Impoverished pirates

Ever notice that each story about the somali pirates mentions that they come from an impoverished country, or-- worse -- that they are impoverished themselves. Media as diverse as don Imus' show (where the pirates were called starving) and the New York Times (where the country was called impverished three times in one article) make the implicit point that we should understnad the motivations of these enemies of humanity since they are poor. This has to be one of the greatest bits of nonsense ever promoted in the media. In the last year, the pirates have received well over 100 million dollars in ransoms for various ships they have taken. Even in Somalia, 100 million dollars is a lot of money. Indeed, the pirates now have enough as a group to live well for the rest of their lives. they are not taking over these ships due to their poverty. They are seizing the ships since they are criminals who have no respect for the law. It would make great sense for the US and other countries who have been affected to attack and wipe out as many of these pirates as possible. We have every right to do so under international law. Pirates are specifically denied the coverage of the Geneva Conventions. Pirates are also not considered criminals who must be tried and convicted; rather, they are deemed enemies of humanity who have no rights whatsoever. I wonder if the Obama folks will ever bring themselves to take action against these brigands. I will not hold my breath waiting for action, though. So far, Obama is making Jimmy Carter look strong and decisive, and that, my friends, is saying something.