Does anyone think Picard made the wrong decision in Insurrection?

[Jimmy_C]

Interesting. I had a similar idea, but I think the UFP comes out in a better light. Look at it this way: All those pre-warp civilizations in Federation space would certainly be contacted prematurely by other Alpha Quadrent Powers who do not have an equivalent to a Prime Directive. In order to enforce that Directive, the UFP has to declare interstellar rights to those planets to protect them. It seems that they then leave them alone or just observe until they prepare for their first warp test. Then the Federation makes official First Contact and tends to treat the worlds as soverign nations unless they pention for admission and join as UFP members. So although there are similar parallels, I think there are important differences from the colonial expansion of Earth's past.

 

[c0rnedfr0g]

The Ba'ku were naiive, selfish idiots. Here's why:

1. If you discover a 'fountain of youth' planet, even if you're a society that's given up technology, you still need to be willing to fight for and defend what's important. To be a warp-capable species and just assume that no one else will be interested in this planet is ridiculous. The Ba'ku cannot rely on the moral consciences of outsiders to protect their home.

2. As a warp-capable species, the Ba'ku had to be somewhat aware of expanding territorial claims of other civilizations. In anticipation, they should've made their claim to that planet clear to other interstellar species, for example being ready with a representative for their people, instead of just hiding out and hoping nobody comes to kick them off the planet.

3. With an entire planet, the Ba'ku could not even share it with their own children. How was this enforced? Why couldn't the Son'a simply move to another area of the planet? How did the Ba'ku make them leave, if they're so reluctant to take up arms? Also, why did they make them leave, if they're so enlightened? It seems like they could all live on that planet and have little to no contact with each other.

For the Ba'ku to just sit around while this happens to them seems to indicate the planet is not worth that much to them afterall, since apparently it isn't worth fighting for. And in the end, do the needs of the many not outweigh the needs of the few (unless those few are willing to do something other than just sit around and cry)??

 

[FalTorPan]

I'm with Timo on this one.