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Cris's avatar

Good write up Nick. Adding to this we ought to include the law of the sea, as well as the COLREGS/“Rules of the Road” maritime rules and standards.

A ship on fire or in duress by any means (especially since we’re not in a legally declared war) requires any U.S. flag ship to perform rescue operations, military vessels included. The policy commonly called SOLAS (safety of life at sea) represents the spirit of operations for ships outside of a war scenario and immediately upon the transition of an enemy vessel from hostile to disabled. Especially since we’re not legally in armed conflict, we’re further restricted by sea than by land.

Nick Paro's avatar

Cris, great points — I will look into putting together a follow-up article where I can go more in-depth into the maritime policies.

Cris's avatar

Thanks Nick, and I didn’t intend to add homework. It’s been a few years since I’ve driven a ship, so I dug a little deeper to add a little more data to the above.

The U.S. has in some combination either not signed or ratified all portions of the Geneva Convention documents, nor the United Nations Convention on the Laws Of the Sea (UNCLOS). We’ve abided by both, independent of final ratification, in the past as a matter of our maintaining a positive role on the world stage. Article 98 of the UNCLOS states:

Every State (nation) shall require the master (CO) of a ship flying its flag, in so far as he can do without serious danger to the ship, the crew or the passengers:

1. to render assistance to any person found at sea in danger of being lost;

2. to proceed with all possible speed to the rescue of persons in distress, if informed of their need of assistance

3. after collision, to render assistance to the other ship, its crew and passengers, and identify themselves.

Those survivors holding onto the wreckage meet the first criterion immediately after the first (ALSO UNLAWFUL) strike. Reports say they were trying to get to a radio, which is permissible by the second criterion (they would be expected to call for assistance because of the UNLAWFUL first strike). The third criterion is also met, although it was not a collision, the UNLAWFUL first strike causing wreckage is reason enough to rescue all persons from the water, even if they became detainees afterwards.

The other piece from UNCLOS that can cause significant issues in the future is “any act of inciting or intentionally facilitating an act described in subparagraph (a) (any illegal acts of violence) is the definition of piracy in Article 101. Due to the ongoing trade wars caused by tariffs, every UN country has just cause to close its harbors to any U.S. flagged ship based on being associated with pirates, which requires every country to repress piracy.

This one act, and every single UNLAWFUL strike afterwards, has the capacity to disrupt a lot of practices the military and the public take for granted in their daily routines.

Alison Wild's avatar

This is a really well-done description of the legal framework governing how the U.S. is (or isn't) allowed to blow injured, unidentified people to smithereens.

Courtney 🇨🇦's avatar

Thank you for the definitions, and for laying out the regulations so clearly and objectively! As a civilian, this context really drives home the level of criminality and corruption we're seeing in these military strikes.

CD Bush's avatar

Thank you Nick, as a Military Daughter of a Career Father and a spouse, of a Marine Pilot, rules must be followed or we are reverting back to very dangerous times, where inhumaine treatment of people. Listen to Nick and the experts, we must not go backwards!

Pete Hegseth is unqualified and reckless. He is a a first class arrogant prick, who believes he has no boundaries.

This was an act of criminality, and it must be punished!This must not be covered up!

It is a danger, to our Country,

He is unfit to lead the Proud Men and Women in our Military!

Congradulations, Nick on your Award your are very deserving of your recognition.

Nick Paro's avatar

CD — reverting and regressing are 2 good ways to describe what the hell is going on right now. Pete Hegseth has continually show how unfit for duty and unfit for leadership he really is.

CD Bush's avatar

Thank you.

After 77 year, I have learned to be observant of things around me! It has served me well, and kept me safe, I spent my childhood watch my Dad take off with his Commanding Gen., (who he served under in China during WWII), he later became his Crew Chief in Peurto Rico).

I have learned evacuation plans during the, "The Bay of Pigs", which is standard on Military Bases, I lived in Tripoli , Libya in an incredible Old Villa, set just inside the back Gate, (A high wall covered in broken colored glass, and Pigs blood). Just a short walk down to Mediterranian Ocean! the highest ranking NCO

when Quaddfi overthrew the Country, I begged my parents to leave and went to England, I was 21 years old and in love. I lived there until It was time to join my family in Germany, my Dad and others were there to close down Wheelus Air Base before evacuatening to go Stateside. my life has never been ordinary, but it has giving me an appreciation and love of history, both good and bad.

What I learned above all else, is that History will always rise up to block any attempts to bury it!

Charlatans like Trump and Hegseth will leave a stain on our Nations history, and just like the others Tryants, Madmen, they will fail!

Just for the record, Trump made the original statement, of "Kill them All"!

Hegseth and Trump are a perfect pair!

They are both Arrogant asses! Both are blatant liars and cheats, they are womanizers and abusers!

Thank you, coming from you, Nick and all , it means alot to me

You are very smart people need to hear from. I was interested in the Military service aspect, it was perfect for the article.

It was a good fit with the unlawful strikes in the Caribbean.

Sorry for so many corrections, and calling you Aaron. my brain will segue onto other thoughts, usually related.

I will eventually get back on tract. willgoing down one path and my brain will sqwe old age problem

Susie H's avatar

This is what happens when you put megalomaniacal, sycophantic amateurs in the highest positions in our government.

We are better than this. Aren’t we? https://www.defiance.org/

Claire Drouault's avatar

A lot of serious thought went into creating these rules of war. Not even one went into deciding to murder fishermen.

Kim B's avatar

Thanks Nick that was immensely helpful for civilians to understand!

Nick Paro's avatar

Kim, glad you found this write-up helpful — I will also try and do a follow-up Live where I go through the full article and add clarification or answer any questions!

Carolin Robson's avatar

Thx Nick from a civilian in Sweden 🇸🇪

Soso's World's avatar

This article is very informative, rules of war are often unknown or misunderstood. I learnt a lot. Thanks guys.

Pete Kegsheth should do some reading too, but I think thats out of his skills set... But again I guess thats something to expect when you elect a criminal president, who puts in key positions a bunch of cultists who are there to do his bidding and look good on TV.

meh.

Kimmy Win's avatar

This article is excellent, Nick. I cannot share this enough. It should be required reading in school.

Sharon Heidē Ward's avatar

Thank you. My father-in-law was a POW during WWII. The United States has slipped into the abyss where monsters dwell. May God have mercy on our souls.

Jane B In NC🌼's avatar

Thank you. Why is our military not using this?

Carl Smith's avatar

After detained for 26 hours aboard a U.S. Naval ship then released:

Colombian Survivor's Condition: The Colombian survivor, Jeison Obando Pérez, arrived in Colombia with brain trauma and required medical attention, arriving sedated and breathing with a ventilator. The nature of his injuries and treatment has not been explicitly linked to a personal lawsuit filing in news reports.

Ecuadorian Survivor Released: The Ecuadorian survivor, Andrés Fernando Tufiño Chila, was released by Ecuadorian authorities shortly after his arrival because they found no evidence he had committed a crime in Ecuadorian territory.

Source: Google AI Search

Brigit's avatar

Priceless information - saves digging through all the.

Publications used for this write-up