TheJesusaurus comments on American Hypocrisy

American Hypocrisy (lemmy.zip)

submitted 11 months ago by balderdash9@lemmy.zip to c/politicalmemes@lemmy.ca

Our long history of violating international law continues...

[–] TheJesusaurus@sh.itjust.works 0 points 11 months ago (5 children)

Have you ever heard of privateers

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[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 4 points 11 months ago (3 children)

Yes. And those are privately owned vessels acting under a government's letter of marque. Private, it's in the name. :)

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[–] TheJesusaurus@sh.itjust.works -2 points 11 months ago (2 children)

Yes but some else just told me they are warships so it's not piracy

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[–] shalafi@lemmy.world 2 points 11 months ago (1 child)

Warships are by definition owned and operated by a government. Privateers are private vessels operating under cover of law by a government.

So, yeah? Warships cannot commit piracy, technically. Really, the whole conversation here is about words and meanings.

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[–] TheJesusaurus@sh.itjust.works 1 point 11 months ago

Except privateers had warships...

It is a word game at this point you're right

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[–] arrow74@lemmy.zip 1 point 11 months ago*

Yes I have. Privateers are private individuals that commit piracy on behalf of the state.

The US did not hire or sanction a mercenary group to take this tanker.

The US used its military. That makes it not piracy, but that does make it an act of war

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