Pay The Pirates And The Terrorists. It Is Cheaper Than Prosecuting.

http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20100112-711573.html?mod=WSJ_latestheadlines
DOJ Files Superseding Indictment Against Accused Somali Pirate

What is the difference between a Somali Pirate captured by the American military and a terrorist captured by American police?

Somali pirate, self employed to hijack boats to earn money.

Terrorist (suicide bomber), self employed to kill Americans as part of religious beliefs.

As far as the American system of justice is concerned, there is not much difference between a pirate and a terrorist. Both will be getting attorneys. Both will be tried in the American criminal justice system (so named because only criminals get justice, victims get punished). Both will be able to plead for mercy because of racist cops, heredity, environment, Twinkies, or whatever other excuses criminals in America like to use to evade punishment for their crimes.

I wonder what excuse a terrorist can use to avoid conviction? Temporary insanity? Americans don't understand a god that wants its followers to kill the followers of other gods. So maybe that is all the proof of insanity that you need.

I wonder what excuse this Somali pirate can use for hijacking a boat? That he was an minor at the time, and therefore can't be tried as an adult? That he is a government employee, and that he is only following orders. Considering the political situation in Somali, this excuse might even be true.

No matter what they plead, it will likely cost the government millions to prosecute either one. If fact, it might be cheaper to just pay them their hijack fee for whatever millions they request next time. And paying off the enemy combatants will save the Americans public the grief and aggravation of watching the bumbling government trying to prosecute acts of war as if they are common crimes.