phelpsaa

I think that elderbear did act emotionally to the post but he did have a valid point. Deleting right off the bat may have not been the best answer but I am impressed by the fact that he is willing to admit that he may have been wrong to censor. I disagree with narrow, closed minded thought as well. But that is when we smile and nod at the person making the uniformed comment and go on. We often are not able to inspire closed minds but at times we can encourage those who wish to socialize with us to open theirs a little. That does not mean change their minds though. I HOPE that an important lesson in tact and understanding has been learned here. Thist is the spirit of Star Trek. Exploring our differences with open minds and hearts so that we may learn from eachother. Controlled conflict helps us grow and exercise our minds. I hope that debate does not end in this forum. I have enjoyed my short time here and find many intelligent people here. Continue to reach for greater things all.

I really like Timothy Zahn. He wrote the only star wars books that I thought were really really good. Most of them seem ok, but if the Movies (IV V VI) had not been released, they would have failed, but his books were awsome. I agree that Zahn did the best SW books but the Zahn series came out long before the movies and were best sellers. Unless you are reffering to the original releases that is and not the rereleases. The first book in the series came out somewhere around 1992 or 1993. Not being argumentative just thought I would point it out. As for the rest of the authors, I liked most of them equally. They are all authors that have defined our culture, not just Sci Fi. Many such as Wells, Verne, etc. were next only to prophets.

Cloning full humans is wrong. This is even stated clearly in Trek. Even genetic engineering is stated as wrong. ( i.e. Eugenics Wars) But with that said, I think that engineering disease from our genome and growing parts in a lab is ok... regardless of the method. As long as it is just parts and not an entire being to be hacked into pieces. If you ask me that is better than slaughtering a pig for it's plasma or whatnot. (former method, not latter... lol). Genetic enhancement is out of the question, unless it is INTERNATIONAL law that all people be enhanced in the same manner. We are many social and political changes away from this sort of progressive solution though.

Although I just posted my opinion, I also recognize that it is just that. Mine will differ from others and personally I did not see any remarks that spawned hatred. I saw some that may have come from an ignorance of what gay is. But hell, I am ignorant of that too. I just recognize that I am. I am not gay therefor I do not know what it is like to be so nor am I qualified to judge nor speculate as to the cause of. In conclusion, all I see is judgement and defensiveness from all sides concerned but no real malice.

I agree with most of the serious points of this page. But it is also important to consider that what is good for one person will not be good for the other. Tolerance is the key. Realizing that we are not all the same in the world and learning to live with that, is important. I am not sure how I feel about open marriages and know that I am a straight man. But, I am mature enough to know that these arrangements may work for others.

I think that it is important to look at what Trek really means. My point is that if we don't believe that a future so bright is possible then it definately won't be. I agree that with our current states of selfishness, that that kind of progress seems impossible but maybe in the dark ages... our current situation seemed impossible. It is the ones who believe, that will make progress in the future happen.

Have to vote Scotty due to the fact that he knew how to "handle" his captain the best by always overstating the timeframe in which he could perform tasks. Also who could get a drunk on Scotch and still run engineering. Only Scotty. Geordi was too much of a goody boy. Although I will give miles his props maverick. Alot of what you said is true. Lager good, tough man good. A close second. Miles was always sober on duty though. Scotty wasn't always and still got it done. GO SCOTTY