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Somali Pirates Arrrr... Our Future Heroes?

Piracy is back

By Kevin Spak, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 6, 2008 4:36 PM CST

(Newser) – They may not wear eye patches or cry “Arrr!” but make no mistake, Somali pirates are successors of the 17-century villains we romanticize today, David Montgomery writes in the Washington Post. Pirates inspire “awe and a little bit of envy at authentic roguish derring-do," even though, for now, a Somali raider on an oil tanker remains "a thug and kidnapper," writes Montgomery. “He’s robbing us.”

All pirates go through three stages, from ruthless criminal to idealized swashbuckler to merchandised caricature. Henry Morgan was once the most feared privateer in Central America; now he’s a cartoon hawking rum. Perhaps a Somali pirate needs only the right lighting to rise from criminal to scoundrel, Montgomery writes: Looking at him, "you could swear that one of those big front teeth is capped in gold.”

[Images (6)]

[Quotes (2)]

In this photo provided by the U.S. Navy, pirates leave the Ukrainian merchant vessel MV Faina for Somalia's shore Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 while under observation by a U.S. Navy ship. (AP Photo/U.S. Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jason R. Zalasky)

Somali pirates held by Puntland police forces, sit in Bassaso, Somalia, Friday, Nov. 21, 2008. (AP Photo)

"Oh my goodness, we're back in 1805!" cried one pirate expert upon hearing of the Somali exploits.

Captain Morgan campaigns after announcing his candidacy for President during a media party at the 2008 Democratic National Convention, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, in Denver. (Jack Dempsey/ AP Images for Captain Morgan)

This photo provided by Disney shows Johnny Depp as Captain Jack Sparrow in "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End." (AP Photo/Disney/Stephen Vaughn)

In this photo released by the Florida Keys News Bureau, pirate re-enactor Dan Gallacher of Daytona Beach, Fla., plays a drum while participating in the National Walk the Plank Championship Thursday, Dec.... (AP Photo/Florida Keys News Bureau, Rob O'Neal)

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Ships are like bank branches. They would rather turn over the money (or the ship) than put up a fight. - David Montgomery

Just because pirates were seafaring gangsters doesn't mean they aren't fascinating. - David Montgomery

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Somali Pirates Arrrr... Our Future Heroes?