Latitude is a pretty cool feature built into mobile google maps. It allows your friends to see where you are based on gps location or cell tower radius. Casey and I use it to find out where we are in the work day (working late, at the store, etc). This ad stunt by google is kinda cool:
CNN is following an article here, that details the current standoff. The original ship the somali pirates tried to hijack is gone with security on-board. All that’s left is the lifeboat with the original ship captain and 4 or 5 pirates with machine guns, and an enormous US destroyer ship capable of destroying small islands.
No one actually knows what is going on during the current “negotiation” but so far all I hear is that it’s a “delicate situation” because the captain is on board. There’s even talk of paying off these losers so they release the capatain! In my opinion, that’s bullshit. Here’s my version of one of several options that insure the captain’s safety:
3 special forces guys with scuba outfits and a spare respirator go into the water undetected and swim underneath the lifeboat. The article I linked to above says the lifeboat has 10 days worth of food but no restrooms. So all the guys on board are going to have to sit in the water every once in a while to poop at least once per day. When the captain goes into the water to poop, the special forces guys pull him under and give him a respirator. At the same time, snipers on the navy boat take head shots to each of the pirates if they go for their guns.
Problem solved, no one is hurt and the next set of pirates will think twice the next time they try to hijack a boat. The important thing to note here is that we’re setting a precedent. If we give these guys money and let them go, piracy will no doubt increase…