Reference to Iraq on Star Trek Website.

[coloradodem2005]

This reference disturbed me. On this thread, we were talking about a DS9 episode "In the Pale Moonlight". Great episode but that is beside the point. Here is the reference:

The plot is also one of the most influential in all the series.
It strikes a chord now, with the whole debate over the falsification of 'weapons of mass destruction' evidence for Iraq.

I am firmly of the opinion that if anyone wants an insight into war then they should watch DS9. It covers the whole spectrum, from the corridors of power 'Inter Arma Enim Silent Leges', down to the front lines 'The Seige of AR-558'.

Stories like this explain why things happening in Iraq are happening, . Falsifying evidence to gain allies.
<snip>
http://boards.startrek.com/community/messages.html?s=681b5dd2a61ab52c4e8c83b3aeabcbb2;act=ST;f=3;t=33166841

[Deja Q]

1. I was hooked more by "Insurrection"'s talk of "thugs" and oil...

O8)

[cprise]

2. Liberals In Spaaaaaaaace!

That's what Trek is to me.

I don't know why it isn't used by the Left more often to point out problems in our foreign policy.

[Deja Q]

3. Because they'd look utterly mornic, that's why!

Sci-fi can get away with a lot more because the mainstream "doesn't get it". If the original Trek used the same issues in a 'real world' setting, people would get scared off.

I'm still surprised "All in the Family" had worked, and the execs were always terrified of it. Especially early on.

Besides, if the Left used a niche sci-fi show to point out real life problems, the repukes would have a field day. Hell, I'd be pointing and laughing right along with them.

Star Trek is a geek-oriented show anyway because it doesn't deal in a real life setting. Many social-themed plots are CONTRIVED and they couldn't even do the gay story right. We do "get it", but we are the minority - we see allegory for what it is and we also know the mainstream is too damn cowardly to address ANYTHING. (Carter tried to address a big issue in 1980... didn't help him, or society, in the end.)

No, using a tv show to suggest how our foreign policy is problematic would be the worst thing anybody could do.

[cprise]

4. The military and the Right use sci-fi angles

...to get people to rally around them.

The way things are going, only the Right will be able to persuasively deal with technology-related issues. And if that's the case you can expect increased militarization of everything (the workplace, religion, schools).

But, by all means, do anything you can from ever looking silly.

[flamingyouth]

5. Those Trek boards drove my late husband crazy at times

He used to argue politics with freeper-types constantly on them, then he basically sort of gave up on them. Considering Gene Roddenberry's humanistic world view, it's amazing that freepers would like Star Trek. Of course, stuff like this goes right over their pointy little heads.:D