Just the Facts!

I used to think that when you wanted to watch drama you would rent or tune into the appropriate program. It seems stupid drama has taken over everything including news programs. Another popular topic this election year is that news media stinks with bias. 

Here is a silly yet somewhat accurate to the style news reports these days

Newsguy: Hello our breaking story at the top of the hour is that the president farted today while in a meeting with the vice president, secretary of defense, and the joint chiefs, lets go to our Washington correspondent.

Washingtonguy: Thank you, yes it is confirmed that while meeting with the vice president, the secretary of state, and the joint chiefs, the president ripped on through his trousers. It was reported to be five to seven seconds long, reverberated his chair, and smelled like sulfur and burnt tires. The secret service escorted the officials out of the Oval Office, and supervised while fans were placed in the office and windows opened. The meeting returned after an all clear was signaled and the Lysol dissipated.  Terrorists are not, I repeat terrorists are not suspected in altering the presidents diet.

Newguy: Thank you, now joining us to sort out what this all means is someone from each party, one of those, and one of these.

One of those: The president handled this appropriately and with honor. The president is only human and this will happen.  What we do need is a committee to establish a flatulence committee so we can have a national presidential gas plan. We would be able to run the country if that other party would shut their yaps.

News guy: Now we will hear from one of these

One of these:  This president is a disgrace, this is proof he talks out his butt.  What is next for this administration pooping in meetings? Will the president meet with the prime minister of Canada, drop his drawers and crap all over him? Where does it end. If that other party had not blocked our crap bill this would not happen. They need to shut their yaps!

Sheep person1: Can you believe those idiots attacking the president!

Sheep person2: What a useless president, talks out his butt sheeze!

Average person: Why did the president call for a meeting with the VP, and the joint chiefs? What did they talk about? What are they planning to do? Hello? Anyone?

When they surveyed college aged people about news and a majority got their daily news from Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert the news organizations did not think of it as a wake up call, but when on the attack, calling Stewart and college kids idiots. Jon Stewart never claimed to be news, he is on Comedy Central, he is satire. All he does is play back what politicians say, and it is so ridiculous it is funny. It seems claiming to be satire gives him some honestly and credibility so people watch it, figuring it is no less accurate.

It must be that someone well dressed relaying facts is too boring to sell advertising. People think news should be like Indiana Jones, flashy, exciting, and to hell if it is real or not. When a topic is who has the sexiest news reporters, well you see the news in not the issue, entertainment is.

Others do not want to hear facts and draw their own conclusions. They want the facts to support their conclusions true or not. They want the truth packaged in a pretty little box, with a pretty ribbon, so they never have to open it and look inside. Their little bubbles all secure and happy, the happy bubble of denial, instead of knowing it might pop, and being able to adjust real life with real information.

People want drama, emotion, and to call others idiot. It is exactly like that moment of hate Orwell warned us about in 1984. Trained journalist with ethics review processes have been replaced with pundits.  Pundits then say the most outrageous stuff to “piss off” the other side, then the other side responds, on and on we go. There is a market for that, but it should not be considered mainstream news.  People do not trust the news, yet we need to make important decisions, black market news is getting popular, but as with any information buyer beware. Provided one does think and not just blindly accept any info to keep their happy little bubble intact.

Truth is not a purchase decision, you can’t say I paid for truth I get what I want, it had best say what I want or it is not the truth, I want it all, and I want it now! Truth is not a made to order commodity with pretty colors and fancy widgets. Truth requires a validity process to check integrity, check the facts to support the conclusion, and potential falsification must be admitted. Truth can be ugly and one must face that, but when the truth is pretty, you can know for sure it is real, thus the beauty is more than skin deep.

And that’s a fact jack!

We know the Star Trek series, and can quote “beam me up Scotty” “Resistance is futile” “make it so” Just for fun and to relax from all the political debate, but yet be who we are and enjoy politics, and the “other camps of thought.” I thought it would be entertaining to look at Star Trek from political perspective of Liberal, Conservative, & Libertarian. My quotes may not be word for word accurate.

Star Trek as a “Liberal” Show.

