Piracy :-/

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Blue Crab

... The python threat is already an environmental disaster. 99% of the rats, coons, and foxes are already gone. There's only 100 panthers left. Salt crocs will soon be gone, I guess. What is our response? Research and Training.
The US has a gazillion bubbas armed and ready and EAGER to tackle this issue ...

I don't know what Florida’s Pythons have to do with piracy, but:

Recently, the National Park Service-supported bounty system to help control feral pythons in the Everglades was initiated. The first month-long hunt involving 1,500 registered hunters ended Feb. 10, 2013, and killed only about 50 pythons, but the hunt was labeled a success. More broadly-supported hunts will likely follow, as more is learned from the recent experiences.

➥ Everglades python haul low, but scientists envision wealth of new data - Environment - MiamiHerald.com

➥ Everglades Python Challenge haul hits target with 50 snakes captured - Miami-Dade - MiamiHerald.com

[Blue Crab]

Nah, you're right Gord. I've read all that. My comments started out on rubber shot shells fer pyrates.

The best case I've heard about the python issue is that there may be far fewer out there than we thought. That the decimation in wildlife may be due to alligators making a comeback. And best of all, while they can lay 80+ eggs at a time, the eggs and baby snakes are prime forage for everything else. I have the heebeegeebees, I guess.

[Group9]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

The theme I see in people who are robbed, for the most part, is they are in the wrong place and didn't listen to the cruiser's grapevine. When you have to travel through some iffy area do so in company with other boats, anchor near each other, maybe even set up a watch system at night. We do the same when visiting some dangerous place ashore: first ask around as to what to do, where to go, where not to go, and then do it in a group. In general, thieves and pirates don't like crowds. Vigilance will eliminate most of the problems. Remember too, that it is very easy to avoid the very few areas that have had some serious problems--that is the #1 preventative measure. Don't go there in the first place.

I agree. It's like New Orleans. You can go there and not get in any trouble, or you can go there and get robbed. Your choice, depending onw what you do, how you act, and where exactly you go.

And, I hate to say it, but just like crime anywhere, some people look like targets and some people don't. Criminals aren't looking for a contest of any type. They have no ego. They are looking for the 100 to 0 win. Anything you do that makes robbing you look like less than a sure thing is good.

And, if you can't figure out what those things are, you probably shouldn't go.

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by Tomm0

As an Australian, maybe I could tote a water pistol with a menacing smile?
Maybe a big red "Winchester" sticker on the transom, like the ones Americans put on their trucks.

Very hard to get real handguns here. I've tried. Feel sorry for me Americans!

On the plus side, I believe I can have a small signal cannon if I register it.

lots of folks have a "Browning" sticker on ther trucks,I remember when they took the guns down under and dumped them in the sea,why did they do it?

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Don... realistically you face as much danger from the guy anchored next to you or having a drink in a bar as you do from being boarded and robbed by locals... what I find is the guys who rant about guns are the ones who've never travelled outside the US.. and in some case's the UK.. (but in the main these are racists who'd never be happy outside their 'comfort zone'.. other white folk..) in the real sense of the word...
A 2 week package holiday is not seeing the world... its peeping round the curtain..
Hate to say it but the place I was most nervous was in the states... just to many guns.

I took a former state senator to Jamaica once it(KKK back in the day) was a 2 week trip,after 3 days had to take him to the airport! He got a good taste of what it feels like to be a "minority"..He didnt like it at all!

[David_Old_Jersey]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

You mean the majority of people who preach about guns etc that really are nothing but someone who falls into: 1 - false courageous or 2 -stupid brave?

I just read it as a sign of someone living in fear and too stupid to address the root cause....... or.........they are simply a bit too wedded to the mastubatory fantasy of storming "da gubberment" than is perhaps healthy......or both .

A gun is a poor substitute for the ability to think (for self? ?) - but if it's all y'all got, then better than nothing I guess.......

To be blunt, if someone feels they need a gun when travelling abroad they are either stupid enough to be heading to sh#tholes for a vacation ......or...... have an attitude to life that is largely out of tune to the locals they will be visiting, so are probably not going to enjoy themselves when (if?!) they have interaction with dem furriners .....and therefore perhaps would be doing everyone a favour (including themselves) if they stayed in whichever () country "home" may be in - and carried on whacking off to whatever scary source of "news porn" that feeds their fantasies.

