Thank you for the eloquent post. The difference in language between the pro- and anti- pirate crowd is stark! 

The sad, funny thing about BTCST's demise is that the interest rate was simply too high. Had pirate given 1, or 2, or 3% out and kept the difference for himself, nobody would have cried ponzi and it could have chugged along with other ventures. But instead he generously gave out 7% -- a majority of his earnings -- which ultimately lead to the ponzi FUD and downfall. His kindness was his weakness