[Bobby-Joe]

Re: North American? speak English? Thank a Pirate.

What was the trade the Pirates took part in that kept the North American Colonies going and made them prosper if it was not private enterprise?

I think you overstate the pirate contrabution to the American Colonies. Tobacco was the major cash source in the south and timber and maple syrup were the major cash source in the North. Piracy got to be such a problem that the Atlantic trade was almost stopped by it in the early 18th century, hardly a good thing for the American colonies. It was the colony of Virgina that sent the two warships that hunted down and killed Blackbeard (or as your faith puts it, called Blackbeard home to Davy Jones locker)

[Jo Freddie]

Re: North American? speak English? Thank a Pirate.

I think you overstate the pirate contrabution to the American Colonies. Tobacco was the major cash source in the south and timber and maple syrup were the major cash source in the North. Piracy got to be such a problem that the Atlantic trade was almost stopped by it in the early 18th century, hardly a good thing for the American colonies. It was the colony of Virgina that sent the two warships that hunted down and killed Blackbeard (or as your faith puts it, called Blackbeard home to Davy Jones locker)

Pirates explored and mapped new territories, expanded trade routes, and protected the British and French colonies in South America, North America and the Caribbean from Spain at a time when Britain and France couldn't afford to.

They also supplied colonies with food, cloth, spices, medicines and other goods colonists couldn't get or couldn't afford from other sources.

Money raked in from sale of these plundered items was spent by pirates locally - drinking, gambling and womanizing - thus bolstering the colonies' economy.

In order to prevent disputes, most pirate crews imposed rules of conduct upon themselves. These sets of rules were called charters.

One of the most important rules regarded the electing of the captain. Captains had absolute authority during raids, but could be removed from authority by a vote of the crew if they disapproved of his actions.

The following is a charter drawn up by the crew of a pirate captain named Bartholemew Roberts:

1. Every man shall have an equal vote in affairs of moment. He shall have an equal title to the fresh provisions or strong liquors at any time seized, and shall use them at pleasure unless a scarcity makes it necessary for the common good that a retrenchment may be voted.
2. Every man shall be called fairly in turn by the list on board of prizes, because over and above their proper share, they are allowed a shift of clothes. but if they defraud the company to the value of even one dollar in plate, jewels or money, they shall be marooned. If any man rob another he shall have his nose and ears slit, and be put ashore where he shall be sure to encounter hardships.
3. None shall game for money, either with dice or cards.
4. The lights and candles shall be put out at eight at night, and if any of the crew desire to drink after that hour they shall sit upon the open deck without lights.
5. Each man shall keep his piece, cutlass and pistols at all times clean and ready for action.
6. No boy or woman to be allowed amongst them. If any man shall be found seducing one of the latter sex and carrying her to sea in disguise, he shall suffer death.
7. He that shall desert the ship or his quarters in time of battle shall be punished by death or marooning.
8. None shall strike another aboard the ship, but every man’s quarrel shall be ended on shore by sword or pistol in this manner: at the word of command from the Quartermaster, each man being previously placed back to back, shall turn and fire immediately. If any man do not, the Quartermaster shall knock the piece out of his hand. If both miss their aim, they shall take to their cutlasses, and he that draws first blood shall be declared the victor.
9. No man shall talk of breaking up their way of living till each has a share of £1,000. Every man who shall become a cripple or lose a limb in the service shall have eight hundred pieces of eight from the common stock, and for lesser hurts proportionately.
10. The Captain and the Quartermaster shall each receive two shares of a prize, the Master Gunner and Boatswain, one and one quarter, and private gentlemen of fortune one share each.
11. The musicians shall have rest on the Sabbath Day only, by right, on all other days, by favour only.

[Jo Freddie]

Re: North American? speak English? Thank a Pirate.

The first thing (pirates tried to) do is persuade everyone to give them everything without having to killing anyone. It was enlightened self-interest since any battle posed the risk of a pirate being killed or injured. Plus, it was simply good PR. They wanted the information to go out that if you cut sails and give us what we need, we'll let you go. In fact, there are stories of pirate captains inviting the crew of boarded ships to join them.

Even governments, who later turned against them, utilized pirates, funding them as privateers to search out and punish enemies. While a few pirates were wise enough to take their riches and retire early to a life as plantation owner, many died at the end of a noose, at sea or in battle. Some who helped defend against against British attacks in early 19th century received land grants for their services.

With the world atwitter over, "Pirates of the Caribbean:" the question arises - how authentic is Johnny Depp's dashing Capt. Jack Sparrow?