[bobconnie]

The only thing we have had stolden in over 30 yrs of cruiseing, was a pair of binocs, left in the cockpit by mistake ! They were taken by a couple of kids in Samoa. They were returned by the parents, who preformed a powerful ass whipping in front of us and about 20 or better locals ! I sorta felt sorry for the kids ! but I bet they think twice before stealing anything again!! I really feel that folks are getting to be a bunch of scaredy cats!! lock your hatchs and leave a deck light on! and have a barking dog !! works for us !!

[Nicholson58]

Originally Posted by GrowleyMonster

WORSE! An Aussie might be thought less likely to have a gun aboard. I suggest dropping the Aussie accent and trying to talk like Clint Eastwood or Charlton Heston, growling about your Right to Keep and Bear Arms, and between belts of whiskey announce menacingly that "When they come to take my gun, they will have to pry it loose from my cold, dead fingers, after stepping over a bunch of dead bodies." Suggested viewing: "Gran Torino". Memorable quote: "Get Off My Lawn!" hissed/growled over the sights of an M-1 Garand. Classic Clint!

We just post the guard-pussy on deck.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Nicholson58

We just post the guard-pussy on deck.

For a minute I wanted one. But in thinking about it I realize that pussies grow up to have real attitudes and I worry whether it would turn on me in the middle of the night! Especially it someone came by offering it something bigger that I can.

[tropicalescape]

Originally Posted by Don Lucas

For a minute I wanted one. But in thinking about it I realize that pussies grow up to have real attitudes and I worry whether it would turn on me in the middle of the night! Especially it someone came by offering it something bigger that I can.

Ha haa ha ha ha ha ha ha haa ha !

[tightgroup]

Originally Posted by David_Old_Jersey

I just read it as a sign of someone living in fear and too stupid to address the root cause....... or.........they are simply a bit too wedded to the mastubatory fantasy of storming "da gubberment" than is perhaps healthy......or both .

A gun is a poor substitute for the ability to think (for self? ?) - but if it's all y'all got, then better than nothing I guess.......

To be blunt, if someone feels they need a gun when travelling abroad they are either stupid enough to be heading to sh#tholes for a vacation ......or...... have an attitude to life that is largely out of tune to the locals they will be visiting, so are probably not going to enjoy themselves when (if?!) they have interaction with dem furriners .....and therefore perhaps would be doing everyone a favour (including themselves) if they stayed in whichever () country "home" may be in - and carried on whacking off to whatever scary source of "news porn" that feeds their fantasies.

I always have a a laugh when reading comments that are directed at demeaning people who wish to protect themselves. The personal choice of someone willing to carry a firearm is entirely up to the individual, and not for us to be judge and jury on their choices.

I am sure that if it where common knowledge that Sailors could carry , the number of incidents would diminish dramatically.

I propose that we work in collaboration in finding common defense to the violence oriented towards our fellow boaters.

[Blue Crab]

Good post Tightgroup. I was aware of DOJ's general attitude but was surprised at the sexual tone of his post. Alcohol may have been involved here as DOJ is normally a fairly reasonable guy. We all have our opinions. I guess this is what Brits and Aussies use as justification or rationalization for having turned in their weapons.

Quite a few British CFers are shooting enthusiasts but every now and then we get posts like this making it a gun thread. Minimal research indicates that weapons bans have had a positive impact in Britain overall but that's a far cry from the assumption that the US experience would be similar. Particularly as the US culture embraces gun ownership as a founding principle.

Peace, brotherhood, and love to all.

[Wotname]

Originally Posted by tightgroup

I always have a a laugh when reading comments that are directed at demeaning people who wish to protect themselves. The personal choice of someone willing to carry a firearm is entirely up to the individual, and not for us to be judge and jury on their choices.

I am sure that if it where common knowledge that Sailors could carry , the number of incidents would diminish dramatically.

I propose that we work in collaboration in finding common defense to the violence oriented towards our fellow boaters.

Although I tend to stay out of these types of threads, I find that I must disagree to the emphasised part of your post.

The decision to carry firearm is not in the first instance, an individual choice, rather it is a societal / legal right or prohibition as the case may be. Only where permitted by law to carry, does the individual have a choice.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by tightgroup

I The personal choice of someone willing to carry a firearm is entirely up to the individual, and not for us to be judge and jury on their choices.

Well, of course the rest of civilization is the judge and jury.

People dont live in isolation.

No one does.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by tightgroup

I am sure that if it where common knowledge that Sailors could carry , the number of incidents would diminish dramatically.

I doubt it as there isn't as much of a problem to start with. And probably all that would happen is that the bad guys now would have guns instead of something else.