User blog comment:DarkSkullPirates/Different Views/@comment-4754162-20121004041050

Good critical thinking.

Stereotypically marines are good and pirates are bad. The best thing about being a pirate over marine was the freedom of choice. A marine needs to adhere to rules and regulation, instructions and orders, manner and etiquette. A marine who did not adhere will be label as bad, hence no choice there.

However a pirate has no need to adhere to any rules and regulation, instructions and orders, manner and etiquette. They are free to do what they want, and majority choosing the greed side of things. However a pirate is also free to choose not to do bad things, despite forever being label as bad because they hoisted a black color.

Roger pirates, WB pirates as well as our protagonist SH pirates all fully enjoyed this freedom of choice. Both Roger and SH pirates had one objective in mind, to conquer Grand Line, sail the world as free people and enjoy adventures here and there as much as they want / like. Can a proper marine do that? Are a proper marine really a "free person"? WB pirates on the other hand has "family" in mind. Look at how WB protected FI from being plunder by other stereotypically bad pirates, and how grateful of its citizens to his protection? On this aspect, the marines would be able to achieve the same (protecting FI) but somehow misunderstanding gets in the way.

Arlong vs Luffy. Arlong being a typical bad pirate vs Luffy who is also a pirate but with good intention. Clearly whos bad and whos good there.

Smoker vs Luffy. Its just plain marine (seen in light as good) vs a pirate (seen in light as bad).

One thing though, a good pirate could not claim credits for the good things they did. The places they played vital role to liberate, the truth will not be revealed out on the open but secretly the locals knew who's their favourite hero (who is not willing to even share his meat around!).

I also have a blog in mind which is also dealing with critical thinking, but since you have did this (which is a good one), I will postpone mine to a later date. ^_^