Well His dress is authentic - except for his eye make-up. That's about it

[James Dewitt]

Re: North American? speak English? Thank a Pirate.

Lest anyone think that all our conceptions are wrong, it must be pointed out that many pirates were indeed very wicked men. In fact, the city of Port Royal, Jamaica was pronounced to be “the wickedest city on Earth” (Rankin 118). It had become known across the world as a den and haven for pirates. They off-loaded their ill-gotten gains there, and spent many nights in a state of drunken debauchery over the years, until the sea swallowed the entire city in the aftermath of an underwater earthquake. The modern United States Marines were given a ceremonial sword to thank them for their defeat of the Barbary pirates. It is a symbol they still wear today, representing their triumph over those particularly evil men. The reputation of piracy is not undeserved.

[Rev. M. Rodimer]

Re: North American? speak English? Thank a Pirate.

Problems caused by the reduction in the revenue flow from the Americas due to Piracy.

Pasta Boy, you have elsewhere on this forum claimed that Pirates only distributed candy to children. Yet here you admit that they stole from Kings, no doubt killing many fine men who tried to preserve their monarch's assets.

Please explain.

[Jo Freddie]

Re: North American? speak English? Thank a Pirate.

Pasta Boy, you have elsewhere on this forum claimed that Pirates only distributed candy to children. Yet here you admit that they stole from Kings, no doubt killing many fine men who tried to preserve their monarch's assets.

Please explain.

As I said..

The first thing (pirates tried to) do is persuade everyone to give them everything without having to killing anyone. It was enlightened self-interest since any battle posed the risk of a pirate being killed or injured. Plus, it was simply good PR. They wanted the information to go out that if you cut sails and give us what we need, we'll let you go. In fact, there are stories of pirate captains inviting the crew of boarded ships to join them.

Even governments, who later turned against them, utilized pirates, funding them as privateers to search out and punish enemies. While a few pirates were wise enough to take their riches and retire early to a life as plantation owner, many died at the end of a noose, at sea or in battle. Some who helped defend against against British attacks in early 19th century received land grants for their services.

[Rev. M. Rodimer]

Re: North American? speak English? Thank a Pirate.

As I said..

So you admit that they murdered other men for material goods.

I don't see anything in that about giving candy to children. Probably used to entice them below decks, anyway!

[Bobby-Joe]

Re: North American? speak English? Thank a Pirate.

So you admit that they murdered other men for material goods.

I don't see anything in that about giving candy to children. Probably used to entice them below decks, anyway!

Goes without saying if one of the articles of their charter was no sodomizing young boys. What were these pirates, sea going Catholics?

[Jo Freddie]

Re: North American? speak English? Thank a Pirate.

So you admit that they murdered other men for material goods.

Ye have a problem wit' this

The first thing (pirates tried to) do is persuade everyone to give them everything without having to killing anyone. It was enlightened self-interest since any battle posed the risk of a pirate being killed or injured. Plus, it was simply good PR. They wanted the information to go out that if you cut sails and give us what we need, we'll let you go. In fact, there are stories of pirate captains inviting the crew of boarded ships to join them.

but not wit' this
Numbers 31

17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman that hath known man by lying with him.

18 But all the women children, that have not known a man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.

Yarr thundering festering hogshead.

[JUAN GARCIA, repulsive dago queer]

Re: North American? speak English? Thank a Pirate.

I think you overstate the pirate contrabution to the American Colonies. Tobacco was the major cash source in the south and timber and maple syrup were the major cash source in the North. Piracy got to be such a problem that the Atlantic trade was almost stopped by it in the early 18th century, hardly a good thing for the American colonies. It was the colony of Virgina that sent the two warships that hunted down and killed Blackbeard (or as your faith puts it, called Blackbeard home to Davy Jones locker)

unlike some who demonize the USA). However, the guy on the nickle would agree with me that the USA has little to do with Christianity. Even Mohler, leader of The Southern Baptist Seminary, said:

There's a difference between a Christian nation, and a nation predominantly populated by Christians.

or something close to that

[Viggo B. Kristoffersen]

Re: North American? speak English? Thank a Pirate.

...or something close to that

It's not the first time we hear arguments like this. False Christians use it all the time, because they really don't care what the Bible says. True Christians would NEVER find themself in a situation were they "might think that someone might have said something close to what they thought they meant say"
The truth is in the King James Version 1611 Bible. That's all we need to know and the Holy Book is not "close" to anything - it is what gives meaning to everything. AMEN!