Thoughts on unarmed citizens in Libya

Some random quotes from this New York Times article on the evolving situation in Libya:

In Tripoli, the streets were relatively quiet Wednesday morning, a resident said, but armed mercenaries were around. A bloody crackdown drove protesters from the streets on Tuesday, and residents had described a state of terror. “All the government buildings in Tripoli are burned down,” one resident said. “But the mercenaries, they have weapons. The Libyans don’t have weapons, they will kill you.”

In Tripoli, however, the reaction was more chastened. One resident reported the sound of gunfire during the speech — presumably in celebration, he said, but also in warning. “He is saying, ‘If you go to protest, all the shots will be in your chest,’ ” he said, speaking on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals. “We are unarmed and his warning is very clear,” he added. “The people are terrified now.”

The Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence has yet to issue a communique about the hazards of an armed citizenry in Libya, how the presence of firearms in the hands of citizens would only exacerbate the problem, etc.

Skip the Protests, Start Your Own Country

For the past couple of months we have seen protests and extreme political demonstrations by citizens in the Arab world, in hopes of toppling their regimes and establishing more democratic governments in such countries as Tunisia, Algeria, Yemen, Jordan, Iran and, the most publicized, Egypt. Egypt’s long-awaited revolution was finally realized after 17 days of demonstrations, labor strikes and relentless marches. With the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak on February 11, Egyptian protestors look forward to rebuilding their country, literally and politically.

Revolutions aren’t easy and most aren’t as bloodless as Egypt’s. Just ask Stalin, Hitler, Mao, Lenin or Castro. They can get messy. You may opt for other avenues of rebellion, skip the upheaval altogether, gather up some friends, and start your own country.

Throughout history, many have attempted to start their own countries and while some efforts didn’t work out so well (Jonestown), others have lasted for years (Sealand) and some even sparked a new class of rebellion (pirate radio). But how does one go about creating a whole new nation? What steps and obstacles are involved? What’s keeping frustrated citizens from following through with their threats when they say, “To hell with the government—I’m forming my own country!”? Erwin S. Strauss answers these questions and many more in How to Start Your Own Country.

Strauss, an MIT graduate and consultant, covers several different approaches to new-nation building and discusses examples of various attempts throughout history. The references and information available in this book will help you decide the best way to revolt when the time comes. Once you have started your own country, all you have to figure out is how to keep the people from overthrowing you.

Coast Guard blog praises Maritime Sniper Manual

Master sniper Fredrik Jonsson’s new book, Maritime Sniper Manual, is the subject of an outstanding review at 14USC89, a clearinghouse for information on everything to do with maritime law enforcement. The reviewer calls the book “a military quality manual from beginning to end” that “leaves no unanswered questions.”

According to the site, 14 USC § 89 is an American law that provides the U.S. Coast Guard with the powers of arrest, search, and seizure. The blog is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard, but it is run by two members of the maritime law-enforcement community.

For even more professional praise for Maritime Sniper Manual, click here.

For a free special report by Fredrik Jonsson covering maritime piracy and terrorism on the high seas today, click here.

For up-to-the-minute developments on international piracy incidents and their resolutions, see the author’s Facebook page.