Regarding philosophies and other traits of the different Star Trek alien races, everybody knows that those races simply embody the different traits in human nature in their purest form. We individually identify more with one or the other, but it is natural to feel part of several, if not all. (Nobody wants to acknowledge the Ferengi or Cardassian in oneself!)
Well, I'll just come right out and say it.
In my case, it's the Bajorans and Cardassians each that I find the most I identify with. At least in the latter case, I wouldn't have said that in my early
Trek years--I was much more of an idealist and a believer in the potential of humanity than I am now. I would've identified with a great many of the Federation ideals: that a world government was to be aspired to, that humans would drop their conflicts with each other, perhaps even that we might be able to move into a post-capitalist society.
I was always a bit more conservative than the ideal Federation citizen, I think, but I lost every bit of my idealism back in 2001 and seven years later, I cannot see it ever returning.
The core of faith that I had always had has become much more important to me. That does not--let me repeat, DOES NOT make me a fanatic, a science-denier, or anything else. Nor does it make me oblivious to all logic or reason as I often see implied (to include within this thread). I will tolerate others, but I will not let that change who I am or what I stand for. Obviously that's where I identify greatly with the Bajorans--but that also leads into the other side.
I am an absolutist, from a philosophical standpoint. I do not believe in relativism of morals--I believe in universal, timeless right and wrong and I resent the loss of that steel in our society. I believe
strongly in family, in the sanctity of marriage. I know that many are hypocritical about these things, and I know the extremes to which it can carry people. But I will stand by the ideal in spite of the way in which people abuse it. Yet for what I say about family--there is a line as to how far I would go in their defense. I see families defend those who are convicted of crimes, go on about how they would NEVER believe their precious little dear would do that--and especially in cases where you can be pretty damn sure the family members knew something, I just despise it. Seriously, if a member of my family committed murder and I had evidence...you bet I would turn them in. Would it suck? Yes. But that is where one's obligation to society comes in. I'm not going to shrink back from justice where justice must be done.
I am proud of my country and I refuse to be ashamed of that. Have there been mistakes in its past--some of them severe? Definitely. I won't deny them. And I don't condone them for a second. But I damn well will not turn traitor against my nation, not for one second, or let anyone tell me I should have to hang my head in shame just because I happen to be from here.
Understand I am NOT condoning the fascism, the torture, or that sort of thing. I'm fully willing to call characters like Dukat and Madred evil. Think of that "Cardassian" side of me as the Tekeny Ghemor sort of Cardassian.
I think you could sum up this strange dichotomy by saying this: I am deeply cynical about what I can see, and deeply hopeful about what I cannot.
