Ron Paul's Pirate Solution: Bounty Hunters

Constitution says US can hire mercenaries to patrol high seas
By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff
Posted Apr 19, 2009 6:58 AM CDT
Ron Paul's Pirate Solution: Bounty Hunters
The USS Bainbridge enters the harbor at Mombasa, Kenya, Thursday, April 16, 2009.    (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)

Texas Congressman Ron Paul looked to the history books for a solution to America’s pirate woes—and he says the government should put bounty hunters on the job, the Los Angeles Times reports. The idea has momentum in Congress, unlike some other notions suggested by the former presidential candidate. And the Constitution already provides for such a move, which hasn’t been tried since the War of 1812.

With the Navy too large for the job, hiring bounty hunters would be “fighting fire with fire,” notes Political Machine. And an analyst concludes that “if we have 100 American wannabe Rambos patrolling the seas, it's probably a good way of getting the job done.” Washington might want to consider an amendment to the relevant provision though—otherwise the bounty hunters get to keep the booty.
(More pirates stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X