Dominion question - what happened to the four Founders?

[Rush Limborg]

One could argue that by their very methods (impersonating other beings and causing trouble using those identities), changelings are by definition violating those rules.

That's the problem. We follow rules, they don't.

They're at war with us. We're not at war with them.

They have an adavantage, and we fight an uphill battle--when we finally do declare war....

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

One could argue that by their very methods (impersonating other beings and causing trouble using those identities), changelings are by definition violating those rules.

That's the problem. We follow rules, they don't.

But what rules would this violate? If Sisko had shot that Founder dead, he could argue self defense. Since Founders can impersonate people undetected, Sisko could have claimed that it might have tried to do that with *him*.

And more generally, since that shapeshifting ability is so uniquely dangerous, shouldn't it demand extraordinary measures to do away with it?

They're at war with us. We're not at war with them.

I'm not following.

 

[Rush Limborg]

One could argue that by their very methods (impersonating other beings and causing trouble using those identities), changelings are by definition violating those rules.

That's the problem. We follow rules, they don't.

But what rules would this violate? If Sisko had shot that Founder dead, he could argue self defense. Since Founders can impersonate people undetected, Sisko could have claimed that it might have tried to do that with *him*.

And more generally, since that shapeshifting ability is so uniquely dangerous, shouldn't it demand extraordinary measures to do away with it?

They're at war with us. We're not at war with them.

I'm not following.

Well, as you said:

It could be argued that a changeling's presence on Earth, impersonating a member of Starfleet, with the stated goal of disrupting the Federation, is in itself an act of war.

Also, there were various other act commited by the changelings we could compare to "terrorism".

But, as I said, there was no official declaration of war by the UFP Council.

My guess is, again, that the bloody Rules of Engagement tied Sisko's hands, and he couldn't attack the changeling unless the changeling attacked him, first.

As it were, that may be why the changeling sat down beside him so arrogantly in the first place. To gloat, because he knew Sisko's hands were tied.

 

[David cgc]

Yeah! If it weren't for those restrictive Federation rules, we could've struck the Dominion properly, the second they set up a colony on one of our planets and started sniffing around with one of their oversized silver saucer-shaped warcruisers.

No, wait. The Federation did that to them. Never mind.

 

[DonIago]

I'm pretty sure no colonies were set-up inside Dominion space. Rather, once the Dominion set its eyes on the Alpha Quadrant they decided everything on their side of the womhole -was- Dominion space.

 

[Rush Limborg]

^Exactly.

I recommend one pick up a copy of Star Charts. The Domionion doesn't control everything on the far side on the wormhole, but the first time we meet it--in "The Jem'Hadar"--they act like "going to our side is an act of war, regardless of whether it's neutral space".

 

[DimesDan]

^Exactly.

I recommend one pick up a copy of Star Charts. The Domionion doesn't control everything on the far side on the wormhole, but the first time we meet it--in "The Jem'Hadar"--they act like "going to our side is an act of war, regardless of whether it's neutral space".

Star Charts may be a bit of fun, but I personally don't take much notice of it. (I do have a copy somewhere)

As for the Federation creating a colony in the Gamma Quadrant, they didn't, that was the Bajorians, but they did lose several starship's including Odyssey around first contact.

 

[Marie1]

I'm pretty sure no colonies were set-up inside Dominion space. Rather, once the Dominion set its eyes on the Alpha Quadrant they decided everything on their side of the womhole -was- Dominion space.

Dunno, the Jem'Hadar in "The Jem'Hadar" did say that their territory was being violated by the ships, so some habitable planets of theirs could have been taken...

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

the Jem'Hadar in "The Jem'Hadar" did say that their territory was being violated by the ships

I'm sure they did say that. Doesn't make it true.