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Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company

(not sure how copyright works, I guess its okay to use this if I sight them?)

This is Abduhl Wali-i-Musi, the sole surviving hijacker of the Maersk Alabama, aged somewhere between 16-18.

I'm trying to imagine the contrast of being desperate enough to attempt to hijack a massive cargo ship and then being snapped by the paparazzi like Jay-Lo.  Judging by the smile on his face, Abduhl is quite overwhelmed by the experience.

While in no way would I advocate any sort of terrorism or violence, I can't help but having sympathy for this young man.  If he is fully prosecuted he could be in the slammer for quite a while, but what message would that send to other Somali pirates?  They are clearly willing to risk their lives for wealth, I don't think life in prison and international attention is going to deter them so much.

Maybe it's seeing such a young smiling face that makes me reconsider his circumstances; should we or even can we accommodate for his in our legal system?

Sometimes it may be best to diffuse a hostile situation with kindness. It would be an example to show some compassion towards this "pirate,"  maybe he could give us some insight to his desperation.

I do understand the repercussions of not fully charging Abduhl with his crimes, as our legal system relies on precedence.  There is something unsettling about someone being tried under our government's laws, when they committed the crime out of our territory.  Again, in no way do I condone terrorism or kidnapping, but I think it is crucial to consider the difference in the lifestyle in Somalia in comparison with the United States.

This is all written with an idealism of what I think we are capable of, we are deliberating our own trials of greed here.  I don't think Madoff was showing much of an example of temperance.

"Dyke Action Machine! (DAM!) is a two-person public art project founded in 1991 by artist Carrie Moyer and photographer Sue Schaffner. Between 1991 and 2004 DAM! blitzed the streets of New York City with public art projects that combined Madison Avenue savvy with Situationist tactics."

This is such great work and such a great website. Check it out! www.dykeactionmachine.com

via Art Fag City

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