I like the way you think
Make it so!
Which AIPAC/MIC/pharma/bank bought politician are you going to vote for? Don’t be surprised when nothing changes.
That Captain Phillips video
Just an FYI.
That famous scene from Captain Phillips, the one where the guy says "Look at me. Look at me! I'm the captain now."
That was total improvisation.
Even more impressive, that actor Barkhad Abdi, this was his first ever paid acting gig. Talk about making a splash.