>> Once they left, and the doors closed, Lasiter got up and walked over to his >> somewhat expansive view port. Staring out, he started to lament... > >> "Captain, these Police Actions are starting to really bother me. At first, >> I firmly believed that we had every right to work with member worlds in times >> of need- times of unrest. However, after better educating myself on what is >> happening out there...I just don't know any more. Starfleet was created as >> a defensive and exploratory force. Not all unlike the early explorers on >> earth, such as Lewis and Clark. We go where none of our collective peoples >> have been, and come back and tell everyone what we found. We walk the line >> when attacked. Defending all members. However, nothing in why we were >> created suggests we should be fighting pitched battles on member worlds. In >> some cases we are the defacto planetary police force. In othes we are, quite >> simply, an occupying force. ", He suddenly just stopped. The weight of the >> situation was clearly bearing down. He needed someone to talk to about this. >> He needed the opinions of another. He needed a way to get Starfleet out of >> this business.... > >David stood and walked over to the view port as he spoke, "Sir there is an old >saying-those who do not change history are doomed to repeat it. Many years ago on >Earth the United States was also seen as being an occupying force, however when they >wouldn't openly volunteer for the role they would be begged to assist." > >He took a breath. > >"What we need to do is show our member worlds how to defend themselves, which >unfortunately puts in the position of arming a potential enemy if the planet has a >coup. However if we do not support our member worlds we will be looked at as being >selfish and isolationist. Fact is we are the 'Big Dog in the Yard' so to say...all >the other dogs look up to us...we have a responsibility."
"There is a big difference in helping and supporting Federation Member worlds and occupying them. At the moment we are doing more ocupying then helping. It disturbs me that any command rank officer in Starfleet would think it right to begin, what ammounts to occupying a member world, and not even try to to start a diplomatic dialogue between the parties in conflict. A troubleing state of affairs... I do nto like this precedent we are setting..." ___________________________________________________ GO.com Mail Get Your Free, Private E-mail at http://mail.go.com
