MOGADISHU, Somalia (AP) -- Somali militiamen who skirmished with U.S. Navy
vessels claimed Sunday they did not fire the first shot and that they had
been patrolling Somali waters to stop illegal fishing vessels.



Stanley Barthfarkle wrote:
Note CNN's use of the word "militiamen", instead of "Pirates, Gunmen", etc.
... They "skirmished", instead of "attacked".

Just like when Palestinian homicide bombers are called "fighters,
Jihadists", etc. It's just as noteworthy to realize what the media does NOT
say, as what they do say.



It's just as well to have a little bit of background
knowledge when reading the news. Makes it much easier to see
what is really going on.

Somalia has no current recognized government. It's an area
in a state of anarchy. Therefor it has no recognized
military. A member of the "Somalian militia" is by
definition the equivalent of an armed robber on land, a
pirate at sea.

A "skirmish" is by definition a minor or inconclusive
military action. I guess since even one of the pirates
survived, it could be called a "skirmish" but OTOH the pics
of the burning boat made it look to me like the Somalians
came out a distant second-best in this contest. If the Navy
wanted to simply oppress & torment the poor locals, they
need not have opened fire at all. They could have simply run
them down.

Apply a little knowledge (if you have any) and common sense
when reading the news, makes it much more clear what is
going on.

DSK