In sci.space.policy Quadibloc wrote:
On Oct 26, 11:46?am, Pat Flannery wrote:
Privateers? Space pirates?

Well, I think he just meant "private businessmen". Space piracy is
unlikely to be profitable. And things getting so messy in space that
Earth governments actually go to the length of issuing _letters of
marque_ by means of which people could be privateers rather than mere
pirates... not coming any time soon.

Since no terrestrial governments "own" (speaking legally rather than
practically) space wouldn't those letters of marque have to come from
the UN?-) Privateers would then be permitted to paint their ships that
lovely light blue color

rick jones
--
The glass is neither half-empty nor half-full. The glass has a leak.
The real question is "Can it be patched?"
these opinions are mine, all mine; HP might not want them anyway...
feel free to post, OR email to rick.jones2 in hp.com but NOT BOTH...