Blackbeard, Henry Morgan, Captain Kidd, Captain Jack Sparrow--the list could, and probably should, go on. People love pirates so much that there's even an International Talk Like A Pirate Day. Throughout history, pirates have been known for their audacity and complete lack of respect for maritime law. Pirates were so off the Hook (pun intended) that they even kidnapped Julius Caesar. Heck, back in the day, governments of various countries even sponsored pirates to wreak havoc on their enemies' trade ships. The French, English, Spanish, and even us Americans were particularly fond of this phenomenon known as privateering.

Over time, pirates gained their own mythology. Bigger than life. Today, we think of pirates as a thing of the past, just like Vikings and Romans and the rest. But, if they've been owning people since 75 B.C., why would they stop now? And now, a short scene from The Adventures Of Modern-Day Pirates:

Somewhere on the coast of Somalia... In a land stricken with poverty and lacking a central government for more than 20 years. No food. No industry. No way to make a living. The average life span is 46 years.  But the Gulf of Aden--a key shipping route--is just offshore. Ships pass close as they leave the Suez Canal...

PIRATE CAPTAIN: In the last year we have attacked more than 90 ships. We've made more than $150 million. Are you ready for the most audacious theft of all?

PACK OF PIRATES: Shouts of glee.

PIRATE CAPTAIN: Today, we take the Sirius Star.

PACK OF PIRATES: Stunned silence.

CABIN BOY: But Captain, the Sirius Star is one of the largest super tankers in the world. It's size is greater than three aircraft carriers.

PIRATE CAPTAIN: That's what makes it such a prize. It can carry up to 2 million barrels of oil... worth close to $100 million.

PACK OF PIRATES: Gasps. PIRATE CAPTAIN: We will be rich beyond our wildest dreams...

--END SCENE--

The pirates pulled off the heist--the largest ever--and are now asking for a $15 million ransom. This has left the international community confused over how to deal with the ongoing piracy. Meanwhile, Somali pirates have enabled a new economy to spring up along the Somalian coastline. Shop owners supply the pirates with food etc., and towns that were once dead are teeming with life.

Even though the pirates are costing the global economy millions and causing shipping companies enormous headaches, the micro-economy they inspired has brought stability to a region that's been shaky since before the Berlin Wall came down.  The pirates themselves are living it up like pirates always have--beautiful women, money, grandiose houses and extravagant vehicles. Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me.

--Jens