This is a telling quotation from (this string of citations is long) an op-ed from the Egyptian paper Al-Ahram via a translation in the United Arab Emirates paper The National via the blog Negev Rock City via Andrew Sullivan:
"Marrying a pirate is every Somali girl's dream. He has power, money, immunity, the weapons to defend the tribe and funds to give to the militias in civil war."
All together now: Arrrrr.
But amusement value aside, the quotation is telling because it really is not all that exceptional. In any society where poverty reigns, those who have access to money or power even if — especially if? — they gain their status via crime will have more than their share of followers and hangers on, and this will include women who will use sex, and perhaps romance, to advance their own positions.
