Hard Times Create Pirates?

As an estimated one-third of Somalia's population desperately needs emergency aid, the rash of pirate attacks off the coast of Somalia should come as no surprise -- at least that’s what the relief organization Oxfam is suggesting. “Focus on the humanitarian crisis driving Somalis to commit crimes on the high seas,” an Oxfam spokesman stated. “Without economic opportunities offering alternatives to criminality and without law and order to curb these activities,” the spokesman continued, “then the massive economic returns of hijacking ships will continue to drive piracy.”

“The international community must urgently focus their attention on finding ways to assist the millions of people in desperate need,” the Oxfam spokesman said.

Somalia, which is racked by poverty and conflict, has not had a fully functioning government since 1991, when its president was overthrown. Drought and rising food prices have added to the nation's problems. Families are finding it difficult to obtain even the most basic necessities. In addition, prices for basic food items are at record high levels.

In America, government officials have noted that the spike in crime in U.S. cities is directly related to the economic recession that is affecting so many American families. Hard times make for difficult choices. As the old story goes, “Which is worse ... to steal bread or to make bread so expensive that the poor cannot afford it?”