History and economics sit side by side. Revolutions are invariably about business whether it's Batista in Cuba or or religious supremacy in Ireland or the Middle East. It comes down to economics as to who gets to live well and who gets deposed. Smuggling is a profitable business and was employed successfully by the the Kennedy's in Massachusetts. Catholicism came about by an economic need to control the recalcitrant laity and Constantine knew which side his econmic bread was buttered on.

The Sons of Liberty were not above tarring, feathering, riding folks on rails and supporting landowner's interests. No point in deifying these details by exalting them to patriotic ideals. Slavery issue took a back seat at this time because it was unprofitable to oppose it. Abolitionists were attacked in Boston and elsewhere in the North by concerned businessmen.

Is history just about money and business? Probably not because there are ideals that come into play such as being free and equality and justice for all. As to parity in the States, there's this, some folks are more equal than others. So the ones that shout "God bless free enterprise" the loudest have their portfolios on the line. Or as Woody used to say, "Some will rob you with a six-gun and some with a fountain pen." Smuggling? What else is new? It was a way to make an idealistic point and make a buck.

British privateers probably made a bundle out of smuggling as well.

The point of all of this seems to me that there are some in Britain who would like to refight the Revolutionary War just as there are those in the U.S.South today who would like to resurrect the Civil War.

Whether there was smuggling or any illicit operations begs the question, were there valuable ideals that came out of the Boston Tea Party episode? I say yes. Taxation without representation is a pretty good one in my view.

Frank