Ok, I’m a total big D Democrat, but even I could not resist poking fun at John Edwards for an article I read in The Street entitled, “John Edwards Stakes Claim on Pirate Booty.”

Apparently a 17th century vessel laden with $500 million in gold and silver coins was found in the Atlantic recently by Odyssey Marine Research, a Florida based company. OMR’s biggest shareholder is Fortress Investments. John Edwards is a senior adviser and major investor in the group, meaning he could profit from this sunken treasure.

Interestingly, the Spanish government seems to think that the ship may be theirs, and they have threatened to sue if necessary. However, Spain’s claims will likely be called into question given that the treasure was probably unlawfully seized from inhabitants in South America. The Street Points out, “If your pirates lost the gold and someone else found it, exactly how much moral claim do you think you have? If we’re playing finders keepers, the treasure belongs to Stemm, Morris, Edwards and the other shareholders in OMR. If we aren’t playing finders keepers, it belongs to the Incas and the Aztecs.”

I’m totally drunk on all this Batman viral (ARG?) goodness, but wouldn’t it be hilarious if this was an elaborate stunt for Pirates of the Carribean III: At the World’s End? I mean, has anyone found out if there was a Volvo on the ship??