18 November 2008
A different kind of stupid?
Posted by Aled under: current affairs .
In the news recently was a report of the British Navy shooting dead two pirates who opened fire on them.
I find myself asking “What kind of stupid were these pirates?” Think about it - you’re faced with HMS Cumberland, a Royal Navy Type 22 frigate. Designed as an anti-submarine platform, it’s armed with a whole array of weaponry from the 4.5″ guns to Harpoon and Goalkeeper weapons systems. She also carries a few Royal Marines.
So, there you are, in a small wooden dhow, faced with a Royal Navy frigate and a bunch of Royal Marines in launches coming to board you. Do you think “I’ll take a few potshots with my AK before I turn and run, striking a critical blow to this armoured warship”? I’m sure I can see how that’s going to end so well…
Think we should award these guys posthumous Darwin Awards?
Several Kinds of Stupid
They were pirates - major stupidity. They were Somalis - so had probably experienced hunger, if not actual malnutrition while they were growing up, so their brains wouldn’t have been top class anyhow. Not to mention alcohol &/ drug use.
So hey, why not take on a type 22 frigate. It’s not as if the prospect of jail somewhere in Africa is that appealing anyhow.
Pedantic comment of the month: Darwin Awards are, by definition, always posthumous.
Damn, you beat me to it…
m.
That’s not actually true if I remember correctly. The award is given for those who remove themselves from the gene pool. Thus, if you are unable to reproduce, you are still alive but unable to contribute to the gene pool.