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::stepping up on Soapbox::
Lot's of great points made here from all perspectives, but I will end that record by adding my opinion.
I can only speak for the U.S., but here corporations are sociopaths. They are sociopaths because they are incapable of doing anything that does not benefit itself. By law they are required to be sociopaths. If a corporation gave 500 million dollars worth of drugs to the poor, without having a stellar claim that the act would be recouped beyond the 500 million dollar giveaway (as an advertisement and public good will enhancing revenue) they would be sued by their shareholders until not a single corporate nameplate remained. And if they discovered a way to make money by killing 1 billion people legally, or conniving property from the public, they must do it! Shareholder value is all that is important!
And, since the 1880's corporations have been considered legal persons in the U.S. Legal persons with no regard for anything but their own benefit.
i.e. sociopaths.
As sociopaths amongst us, they need to be watched carefully and restrained from harming other persons in our society.
When these sociopaths legally have a complete disregard for human life, their actions must be countered. Additionally while fending off the sociopaths, we are not dismissed from our own obligations to do what is right individually and together for the benefit of others.
Should this be done by illegal means, such as piracy? Hopefully not. But remember that when Gandhi marched to the sea to harvest salt, he was breaking the law. Just because it is illegal, does not necessarily make it morally wrong. (And adversly, just because it is legal does not make it morally right).
::jumping down from soapbox::
Did I just compare Gandhi to pirates?
Gosh, I hope not!
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