Spoilers Picard Prequel "Children of Mars"

[fireproof78]

They merely vote for politicians who implement discriminatory policies...

Not all.

I should know-I am right of center. So is my family. Lots of other people I know too. Most I know work hard to improve access for all people to resources in the community, removing barriers, and welcoming all. It might be a small section, but that's us.

And broadstroaking all right wing means no dialogue, no IDIC. How very Star Trek.

 

[Tim Thomason]

And never heard of any other Starfleet captain until they guest-starred in an ep.

Except for Captain Harris. Poor Captain Harris.

 

[Tim Thomason]

It was a really bad movie.

It was devastating.

 

[eschaton]

I'm not sure I'd say Star Trek is incompatible with conservative politics, but it's incompatible with conservative politics of today. This shouldn't be surprising, because depending upon the century you're talking about in the past, conservatism meant anything from supporting the divine right of kings to slaveocracy to the right of children to contract their labor in mines or factories.

Conservatism isn't really a set ideology - it's an inclination to be leery of change, support the established hierarchy (whatever that may be locally), and to turn back the clock at least somewhat.

There are undoubtedly conservatives in the 24th century Federation. However, they probably appear to be flaming liberals to us - in exactly the same way that today's mainstream conservatives would be flaming liberals in the 18th century.

 

[Longinus]

Not all.

I should know-I am right of center. So is my family. Lots of other people I know too. Most I know work hard to improve access for all people to resources in the community, removing barriers, and welcoming all. It might be a small section, but that's us.

And broadstroaking all right wing means no dialogue, no IDIC. How very Star Trek.

You're American, right? You have two party system, centre party is not an option. So you have an option to vote for the bigot party or the other party. And people who vote that other part usually do not call themselves right wingers. (Granted, from European perspective Democrats would be a centre party at best, certainly not a leftist party.)

 

[Longinus]

I'm not sure I'd say Star Trek is incompatible with conservative politics, but it's incompatible with conservative politics of today. This shouldn't be surprising, because depending upon the century you're talking about in the past, conservatism meant anything from supporting the divine right of kings to slaveocracy to the right of children to contract their labor in mines or factories.

Conservatism isn't really a set ideology - it's an inclination to be leery of change, support the established hierarchy (whatever that may be locally), and to turn back the clock at least somewhat.

There are undoubtedly conservatives in the 24th century Federation. However, they probably appear to be flaming liberals to us - in exactly the same way that today's mainstream conservatives would be flaming liberals in the 18th century.

Quite true. Well said.

 

[fireproof78]

You're American, right? You have two party system, centre party is not an option. So you have an option to vote for the bigot party or the other party. And people who vote that other part usually do not call themselves right wingers.(Granted, from European perspective Democrats would be a centre party at best, certainly not a leftist party.)

I vote for the person best for the job. Party is not important to me. If I vote at all since I don't trust almost all politicians.

Center is an option, if one is smart about it. Regardless, that's not the point. The point is to have dialog, to recognize human need and how they can respond, including politics. That humans are not monolithic, that they can become afraid and react and try to protect the system. The Federation is not immune to fear. That's why I can see them embracing protectionist policies, even if ultimately they will be rejected.

onservatism isn't really a set ideology - it's an inclination to be leery of change, support the established hierarchy (whatever that may be locally), and to turn back the clock at least somewhat.

Exactly, which is why complete dismissal makes no sense to me. For me, as a conservative, I believe in personal freedom and personal responsibility, fiscal responsibility and limited government. And that's it.

 

[Lord Garth]

I'm "Unenrolled" (that's what an Independent is classified as in Massachusetts) but I usually vote Democratic. My parents were Republican and I originally registered as a Republican at first (yes, it's true) before I switched to Unenrolled very soon after. And no, it wasn't fun telling my father I had different political beliefs than him (my mother had passed away by this point). So I know something about having different politics and how to deal with it in the same household.

That having been said, it's not about my personal beliefs. It's about what Starfleet and the Federation would do and how they would react. Also, going from 2364 to 2399, that's quite a bit of chunk of time to cover. That's a long time to go without some sort of ideological shift one way or the other. With the direction things were going in toward the end of DS9, and adding 20 years to that, I can see the Federation becoming more security-minded. I can see them going down a less "high-minded" path after they'd taken a beating one too many times. It adds up after a while. I'm not saying I agree with it, and Picard clearly doesn't, but I can see how the Federation's pendulum would start to shift another way.

I've said this before: I see Picard becoming sort of like the Bernie Sanders of the 25th Century. Trying to change a "world" he thinks has gone down the wrong path.

 

[fireproof78]

With the direction things were going in toward the end of DS9, and adding 20 years to that, I can see the Federation becoming more security-minded.

That's pretty much my view as well.

 

[Danja]

I've said this before: I see Picard becoming sort of like the Bernie Sanders of the 25th Century. Trying to change a "world" he thinks has gone down the wrong path.

And Starfleet appears to be treating him as a doddering, out of touch, old fool.

 

[Greg Cox]

And Starfleet appears to be treating him as a doddering, out of touch, old fool.

Or perhaps simply no longer relevant.

Funny that, judging from the trailer, the new Bond movie seems to hitting roughly that same note. "Who are you again? And go back to retirement, you old dinosaur. Your day is over. Let us handle this."

I guess any truly long-running series is bound to have a "getting too old for this" moment eventually. Lord knows Kirk already had his . . . a couple of times.

Ironic to see the hero of the Next Generation become a relic of the old regime. That could be interesting.

 

[fireproof78]

I guess any truly long-running series is bound to have "getting too old for this" moment eventually. Lord knows Kirk already had his . . . a couple of times.

 

[thribs]

What was with the Discovery era force field at the port? It’s not like the shuttles have thrust. Are they worried that someone might cling on? They’re supposed to have sensors to prevent that.

 

[DaveyNY]

What was with the Discovery era force field at the port? It’s not like the shuttles have thrust. Are they worried that someone might cling on? They’re supposed to have sensors to prevent that.

More likely they just don't want the children running around a shuttle about to lift off.
It's probably the same when one lands as well.

 

[fireproof78]

What was with the Discovery era force field at the port? It’s not like the shuttles have thrust. Are they worried that someone might cling on? They’re supposed to have sensors to prevent that.

And they are supposed to have security forces to repel intruders and yet...

 

[NCC-73515]

Given the way Disco season 2 ended, I just assume Sarek, Amanda and Spock are already pretending Sybok never existed. Makes about as much sense as suddenly pretending Michael never existed.

Did Amanda even know about Sybok?

What was with the Discovery era force field at the port? It’s not like the shuttles have thrust. Are they worried that someone might cling on? They’re supposed to have sensors to prevent that.

A shuttle can knock a horde of kids over, I suppose XD

 

[Awesome Possum]

More likely they just don't want the children running around a shuttle about to lift off.
It's probably the same when one lands as well.

Given every young children are at risk for getting run over by school buses today, schools have teachers there to stop it. It makes sense that they'd set up a forcefield, likely on the safest setting when it comes to blocking people from entering.

 

[The Old Mixer]

I'm willing to allow for some drifting into politics as it relates to the show if it's done in a civil, constructive manner. But this shit...

the bigot party

...is gonna ruin it for everyone.

 

[cooleddie74]

"Nice to see you up and around, Sir!"

If I were Picard I'd have said something like: "Son, I was helping save humanity from the Borg before you were even a gleam in the holoprogrammer's eye. Spare me the transparent condescension and just tell me where to find the Admiral's office."

 

[thribs]

Now I want to see a shuttle hit a kid. It’ll be the Otto of the 24th century.