Intergalactic Summit

I took Aelisha's survey and thought it was decent. I doubt it will reveal much particularly usable information, but I will admit that I am curious about the results and would very much like to see them when she is done polling.

My views on the discussion at hand fall very much in line with Andreus': that is to say, I do not believe this a discussion that necessitates the involvment of people not native to or living in the Intaki region, and that the IGS is the least likely place for constructive discussion of the issue to occur.

Ms. Scherazad notes that on this particular forum on all people have a right to make their opinions heard. She is very correct about that and it is not something I would change. But when discussing the future plans of a very specific group of people in a very specific place, not all opinions are equal. Most are just noise.

Take, for example, those who state that secession is a desire held by the majority of Intaki. These people are not just stating on opinion: they are attempting to propagate a laughable falsehood. And I mean that literally. If one were to bring up the idea of Intaki secession from the Federation in an average Intaki community, one could expect to be met with mocking laughter, pity-filled headshaking, quizzical looks, and patronizing smiles followed by a quick change of subject. Alternatively, if you bring the subject up with someone like my mother, you'll get a very, very long lecture on Intaki dignity, history, culture, and loyalty.

And even the more informed opinions presented by non-Intaki posters (that is to say, non-residents of Intaki) are still largely irrelevant to the discussion. I do not say this out of disrespect for the posters who choose to make their opinions known, but simply as a statement of fact: the future of Intaki is for the people of Intaki to decide. And while a few both without and within Intaki may like to have things differently, the fact remains that for now our people have shown zero willingness or desire on any meaningful scale to secede from the Federation.

I believe issues like these are for the affected people alone to discuss and decide. That is why I had very little to say about the Caldari's recent change in leadership and the events surrounding it, in spite of thinking quite a bit about it. And it is why I refrain from telling the Minmatar just what I think they should do about their own government's issues.

Pieter Tuulinen when the Caldari broke from the Gallente Federation many Intakis sympathized with our cause came over to the Caldari, and enlisted into the Navy, and were put under the command of a Caldari officer named Muryia Mordu. They fought bravely and honourably for Caldari Independence against the Federation

Perhaps it's because it is late and I am tired, but I am not exactly seeing how. The only thing that makes a difference between a less oppressive occupation and a bloodbath is the discipline of a force's troops and the competence of its commander and officer staff. That, and the local population's willingness to engage in armed conflict.

I understand the premise of that belief, but am still unclear on how it applies to Mr. Tuulinen's specific hypothetical scenario. How, exactly, will knowing the details of a relatively muted, internal debate enable him and his troops to be any more successful at their invasion?

In case it is not clear, there is even less confusion among the Intaki about how they feel about Caldari invaders than there is about a pipedream of secession.

I agree, to an extent. I'd like for our people to keep making the best of a bad situation as well, though if moving past that bad situation means extremely limited future Ishukone and Caldari interference in our affairs then I'm sure you'll understand if I support that.

You're making the mistake of planning for the most tolerable circumstances, here. Given the mechanics of the CEWMPA and the inclusion of planetary districts into the mix, it is entirely likely that Planetary Districts on occupied worlds will change hands. When they do change hands and you start seeing Kaalakiota or Ishukone or Lai Dai police keeping order on the streets, this idea of limited involvement goes straight out of the window.

I am, yes, planning for the worst. Personally I hope that we stay out of Intaki security operations, but wishing to avoid hard work is a very bad basis for forward planning. Should it ever come to pass that we take a contract policing an Intaki planetary district I would like to think that we would do so sympathetically and competently.

And you must understand that understanding your internal politics is a big part of that. It touches upon many decision/action gates.

That is not what I implied. I made a remark about a particular point that tended to make your analysis on arms manufacturers more or less invalid. An analysis that I find interesting enough when properly defined with the clarification you then added and that I do not really disagree with.

Which does not mean that I am defending the opposite side of the argument... Is the world so black and white ?

I understand completely. One of the reasons why I doubt that the current interpretation of the CEWMPA will lead to much of anything fruitful and why I particularly despise the decision that put the Intaki homeworld into it. This peculiar set of circumstances means that seizing control of the Intaki system would make for a very lucrative asset redistribution operation and very little else - were it not for the long-term Ishukone deal.

Believe me, the status quo is one you should support, since the existence of that deal precludes a, how shall I put this, more short-term focused one. Nontheless I do need to wargame up a short-term occupation scenario and try to find a strategy that leads to victory for both sides.

I agree with your sentiment, sir, but will allow the revered Raata lord Hamenkainen to reply for me: the lie which glimmers with the patina of truth breaks as easily as the lie which shows itself unhidden. Beware your own sword's edge.

Yes, how evil of us to outlaw drug manufacturing and distribution, piracy, theft, terrorism, and all sorts of completely "legitimate" professions. Now the Intaki will be forced to take up horrid jobs such as doctors, engineers, and even presidents! Mwhahahahaha!