“Earth is a paradise, we have eliminated hunger, homelessness, & disease”...Sisko

“I love you, I do not care what they think you are”…Rikker (figures huh lol)

“Men of peace usually are brave”.. Spock

“We don’t use money in the 23^rd century”…. Kirk

“Torture is outdated and ineffective, no real civilization uses it”…Picard

“Keep your prejudices in your quarters mister” Kirk

"DO not go beyond warp 5, we are destroying the universe" A Scientist

The technology has reached a point that people no longer need money, everyone can pursue their passion your survival is a given. Arts and culture are alive and well. So well that even Klingons run around quoting Shakespeare.  Society does not judge Black, White, Asian, Blue, Red, Green, Homosexual, Straight, in between.  People are judged by their character not color of skin. Scientist travel and study those strange new worlds, and new life forms.  Medical care is free, as is shelter, and food, just walk to a computer and ask for it. Liberal Paradise!

Star Trek as a “Conservative” show

“You can’t let some machine take our jobs, there are certain things we must do to remain men” Kirk

“Excellence is expected, anything beyond that does you credit” Picard

“You are a coward, and you have no honor, get out of my sight”  Worf

“I don’t wage war with computers, I wage the real thing” Kirk

“The honor is to serve” “Your service honors us” Picard and Serek greeting each other

“As long as you wear that uniform, you word is good” Sisko

“We all ask a father, a brother, a god, why am I here?” Spock

“You will just exist living on the charity of others” Odo

A free lunch did not build an advanced star fleet.  Not every race is happy to see star fleet, and some aliens find it something useful to consume and conquer.  Smiling happy aliens would make for a very boring show, and is not reality.  Star Fleet has a strict code of honor and ethics, those that break them, even with the best intentions are not treated with respect.  Earth might have some fat lazies remaining, but on a ship you can escape all that.  In spite of all the technology and social tolerance, respect is still gotten the old fashioned way, they earn it.  Buzzwords like discipline, service and honor are alive and well in the future as seen by Star Trek. 

Star Trek as a Libertarian show.

“Our culture is based on freedom and self determination” Picard

“No disrespect, but my career choices are my own business” Rikker

“We are here to ascertain my right to choose” Data

“I will work with you, and fight for you, but I don’t like you” Worf

Star Treks prime directive of no interference is a pure Libertarian statement.  Based on the old west, Star trek is a western with space ships, a wagon train to the stars. Often having to improvise as you go to survive, day by day.  Civil rights are often the main topic of the show. Does this race have the right to do this that or the other, does the individual have the right to do or say certain things? Often self-restraint and ethics are the only law for light years.  Star Trek asserts that all discipline is internal, not out side force can truly make you do anything. The other sides right to law and due process stop Star Fleet from blowing the other guys to kingdom come. Nobody really cares about your race, preference, or even quirks, as long as you contribute, and be the best of your chosen path.

So which do you think Star Trek is? If you like the show you might claim it, if not give it to another political belief.

I am certain the show was for all people, since few people fall purely into any one stereotype.  A liberal has honor and can fight fiercely for a just cause. Conservatives enjoy arts and culture, and despise racism. 

Star trek is what our nation (planet) should be about. We all work together to improve the quality of life. We will never agree on how to get there, but if we play/fight fair at least you are honorable at all times.  The odd quirks and point of view of someone from a place you dislike might just save you one day.

We need the opposing points of view to stop any political or social monopoly. That is what brings back oppression and the dark ages. Losing our right to say no, once you cannot say no, you are a slave. No matter how friendly or benign the monopoly force claims to be, the truth of it is you are a slave.  Saying no has cost those brave few alot, but we thank them for it.

Harmless beliefs one does not agree with are trivial so long as no force is used. Becoming advanced beings will mean picking battles wisely knowing that in the end the truth will show beyond all doubt. Truth is something we all need, and can learn from, Liberal, Conservative, or Libertarian.

Ok I gave up long ago hiding the fact I am a total geek. If I could speak Klingon and wore white button shirts with pocket protectors I would have the whole enchilada.

Ok one of the best-written shows I have ever encountered is ending this season. I am totally enjoying the redone Galactica. The final season will show how this all ends, (Did I see Lucy Lawless in the background?) and who the final Cylon is.  I am probably so far off it is ridiculous. There are office pools and Vegas betting pools on wagering on who is the final Cylon. But here goes my thinking as of 4/12/08

My prediction of how it ends before too much more is revealed.

Earth is not the 13th colony, but is colony one, where humanity started. Some great war had us send children off to the stars, where they became the colonies of the story.  This whole story arc is the result of some bigger battle beyond an existence we understand now. Humanity is becoming something different and by merging with Cylons we will survive as something new.  Similar ending to Babylon 5, kind of.

