I think the original guy's point is that common thieves aren't always bastards. If you have the choice between you and your family starving to death, or doing something unethical to survive, which would you do? Would you really say a person that picks the latter is a wretched human being and should have picked starvation?
Point taken. Not all thieves are bastards. People do what they feel they have to do, especially desperate people. Can't say what I would do in that situation, but you don't want to comprise your principals because of it(yes, easier said than done). Another questions arises..... When does the end justify the means? If these guys were taking that money and building schools and clinics, does that justify stealing? Spock(great philospher, eh ) said..."logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few" So does stealing from a single rich shipowner to teach/heal many children justify the theft? Black & white concepts tend to dissolve into a shades of gray in the face of reality. I dunno the answers, I just have a hardon for thieves, especially ones that use guns against innocent people.
I am not excusing their behavior, but just pointing out the obvious. Would you rather starve or rob some people. Most of the time they don't even really hurt anyone. If I was a western nation I would try to wipe them out. If I was them I would try to hold ships hostage. We should all try to look out for our own self interests.
...Really Brightside? No place for that. It's a sad situation all around. No excuse for what Somalian pirates are doing at all however. I understand why, but that is not an excuse.
