Heh.

That is so cool. The Japanese R/C clubs are something else. I especially liked the vids of the Millennium Falcon and the Yamato 'cruising' about.

Yeah, I'll admit it, I'm an old Starblazers fan from WAY back, although I think the original Japanese episodes are better.

Nothing beats the Wave Motion Gun [heck, it could take out the Death Star].

Yeah, it's Dancing With Smurfs, but I think you're missing the 'other' context of Avatar.

This guy says it better than I ever could: The Suicide Fantasy

Read it here: http://2su.de/02

His commentary covers the chief 'angles' of Avatar's 'message', which is far MORE than the 'hero goes native'. Granted, some might consider it going 'off topic', but there is a greater context wrapped around the primary character's decision to 'change sides'.

Frankly, I'm surprised no one has mentioned it, even in passing.

I guess everyone's too eager to 'jones' on the racist angle.

Beware the 'low hanging fruit'.

Oh where to start...?

Your response to Baughbe: a logical place to start in contacting a alien world be to identify the DOMINANT culture of that planet, or the culture that best reflects their own general values...unless the 'contacting entity' is a multi-species based group. The former reflects the natural trait of: like seeks alike. The latter reflects an organized group that has already 'sorted out' the differences (whether they be minor or profound) between species and cultures, peacefully or otherwise.

The 'all cultures are of equal worth' gig survives about 5 minutes of exposure to the 'real world'.

Your response to 'guest': yes, war is an expensive affair. As to your assertion that: 'science research is expensive and new developments don't happen far more during wartime', yeah right.

You don't read much un-PC history, do you?

Yeah, R&D is expensive, so? It generally pays off in the long run [unless you're pouring millions into the 'perfect tea cozy', then not so much]. Between mil-based R&D and the 20th Century Space Program, damn near EVERYTHING that makes your life more organized, comfortable and safer are second or third order spin-offs of those efforts. Deal with it.

Your implied assertion 'that military spending limits other endeavors' only works if there's no linkage between aggressiveness and the trait of 'territoriality'. Once again, history and the 'real world' cast your views into doubt. And that doesn't even account for an alien species that views territoriality as a prime trait, and happens to need 'more space' to accommodate it's growing numbers, let alone the 'tried-and-true' need to be 'in control'.

And yeah, I think that 'trope' has been used a few times in scifi-based literature. The Star Conquerors, by Ben Bova comes to mind as one example.

Lastly, you're right about District 9. It was an interesting 'what if' scenario: an 'individual-based' society butts up against a no longer 'directed' hive-based one. The latter then falling back in it's intrinsic 'traits':mayhem ensues.

A minor point concerning 'warlike' races.

Given a culture that values aggressiveness as a 'first order' trait, any members of that race [even if they acknowledge individuality...] that display 'insufficient aggressiveness' may have been 'bred out' of the species since sentient aggression has both a psychological and hormonal component.

The natural 'follow up' question for that key circumstance is: is it an 'organic trait' or a deliberately enculturated one?

That, is where the story-teller either has fun, or their work cut out for them.

I note that one key piece of information was missing:

Was the company [A] 'asked' to omit the financial tie, or [B] did they make the omission of their own accord?

[A] implies 'influence' [B] implies 'greed' (or desperation for 'operating capital')

Hopefully the truth of the matter will come out in the trial.

I'll take traitors announcing themselves before-hand as a 'minor blessing.'

I've seen many good points here, all [more-or-less] valid. But one important point has been lightly considered: Chinese [and NK] arms and munitions. Yes, they're supplying various 'party favors' to Sudan but that's the obvious stuff.

NoKo copies of M16's being waved about by Palis, Chicom ammo and explosives in the hands of various Jihad groups in N Africa, SE Asia, and Afghanistan. The Chinese are MASTERS at using Others as 'cats-paws'; they've been using militant Islam to keep American 'off-balance' since 9-11. [Does ANYONE think Iranian techs would be present in N. Korea if the PRC thought it was a 'bad idea'?]

While America has been stomping on nests of Jihadis across the planet, and 're-configuring' it's Armed Forces to reflect it's operational needs, the PLA has been modernizing it's sizable military.

Bottom line: as long as the flow of munitions out of China helps kill 'Crusaders', the major players in the [Arabist] Ummah will give China a 'pass' [ntm non-arab muslims being 'less equal'...a halal version of Animal Farm if you will]. The Salifi's think long term: a true 'World Caliphate', in their minds, would ultimately trump the Chinese state.

So no, silence is the order of the day. For now.