# Why capture an american?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capture-an-american/493148>\
**Category:** Great Debates\
**Created:** [April 15, 2009, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capture-an-american/493148 "2009-04-15T04:58:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Page:** 2

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**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\
**Post date:** [April 16, 2009, 6:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-capture-an-american/493148/21 "2009-04-16T18:43:16Z")

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> [@Telemark](#):
>
> Sure, if they’re paying money to people who will fund terrorist activities, or encourage more kidnapping. The logic is harsh but it holds true.

Since when dies America have jurisdiction to go after ships registered in Liberia or Panama, owned by a consortium of companies in several other countries, chartered by a Taiwanese company, carrying Chinese cargo, insured by a multinational consortium, etc?

America can set all the rules it likes for ships flying the stars & stripes. And it does. And that is why most companies, not liking those rules so much, register their ships in other places. So they are not bound by American rules.

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