[seoulmetro]

The British Museum isn't a thief. The same way America isn't stolen land.

Force isn't a precursor to theft. It's a precursor to possession.

If someone with a bigger stick used it to take possession of the museum, we would have to say that they own the items now.

[KingMob]

What are these mental gymnastics, and why are you bothering with them?

If you're being sarcastic, it's not coming through over the internet. It sounds like either a variant of "might makes right", or irrelevant linguistic pedantry.

[seoulmetro]

Mental gymnastics? You mean the mental exercises I use to remain cognitively neutral and not succumb to emotion?

Dunno. Probably just think with my brain and not my heart in most situations I can? This is a fairly simple situation where logic wins over extreme emotions.

No sarcasm here. Just the truth my friend. If it's pedantic to be right rather than be wrong and emotional then sure, I am being pedantic.