Thread: Number of area pirates on the rise

Number of area pirates on the rise
by Devin Daniels

March 28, 2007

Local pirate Ken Blackbeard waits for a bus on Market Street. Blackbeard has worked at BlueCross BlueShield since August of 2005


When most Americans think of illegal immigration, they usually think of the thousands of people who enter this country illegally each year from Mexico and other Latin countries. But the number of illegals hailing from elsewhere is on the rise, too. The latest group to illegally reach our shores and cross our borders in significant numbers? Pirates.

Local officials estimate the number of pirates in our area to be in the hundreds. While many are described as good, honest, hard-working folks, local instances of raping and pillaging are up 75 percent from last year. Upstanding local pirates say this rise in crime reinforces negative stereotypes about pirates, making life difficult for them.

“All I want to do is the right thing and provide a good living for my family,” says local pirate Ken Blackbeard. “But not every pirate is like me. I get so mad sometimes when I see what me mateys are up to. Aaaarrrrrgggghhhhh!”

Originally from Barbados, Blackbeard, who works as a claims representative at BlueCross BlueShield, became a U.S. citizen in April of 2005.

While many pirates enter the country legally, immigration officials say keeping law-breaking pirates from entering the country is difficult.

“They’ve usually got swords,” says Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Marvin Templeman. “They’re also expert sailors and will not hesitate to shoot you with a cannon.”

Sorry, i couldn't help it, i found this one amusing. And i thought some could use a good laugh.

http://www.chattanoogapulse.com/vnews/d ... 97d1321773