My guess at who is the fifth Cylon? I will go through a process of elimination from my understanding of the show. Again just a shot in the dark.

When four of the five were revealed last season it was a surprise.

The Colonel was so obviously a Cylon I figured no way he was a Cylon, but yet he is a Cylon. Don’t you love well-written stories you can't figure out?

Anders was not a big surprise, I kind of guessed.

Chief was a big surprise. He talked of childhood, and served in the military for his entire life, now to find he is a Cylon. Now is kid is also a hybrid.

Tori an underdeveloped character and out of the blue. She just kind of appeared after Billy died. So the final Cylon could be an underdeveloped character. Watching the reruns I see a few things she did, like not protect the hybrid child like the president asked her to.

Characters I feel are eliminated by 'the dream:"

The President. Many feel she is it, because she is sharing the same dream with known Cylons. But she looks up at the final five in their white robes during the dream.  Many feel the next Cylon should be female, and she fills many prophesies. I just don’t see it, I think she is well meaning but incorrect in her assumptions like where Earth is.

Baltar, for many of the the same reason as Roslyn I do not think it is him. He is a key player but not a final Cylon.

Characters eliminated by Marriage and Offspring:

Helo Agathon, This would make the key “hybrid” child a pure. (kind of) Also Helo was not intended to be a permanent character, he just caught on. So no, it is not Helo

Cally, this would make her and Chief’s kid also a “pure-pure Cylon.” She is a good sleeper candidate, but to me just does not work.   Her character is a sweety and misses something to be the Cylon.

The Admiral. Lee (Apollo) being a hybrid would be an interesting plot twist.  The prophesized dying leader to bring everyone safely to earth I think is the old man, not Laura.  The argument for the elder Adama is that he took care of Tigh the whole time. But being Lee’s father eliminates him.

Lee, they flashed that he will be the president, but the entire Adama line Cylons? This would make more than a final five. The old man not being Cylon eliminates Lee.

Character that just “don’t feel right” to me to be the final Cylon.

StarBuck, this time the too obvious to be true plays out. She got caught into the plot, but is not a Cylon. Remember the original series of Galactica. Some white robed race brought the origional Starbuck back to life after battling ‘The Devil” played by Patrick McNee? I guess this Starbuck is right about how to get to earth, Lee will figure it out. She however is not the Cylon.

The red haired religious cult woman. She asked Baltar to pray for her child, then he recovered. A good guess but too out of the blue to be the final one.

Dualla, I would think as a prime choice. (She is my second choice) Writing logic is she is female and of a non white race giving diversity.  Lee's wife makes good drama for the end, but basically everyone has "done" a Cylon. She is a main reasonably developed character. She is central to much information and could have been doing subversive things consciously or unconsciously all along and nobody would guess until she is revealed.  I predict all of the final five were on the New Caprica fiasco.

Gaeta, was everyone early choice for a Cylon. The math and computer wiz is always guilty of something. (ha ha)He could block the Cylon virus and navigate anywhere, givinen that he made critical mistakes hint he might be the Cylon.  He was too much of a boy scout, clean cut and no girlfriend. (Running joke is he is gay, we can’t have a gay Cylon, hahaha) He is so obviously not a Cylon, that he should be one, however he has become darker since the New Caprica thing. Baltar presidency is in a way his fault, he caught the rigged elections and was whistle blower. He redeemed himself by being the informer for the resistance on New Caprica. I can’t explain why I do not think he is not the Cylon other than a hunch he is a distracter character.

So who do pick as the final Cylon?

Doctor Cottle, I am probably so far off it is not funny. He did not appear until episode four, which is ok, Tori did not appear until much later. He is a conscious to right and wrong, and treats all patients the same Cylon or human. He has an honestly about him and says how it is no matter if he will be unpopular or not.  He is central to everything though did not set a lot of events into motion, is known by all. The final Cylon does not have to be female, so it does not eliminate him by politically correct writing logic. Also he is the one who scans DNA, and should be able to tell Cylon from non-Cylon. The final five have been human for years (generations?) true, but he could be looking the other way without even knowing it.  He was on New Caprica, and said blood all looks the same.  It is a shot in the dark, but until I find a disqualifier, I am going with doc. He is the outsider looking in.

So there is my guess, but I am not putting money on it. I am just enjoying one of the best-written shows ever. Star Trek is going to try to release something this year, but lately ‘Trek is missing, and rehashing same old stuff over and over.  I am glad something came along and raised the bar of Science Fiction.