The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera written by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan in 1879. In 1981, this opera opened on Broadway in New York City and received a Tony Award and a Drama Desk Award during its tenure of 787 performances. On April 30, 2009 Richard Phillips, Captain of the American Flagged cargo ship Maersk Alabama, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chaired by Senator John F. Kerry (D) MA. Captain Phillips did not describe musicals or swashbuckling fun for all. Instead, he gave a riveting testimony about his ordeal when, Pirates from the nation of Somalia, took control of his ship in the waters near the Gulf of Aden in the Indian Ocean. Among the suggestions Captain Phillips had to offer, to combat the problem with Piracy was, more Military presence in the area around the Somalia Coastline, along with armed Security Forces on board the Cargo Ships themselves. These were part of the discussion of deterrents to a growing problem in that part of the world. Enhancing Ship design and more proactive anti-piracy training for the ships crews were also of mention. One main point stuck out among all of the suggestions. This is an International problem. No one country has the answer. All countries from the industrialized world must come together to collaborate and find a workable solution to this matter. Military action could result in an immediate abatement of the problem but, if economic needs still exist, the Pirates would find a way to adapt to the new threat to their livelihood and resume the practice. A long term solution, to address the core issue that breeds this type of behavior, must be developed and implemented if, Piracy is to be minimized or defeated. This brings us to ask the question; are the problems in Somalia indicative of the problems all third world countries face today? My opinion would be yes. 
I realize, with the recovery of today’s economy taking place, the call to help third world countries will fall understandably on deaf ears. But, once we find ourselves on the road to prosperity again, we and all industrialized nations throughout Europe, Asia and in some areas of South America need to do what we can to bring all less fortunate nations to the table of economic and social stability. To do so would benefit all of us, in the long run, as we try to live together on this rock we call mother earth.
The ideals of raising a family and making life better for our children do not change just because of where we live. But, how we accomplish these ideals, in the matter of moral, social and economic frameworks will determine the direction and eventual events that will affect all of us on this planet. This is why I believe, it would be to the advantage of all of us who are more fortunate and privileged, to do what we can as a Society to embrace all that are not as fortunate. A person may still become a Terrorist because of his personal idealism. This cannot be stopped. But, if a person turns to Terrorism, Piracy or Drug Dealing because there is no other option to make a better life for his or herself or family, then we are all just as guilty of the crime. By keeping all that we find ourselves privileged to, away from those who may not be as fortunate, will have to bear the fruits of hatred and disdain. What a shame to have to suffer when we are all capable of so much better. All we need to do is reach out, care and help.
That’s how I see it.
Ah, yes. Reach out, care, and help. And as you said, right now this issue falls upon deaf ears. But we're experiencing these same problems here in the U.S. Do we feed our hungry people here at home before we feed those in other countries? Do we fix education and employment here first and be the hero to our own citizens before we rescue abroad? I understand that there are countries a lot worse off than we are and I agree we should help, but when our own issues aren't resolved I feel like that's fucked up too. It's kind of an asshole thing to say "Charity starts at home" but... how do you help everyone at the same time without spreading ourselves too thin? I don't know. I'd like to be able to watch the news at night without seeing reports about gang violence and drugs in middle schools or having to think twice before I stop for gas after dark because there's a possibility the shady characters chillin' in the parking lot are looking for more excitement than the 2 cent drop in fuel costs. I agree that helping other countries will benefit the world as a whole in the long run, but we need our own help here too. Just sayin'.
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