It's unlikely to happen in today's crazy mixed up world, but the US (and the whole world) would do well to resolve this ongoing problem the way Benjamin Franklin did at the turn of another century. It would be about as politically incorrect as things can get, but it's the only language the pirates will understand.
To assuage the conciences of the PC, they could give anyone living in every one of the pirate ports 24 hours to get out of town, then blow everything that floats or could float in those ports to very many pieces - and come back and do it again and again every time any ship is attacked. The fishermen (yeah, right) and their families would suffer, not being able to fish, but the problem would go away. (As would, temporarily at least, the bad guys if 24 hours warning was given before any such attack.)
Last edited by Wiley; 15th Apr 2009 at 08:46.
Reason: Typo. Beating the spelling police