I'm having a hard time establishing the moral equivalence between
(a) those who attack law-abiding merchants or travelers on the high seas, killing or kidnapping them and stealing their property, and
(b) those who wish to sell a product to citizens who would (other than their private use of said product) be considered law-abiding and respectful of their neighbors.
I guess it's just me.
(a) those who attack law-abiding merchants or travelers on the high seas, killing or kidnapping them and stealing their property, and
(b) those who wish to sell a product to citizens who would (other than their private use of said product) be considered law-abiding and respectful of their neighbors.
I guess it's just me.
No, you are just cherry picking your terms to spin an activity by dangerous criminals into something benign and acceptable. Pirates are Criminals independent of a Nation-State's control. In that regard, they are exactly like Drug Dealers. The "product" is not benign, it is concentrated poison designed to enslave those who take it, and tends to have a side-effect of death.
You are just not being honest about the obvious correlation between Drug Dealers and Pirates. (Who also engaged in smuggling, be it slaves or rum or whatever.)