Arm Merchant Ships

How dumb it is to go out to sea carrying millions of dollars' worth of ANYTHING without ANY way to defend yourself. This is ASKING for trouble and loss. But merchantmen commonly do. Which is why they're being pirated in increasing numbers these days. But they're learning. Pirates need to be met by firepower superior to their own so they'll look for other employment They've been "running amok" lately, and it's time they met their comeuppance. So the merchant fleet IS arming themselves. (Chicago Sun-Times)