West Wing: Would you be interested in a new series?

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

Neither I nor Sorkin said that Republicans were evil. Many Republicans genuinely believe that they're doing good overall by keeping government as small as possible. One can agree or disagree, but that's a separate point from the argument that it's more gripping from a dramatic perspective to side with the idealists than the cynics.

A limited government conservative can be as idealistic as anyone, while a big government advocate can be a cynic. It's the assumption that conservatism is driven by cynicism that's one-sided and myopic in Sorkin's evaluation of the dramatic potential of the conservative point of view. Moreover, there are conservative policy prescriptions aimed at using the power of government to help people. They aren't the same prescriptions a liberal would advocate, but drama could be wrought from the depiction of striving for their advancement nonetheless.

A far-left Republican administration, from the era's left-of-center party, yes.

It's tricky pinning political labels on the past through the prism of today, so that's a debatable statement. But that's an expansive topic that I don't have time for right now (it's a working weekend for me).

 

[Sci]

^A non sci-fi Babylon 5?!

Well, presumably a series set at United Nations Headquarters wouldn't feature the U.N. evolving into a planetary government with its own army and navy the way Babylon 5 grew into the Interstellar Alliance.

There is provisions within the UN charter for it to establish a standing military under it's direct control...

No, there aren't. I just read over the Charter of the United Nations in response to your claim. It is utterly inaccurate.

The closest thing to your claim is Chapter VII, which contains articles providing for the question of how the United Nations should react when faced to conflicts that cannot be settled peacefully. Chapter VII requires Member States of the United Nations to make available their own armed forces, to be deployed in such a manner as the Security Council shall deem necessary to deal with the threat. It also establishes a Military Staff Committee, which is to be comprised of the Chiefs of Staff of the permanent Security Council members or their representatives, and whose job it will be to advise the Security Council on military matters. An example of Member States' armed forces being raised under Chapter VII would be the Korean War.

Absolutely nothing in the United Nations Charter provides for the establishment of a standing military answerable to the United Nations.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

Okay, in the interest of full disclosure, I miss Aaron Sorkin's West Wing terribly. It was easily one of the best show I have ever watched. I think its time that NBC resurrect the series. Do you?

In the West Wing universe, Matt Santos would be running for re-election this year. I'd love a six or ten episode series about the re-election campaign.

 

[Captaindemotion]

Well, presumably a series set at United Nations Headquarters wouldn't feature the U.N. evolving into a planetary government with its own army and navy the way Babylon 5 grew into the Interstellar Alliance.

Unless the Michigan Militia have been right all along ...

The United Nations couldn't even get its act together enough to use its legitimately-granted force to stop an obviously against-international-law genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda, and you're gonna tell me they're gonna get their act together enough to become a global military power?

'I'm gonna tell you?' 'I'm gonna tell you?' Dear God man, I was being sarcastic!!!!!!!!! You don't actually think I believe paranoid shite like that, do you?????!!!!

 

[Sci]

Unless the Michigan Militia have been right all along ...

The United Nations couldn't even get its act together enough to use its legitimately-granted force to stop an obviously against-international-law genocide against the Tutsis in Rwanda, and you're gonna tell me they're gonna get their act together enough to become a global military power?

'I'm gonna tell you?' 'I'm gonna tell you?' Dear God man, I was being sarcastic!!!!!!!!! You don't actually think I believe paranoid shite like that, do you?????!!!!

Fair enough, and sorry to misinterpret you like that. But I really have come across people who seem convinced the U.N. is a giant conspiracy to take over the world.

 

[Captaindemotion]

^ I'm gonna have to stop using this quick reply option (he writes on, er, the quick reply option) - need more smileys to signify my deadpan humour ...

I know there are people like that - I was trying to send them up. But apology accepted - we're on the same side.